The Actual State of Growth of Children in Foundling-homes

Abstract

In 1954 and 1959 measurements of_the body obtained from children (4-17 yrs. of age) who were cared for more than one year in 10 foundling-homes in Tokyo. The menstrual rate of girls in the institutions was examined with the following results : 1. Even the' they line in Tokyo, children in foundling-homes are smaller in height and are of a short and stout type in many cases. (The nutritive conditions are moderate among the overhelmingly great majority of the children.) 2. In children of foundling-homes, the length of the pectral limd and pelvic limb is small, but there is no clear-cut difference in the length of the head, the wifte of the head, the wodth of the shoulder, the width of the chest, the thickness of the chest, the height of the vertex while sitting, the width of the pelvis and the circnmference of the arm, between the children of such homes on children of ave-rage, normal homes. 3. Thl menstrual rate of girls it the institutions is low. Particularly girls of 14 or over, who live near farm villages, show a low menstrual rate. 4. These characteristic findings of children of the foundling-homes are more marked in public insti tutions than in private foundling-homes, but this can not be confirmed since the numder of foundlinghomes is small. 5. By comparing 1954 with the year 1959, it is fonnd, that doth children in foundling-homes and average normal homes have improved in growtoh, (the body and first menstruation) and that particularly children in foundling-homes, have improved in physique so that they are gradually approaching hte physique of children in the average, normal home.