SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.—J. 353 
It would then seem clear that we have, in these two noegenetic principles of cogni- 
tion, the most accurate theoretical criterion of the value of mental tests, and the most 
trustworthy standard according to which new scales of tests may be built. 
B.—Physical Defect and Mental Efficiency. 
Tests carried out with children in special schools for the physically defective, and 
with patients in the Lord Mayor Treloar Hospital at Alton, manifested an appreciable 
difference of ‘intelligence’ between the two groups of children, and in favour of the 
Alton children. 
The difference could not be attributed to social environment and heredity, to 
educational opportunities, or to the nature of the physical defect. 
It seems necessary to conclude that physical defect, if widespread and of sufficiently 
long duration, produces the symptoms of some degree of amentia. 
This mental inefficiency resulting from physical defect would appear to be 
appreciably alleviated by exposure to ultra-violet rays. 
4, Dr. R. D. Giitesriz.—a Clinical Study of Fatigue. 
A clinical and laboratory study of twenty-five patients complaining of persistent 
fatigue or ready fatiguability, infections being excluded. The histories and present 
_ status revealed emotional disturbance as the other common factor in a very varied 
_ 
7 tater Yes 
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symptomatic setting, ranging from vasomotor disturbance to profound emotional 
depression. Fatigue complaints sometimes obscured or replaced statements of 
discouragement and depression which only appeared later, or were elicited by special 
inquiry. = 
athe same cases submitted to laboratory tests showed in a majority inadequate 
postural response of blood-pressure and diminished exercise-tolerance. In a propor- 
tion of cases only, the blood-pressure was lower and the pulse-rate more rapid at rest 
than in normals. The red-cell count, hemoglobin and P H of the blood were always 
within normal limits. The vital capacity was below ‘normal’ in all subjects, and 
breath-holding time diminished in eighteen. In one third the fall in blood-sugar was 
abnormally delayed after glucose. The basal metabolic rate was abnormal in six of 
nine subjects. Visceroptosis occurred in four of fourteen. In two subjects the 
parasympathetic predominated, and in one the sympathetic was over-active. The 
irritability to pilocarpin, adrenalin, and atropine was striking, most subjects being 
abnormally sensitive to one or other of them, and some to all three. 
Friday, August 28. 
Morning. 
5. Mr. H. Bryns.—The Discrimination of Wool Fabrics by the Sense 
of Touch. 
The Psychological aspect of the wool trade, including an unconscious desire on the 
part of buyers to handle, as well as look at, wool and its fabrics. Softness and 
elasticity important factors in determining quality and value. 
Description of Hxperiments.—Subjects : fifty-five wool, top, yarn and piece goods 
experts; seventy non-trade men and women, mainly teachers. Test cloths: five 
1l-0z. 54-inch Botany suitings, each undyed, clear finish and milled finish ; fifteen 
cloths in all. Object: to define the differences in judgment between members of the 
trade and the consuming public; to trace also the variations of sectional groups 
within the main groups. Factors under investigation: smartness of appearance, 
softness of handle, commercial value. 
Conclusions.—A striking uniformity between the average judgments of both 
_ trained and untrained disclosed, especially on ‘softness of handle,’ pointing to a 
common factor of natural ability capable of development by experience. Results 
suggested a method of measuring the wool-trade sense of touch. Comparisons of 
highly sensitive expert touch with the touch of secondary schoolboys on tests lasting 
_ one and a-half hours under concentrated attention. Importance of ‘ Trade’ opinion 
and ‘ Decision’ comparable to the ‘sensitivity’ and ‘reliability of judgment’ of 
psychologists. Practical application. 
1925 AA 
