The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-29
New Man-Study Laboratory Just
Established in National Museum
of Studied
There. Best Workshop of the Hind Continent
MostE nsiveA Collection n World

a wooden platform against which the pot
tom OF the jaw rests and a hinged board
which may be raised until it comedies with
the angle formed by the part of the
Jaw The angle Is read upon the arc OF a
circular scale. The more perpendicular the
wooden block the greater is the indication
that the jaw is that OF male, ana vice
versa.
Upon a shelf in the laboratory is a meter
of brass. which has been compared with
the worlds standard meter in France. Com
pared III their turn, with this rod are Varl-
Gus wooden blocks, of five, ten, fifteen ana
twenty centimeters length, to which at in
tervals the spreading and sliding compasses
are applied, that errors caused by bend
ing and the like may be detected and cor
rected
Among the material being collected
through the new laboratory are series OF
plaster casts and busts reproducing physl-
cal characteristics of living race types, es-
pecially American Indians. Casts as we'll
as measurements will be taken from giants,
dwarfs and other interesting constituents
of the human family not truly pathological
Photographs of the various races and their
subdivisions are being collected from all
parts of the world.
An insight into the minute scrutiny
which DR.. Hrdlicka applies to his various
living subjects can best be obtained by
scanning the series of blanks used by him
for several years in laboratory and field
work.
Sixty-seven observations are made from
each subject, If practicable and recorded
in columns opposite his name and number
In addition to this entire page is re-
served for miscellaneous physiological and
medical observations of each tribe or group
of people studied
Some of the more interesting items are
the stature, diameter of the head and face,
the breadth and height of forehead, maxi
mum finger-reach, excess of finger-reach
over height, dimensions of the nose, ears
and mouth, the breadth of the lower jaw,
etc. In other columns are recorded the
temperature, pulse. respiration time of
day. present state of health pressure and
traction force of the hands and weight.
Added TO this list are such observations as
color, hair. reformation of the head, etc.
TO STUDY EFFECTS OF VOCATION.
Asked to outline the scope of the work of
the new laboratory, DR.. Hrdlicka said:
"A search is being made for variations in
human structure, their causes and ten
denotes. Take, for example. our own race
or society. We find a large class occupied
in manual labor. Especially where several
generations have been so engaged we have
a defined group. Professional athletes,
mountaineers, miners, sailors, ETC., COM
prise other defined groups Still another
consists of men devoting their entire ener-
gies to intellectual pursuits. An especially
interesting subclass of this intellectual
group are the originators-men who origi-
nate and continue to do so in any line OF
activities.
I'm every one of these groups mans body
is exercised in some special way. Lifelong
exercise in any one direction must result in
anatomical notifications. The athlete s
bones and muscles have their special devel-
opment. Students have somewhat larger
head development than the average man of
the labOring class, according to figures coli
lected by the Paris School of Anthropology.
Exercise of mind causes influx of blood
l. to the brain and this increased nourishment
favors the growth OF that organ, the head
charging in consequence.
These variations remain very largely to
be studied. and it should be ascertained
whether they are constant, and, mainly.
whether they are hereditary or whether
they disappear.
There are already accumulated data
upon thousands and thousands of normal
and abnormal persons. Dealing with whole
groups of mankind requires the collection
of vast material. And yet much more re-
mains TO be DONE
What do you consider to be the most
important problem yet to be Solved?"
THE most important and difficult prob
lens of physical anthropology remain hard
ly approached. Among these, first of all,
ton and study which has been directed by
naturalists to this point, and with every
thing In anatomy vouching for close re-
lationship between man and other man.
mails. we are still facing the problem of
establishing and palpably demonstrating
the transition period. Because of their
man and his immediate precursors must
be exceedingly rare, and without them we
are unable to advance beyond deductions.
"A second great problem is presented by
physical notifications. Long and careful
observations of the effects upon man of
diet, climate and many other natural as
well artificial causes must here be made.
Coming nearer home, it still remains to
be solved when and whence the American
Indian came and what notifications he has
undergone since his advent upon this con-
IMPORTANT PROBLEMS.
"Some of the most important problems re-
late TO the future of the human races and
their physical subdivisions Has man
reached already the end of his physical dif-
ferentiation? If, as indica tons seem to
point, he is still progressing in that proc
ess what directions in different parts of
the world are his different groups or races
taking? VIII there be race as superior to
man of to-day as he is now to The ape or
will education and mingling spread and uni
fy the human racer
1T is found repeatedly that the bones of
the Indian nor negro are less variable than
those of the white man, and this is prob
ally true of other parts of the anatomy
as well. There are many changes of struc-
ture taking place in us constantly. Where
''Of what relative value to race are its
| different groups? This is another serious
question. Are the men who devote their
4
benefit or a detriment to the mean physical
condition of their race? The athlete is bet
ter developed physically than the student.
But is he a more valuable factor in the
race, and are his children healthier or
more provocative or of higher racial
standard? The whole future of races. phys
ical, economical and political, will depend
| upon the standard of their physical condi-
ton.
Are there any other problems besides
that of the Indians of special interest to
the people of the United States?"
Yes; there is now in progress a much
more considerable mixing of negroes and
whites than is ordinarily known of. Will
this progress far enough 20 cause an en-
tire disappearance of the minority race, and
how will IL affect the resulting mixed race
THE greatest of all advantages to Amer
lea has been the constant influx of good,
young. physically strong and mentally raw
material, from every part of the world.
The pioneer process is still going on. This
mixture of the elements pouring in stimu-
lates the mental functions and the entire
system of their progeny.
IF America, like some countries, had
been peopled by one single race il would
not have such bright prospects in every
way as II has to-day
JOHN ELFRETH WATKINS.