157 



The Growth of the Body in Man. — The Relationship) between the 

 Body-weight and the Body-length [Stem-length). 



By E. W. Ainley Walker, M.A., D.M., Fellow and Tutor of University 

 College, and Lecturer in Pathology in the University of Oxford. 



(Communicated by Prof. C. S. Sherrington, F.E.S. Received October 15, 1915.) 



(From the Department of Pathology, University of Oxford.) 



A number of investigations carried out in recent years by Prof. Dreyer and 

 myself have indicated the existence of several previously unknown relation- 

 ships which hold throughout a given species of animals between functions of 

 the body-weight and various other ascertained measurements.* 



In connection with work of a similar character on which we are engaged, I 

 undertook some years ago the collection and examination of data bearing on 

 the growth of Man. This work is still incomplete, but certain results of 

 interest have already emerged. 



The present communication deals with the relationship between the length 

 of the human body and its weight during the period of growth. By the 

 term " length " of the body is here meant the length of the stem of the 

 body constituted by the head, neck and trunk ; that is to say the distance 

 from the top of the head to the line joining the ischial tuberosities, or stem- 

 length as it may be termed. 



This measurement corresponds to the body-length of animals and was 

 chosen as the first object for investigation in order that any results which 

 were obtained in Man might be comparable with those obtained in other 

 species. 



Method of Measurement. 



Length. — The length is measured by seating the subject on the floor or 

 on a low table (not a chair) with the back against the wall. Care is 

 taken to see that the sacrum is in contact with the wall, and the legs 

 somewhat drawn up so that the individual sits fairly upon his ischial 

 tuberosities. Under these conditions the height of the top of the head gives 

 a true measurement of the length of the body, and one which is constant and 

 incapable of variation by the subject. 



If a chair or other form of seat be employed in taking this measurement 



* Dreyer, Georges, and Walker, E. W. Ainley, " The Determination of the Minimal 

 Lethal Dose of various Toxic Substances and its Relationship to the Body-weight in 

 Warm-blooded Animals, together with Considerations bearing on the Dosage of Drugs," 

 ' Roy. Soc. Proc.,' B, vol. 87, p. 319 (1914), and references to literature contained therein. 



