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age-group in 1923. Those aged 6 and 9 were lighter. The figures are as follows:

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The balance is again in favour of 1920, and as with the boys, the difference is most marked at age 13. For the 13 year old girls the fall has been continuous during the four years, the figures being respectively 799; 785; 77-9; 76.7 lbs.

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(2) Heights. It is perhaps sufficient to state that the "height figures follow closely the "weight" figures; the groups which were heavier in 1920 were also taller in that year.

Taking the two sets of figures together, therefore, the children in 1920 were, on the average, slightly taller and heavier than the corresponding groups in 1923.

(3) Nutrition.-The striking fact brought out by the table on nutrition is the steady diminution, among both boys and girls, of the numbers classified as suffering from "Bad" and "Very bad" nutrition, and a corresponding increase in the numbers classified as having "Good" and "Fair" nutrition. The percentage of "Bad" and " Very bad" taken together was in 1920 approximately 15, and in 1923 approximately 5.3.

(4) Clothing and Footgear.-As regards the sufficiency of clothing, there is an improvement in 1923 as compared with 1920. This improvement has been steady throughout the four years. There is practically no change in the state of repair and cleanliness of clothing. in 1923 as compared with 1920. The figures for "unsatisfactory footgear" remain practically the same, but 0.8 per cent. more of the children had no footgear in 1923-the total being 390 in 1923, ascompared with 147 in 1920. Comparing 1922 with 1923 there was a very slight improvement in sufficiency of clothing, in "unsatisfactory footgear "(0.1 per cent. in each case) and in "footgear"-"none" (0.5 per cent.).

It is difficult to reconcile the height and weight figures, which appear to show a deterioration in physique, with the nutrition figures, which point to an improvement. The height and weight figures are probably more reliable, being based on standard measurements, whereas in judging the state of nutrition there is no absolute standard of comparison, and accordingly the personal factor leaves room for some variation. But it is extremely doubtful whether the personal factor provides a full explanation of the difference between the 15 per cent. classed as of "Very bad" nutrition in 1920 and the 5.3 per cent. so classed in 1923. We are disposed to think that this reduction in the number of children of "Very bad" nutrition merely confirms what we have stated previously as to the wholesome effect of regularity of income on the unskilled and casual worker groups.

In regard to minor ailments (enlarged tonsils, adenoids, etc.) the school medical officers' reports show a tendency towards an increase

in the four years from 1920 to 1923. Regarding this factor in conjunction with the height, weight and nutrition tables, it would appear that, while there were in 1923 fewer children suffering from actual malnutrition than in 1920, the evidence as a whole points to a slight falling off in vitality and physique, though such evidence as is forthcoming is not very striking.

(B) Lanarkshire.

(1) Heights and Weights.-There is only one set of figures for 1920 that is comparable with similar figures in 1923, namely, that referring to children aged 5. In this case the balance is in favour of 1923. For the children aged 9 and 12 the figures for 1921 are available for comparison with those of 1923, and for boys and girls, at both ages, the figures are in favour of 1923. Clearly there has been no falling away in the average height and weight during the three years 1921-1923.

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(2) Nutrition.-As compared with 1920 there is an increase of 1.47 per cent. in the number of children with nutrition below average," and a slight increase (0.13 per cent. or 40 cases) in the number classed as suffering from "very bad" nutrition.

(3) Clothing. While sufficiency of clothing has improved since 1920, clothing "in need of repair" and "dirty," especially the latter, have both increased. The percentage of unsatisfactory footgear was highest in 1921-the year of the coal strike-and although lower in 1923 than in 1921, it is higher than in 1920.

(4) Minor Ailments.- With regard to enlarged tonsils, adenoids, glands and inflammatory diseases of the eyes, there is, if anything, a slight improvement in 1923 as compared with 1920. The only striking fact brought out by the table is the well-marked increase in the prevalence of chronic bronchitis in 1923 as compared with 1920, the figures being respectively 583 and 122.

It will be observed that the position in Lanarkshire in regard to height, weight and nutrition is exactly the reverse of that in Glasgow. Accepting our explanation of the apparent anomaly in the Glasgow figures as between height and weight and nutrition, it might appear that the Lanarkshire figures prove that the authorities in that area had not taken sufficient measures to meet necessity. If this had been the true position, however, it would undoubtedly have been reflected in a general deterioration, and we consider that the personal factor in the "nutrition" examination affords the real explanation.

The increase in the prevalence of chronic bronchitis amongst school children in 1923 as compared with 1920 calls for coniment. The explanation of this as given by the Chief School Medical Officer for Lanarkshire is that while in 1920 the school children were specially well clothed, the quantity and quality of clothing and footgear in the following years have suffered a progressive deterioration owing to the unsatisfactory industrial conditions, and that the increase in respiratory troubles was due mainly to the lack of proper protection against cold weather.

(C) Renfrewshire.

(1) Heights and Weights.-The tables show that children aged 5 in 1923 are taller and heavier than those in the same age-group in 1920. Those aged 9 show a distinct increase in weight, but very little or no change in height. Of those aged 12 the boys are heavier and taller in 1923 than in 1920; the girls are a little lighter but slightly taller than in 1920. Taken as a whole, therefore, there is an improvement in the 1923 children as compared with those

of 1920.

(2) Nutrition.-The table on nutrition shows somewhat irregular fluctuations in the numbers of children of poor nutrition during the four years. There is on the whole, however, a distinct improvement in 1923 as compared with 1920.

(3) Clothing-Sufficiency of clothing was better in 1923 than in 1920, but clothing "in need of repair," "dirty" and "footgear unsatisfactory" have all gone back in 1923 as compared with the position in 1921 and 1922, but all are better than they were in 1920.

(4) Minor Ailments.—On the whole, enlarged tonsils were slightly more frequent in 1923 than in 1920, and distinctly more so than in 1921 and 1922. Adenoids were less frequent in 1923 than in 1920 or in any of the intervening years. Enlarged glands were less prevalent in 1923 than in 1920, but much more so than in 1921 or 1922. Chronic bronchitis was also less prevalent in 1923 than in 1920, but more than in 1921 and 1922.

There was a considerable epidemic of measles from April till September 1922, and this may account for the greater prevalence of glandular and respiratory ailments.

The figures obtained for this County seem to show conclusively that the general health of school children has not deteriorated in 1923 as compared with the three preceding years.

(D) Dumbartonshire.

(1) Heights and Weights.-Boys and girls aged 5 years were the same, or practically the same, weight and height in 1923 as the corresponding age-group in 1920. Boys and girls aged 8 years both show increases in weight in 1923 as compared with 1921 (1920 figures not available). In height the boys show a slight increase, the girls a slight decrease in 1923. Boys and girls aged 12 both show an improvement in weight as compared with 1921; the boys show practically no alteration in height, whereas the girls are slightly taller. These facts point on the whole to a slight improvement in weight, with little or no change in height in 1923.

(2) Nutrition. The table shows a steady rise in the percentage of children of poor nutrition throughout the four years, the percentage reaching 8.3 in 1923.

(3) Clothing.-Clothing was more insufficient in 1923 than in any of the three previous years. It was more in need of repair than in 1921 or 1922, but less so than in 1920. More clothing was classi

fied as "Dirty" in 1923 than in 1921 or 1922, but less than in 1920. With regard to "Footgear unsatisfactory" and "None," the position was worse in 1923 than in 1920 or in either of the intervening years.

(4) Minor Ailments.-Enlarged tonsils were more prevalent in 1923 than in any of the three previous years. The same holds for adenoids, but enlarged glands were fewer in 1923. No change was shown in external eye diseases. There was a distinct increase in chronic bronchitis.

In this County also the figures afford no evidence of physical deterioration.

In considering the health aspect of the unemployment situation, it is important to bear in mind that, unless it becomes really serious, physical deterioration is difficult to measure, and that any views expressed on the subject by medical officers or others may have an unconscious bias in one or other direction. So far as the evidence obtained, both impressionistic and statistical, can be weighed, however, we think that it affords ample justification for the view that unemployment has not had any serious effect on the physical condition of the population, though in some few individual instances and in special circumstances ill effects may be apparent. But even as to these exceptional cases it must be remembered that under-nourishment is not always the result of an insufficient income, but is sometimes the result of a failure to expend that income to the best advantage, though on this point we have some positive grounds for concluding that the amounts granted either as unemployment insurance allowance or as "able-bodied unemployment relief" have generally been well applied to the maintenance of the children.

EFFECTS OF UNEMPLOYMENT ON THE TECHNICAL SKILL OF THE WORKERS.

Considerable differences of opinion were encountered in this branch of the enquiry, and there has apparently been a tendency to assume too hastily, from knowledge of the effects on one or two individuals, the proof of the general case. But the opinions expressed are of more than passing interest, and while they do not permit any dogmatic conclusion, they enable certain inferences to be drawn. Substantially it is agreed that the trained worker, whether craftsman or labourer, does not forget his art however prolonged the idleness. This does not necessarily mean that a worker on resuming employment after a lengthy spell of idleness can work with the same facility as before. Leaving out of account for the moment the question of physical fitness, it is fairly certain that for a time his work will require greater effort, both mental and physical; that, in other words, his task has become less automatic. The result is, of course, that by a temporary loss of speed output is retarded. The effect will be more marked, and the return to full efficiency more prolonged where the work to be done involves the performance of delicate operations. Certain employers expressed the view, however, that where only a proportion of the men have been re-started in an industry, the tendency to a sub-normal output through want of practice is sometimes

counterbalanced by a conscious speeding up by the men, who are anxious to prove their worth in the face of the competition for the few jobs available.

More serious is the position of apprentices who were only partly trained when the severe depression occurred. Although a few firms appear to have made efforts to retain their apprentices as long as possible, many apprentices have been dismissed for lack of work or in consequence of the temporary closing down of factories and workshops. It is thought that this interruption in the acquisition of technical skill will drive a proportion of these apprentices permanently into the ranks of the semi-skilled, as they will be unwilling to resume work at a "boy's wage." It was pointed out by trade union representatives, particularly in the engineering trades, that there is little incentive for a youth to qualify himself as a skilled workman when the difference in the wages for skilled and semi-skilled work is so small. Where apprentices decide to resume their training, the general opinion appears to be that any skill they may have acquired will have been almost entirely lost if idleness has been prolonged, and that they will require virtually to start again at the beginning.

The question of the loss of skill cannot be dissociated from the question of physical fitness. On resuming work after a considerable period of unemployment, workers usually show signs of physical fatigue more than normal, though this condition soon disappears. It was reported to one of our officers that a number of furnacemen restarting work after two years' idleness found themselves so physically unfit for the heavy work that they required to be assisted in their tasks by their fellow workmen. It appears also that considerable trouble is experienced owing to the hands having become soft, with the result that in certain operations the workman is more liable to blisters, cuts and bruises, sometimes followed by septic poisoning.

In one district employers estimate that, with regard to labourers, there is a 10 per cent. loss of efficiency after one month's idleness where the worker has no income in addition to unemployment benefit.

THE EFFECTS OF UNEMPLOYMENT ON MORALE.

From the social point of view this section of the enquiry is of great importance, as the loss of those qualities comprehensively termed morale would, if in fact they had been lost, persist long after the primary causes of unemployment had been removed. Demoralisation in all its bearings is difficult to measure, and perhaps because of this the question is often approached in a reckless spirit. In regard to no other aspect of unemployment are so many sweeping statements made on inadequate data.

It should be kept in mind that at all times there is a small percentage of persons who do as little work as possible and who eke out a livelihood by doing odd jobs only when necessity compels. These persons are still with us, and their position may even have improved because of the public provision made for the relief of the unemployed. It is true that the public provision was not intended for this class, but when the immensity of the problem and the suddenness with which it was thrust on public authorities are remembered, it will be

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