THE BONES. 



37 



much elevated, causing a side curve to the spine. Desks 

 should be regulated according to the size of the pupil. The 

 teacher should remember that the school period is also the 

 growing period of a child's life, and make frequent changes in 

 the seating of his pupils. These changes can be most readily 

 made by having adjustable seats and desks, as in Fig. 13. 



The seat M and desk BE are each supported on a sliding 

 pin F, which works in a socket G. The seat and desk can 

 thus be raised or lowered, according to the size of the pupil, 

 and may be fixed at any height by the set screw H. The 

 foot- rest / may be raised or lowered in a similar manner. 

 The top of the desk is attached to the movable rest C, the 

 hinge at D allowing the desk to slide forward to A, and 

 giving the child room to stand immediately in front of his 

 seat. 



It is astonishing how easily the soft and gristly bones of a 

 child bend, and even grow out of place. Long continued 

 strain or pressure is sure to have this effect. We have all 

 heard how Chinese women bind the feet of the baby girl 

 with strong bands, to prevent them from growing. These 

 poor girls, when grown into women, are not able to move 

 about with ease and comfort. This foolish custom is common 

 in China, because it is thought low-bred for women to be 

 useful and have natural feet. 



Let us compare this with what 

 we see daily amongst our own peo- 

 ple. Is it not equally as incon- 

 sistent for us to wear tight and 

 high-heeled boots and shoes because 

 it is the fashion ? They throw the 

 weight of the body forward, and 

 force the foot down on the toes. 

 This has the tendency not only to 

 crowd the toes out of shape, but pie. 15. Diatorted Foot. 



FIG. 14. Natural Shape of 

 the Foot. 



