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special inquiry by a Departmental Committee, whose reports contain
much information and advice which should be of the greatest assistance
to occupiers. Reference may also he made to the report of Sir H. P.
Freer-Smith, dealing with methods of dust extraction in factories and
workshops."
In workrooms in which there is no mechanical means of ventilation,
it is often difficult to secure adequate ventilation. This is especially so
in small rooms. The Chief Inspector of Factories, referring to this
point, says: " Windows, doors, and even ordinary ventilators are too
readily closed, and, even apart from this, the delivery of fresh air is
dependent upon wind outside, and upon differences of internal and
external temperatures. Some constant ventilation is assured when
open fires, stoves with flues, or even ventilated gas burners are in use,
and these are most available in cold weather, when the tendency to
close other openings is greatest." Closely connected with the question
of ventilation is that of the temperature of workrooms; but while
ventilation comes under the supervision of the local authority,
temperature is under the Home Office. The Act requires adequate
measures to be taken for securing and maintaining a reasonable
temperature without interfering with the purity of the air. The Home
Office consider that for sedentary occupations the temperature should
not be less than 55 degs. Fah. In many instances it has been found
that no provision has been made other than unventilated gas jets, which
necessarily contaminate the air. Flueless gas-stoves are open to the
same objection, although it has been contended that some of them
consume the products of combustion ; but both methods fail to effect
any ventilation. The danger of poisoning from carbonic oxide is also
pointed out in a recently issued Memorandum (Form 827, Dec., 1908)
by the Home Office, especially where the public gas supply is largely
charged with water gas. Carbonic oxide poisoning may also arise in
laundries from the use of gas irons, and in workrooms from defective
gas fittings (such as absence of stop pins indicating the cutting off of
gas, leaky joints, the use of india-rubber gas tubes, &c.). The absence
of a chimney in a room greatly increases the risk.
The symptoms of carbonic oxide poisoning begin with throbbing of
the bloodvessels of the head, giddiness, palpitation of the heart, and
weakness of the limbs. Long continued breathing of the gas, in amount
too small to produce immediate effects, produces headache (worse on
rising in the morning), foul taste in the mouth, indigestion, abdominal
pains, lassitude, anaemia, and defective nutrition. A person affected
feels better in the fresh air.
An additional reason for requiring efficient ventilation is that the
reports of the Gas Examiners show that since the passing of the