"These figures show conclusively that, while the labouring classes with a regular income of over 20s. a week generally manage to secure a diet approaching the proper standard for active life, _those with a smaller income and those with an irregular income entirely fail to get a supply of food sufficient for the proper development and growth of the body or for the maintenance of a capacity for active work_."[478] "An interesting point in connection with these studies is the influence of the diet on the physical condition of the children." The weights of a number of children which were obtained "show very markedly the relationship between the physique and the food. _When the weight is much below the average for that age, almost without exception the diet is inadequate._"[479] Footnote 478: _Ibid._, p. 27. The numbers in each group are so small that the average does not furnish a reliable index, but that the conclusion drawn from the figures is warranted is shown by the fact that of the 27 families in the first four groups (excluding one case where the circumstances are abnormal), 8 have a dietary yielding over 3,500 calories of energy and only 6 fall below the minimum of 3,000, while of the 22 families in the remaining groups (excluding two abnormal cases), only one has a dietary yielding over 3,500 calories, while no less than 16 fall below the minimum. (_Ibid._, pp. 12-23.) Here, of course, again we have the question of wrong feeding. In many cases the income could have been laid out to better advantage. "Where one family gets nearly their minimum adequate diet on an expenditure of 5.1 pence per man per diem ... others on an expenditure of nearly 9d. fail to secure it." (_Ibid._, p. 29.) Footnote 479: _Ibid._, p. 30. Dr. Larkins, late assistant School Medical Officer for Surrey, also came to the conclusion "that a steady wage of 20s. a week is required to produce and properly maintain average strong well-nourished children; that below this figure, the danger zone is reached." This conclusion was based on an enquiry he made into the wages of the parents of all children aged 13 that he examined during a considerable period.[480] The results are seen in the following table:-- Footnote 480: The actual number of children examined is not stated. Average Average Weight General Condition of Average number of Weekly in lbs. of the children children in family. Wages. children aged (Percent Very Good / (Total, Under 14, between 13 and Average / Poor) Over 14) 14. Over 25s. 99.6 50 / 46 / 4 5.5 3.4 2.1 20s. to 84.1 15 / 73 / 11 5.7 2.8 2.9 25s. 18s. to 77.0 / 56 / 44 6.3 3.8 2.5 20s. 16s. to 72.6 / 42.5 / 57.5 6.6 4.2 2.4 18s. 14s. to 74.3 / 22 / 78 7.6 2.9 4.7 16s.