Note 35 — INTRODUCTION.
Reading edition
(35) In spite of so large a portion of the French population being agricultural, i. e. belonging to that calling in life which developes muscular strength and activity—in spite of that proportion being on the increase as compared with the rest of the inhabitants, it is proved that the number of recruits rejected as unfit for the military service from deficient stature, health and strength, is slowly, surely and constantly on the increase, 40 per cent. are turned back from this cause, and yet the required height is only 5 feet 2 inches.