Summary of Stature

We have been considering stature as the linear index of the whole complex development of the body, taking it in relation to two other factors, the one internal or biological, and the other external or social. These two factors, indeed, unite in forming the character of the individual in his final development; and in each of them education may exert its influence, both in connection with the hygiene of generation and through reforms instituted in the school.

In the following table are summed up the different points of view from which we have studied stature in its biological characteristics and in its variations:

Varieties of stature	Ethnic varieties and limits of oscillation	Stature in different races; extreme limits.
		Stature of the Italian people; and its geographical distribution.
		Limits of stature: medium, tall, low.
	Biological varieties	Difference of stature in the sexes.
	Biological varieties	Stature at different ages (growth).
Variations in stature	Variations due to adaptation	Mechanical	Transitory or physiological.
Permanent, often caused by deformities (Causes: the attitudes required by the work.)		Mechanical
Physiological		Nutrition.
Physical		Heat.
		Light.
		Electricity.
Psychic		Psychic stimuli.
Pathological variations	Infantilism	Myxedematous.
Dystrophic		from alcohol.
		from syphilis.
		from tuberculosis.
		from malaria.
		from pellagra.
Hypotrophic		Denutrition.
Anangioplastic
Rachitis