CHAPTER XIV, - 
however, can be applied to the miners employed in Giridih. The health 
snd physique of the population in this area is obviously of a low stand- 
ard and presents a contrast to the miners in neighbouring colliery 
districts. Among the beldars employed on surface work the physique is 
also of a much lower grade. The satisfactory physique of the Santals is 
attributed to a better dietary and to the fact that they return regularly, 
often every week-end, to their village homes. Other groups who live 
more permanently in the mining areas present a much less healthy 
appearance and a distinctly lower grade of physique. 
Railway Employees. 
Railway employees generally undergo a medical examination 
prior to engagement, but whilst most of the railway managements report 
that the general physique of their workers is satisfactory, there is consi- 
derable evidence to show that on certain systems this is not the case. 
On sections of the Eastern Bengal, Assam Bengal and Bombay Baroda 
and Central India Railways in particular, the problems associated with 
health are especially difficult, whilst differences in dietary produce the 
same variations already noted among other classes of industrial labour. 
In the railway workshops, as might be expected, the standard is gener- 
ally higher, although no common level obtains. 
Dock Labourers. 
Of all industrial workers, dock labourers probably present the 
highest grade of physique. On such work, indeed, the necessity for 
physical fitness acts as an important selective factor, which prohibits 
the recruitment of any but the strongest men. Moreover, the nature of 
their work compels them to spend more on food and to adopt a generous 
diet, whilst most of their working hours are spent in the open air. In 
Bombay it appears that the average duration of service among dock 
labourers is not more than 10 years, age or failure of strength enforcing 
retirement and replacement by younger and fitter men. 
Seasonal Factory Workers, 
Workers employed in the seasonal factories are, for the most 
part, drawn from the neighbouring agricultural villages. Although part 
of their working time is spent indoors and often in a dusty atmosphere, 
there is not the same necessity for the concentration essential in many 
of the large industrial concerns. Moreover the work is of a temporary 
nature and demands little change in the habits of those employed in it. 
The physique of these workers, therefore, shows little difference from 
that of the agricultural classes from which they are drawn. 
This brief review of the health conditions of the chief groups 
of Indian industrial workers reveals the difficulties of making any general 
summary of the position as regards standards of physique and general 
health. Impaired physique and defective diet are, however, features 
common to many and the severe handicaps to industrial development 
which these factors represent demand attention from all concerned.