296 



REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE. 



Since ' Practice ' and ' Fatigue ' are forces opposed to each other, 

 in that they react on the individual in contrary manner, it follows that 

 the effect produced must be a resultant one. "Where the urging forward 

 tendency is strong the pushing back may yet be present latently. A 

 20 per cent, increase due to Practice would hide a 10 per cent, diminu- 

 tion due to Fatigue. 



The figures given below represent the resultant generic effect pro- 

 duced by Fatigue Test A. 



The figures in columns A and B represent the sum total of the 

 efforts of twenty-five boys. Column C shows the accuracy output per 

 hundred sums per period. 



In the instance considered the worst pewod is the last, the best 

 period the first. The coefficient of diminished accuracy is found 1 by 

 subtracting the minimum value (47'5) after the maximum (60'5) has 

 been obtained and dividing this number by the maximum value. Thus 



60-5 - 47-5 = 13 ; and * 3 = 0-2148, or 21'48 per cent, where the 



number 100 represents absolute inaccuracy and 240 a condition of com- 

 plete sustained accuracy. It is assumed provisionally that the falling off 

 in accuracy is due to fatigue. In this manner the individual perform- 

 ances have been calculated and an order of merit has been obtained. 

 The top boy in the order is he who shows the least susceptibility to 

 fatigue, who maintains, that is, the steadiest output of accurate work 

 period by period throughout the time allotted to the test. 



The crude coefficient of correlation between this order and the 

 Final Order of Intelligence is 0'22, or as a percentage of 22 where the 

 number 100 represents similarity of rank or identity of position. When 

 the order of merit (fatigue) is inverted, and the top place assumed by 

 that boy who shows the greatest susceptibility to fatigue, as measured 

 in terms of diminished accuracy of output, the coefficient of correlation 

 is -0-28. 



With regard to the other fatigue tests, the clerical work is not yet 

 finished. They may, however, briefly be summarised as follows : — 



Test A. — Addition sums. Two digit numbers. Five numbers in 

 column. Thirty minutes a day for three days. Given at conclusion 

 of school working day. 



Test B. — Counting squares. Size $\ of a square inch. Thirty 

 minutes a day for five days. Given at commencement of school 

 working day. 



1 Of La Fatigue Intellectuelh (Bluest), p. 242. 



