54 



WEIGHT. • 

 Table showing the increase of weight with stature, and its ratio to the same. 



The increment of weight within the hmits of stature of these tables is 5.96 pounds 

 (2.71 kilogrannnes) to the inch, accoj-ding to our showing. Mr. Hutchinson declared 

 5.43 pounds (2.4(3 kilogrammes) to be the result of his researches; but if the weight of 

 clothes be deducted, as before, the net increment will be 5.14 pounds, (2.33 kilo- 

 grammes.) Mr. Gould's calculations brought out only 4.25 pounds (1.92 kilogrammes) 

 as the resulting increment, but his range is rather more extensive, extending from 60 

 inches to 75 inches, and over.' 



Instances of heavy weight are less uncommon amongst the natives of the United 

 States than the general impression upon the subject would, perhaps, lead the inquirer 

 to suppose. A few instances of light, heavy, and excessive weights have been taken 

 at random from the records. 



For examijle: Tu one district in the State of Maine, 16 men were found whose 

 weight was, in each case, 195 pounds, (S8.45 kilogrammes;) their mean height was 70.62 

 inches, (1.794 metres,)'and their mean girth of chest at expiration was 37.! inches, 

 (963 millimetres.) The mean age of the group was 33.81 years. From two districts 

 of the State of New York, we have the particulars of 21 men, whose mean age was 

 30 years; their mean height, 68.94 iiuJhes, (1.751 metres;) their mean girth of chest at 

 expiration, 36.71 inches (932 millimetres;) and whose mean weight was 191.26 pounds, 

 (86.75 kilogrammes.) These men were all mustered into service. Another group of 

 15 men, also from the State of New York, presents the following remarkable dimen- 

 sions: Their mean age was 38.06 years; their mean height, 69.28 inches, (1.760 

 metres;) their mean girth of chest at expiration was 41.35 inches, (l,0."i0 millimetres;) 

 and their mean weight, 236.40 pounds, (107.23 kilogrammes.) It is scarcely necessary 

 to add tliat they were all exempted. The heaviest member of tlie last group weighed 



' A certain formula in the matter of weight and its relation to stature has obtaiueil a degree of currency, wliieli 

 ilcs(^rves a few words of comment. It is supposed to be a rule that the weight should be at the rate of 2 pounds (0.91 

 Uil(igramine) for every iiicli of height in order to constitute a sound body, and that if it lie below that proportion some 

 dis(|ualilicatiou may be suspected. Like most of its kind, this formula is inaccurate, and lilcely to lead tu mischievous 

 ci>nclMsious. It is very true that a man of the height of 60 or 61 inches (1.52.40 or 154.114 centimetres) would be fully up to 

 the standard of health if bis weight were 120 pounds, (54.43 kilogrammes,) and, indeed, it should not exceed 130 pounds, 

 (58.97 kilogrammes ;) but this rate becomes rapidly insufficient with advancing stature, as the tables in the text will 

 show, and a niau of six feet (1.829 metres) in height weighing only 144 pounds (65.31 kilogrammes) might fairly be 

 considered .as emaciated. 



