to feel the hard calvarium, and carefully note measurement, to 

 the nearest l /% of an inch. 



2. Circumference of Chest — The recruit faces the light as well as 

 the examiner. 



The elbows are raised somewhat (about 45 degrees from the 

 body). Facing the recruit the examiner passes the tape behind 

 the body. One end held in the left hand is pressed against the 

 middle of the chest on a level with the nipples while the other 

 end is brought around by the right hand until the overlapping 

 permits of correct reading. 



Record measurement in utmost expiration and deepest inspira- 

 tion. 

 Sources of error to be strictly avoided: Conversation during measur- 

 ing; interruptions; incorrect reading of scale; incorrect record- 

 ing. 

 (The suggested measurements would not require any very consider- 

 able degree of scientific skill and as regards cost it was estimated that 

 the total amount would be less than $1 for each set of instruments as 

 required for each recruiting station.) 



STATURE OF ACCEPTED UNITED STATES RECRUITS 

 UNDER THE VOLUNTARY SYSTEM OF ENLISTMENT 



As a practical illustration of the truly immense opportunity for the 

 scientific ascertainment of the varying bodily proportions among men 

 of military age, the following table shows the observed number of 

 recruits at various ages in the experience of the United States Army 

 during the period 1906-15. * 



OBSERVED NUMBER OF RECRUITS AT VARIOUS AGES 

 UNITED STATES ARMY, 1906-1915 



* In this computation all the statures below 63 inches and all those above 71 inches have 

 been omitted. The nine-inch interval was chosen because of the fact that a very few tall 

 and a very few short recruits would tend to displace any indications of change in stature 

 among the greater bulk of younger members. The computed frequency curves must there- 

 fore not be confused with data on page 39 showing the whole range of variation ~ 

 the frequency curve for recruits of all ages. 



35 



with 



