Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 September 1898 — STATURE OF AMERICANS, [ARTICLE]

STATURE OF AMERICANS,

Sarffeon in the United states AmtJT ' Save it I« 67 Inches. In a paper read by Major Henry S. Kilbourn, surgeon United States army, before the Association of Military Sun geons of the United States, he adv<F cated the theory that the physical power of a race of people, and consequent!# their capacity for work, is measured by their average stature. For every inch of height between five and six feet the extreme breathing capacity is Increased eight cubic luches; the vital capacity being at its maximum at 35 years. A table of measurements of 190,201 native white Americans, accepted for the military service of the United States, show that the number of men below sixty-three inches in height is but little greater than that of the class above seventy-three inches. The most numerous class is included between sixty-seven and sixty-nine inches, and this standard class would have a greater chest girth than the average. The mean height of 125 United States naval cadets above the age of 23 years was 67.80 inches. As these men are drawn from all parts and classes of the United States, they represent very nearly the typical physical development of the American people of 25 years of age. Major Kilbourne concludes that the commingling strains of Celtic, Danish Norwegian and German blood among our people has thus far worked no deterioration of physical quality. “Not so the swarthy, low-browed and stunted people now swarming to our shores. Absorbed into the body of the people, these multitudes must inevitably evolve an inferiority of type. To realize the result of such a contingency, let it be considered that the loss of an inch in stature might bring in its train the loss of national ascendency. Let us take care then that the state shall suffer no injury.”—Boston Transcript.