ID# 2187:
"On the Anthropometric Laboratory at the late International Health Exhibition," by Francis Galton
Date:
1885
Pages: (1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11|12|13|14|15|16|17|18|19|20|21|22|23|24|25|26|27|28|29|30)
Source:
University College London, GP, 182

&quote;On the Anthropometric Laboratory at the late International Health Exhibition,&quote; by Francis Galton

at the late International Health Exhibition. 25 Strength of the Right and Left Hands. I had a batch of about 500 cases of males between the ages of 23 and 51 analysed to determine the relative strength of the right and left hands. Out of every 100 cases about 50 had the right hand strongest; 20, or rather more, had the left hand strongest; and in 30 the strength was the same. A single line out of the table will give a good idea of the whole. The total of the cases to which it refers was only 82, but for the convenience of percentages I have raised it to 100. [tabular material] Squeeze of the right hand (in lbs.) 75-80. & [column head set across/above the next 10 subcolumns]Squeeze of the left hand (in lbs.) & & 50- & 55- & 60- & 65- & 70- & 75- & 80- & 85- & 90- & 95- & Total Cases. & 1 & 1 & 6 & 9 & 26 & 27 & 21 & 6 & 2 & 1 & 100 [end tabular material] On the average of all the cases the left hand appears to be about 6 per cent. weaker than the right hand. While the figures were accessible, I thought it as well to see if by chance there existed any relation between the superior strength of the right or left hand and the superior reading power, as explained further on, of the right or left eye. There was absolutely none. Had I had means to compare the inferior skill of the right or left hand, which I had not, the existence of some relation would be less improbable. Strength of Squeeze and Breathing Capacity. I was surprised to find that there is no close relation between strength of squeeze and breathing capacity. As the measurements are peculiarly trustworthy, being all made with the same instruments and by the same observers, I give the records in full to establish the fact. The importance of a large breathing capacity to a man who extends force rapidly as to a runner or a mountain climber, is undoubted, but for a strain of short duration it seems comparatively non-essential. Still, I should have thought it to have been more nearly connected with every form of strength than it is. The table shows that an increase of breathing capacity from 150 to 300 inches is accompanied by an increase of strength of squeeze from an average of 75 lbs. to not more than 92 lbs. That is to say, when the breathing capacity is double, the strength of the squeeze is on the average only one quarter greater. c [end]

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