442 REPORT — 1894. 



above the nipples, and with the lower edge touching them ; it is then 

 brought horizontally round the chest walls, over the blade-bones to the 

 back. The zero of the tape should rest on the spine. (3) The boy drops 

 his arms. (4) Takes a deep breath. (5) Counts slowly from one to ten. 

 (6) At the word ' ten ' the measurer draws the tape tight and records the 

 measurement. When this is done, care should be taken to see that the 

 tape is exactly horizontal both in front and behind. 



The above measurements should be taken twice (or, if desired, thrice) 

 annually. 



IV. Tests of Vision. — These tests will serve to detect the presence 

 of certain common defects of vision. Such defects are often overlooked 

 or disregarded, to the permanent detriment of the puj^il. The tests will 

 not reveal the nature or cause of a defect. This can only be determined 

 by an expert. 



(a) AcuTENESS OF VisiON. — (1) Hang on the wall, in a good light, a 

 set of Snellen's Test Letters ; these are in general use, and afford records 

 which can be universally compared. iVo others should be substituted for 

 theiv.. (2) Draw a line on the floor ab a distance of exactly six metres 

 from the letters, and let each pupil in turn toe this line and try to read 

 the letters, line after line, beginning at the top ; in all cases without 

 spectacles or eye-glasses. Eacli eye is to be tested separately, the other 

 eye being covered, but not pressed upon, by a large card held in the pupil's 

 hand. (3) Record the vision of each eye separately in the form of a 

 fraction ; for instance, thus : — 



R. V=:t 



L. V = A 



The numerator is in all cases 6 — i.e. the distance of the letters in metres ; 

 the denominator is the number which stands over the lowest line of letters 

 which can be read. When the vision is less than /^jj it should be recorded 

 by the appropriate sign — viz. V < /^. (4) Take care that the pupils 

 have no opportunity of learning the letters by rote. 



Note. — When the vision of either eye is found to be represented by a 

 fraction having a denominator of more than 18, it will generally be 

 desirable to report the fact to the parent or guardian, in order that proper 

 advice may be obtained, such report being omitted if this has already 

 been done. 



(6) Colour Visiox. — (1) Use Holmgren's Series of Coloured Wools. 

 (2) Place them in a heap on a white cloth, in a good light. (3) Lay, 

 apart from the heap, the test skein — a pale, pure green. (4) Explain to 

 the pupil that he is to select from the heap and place beside the test 

 skein all those which appear to him to be of the same kind of colour. 

 Do not require him to name them or match them exactly, but to select 

 those which are most nearly like the test-skein in colour. (5) Mix the 

 wools again for each pupil, but always use the pale pure green as the test. 



A certain number of the pupils — boys, very rarely girls — will match 

 the test-skein falsely with buffs, pinks, and other colours which have no 

 green tint, or will hesitate much before rejecting such. These pupils are 

 more or less colour-blind, and are thereby permanently unfitted for 

 vocations on land or sea which require good colour vision. Record 

 the defect. 



Note. — Ascertain by this same test that the person who conducts the 

 colour-testing is not himself colour-blind. Such cases have been known. 



