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2. That wonderful results have been obtained in the treatment of surgical tuberculosis by sunlight, real and artificial, but that fresh air and good food
play an equally important part in all such "cures."
3. That pulmonary tuberculosis can be arrested by several methods, notably
sanatorium treatment, but as has already been pointed out, there is
always the risk of recrudescence if the infected individual returns to
insanitary surroundings with bad food.
HYGIENE OF HAIRDRESSERS' AND BARBERS' SHOPS.
A system of voluntary registration of hairdressers' establishments with the Department
of the Medical Officer of Health was instituted in 1904.
The following is a list of establishments at present on the register:—
Alfred Kingston, 8 and 10, Ludgate Arcade.
Charles Lehman. 8 and 9, Aldermanbury Postern.
Thos. W. Monk, 5, Angel Court.
Ed. Hy. Prince, (69, Fore Street.
Harry C. Wicks, trading as Arthur & Co., 42a, Old Broad Street.
Einar P. Eilert, 75, Mark Lane.
Samuel & Harry Cohen, trading as Cohen & Co., 120, Newgate Street.
SMOKE AND ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION.
Thirteen instances of smoke nuisance or annoyance from chimneys were dealt with
during the year. Some of these were of a temporary character and did not recur, others
were abated upon service of the usual form of notice upon the offenders and there has been
no occasion to take further action.
As mentioned in previous Reports, the annoyance and the evil from coal smoke cannot
satisfactorily be dealt with by law until the enactments at present in force are strengthened
or amended. Much dirt and discomfort from smoke continues, although to a distinctly less
degree than in former years, and for which the enormous number of chimneys, domestic and
otherwise, in and surrounding Greater London is largely responsible.
A critical examination of the air in the City was commenced in the year 1914, in conjunction
with the Committee for the Investigation of Atmospheric Pollution, appointed by the
International Exhibition and Conference in London, 1912. A large rain gauge is mounted
upon the roof of one of the Corporation's buildings in Golden Lane, and the rain-water from
a known area of surface is collected monthly. This rain-water, containing the soot, grit and
dust washed from the air, has been submitted for examination to the Public Analyst and the
results tabulated. For comparison the results obtained from similar observations made at
the Archbishop's Park, Lambeth, by the London County Council, are shown in the attached
table.
The table also shows the rainfall for the months of January to December of the year
1925 and the amounts found of insoluble matter, tar, soot, and dust, also the soluble matter,
together with the sulphates, ammonia and chlorine in the volume collected.
The results as given by the Public Analyst have been re-calculated into metric tons per
square kilometre during each month.
One metric ton per square kilometre is equivalent approximately to 9 lbs. per acre, or
2.56 tons per square mile. Although the presence of much impurity in the atmosphere has
been long known the figures given represent a definite record of the facts.
In examining the table it will be appreciated that in the month of November only, the
amount of deposit registered as falling in the City amounted to 28.77 tons per square kilometre,
which is equal (estimating the City as haying an area of one square mile) to no less
than about 73 tons avoirdupois.
Of this mass of dirt, approximately 41 tons were soluble, and included the chemicals
mentioned, and 32 tons were insoluble and consisted of tar, carbon and grit.
In addition to the foregoing, a daily observation has been made at mid-day at the Guildhall of the purity of the air by a modern dry method, by which the suspended matter can
be readily demonstrated.
From the 1st January until the 31st December the amount of the impurity at noon
has varied from half a milligramme to six milligrammes per cubic metre of air; this latter
figure includes times when there has been a fog.