2 INTRODUCTION 



in size are examined.* On the other hand it has been 

 possible to show that definite relationships between the 

 weight of the body, the length of the trunk (i.e. the height 

 sitting), and the circumference of the chest do exist, as 

 well as to demonstrate the uniformity of their relation- 

 ship to the vital capacity of the lungs. 



DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW METHOD. Before it is 

 possible to remedy the evils of under-development, and 

 to promote the cultivation of health and good physique, 

 it is necessary to establish on an adequate basis what 

 are to be regarded as standards of normality with respect 

 to the weight and the size of the body in persons who 

 may be taken as being in a condition of perfect health. 

 Before such standards could be arrived at, however, it 

 was imperative to determine definite relationships be- 

 tween the weight of the body and certain bodily meas- 

 urements in a number of individuals of widely differing 

 sizes and ages. As it has been shown f that such rela- 

 tionships do exist, not only between the weight and cer- 

 tain measurements of the body but also between these 

 bodily measurements and certain functional measure- 

 ments as, for example, Vital Capacity it was hoped 

 that the general application of these relationships might 

 fill a long-felt want in our present knowledge regarding 

 standards of healthy development, good physique, and 

 physical fitness. 



Although these relationships are comparatively simple, 

 the process of calculating each of them necessitates the 

 expenditure of so much time and attention that much of 

 their value for immediate, practical application would be 

 lost if separate calculations for each case had to be made. 



* See "Investigations on the Normal Vital Capacity in Man and its 

 Ilclation to the Size of the Body," by Georges Dreyer. Lancet, Aug. 9, 

 1919, cxcvii, 227-234. 



t Loc. cil. 



