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reported against as containing castor oil and another for containing a synthetic dye
which might possibly give rise to dermatitis. Instructional visits to the Headquarters
laboratories by school and student parties should also be mentioned, and also a
demonstration of glass blowing given at a school by an officer of the Chemical Branch.
Steam
raising,
heating,
etc., plants
Much consultative and advisory work was done involving examinations in situ
and subsequent analysis of samples in the laboratory regarding scale formation, scale
removal and corrosion problems. The use of sodium hexa-meta-phosphate for scale
prevention and of soda ash and quebracho or full phosphate conditioning for boiler
water was considerably extended. The dosages were controlled by periodical analysis
of the water concerned. Examples of special cases dealt with were:—(a) corrosion
found to be due to copper pipes and galvanised pipes being included in the same
system with water of high carbon dioxide content: (6) corrosion of a heating boiler
on the furnace side of the castings due to the effect of hot gases containing oxygen
from the injection air blast, sulphur gases and volatile chlorides from the fuel, and
erosion by particles of fuel and ash.
Miscellaneous
Many other matters were dealt with of which may be mentioned: (a) testing of
spiralarm safety lamps for use in sewers, etc.: (6) advice as to the disinfesting agent
and apparatus most suitable for use in an installation to be constructed at a museum :
(c) examination of a number of pathological samples for arsenic, lead, methyl and
isopropyl alcohol, hyoscine: (d) investigation of the cause of a works explosion
involving acetylene: (e) devising a chemical method of erasing lines from plans in
which areas were to be redrawn: (/) it was alleged that orangeade powder caused
children to have dyed and bleeding tongues followed by sickness. The material
consisted of sugar, citric acid, dye and flavouring: it was satisfactory if properly used
but the children had eaten the power instead of drinking a solution : the sharp crystals
had cut the skin, the dye had stained the flesh and the large quantity of acid consumed
had deranged the stomach: (g) an "electrode heater" was tested under bench
conditions and it was demonstrated that, owing to risk of electric shock, it was not
suitable for use in schools.
At the ceremonial reception by the Council of the members of the Port of London
Authority on 3rd May, 1948, the morning was devoted to a tour of the Headquarters
chemical laboratories when a description and demonstration of the work done by the
Chemical Branch was given.
Attention was paid to the development of new analytical methods and close
liaison was maint ained with many Research Associations, branches of the Department
of Scientific and Industrial Research, etc. The library of the Chemical branch
continued to develop, and is an essential part of its equipment. The Chemist-in-Chief
served on three committees of the Ministry of Health, three of the Department of
Scientific and Industrial Research and three of the British Standards Institution.
The Chemist-in-Chief, and the Deputy Chemist (Dr. S. G. Burgess) were two members
of a team of five Council officers which presented a paper to the Royal Sanitary
Institute on "Hygiene of the Preparation, Storage and Distribution of Food":
a paper by the Deputy Chemist on "Soaps and other detergents" was also published
during the year.
HEALTH CENTRES
As soon as it was known that the Council would become responsible for the
maternity and child welfare services under the National Health Service Act, 1946, a
detailed survey was commenced of the premises which would be transferred to the
Council.
Although some metropolitan borough councils had built specially designed
maternity and child welfare centres before the war, further developments of this
nature had ceased in 1939. It became apparent that one of the major tasks confronting
the Council in discharging its duties under the Act would be the provision