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26
from the engine is admitted to this chamber, and this wets the
dust and causes a large portion of it to fall to the bottom, where it
forms a pulpy, evil-smelling mass. The remainder of the blast,
together with the uncondensed steam, passes out through a sheetiron
tube to the open-air. The dust chambers are periodically
cleaned out, and the refuse is sold for manure.
The factory is small and the space is still further encroached
upon by the bales of rags ready for tearing up. The engine is a
good deal worn and is very noisy in its working. The machines
do not appear to be fixed on very substantial foundations, and
vibrate a good deal. Quantities of dust and fluffs escape from the
machines whilst they are at work, and much of this is deposited
on the walls and woodwork of the factory; but more passes
through the open windows and is distributed over the neighbourhood.
It is evident that if the rags contain any infectious matter
(and it is certain that some, at least, of them must do so) it will
be in the form of spores and bacteria, and these would constitute
a portion of the fine dust spoken of. I look upon this as a constant
source of danger to the neighbourhood, and I am of opinion
that all rags before their conversion into flocks should be
thoroughly disinfected in a Washington Lyon Apparatus.
The Sanitary Committee visited the factory with me on several
occasions, and at a meeting held on the 19th of September it was
determined to view some other flock factories in various parts of
London.
Inspector Weston obtained permission from four manufacturers
for the Committee to view their premises, and on Wednesday, the
26th, ten Members of the Committee, accompanied by your
Medical Officer and the Inspectors, proceeded on a tour of
inspection. The following were the factories visited:—
Messrs. Bates Bbos.,
84, Rodney Road, Walworth.
This is a wadding factory, but flocks are also manufactured.
The process and machines are similar to those used by Mr.
Sanderson, but the situation of the factory is much more open ; the