THE VITAL CAPACITY OF THE NEGRO CHILD

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to ascertain the vital capacity of a group of normal negro children and compare these vital capacities with those of a group of white children living in the same territory. The negro child forms an integral part of our population and must be considered in any health program. It has been shown that negro children are heavier than white children of the same age and height,¹ and in many other ways the negro physical standard differs from that of the white. For this reason, therefore, it was thought advisable to determine the vital capacity of these children. In a careful review of the literature but little was found dealing with the vital capacity of negroes. Wilson and Edwards² measured thirty-eight normal colored children, and stated that these children had vital capacities definitely lower than white children. Dr. W. G. Smillie of the