中央研究院“研究提高民族素质案”之始末——兼述中央研究院体质人类学研究所筹备之流产

The Whole Story about Academia Sinica's "Case of Researching to Improve the Chinese National Physique"

"中央研究院研究提高民族素质案"是中国人类学史上著名的学科事件。通过对这一事件档案的发掘和研究,共获得三点结论。第一,这一学科公案背景是:南京沦陷后,国民政府迁至西南中国边垂地区,为了解决战争资源,蒋介石饬令开展此项研究。第二,其内容包括生物基础、营养环境、文化环境和地理环境4个方面,涉及诸多学科和当时国民政府行政部门、军事部门、高等院校和各学术研究机关,在中国人类学史上是空前的。第三,中央研究院体质人类学研究所筹备处应运而生,但在艰难时局下,由于经费不足等诸多原因,使得运作了两年的研究所最终流产。

In Chinese anthropological history,the Academia Sinica＇s ＂case of researching to improve the Chinese national physique＂ is a famous event.By investigating relevant archives,this paper reaches three conclusions.First,the event has the following background：after Nanking was occupied by the Japanese army,the National Government withdrew to the Southwest of China.In order to solve the problem of war resources,Chiang Kai-shek ordered that Academia Sinica to do research to improve the Chinese national physique.Second,researching to improve the Chinese national physique included four elements,such as biological basis,nutritional environment,cultural environment,and geography.In addition,many departments were involved,including the Military members of the National Government,as well as lots of disciplines,universities and academies.Therefore,this study is unprecedented in Chinese scientific history.Third,the preparatory office of the Institute of Physical Anthropology of the Academia Sinica had emerged from the historical background.But as the current political situation had been very unfavourable,and the funding for research had not been enough,the preparatory office of the Institute of Physical Anthropology suffered a miscarriage after running for two years.