504 REPORT — 1895. 



in twelve groups of schools presented in Table I., which gives the 

 ' numbers seen ' and ' the numbers noted ' in each group of schools respec- 

 tively, and the special defects they presented. It is thus possible to 

 ascertain the relative frequency of each defect among the boys and girls 

 of the nationalities and social classes, (fee. 



The numbers of cases presenting individual defects, when distributed 

 among the nationalities and social classes, itc, are comparatively small ; 

 for the general purposes of research it appears more satisfactory to deal 

 with groups of cases presenting the main classes of defects. JFor this 

 reason the Committee have bestowed much labour on preparing a general 

 but exact analysis of the facts in hand, dealing principally with the distri- 

 bution and co-relations of the main classes of defects, leaving for future 

 work the study of similar relations among the individual signs in such 

 classes. 



There are four main classes or divisions into which the defective con- 

 ditions observed may be grouped. 



A. Defects in development of the body and its parts — in size, form, or 

 proportioning of parts. 



B. Abnormal ne^'ve-signs : certain abnormal actions, movements, and 

 balances. 



C. Loiv nutrition, as indicated by the child being thin, pale, or delicate. 



D. Mental Dulness. — The teacher's report as to mental ability was added 

 to the record of each child noted, and those stated to be backward or 

 below the avei'age in ability for school work were entered as 'dull.' 



The relative distribution of these classes of defects is shown in Table 

 II., which also gives the combinations in which they occur, and their per- 

 centages upon the numbers of chikh-en seen and the numbers noted. It is 

 by studying the distriljution and the co-relations of these groups that new 

 information is most readily obtained. 



Among the children who present some degree of defect those -are pro- 

 bably in best condition who present only 'one main class of defects,' while 

 those with four classes of defects are often so deficient as to need sjjecial 

 care and training. The numbers and percentages of these groups are also 

 given in Table II. 



A full statement of the facts observed has been prepared for early 

 publication by the committee with whom we are allied, which enables 

 us to make certain general statements upon which their report will afford 

 detailed evidence. 



Defects in development of the body are more frequent among boys 

 than girls — in the proportion of Sw to 6-8. A marked exception to this 

 rule is in the cases of small cranium, which are much more frequent 

 among girls : this defect appears to some degree endemic in the 

 neighbourhoods of large buildings. It is less frequent among the 

 Irish children, who in other particulars present many noteworthy 

 points. 



Of the cases with defect in development (A), 16-2 per cent, of the boys 

 and 26--1 per cent, of the girls were pale, thin, or delicate ; and 38-4 per 

 cent, of the boys and 45-0 per cent, of the girls were reported as dull. 



These facts serve to illustrate the importance of presenting all vital 

 statistics separately for males and females. The greater harm that results 

 from defect of body among girls is shown by the fact that 65'3 per cent. 

 of the boys and 72*5 per cent, of the girls presented other conditions 

 of defectiveness. The evidence accumulated shows the importance of 



