CIRCUMFERENCE OF CHEST. 



87 



the size of the chest slightly diminished, although a fictitious bulk might remain from 



corpulence.* 



The following table illustrates the difference that age produces in the circumference 



of the chest; the mean dimension at all ages from 18 to 45 years being contrasted with 



that of completed growth : 



Table comparing the mean girth of chest at all ages from 18 to 45 years, icith its mean dimension at the 



age of completed growth. 



It is worthy of notice that the Germans, who exhibit the largest girth of chest in 

 the column of "All ages," also prove to be of the highest mean age; an age indeed 

 closely approaching to that of completed growth. 



The result of an inquiry as to any possible relation between girth of chest and 



complexion is exhibited in the following table : 



Table showing the proportion of light- to dark-complexioned men in each of Jive races, with the respective 



relation of each complexion to girth of chest. 



Nativity. 



United States... 

 British America. 



England 



Ireland 



Germany 



Total, and mean of total. 



Light-com- 

 plexioned. 



126, 445 



9, 506 



6,804 



20, 378 



20, 559 



183, 692 



Dark-com- 

 plexioned. 



64, 176 

 4,859 

 2,845 

 8,617 

 9,041 



89, 538 



Total. 



190,621 



14, 365 



9,649 



28, 995 



20, 600 



273, 230 



Mean girth of chest. 



Light-complexioned. Dark-complexioned, 



Inches. 

 33. 506 

 33. 509 

 33. 415 

 33.778 

 33. 957 



33. 583 



Metres. 

 .8511 

 . 8511 

 .8487 

 .8580 

 .8625 



.8530 



Inches. 

 33. 769 

 33. 731 

 33. 622 

 34. 016 

 34. 118 



33. 821 



Metres. 

 .8577 

 . 8568 

 .8540 

 .8640 

 .8666 



.8591 



' In some European states, a minimum limit of girth of chest is prescribed, at least for certain corps. As the chest 

 continues to increase in size long after the age of liabilitj' to conscription, it is evident that the claim of the state would 

 bo often defeated if a re-examinatiou were not made at one or more subsequent periods. This has been already pointed 

 out as applying to stature. 



415380 



