Somatologic Studies on the Human Body Form and the Applicability of the Constitutional Index.

Abstract

Five constitutional indices derived from reliable body measurements on 605 Japanese (in Kinki district), 312 Koreans (Southern), and 115 Amami-Oshima natives between 21 and 39 years old were studied.1) In the Pignet index, there is remarkable difference between the Japanese and the other two races. This index may be applied for classification of thin type and the obese type. The lowest index numbers of the thin type are aobut 13 in the Japanese, 10 in Koreans, 9 in Amami-Oshima natives. The highest index numbers as to the obese type are considered about 32 in the Japanese, 29 in Koreans and 27 in Amami-Oshima natives.2) In the Westfthal index, there is much difference between Koreans and the other two races. This index may be useful for classification of the thin type and the robust type. The highest values of the thin type are about 47 in the Japanese, 52 in Koreans, and 46 in Amami-Oshima natives, while the lowest values in the robust type are conisidered about 29 in the Japanese, 30 in Koreans, and 28 in Amami-Oshima natives.3) In the Kretschmer index, the result shows much difference between the Japanese and Amami-Oshima natives. The distribution curves of this index on constituticons are intercrossing so that it is difficult to illustrate the constitutions with this index.4) The Wertheimer index is specific to each and is availalbe to distinguish the thin type in those three races, though it is not applicable to Germans, The thin type index ranges from about 30 to 52 in the Japanese, 24 to 56 in Koreans, and 29 to 50 in Amami-Oshima natives.5) The Vervaeck index shows much difference between the Japanese and the other two races. We intend to suggest that the indieces below about 80 in the Japanese, 83 in Koreans and 83 in Amami-Oshima natives belong to the thin type, and above about 91 in the Japanese, 93 in Koreans, and 94 in Amami-Oshima natives belong to the obese type.