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1061257 
Book/Book Chapter 
The growth of the surface area of the human body 
Boyd, E 
1935 
University of Minnesota Press 
Minneapolis, MN 
English 
BCI:BCI19361000006933 
has chapter(s) 1065592 [Excerpts]
Purpose of the research: to put existing data in order, to redetermine the constants for each type of equation from a single series of selected data, to search for other types of equations which might be better, and to use the best equation, supplemented by graphic methods, to describe the growth of the surface area of the human body. The first chapter deals with methods of measuring surface area including coating methods, surface integration and triangulation. The exp. error in measurement is considered. A 16 p. table with 1114 entries gives results obtained by the 3 methods from fetal life to adulthood, by investigators from Abernethy (1793) to date. It appears that the surface area of the body can be measured with about the same accuracy as regular geometric bodies with instruments of precision within 3%. Estimates of surface area are made by linear measurements. Even without appropriate corrections the results are within 10% of the measurements. For deriving surface area from dimensions of the body some 13 equations have been used. The author prefers log S/H[beta] =log k + a log W + y (log W)2 where S is the surface area sought; H is height; W, weight; A; is a constant that has to be computed by direct methods of determining surface of one individual. Then this equation can be used to compute the surface area for any individual of approximately the same weight. B is about 10 for infants and 11 for adolescents. The best value for ,3 is that in which the points (W, S/H[beta]) most nearly approximate a straight line on double logarithmic grid. A table is 'given (No. 22) for the surface area in square centimeters, for height in centimeters from 2 to 180 cm., for variation of S with W, for S combining W and H. The relation of 8 to W is found by the self-adjusting power equation S = 4.688TF0-818S-001B*XoeW. The relation of S to weight and height at all ages is given by S = 3.207ir-72S5-0-01881ogV-3. The probable limits of normal variation in these equations is [plus or minus] 16 and [plus or minus] 14%, respectively limiting their value for predicting the surface area of a single individual. There is a bibliography of 8 pages and an index. || ABSTRACT AUTHORS: C. B. Davenport