The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-12-26

| school gOitre, were proved TO result from
sitting posture unsustaincd by proper
support, and from the sinking or depression
OF the body induced by prolonging it. Again,
the height OF the desks not being in proper
ton to that of the seats and to the height
OF the pupil and no provision being made
for keeping the printed page at right
angle with the plane of vision, shortsght-
edness is inevitably developed. To the same
cause may be referred in tho case of chill
dren Of a feeble constitution, u distortion OF
the spinal column since I'm order to be
nearer the desk the scholar must lean
against the edge with his weight on the
right side. As he is obliged to lift the right
shoulder in order to rest the forearm on
the table, slight deformity is occasionod
which is popularity known as a high shout
der only medical men are acquainted with
tho wide prevalence of this malformation.
although II il probable that majority of
adults could detect it in their own persons
upon inspection.
Now, what are tho principles Of construc-
ton ratified by scientific authorities and
dcduced from the obvious truth that the
seat should accommodate itself to the
scholar, and not the scholar to the scat II
Is settled that the right position should
unite the following characteristics: First,
the seat must Ice Of such n height that, the
child being completely seated and the feet
squarely planted on the floor, the legs shall
form with the thighs n right angle, and the
thighs with the body another right angle.
Secondly the desk must bc Of such height
and it's inner edge brought SO near the seat
that the child, while maintaining the above
described posture Of the lower limbs. may
write without twisting the body, that is,
without needing to bend over the paper or
raise the shoulder. Lastly. the surface OF
the desk must be sloped aud provided with
a movable rest or boOkrack. So that the stu
dents book shall be nearly vertical to the
line OF vision.
To these principles the Dimensions and
arrangement of furniture must be gradu-
atcd. Thus the size Of the seat will be given
by that of the child; the height ought to
bee equal 10 the length Of the leg n far as the
knee; the depth to the length Of the thigh
bone; and the width Of the seat to that OF
the body, with some inches play on each
side II bar or rest for the feet is supplied
"A point OH which there is n want of ac-
cord-it must be- put whore the child may
reach it without being obliged to move on
to the edge Of the seat. Finally. aud this is
necessity unanimously recognized. such
back must be made that the lumbar region
shall Ice completely proppod. Many, indeed
are OF opinion that the whole spine should
have support. We may add that American
manufa eturors very commonly hollow the
seat So as TO sustain the hams, an improve
ment initiated in the best European models.
So much for the seat. A. regards the writ
ing desk. the difficulties are greater. Opln-
ions differ somewhat as To the height il
should have on the side next the scholar.
but most authorities require it 10 be on
level with the pit OF the stomach. A. 10 the
slope of the desks upper surface there il
also slight variance Of judgment. but it is
certain that the inclination should range
from fifteen to twenty degrees with the
horizon. Neither do the best European
desks omit book rest. although this sup
pcmcnt Is seldom seen in American school
rooms. II il plain that DR.. CoHN's demon-
stratiun of the ,au7es OF short sight ought
To insure its invariablc presence. We come
now to the capital question. namely. the
distance between the desk and the seat
Theoretically all competent persons are
agreed that the inner edge Of the desk and
the outer edge of the seat must be- in the
same vertical line But this disposition IL
only possible with chairs or with two
seated benches where the pupil may glide
out Of his place without rising. And here
We perceive that one element Of the school
seat problem l. the question of cheapncss.
Obviously, where long benches are USED,
sufficient space must be- left between desk
and seat TO permit free circulation on the
part Of those placed midway. In well-ap-
now reduced Ia minimum. and there j. no
doubt that the single chair. or two-scatcd
bench, admits of Il more desirable adjust
ment.
We have condensed the substance Of fact
aud principle evolved in the discussion Of a
theme, at the first glance trivial enough, but
which in most civilized countries has as
sumed the importance Of "A social question.
In the field Of applied science few things
have attracted more notice at the cXposi-
tons Of the last ten years than the models
Of school furniture. II is satisfactory to
know that American manufacturers have
generally outrun competition in this drcc-
ton. Nevertheless, il may be well for the
teachers and superntendents Of schools,
and for all persons Interested in the ccuno-
my OF the school, to keep in view the pre-
requisites here outlined and TO see to il that
they are fully answered.