View report page

109
(14) ULTRA-VIOLET LIGHT RADIATION.
Lack of ultra-violet radiation, one of the results of a
smoke pall, is known to produce rickets in young
children ; and it is stated that nothing is plainer in the
morbidity and mortality experience of industrial areas
than that the presence of rickets contributes heavily
to sickness and deaths from bronchitis and pneumonia
in young children, to lowered resistance to measles,
whooping cough, and tuberculosis and more remotely
to maternal deaths from difficult instrumental or operative
deliveries.
It is important, therefore, that the ultra-violet light
reaching Barking should be of the maximum amount,
and for this reason we continue to take measurements
at the Barking Hospital. The results show that
throughout the year we received a total sky radiation of
1,104 units—this is comparable with that of any town
in South-Eastern England. We are fortunate in
view of the character of the industries situated in the
town, in continuing to register this amount of
ultra-violet light.
(15) SCHOOLS.
Of the eighteen elementary, ten have been built
within the last seven years, and of the remainder two are
much below present day standards.
The recent activities of the Council are shown in
the completion of five nursery classes, and the erection,
now proceeding, of gymnasia and dining centres for the
school and adult population. Each gymnasium unit
includes provision of shower baths and drying rooms
on the ground floor, with the dining centre, rest room
and kitchen on the first floor.
It has not been found necessary to close any department
of the schools as a result of infectious disease.