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54
the case when the seat and desk are not accurately designed for the particular child,
so that foot-rests are not helpful when working on the desk.
" (5) In theory an additional cross member for the brackets should strengthen
the structure, but reference to the stores department shows that the absence of
foot-rests does not in practice alter the breakage rate of desks.
" Foot rests form an ideal dust trap and the dust cannot be removed except
by shifting the whole desk, and in every instance where foot-rests were examined
there was an appreciable amount of dust underneath the rest and out of all proportion
to the dust found elsewhere in the room, and this consideration from a hygienic
standpoint makes these adjuncts undesirable.
" These considerations seem to indicate that foot rests are unnecessary and
undesirable, and bear out the School Medical Officer's recommendation of 20 years
ago that the supply of foot-rests to desks should be discontinued."
The supports of the dual desk being of cast-iron are brittle, and the supplies
department has been much concerned over the cost of repairs and renewals owing
to breakages occurring when the desks are moved for cleaning purposes. Hitherto,
although sought, a satisfactory substitute has not been forthcoming; now, however,
supports of steel have been devised, and my opinion was desired, by the Education
Officer, upon a pattern desk with steel frame, which was submitted. At the same
time my opinion was asked upon the width of the seat.
The following embodies my reply to these questions:-"In reply to your
memorandum, I beg to state that the sample desk with steel standard has been seen
by the officers in my department. Their report is that in all respects but one the
desk is quite as satisfactory as that with cast-iron standard.
" The one defect is that in this particular sample the space between the seat
and the lower edge of the back rest is insufficient, so that the latter does not clear
the bony pelvis ; this makes the desk uncomfortable and would lead to unsatisfactory
postures. If this defect is remedied it is considered that the desk with steel standard
will be quite as satisfactory from the physiological point of view as the present desk
with cast-iron standard.
"I understand that my opinion is desired upon the question of the width of
the seat. The width of the seat of the sample desk (8 inches) is identical with that
of the present standard dual desk. Theoretically this is too narrow, it is generally
considered by physiologists that the seat should be wide enough to support twothirds
of the thigh, and according to this the width of the seat should be 11 inches
in a desk in which the height of the seat above the ground is 16 inches.
"It is, however, my opinion that no desk can be devised that is perfect according
to physiological standards, and I imagine that when the present width was adopted
the advisers of the Council had in mind that an ample range of sizes of desks was
being adopted. If the height of the seat is so adapted to the scholar that his feet
rest squarely on the ground, the objections to a narrow seat lose much of their force.
Increasing the width of the seat would involve either an increased over-all measurement
from back to front or a much greater projection of the seat forward under the
desk. In the former case we should be led on to the consideration of the shape and
floor space of classrooms, in the latter to the difficulties that would arise in getting
in and out of the desks.
" I imagine that the present dimensions of the desks are the result of compromise
and represent what is practically attainable rather than what is theoretically
desirable."
Although the range of sizes of dual desks in the London schools is so ample as
to afford an opportunity for all children to be seated in desks which correspond
in size to their needs, it must be confessed that a very large number of misfits are
found. Particularly is this seen in the upper standards where the range of difference
in height of the children may amount to as much as eighteen inches.
Steel versus
cast iron
framing.
Necessity of
supervision
in regard to
suitability of
desk to child.