The point is, however, that this second part of the work cannot, in our opinion, be carried out under the same conditions as the first. One would like to believe that, in making observations upon heredity and stigmata, the doctors are collecting, in their daily work, materials for a great scientific work which will be produced by degrees. No doubt all their schedules may some day be extracted from the drawers in the office where they will sleep for a long time; but with what object will they be taken out, if not to compile statistics of doubtful value? The truth is that scientific investigation cannot be carried on automatically and collectively. There is always a personal element which is independent of all administrative prescription. What use can be made of observations which are often merely a collection of paper? If we are some day to understand the rôle of heredity, of alcoholism, of insanity, of poverty, in the production of defective children, it will be necessary for someone, who wants to do a really good piece of work, to set aside all these equivocal documents, and go straight to the facts, collecting his information at first hand and in a critical spirit. Scientific work can be done in no other way. When it is done otherwise it is worth nothing. We therefore suggest the following schedule for the medical examination of defective children. The schedule includes two parts--one part optional, because it is only of indirect interest; another part which is obligatory. None of the questions in this part should be left unanswered, and the doctor will also give the instructions which he thinks ought to be followed. MEDICAL SCHEDULE. Date of examination: Height: Name and date of birth of child: Weight: Part 1. Obligatory. (i.) Has the child any mental symptoms other than mental deficiency? Signs of alcoholism, etc.? (ii.) Is there reason to think the child has any weakness, congenital or acquired? Cretinism? (iii.) Are there any (_a_) Sensory defects--sight? hearing? (_b_) Motor defects--paralysis? tremor, etc.? (iv.) Is the child epileptic? What symptoms are present--convulsions, vertigo, loss of consciousness? Their frequency, etc.? (v.) Has the child adenoids? (vi.) Is the child hysterical? (vii.) Any other ailments? (viii.) What directions are to be given to the schoolmaster? Part II. Optional.