Transverse Thoracic Diameter.—The buttons of the thoracimeter are applied on a level with the mammary papillæ, along the axillary lines (vertical lines descending from the centre of the arm-pits).
Antero-posterior Thoracic Diameter.—This is also taken at the level of the nipples: the branches are applied anteriorly on the sternum and posteriorly on the vertebral channel.
These two diameters serve to furnish the thoracic index:
Ti = (100×d (antero-posterior))/(D (transverse))
Spirometer.—The subject takes a maximum inspiration and retains his breath until he has exactly fitted his mouth to the apparatus; then he emits all his breath in a forced expiration. This causes the index to rise, and the amount may be read upon it.
Sternal Length.—From the xiphoid point to the sternal fossa.
Bimammillary Diameter.—Distance between the two nipples.
Abdomen.—It would be really difficult to take measurements of the abdomen in the school. The principal anthropometric points to remember are the umbilical point, the two antero-superior iliac points, the pubis.
The distances which it would be useful to take are the following: xipho-umbilical and umbilico-pubic distances, which give an idea of the upper development (liver) and lower development (intestines) of the abdomen, and the biacromial diameter which measures the width of the pelvis.