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47
on examination to contain very brittle fibres which had evidently been in contact
with sulphuric acid or an acid salt.
The roots of certain trees in two parks, which had been observed to be in a
moribund condition were found by micro-chemical examination to contain relatively
large proportions of iron (as tannate or gall-tannate) compared with those of unaffected
trees. The iron probably reached the roots as acid sulphate washed out by
rain-water from the ashes used in making up adjacent dry playgounds. The soil
in both cases was deficient in lime. It was advised that limestone or chalk should
be laid under clinker whenever trees were near these playgrounds.
Moribund
condition of
trees.
Several leadless paints were submitted to exposure tests and analysis. The
behaviour of these paints on exposure depends largely on the medium used. If
this is impenetrable to water the probability of failure under adverse conditions of
exposure is lessened. It is of interest to note that such chemically inert substances
as chromium oxide (green) and the oxides of titanium and antimony (white) were
among the materials examined. In some cases the medium with which these were
associated was of so poor a character that the paint was unsatisfactory as a protective
coating.
Leadless
paints.
A very unusual case ot displacement ot walls by the growth ot a tungus was
observed at one of the Council's housing estates. A large growth, brownish in colour,
with a strong distinctive odour, a dry leathery outer surface, and a yellow spongy
interior, was found in the two-inch cavity of an eleven-inch hollow brick wall.
When examined, microscopically, the mass was found to consist of interwoven
mycelia, which shed abundance of spores when torn apart. Through the kindness
of Dr. Ivimey Cook, the growth was submitted to Miss Wakefield, of the Herbarium,
Kew, who identified it as the giant puff ball Lycoperdon giganteum, a plant of some
interest, inasmuch as the dried fungus has been used as tinder, and the spores as a
styptic powder. Only one other case of this fungus growing in a dwelling had come
under notice at Kew. The puff balls were growing from the ground beneath the
drawing-room floor, and the workmen who took up the floor thought they had
found a heap of skulls. Miss Wakefield stated that the mycelium must have
travelled from the ground in both cases. As it appeared that there was a risk of
further growth from fruit bodies present in the cavity between the bricks it was
recommended that all places which had been opened should be well sprayed with a
solution of 2 per cent, copper sulphate and 2 per cent, ferrous sulphate (blue and
green vitriol) or with Bordeaux mixture. It was suggested, also, that places which
had not been opened could be sprayed by piercing a hole and inserting a tube with
holes on the circumference near to the inner end and forcing the liquid through these
holes. The very wet season was probably largely responsible for this very unusual
fungoid invasion.
Growth of
fungus—
L.C.C. Housing
Estate
The chemist has given evidence at two inquiries into death from carbon monoxide
poisoning attributed to water heaters in bathrooms. One of the appliances used
was of a kind which, although thermally efficient, was, from its construction, and
from lack of provision of ventilation into the outside air, inherently dangerous. The
other was of fairly satisfactory design, and provided with ventilation but an unfortunate
combination of circumstances led to a fatality.
Coroners'
inquests—
Bath heating
appliances.
Ten samples of coke from various gas companies and merchants were examined
for water content. This was found to vary from 0.78 per cent, to 23.16 per cent.
The amount lost by mere exposure to air in a dry place for ten days closely approximated
to the total water content, showing that the greater part of the water in the
coke is merely adherent and is not true moisture "or absorbed water. This was
confirmed by the fact that exposure to a saturated moist atmosphere in no case led
to an absorption of as much as 1.0 per cent. of water by air-dried coke. It was
found that air-dried coke drenched with water and allowed to drain for a few minutes
would take up from 9 to 15 per cent, of water- It is clear from these experiments
15435 D 2
Water in
coke.