Abstract
THE frequent references to the necessity of introducing the decimal system which one reads in the public Press at present suggest some considerations which an experience of more than two years with the B.E.F. has confirmed. It is surprising with what facility the average soldier becomes accustomed to French money. Everything out here is bought and paid for on the decimal system. The men and officers receive their pay in French money. I have seen hills made out and paid by officers' orderlies which show they are quite at home in the French system. It is, of course, perfectly evident that the time gained in schools and colleges, if we were to replace many confusing weights and measures now in use by the decimal system, would be of great importance. Here in France half a kilo is called a pound; a sou is called a halfpenny. There would be no need for us to change familiar names if we are lucky enough to adopt the decimal system. It may be said that everybody out here has become familiar with decimal money, weights, and lengths, and knows roughly the ratios between them and corresponding British measure. The present opportunity is one which ought not to be missed. The stern teacher—war—has taught us to give up so many of our out-of-date ways that the imposition of the decimal system would soon be an accomplished fact if our rulers would only listen to those who really know.
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F., C. The Decimal System and Summer Time in France. Nature 98, 429 (1917). https://doi.org/10.1038/098429a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/098429a0
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