1885 .] 
Testing for Colour-blindness. 413 
In the voluntary examination, the system known as 
“ Holmgren’s worsted test ” is used ; and the medical 
specialists who conduct them say that it has proved fairly 
satisfactory. With regard to European countries, Austria 
and the Netherlands are the only nations that have intro- 
duced a colour-test examination into their mercantile marine 
services, while France and four other nations have intro- 
duced a colour-test into their naval schools and State navies 
only. Belgium has instituted a compulsory examination for 
employes in mail-boats running between Dover and Ostend. 
Holmgren’s method is used, and, in addition, all Antwerp 
pilots are examined by two ships’ lights, red and green, pre- 
sented at 10 metres distance from the candidate ; the position 
of the lights being changed rapidly. Flushing pilots are 
examined by means of different shades of colour thrown upon 
a black background : while Ostend pilots have a number of 
pieces of wall-paper, or skeins of wool, of different shades of 
colour placed before them, and these they are required to 
group into the colours of the spedtrum, a copy of which is 
placed before them. 
Duly considering the various modes of conducting the 
examination practised by other nations, the Board of Trade 
came to the conclusion “ that there was nothing in the 
colour-tests, or mode of applying them, as adopted by other 
countries, which, for practical purposes, is an improvement 
upon those in use in this country.” But while it is thought 
to be undesirable to make any alteration in the mode of 
applying the colour-test in this country, it is admitted to be 
necessary to apply it more generally, and that “ an exami- 
nation in colours is needed, not only for officers, but for 
pilots and men on the ‘ look out.’ ” This will scarcely be 
made compulsory on all alike so long as shipowners affeCt 
to despise, or disbelieve in, the dangers arising from colour- 
blindness. An ignorant determination to rejeCt all proofs on 
this score bars the way to the adoption of preventive 
measures. 
As to the results of the past four years’ examinations, 
from May, 1880, to May, 1884, when the colour-test was 
made compulsory, a great many curious mistakes, it appears, 
were made in colours by the 85 candidates who presented 
themselves for certificates : not all of whom were rejected, 
for 29 applied to be re-examined, and ultimately succeeded 
in satisfying the examiners. It should be observed, how- 
ever, that the greater part of them were re-examined in pro- 
vincial towns, and were said to be able to distinguish between 
red and green. Beside these 85 failures, there were also 
