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2. It is unfortunately true that increasing noise seems to be a natural accompaniment
of changing conditions particularly in cities and towns, but even in rural areas
murmurs of complaint are being heard because of the motor traffic which rends
the silence of the night. During the past few months The Times newspaper has
given liberal opportunity for expression of opinion on the harmful effects of
noise on health and from many authoritative quarters has come an appeal to mitigate
or to prevent this menace. Thus has arisen a definite movement of public opinion
now organised in a society called the Anti-Noise League, which numbers among its
members many distinguished men and women including leading physicians and
surgeons.
3. So far as can be gathered the activities of this League are directed against
such noises as arise from motor vehicles, the handling of milk churns, church bells
and others more or less of a chronic character. Very little attention has been given
to the much more acute and violent noise from rock drills which is necessarily
periodic, but constant during the operation of these implements.
4. With regard to interference with health one should first examine the question
as it affects work and rest. The interference is so obvious that it needs but little
elaboration. Mental concentration, discussion and the normal transaction of
business is almost impossible within 20 yards of these drills and of course the evil
is magnified according to the number being operated. It has been alleged that loss
of business has been experienced in shops and similar premises adjacent. In a
neighbourhood of mixed business and residential buildings the factions struggle for
privilege. The non-residents would prefer the drilling to proceed only at night
while the residents indignantly retort that their sleep has the prior claim fcr respect.
There can be little doubt that the over stimulation of the auditory sense organs
leads to nervous exhaustion and impaired efficiency.
5. Interference with rest and sleep is of a more serious nature as an average
healthy individual cannot work to the best advantage unless he obtains sufficient
rest and sleep. If road drilling is carried on late at night or early in the morning
near dwellings the residents arc bound to suffer. Those who are fortunate enough
to be masters of their own time arrange to go on holiday or otherwise temporarily
leave the district until road operations are over. For those who must remain at
home this period is trying in the extreme. Usually road drilling docs not last
longer than a week or two, but in special circumstances it may persist for months.
During the recent summer in a ccrtain street in Westminster, drilling continued
every day-except on Sundays and with two or three days of peace occasionally
intervening from early in July until well into September; a series of small areas
of the roadway were being explored. For those who are confined to their houses by
illness, conditions are of course definitely serious. It requires but little imagination
to appreciate that the recovery of a case of acute or serious illness might be
jeopardised by the deprivation of rest and sleep and the exhaustion caused by
constant vibratory noise.
6. During September the Medical Officer of Health took steps to investigate
conditions at Westminster Hospital while street excavation was in progress. The
Secretary of the Hospital hastened to assure the Medical Officer that the City Council
had been most considerate of the interests of the Hospital and in consequence the
latter did not wish to make any complaints. It was explained that it would be