Science and Physical Development 



provide means by which those interested in the 

 subject may at any moment satisfy themselves of 

 the progress of the nation one way or another. 

 Every witness who was examined on the subject 

 testified to the great value of such facts in deter- 

 mining questions relative to the physique of the 

 people." There was also complete agreement that 

 " anthropometric records were the only accredited 

 tests available/' and that there would be no diffi- 

 culty in getting most of the measurements needed 

 from the school population and the young people 

 already subject to medical inspection under the 

 Factory Acts. The Committee submit a practical 

 scheme, suggested by Professor Cunningham, for 

 carrying out the work, and it is earnestly to be 

 hoped that an Anthropometric Bureau may before 

 long find its home in London alongside the 

 Registrar-General and the Geological Survey. 



CAUSES OF PHYSICAL DEGENERATION 



The second and by far the larger part of the 

 Report proceeds to examine in detail the causes 

 of the physical degeneration which the Committee 

 found tl present in considerable classes of the 

 community," and to suggest remedies. These 

 remedies are as diverse as the social diseases for 

 which they are prescribed. Some few would 

 require the help of Parliament, more call for in- 

 creased activity on the part of local governing 

 bodies, but all alike depend for their efficacy on 

 the support of an enlightened public opinion. If 



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