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135
upon the windows only, but many of these are fixed. This has been
mentioned to the Factory Inspector. There is a good first-aid room
with dressings, antiseptics and restoratives; this is presided over by a
young woman who has taken St. John Ambulance Certificates and
Medals. There is no provision for a canteen.
11. Machine Works.
This firm is engaged in manufacturing metal and cardboard packing
boxes, and also automatic machinery (cigarettes). The employees
number 470 men and 15 women. The number of w.c.'s is :—Men 22
and 16 urinals: women 4 w.c.'s and 2 wash hand basins. The w.c.'s
are excellent, being of modern pedestal type. The urinals are also
excellent, modern workmanship of glazed earthenware. The lavatory
basins are of enamelled iron in slate slabs, fitted with hot and cold water.
They are a model for any firm. The factory consists of a very long
well ventilated, very brightly lit (both naturally and artificially), with
incandescent and electric light. Cigarette tobacco is bought prepared
and passed into machinery for making cigarettes. In the engineering
department there is an endless series of machines for making various
portions of automatic machines. A new canteen is in progress of
erection.
12. Medicated Salts.
What a pleasure it was to inspect this factory ! Vast space, splendid
light and ventilation, scrupulous cleanliness, splendid w.c. and lavatory
accommodation, girls dressed in white caps and coats, with nails clean
—all speak of a fine hygienic interpretation on the part of those
responsible. A private mill is given up to the compounding of the salt.
Of course we did not ask to go in there. The salts, no doubt, consist
of Citrate of Magnesia, Citric Acid, etc., etc. This is filled into large
containers, like milk churns, and then is taken to the filling rooms
where the girls fill the bottles. The factory is painted throughout and
steam heated. The bottles used are all new, no " returned empties "
are used. The new bottles are partly hand cleansed and partly
cleansed by powerful jets of water. Next, the bottles are placed,
mouths downward, in crates, in a large hot room : the bottles are dry
in a few hours, but are left there for two days to become bone dry
(otherwise, I trow, the effervescing saline would cake and effervesce).