INDUSTRIAL LABOUR 421 



The apprentice " X.P." ( 312) who formed the subject of 

 the writer's experiments was not, however, entirely an untrained 

 worker, as he had had two years' experience. We can see, how- 

 ever, from the graphical record of his efforts (vide fig. 288) that 

 these are defective in several respects. 



The chief defects are irregular and spasmodic action leading 

 to unduly rapid fatigue and conducing to breathlessness. Thus 

 the pressures exerted by the hands vary very considerably, while 

 the rate of working varied from 71 to 79 strokes per minute, 

 which figure is far too high in view of the fact that the subject 

 was only 16 years of age. If these high rates of working could 

 have been maintained the work done would have been consider- 

 able, as much as 12,000 kilogrammetres per hour, and 85 grammes 

 of metal removed in the same period. This was, however, quite 

 impossible, as the subject was exhausted after two minutes work 

 at the above rate. The irregular movements of the spirometer 

 also showed that there was considerable respiratory disturbance. 

 The muscular effort of the arms, 19 or 20 kg., was also excessive 

 and badly distributed. It is clear, therefore, that the attitude 

 and movements of the apprentice were uneconomical and in- 

 efficient. The expenditure of energy per kilogrammetre and per 

 gramme of metal removed being on the average -035 Calories and 

 4-9 Calories respectively (vide the following table), instead of -025 

 Calories and 2-5 Calories in the case of the skilled journeyman 

 fitter. In the case of this apprentice it was not possible to 

 carry out the long and varied series of experiments which were 

 made with the journeyman fitter " A.C." A considerable im- 

 provement was, however, effected in his attitude and methods 

 by inducing him to assume an upright attitude, to place his feet 

 in the position shown on fig. 287, and to work at a steady rate of 

 70 strokes per minute. The benefits of these conditions were 

 apparent as soon as the apprentice had become thoroughly 

 familiar with them. The expenditure of energy per kilogram- 

 metre and per gramme of filings was reduced to -03 Calories and 

 4-12 Calories respectively, a reduction of about 16%, and, had it 

 been possible continuously to supervise his work and correct his 

 attitudes and movements, it is probable that results would have 

 been obtained not greatly inferior to those of the skilled work- 

 man. Fatigue would certainly have been greatly reduced. Thus, 

 when the apprentice worked according to his own ideas, the rates 

 of respiration and pulse were increased 54% and 35% respectively 

 above the normal, after two or three minutes work. When his 

 movements and attitude were regulated these increases were but 

 30% and 20%. 



In the case of the apprentice the ratio of the rest period to the 

 working period appears to be about 1 to 3 ; hence, in a total 

 working day of 8J hours, 6 hours will be spent in actual work. 



