ANTHROPOMETRY 61 



other hand will enable us to secure observations on the largest possible 

 number of individuals, and not impede a prompt preparation of the 

 data for publication. 



The selection of the measurements for a particular piece of study 

 is not as difficult as might seem, once we are well conscious of the 

 exact aims of the study to be undertaken. If it is to be a study of 

 the laws of growth in the child, we shall naturally devote our atten- 

 tion mainly to the dimensions of the body as a whole and to those of 

 its main segments, the head, neck, trunk and limbs. We may dis- 

 regard in this case the growth of the secondary parts such as the ears, 

 nose, mouth, hands and feet, and possibly even the development of 

 the face as a whole, which should form the subject of special studies. 

 Should our object be racial comparison, the main attention will be 

 centered in stature, sitting height, possibly the span, and the dimen- 

 sions of the head, face, nose and perhaps also the ears. But if the 

 object of the research is to be a comparison of two or more environ- 

 mental or social groups, then it will be necessary to pay close regard, 

 besides the measurements just mentioned, also to those of the shoul- 

 ders, chest, hands, and feet, and possibly also to those of special parts 

 of musculature. Same rules will naturally be observed in work on 

 the skeleton. 



Besides such more general studies there will be occasions for research 

 on single parts or organs, which will call for detailed measurements of 

 these, together with those on parts that stand in important correla- 

 tion. Finally, in the study of individual variations of parts, we may 

 practice detailed measurements which will be used on no other oc- 

 casion and which it would be of no use to complicate by measurements 

 on unrelated parts or organs. 



In preparing for measuring the living, the student must consider, 

 in addition to the interests of the work, also the sensibilities of his 

 prospective subjects. He must particularly bear in mind that mod- 

 esty, though it may differ in shade or degree, is a universal virtue which 

 cannot be offended with impunity. Fortunately, measurements which 

 would call for exposures likely to be resented are in general those of 

 secondary value only. Moreover, a light garment will in no way 

 interfere with the accuracy of measurements, as for instance those of 

 the chest, the maximum breadth of the pelvis, etc. To demand more 

 than an accustomed exposure would spoil the chances of success of 

 the investigator in many a tribe of primitive people, and might even 

 prove dangerous. Clean mind and clean work are both requisites, 

 as well as great tonics. 



