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surroundings the fumes generated are diffused into the air without
causing nuisance to surrounding property or people. The following is
the process. The article to be galvanised is first immersed in a large
bath containing hydrochloric acid ; it remains there until the black iron
is thoroughly cleansed. The article is then cautiously lowered into a
bowl of molten zinc. The baths, which are heated by coke fires, vary
in size, some holding as much as 28 tons of molten zinc. Once the
whole surface is covered with a coating of zinc it is removed, when the
surplus zinc is allowed to drain off. The shops where these processes
are carried out are well ventilated by means of openings in the roof and
by open doors through which a current of air circulates throughout the
building. Ventilation here is most necessary in view of the fumes from
the acid and the molten zinc. Our guide told us that the sickness rate
amongst the workmen engaged in this process was less than that amongst
other workmen.
Sanitary accommodation. Certain re-adjustments are being made
in this connection, the firm giving most cordial assistance.
3. Electrical Insulators.
This firm is concerned with the manufacture of all kinds of insulators
used in electrical work of all kinds, from small wireless sets to
high-power electrical installations. The first impression we had of the
firm's premises was one of spaciousness; there was no crowding
together of buildings or rooms. The first shed we visited was the
mixing shop, where pitch, gum, resin and fibre were mixed in a gasheated
container. The material is kneaded into a plastic mass and is
then rolled, as if in a mangle, into small sheets. These are stored on
racks from whence they are removed to the stamping shop adjoining.
These plates are then heated and punched out or shaped in one of the
various kinds of machines, depending, of course, upon what type of
insulator is required. There were different kinds, e.g., arc switch parts,
arc deflector plates for electric lamps, electric motor and dynamo
terminal blocks, telephone and telegraph parts, battery and accumulator
parts, terminal nuts and accumulator boxes, radio parts and insulators,
insulators for electrical transformers, electrical heating and domestic
apparatus, electricity meters, x-ray and violet ray medical apparatus,
fuse boxes of all descriptions, electrical traction work, motor starting
gear, power fuse boxes, railway signal insulators, smaller knobs and
fittings for typewriters, motor bicycles, etc. The next shop was the