594 REPORT—1896, 
the body. Nerve-signs, whether they occur alone or in combination with 
defect in development or not, are more directly connected with low mental 
ability than congenital defect of the body. This is most marked in 
children seven years and under, particularly with girls ; in the age-group 
eight to ten it is most marked with boys ; while at eleven years and over 
it is about equal in the sexes. It should thus be an object, in training 
children, to prevent them from acquiring any abnormal nerve-signs. 
In the London Board schools efficient physical training was given (these 
children are presented in Tables I. to IV.) ; in the Scotch Board school 
(see Table VI.) no physical training was given. The physical condition 
of the Scotch children was better—developmental cases, boys 8 per cent., 
girls 4-6 per cent. ; and delicate children, boys 2-2 per cent., girls 3:3 per 
cent., as against, in the London schools—developmental cases, boys 8°5 per 
cent., girls 6°8 per cent. ; and delicate children, boys 2°8 per cent., girls 
3°4 per cent. When, however, we come to look to their brain status, we 
find, in the Scotch school, 13-6 per cent. boys and 10:3 per cent. girls 
with abnormal nerve-signs, while 9°8 per cent. boys and 6:2 per cent. girls 
are dull or backward pupils; as against, in the London schools, 9:7 per 
cent. boys, and 8-2 per cent. girls with nerve-signs, and 7:9 per cent. boys, 
and 7:1 per cent. girls reported as dull pupils. Further analysis of the 
cases shows the nerve-signs as probably connected with the larger propor- 
tion of dull pupils. The inference is that good physical training lessens 
the proportion of children with inco-ordinated brain action, and coinci- 
dently the proportion of dull pupils. 
Many other points of interest might be dealt with on the basis of the 
facts arranged in the tables, and answers can be given therefrom to many 
questions raised from time to time. In the last two reports we have dealt 
mostly with the main classes of defects; in searching for the means of 
removing or preventing them it will be necessary to make further analysis 
and classification of the individual defects, especially as to the nerve- 
signs. Cases presenting each nerve-sign should be classified, as the main 
class of nerve-cases has been classified ; we should thus obtain information 
as to the lines of causation of each, and their relative significance. As all 
our cases are recorded on separate cards, this can readily be done, but the 
work would involve much clerical labour. 
The Committee desire to be reappointed, and ask a grant in aid of this 
work. 
Description of Tables. 
Each table is arranged for a division of schools as given in the heading. 
Cases are distributed into primary groups presenting only the class of 
defect indicated by the symbols. The numbers on the left hand refer to 
definition of the class, as given in the full report published.! In the first 
half of the table the groups are distributed according to educational 
standards. The numbers seen and the numbers noted are given at the 
bottom of this section of the table. 
In the second half of the table the groups are distributed according 
to ages. 
' ‘Report on the Scientific Study of the Mental and Physical Conditions of 
Childhood. With particular reference to children of defective constitution; and 
with recommendations as to Education and Training, based on 100,000 children 
examined.’ Published at Parkes Museum, Margaret Street, W. 
