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61
Blind
Persons Act.
The Council's scheme for carrying out the provisions of the Blind Persons
Act, 1920, set out in previous reports, was continued throughout the year, during
which 60 persons over school age were seen. Of these, 29 males and 25 females
were found to be capable of benefiting by training, and advice was given as to trades
in which the persons should severally be trained, having regard to the prospects
of future employment. Three males and 3 females were considered to be unfit
for training.
Work of the Chemical Branch.
The work of this branch was carried out at four laboratories, viz., the Central
Laboratory at County Hall, the Greenwich Generating Station, and the laboratories
at the Northern and Southern Outfalls.
Central
Laboratory.
During the year over 3,000 samples of various articles were submitted by
departments of the Council and examined, in most cases, as to their compliance
with specified conditions or general suitability for use. This number includes 185
samples of building materials, 154 of coals, 38 of disinfectants, 183 of foods,
176 of oils, 61 of paints and colours and 194 of petrol (under the Petroleum Acts).
Analyses were made in situ of 29 gases used in connection with dry-cleaning and
degreasing plant in use in London. In connection with the supervision of dietaries
of necessitous children in Council Schools, 1,186 samples of milk and 40 complete
meals were examined.
52 samples of hard and softened water were examined, and advice given, in
connection with the water-softening plant at County Hall, and 500 samples of riverwater
were collected at various states of tide and examined in connection with
the general investigation of the condition of the river. Much of the work undertaken
is of an advisory character.
Moisture in
coke.
A series of experiments was made in the Central Laboratory to test the amount
of moisture in coke, as sold, its capacity to absorb moisture, and the extent to which
in dry atmosphere moisture can be evaporated. Four samples were obtained from
different sources on the same day, the weather being dry when the samples were
collected, and the latter being unaffected by recent rain. In 3 cases care was taken
to obtain similar samples of broken coke from quantities which were about to be
sold. The result of the tests proved that the natural moisture of coke which had
been left in the air, protected from rain, was not more than 5 per cent.; that coke
was sent out in such a condition that 100 parts could be increased to 119 parts,
and that coke might be so watered that 100 parts of air-dried coke could be
increased to 123 parts without the coke appearing unduly wet. The water content
of coke, as sold, appears to be very variable; it is nearly all adhering and not
absorbed water, as in coal.
Bathing
lakes,
open-air"
swimming
baths and
paddling
ponds.
A considerable amount of chemical work has been done in conection with the
bathing lakes, open-air swimming baths and paddling ponds. Many analyses of the
water and a study of the conditions of use have shown that the green growths, to
which objection has sometimes been made, are beneficial as they are instrumental in
purifying water which is subject to organic pollution. The condition of the water
in the swimming baths, as distinguished from lakes and ponds, has been the subject
of special study ; and various recommendations have been made and experiments
with a system of filtration are being kept under observation.
Greenwich
Generating
Station
Laboratory,
The work of the laboratory at the Greenwich Generating Station comprises:—
(i.) The daily examination of samples and materials for controlling the operation of
the water-softening plant, the blowing-down of boilers, condenser leakage, and the
purity of condensed water supplied to the station batteries; (ii.) the sampling,
preparation and examination of fuel (coal); the preparation and examination of
fuel ashes, the analysis of flue gases, boiler scale, stores, etc., and (iii.) investigations
connected with corrosion and other matters affecting the operation of the station
plant. Two matters to which attention has been specially directed during 1924
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