Page:Theory and Practice of Handwriting.djvu/106

88 There is accordingly a sufficiency of reasons for prohibiting the position of the Copy Book, and there appears to exist entire unanimity on this point amongst medical experts.

It remains only to determine whether the Straight Middle position with Vertical Writing, or the Oblique Middle position with Oblique Writing is the better. Here also observation and measurement are the decisive agents employed, which show that in oblique middle position the head is inclined considerably more than in straight middle position.

In 400 experiments in writing with straight middle position, the inclination amounted to 2.8°, but in 543 experiments with the middle position to 7.9°. In 258 positions of the copy where no directions were given but where the right position predominated, to 9° and in many extreme cases to 16°.

These results are borne out by general practice, and it is conclusively proved that the oblique middle position of the Copy Book not only induces the inclination of the head, but draws the body after it, bending and twisting the spinal column, thus producing according to Dr. Schenk that form of spinal curvature which we find described as the most frequent and characteristic school Scoliosis.

It is moreover an error to suppose that everything has been done, if the child is protected hygienically in the School building itself. The influence of the teacher is often limited to School hours, but in the question of caligraphy an excellent opportunity offers itself for demanding and exerting such influence in the preparation of home lessons, when the supervision of a teacher no longer exists. For if Vertical Writing be introduced into the School we may be sure that what is done at home is also, without any supervision whatever written in the Straight Middle position, as Vertical Writing can be produced in that position of the Copy Book only, and therefore there is no lateral Curvature of the spine.

Unless however the Straight Middle Position with its inseparable accompaniment Vertical Writing be insisted upon, there can and will be no security against the continuance of the prevailing