- Email: [email protected]
THE GOVERNMENT AND PROPRIETARY MEDICINES
471 LIGHTING OF WARDS the war many hospitals will be remodelling SIR,-After their wards and the experience at the Moreton District may help in designing lighting systems. This hospital built two new wards in 1935 and for general lighting individual bed lights with additional central lighting was adopted ; this is very satisfactory but care should be taken to fit the individual bed lights sufficiently high on the wall so that they cannot be smashed by a For lighting during the night crane attached to the bed. the matron, Miss M. B. Ockenden, suggested that the wards should be lit by concealed lights such as are used on the stairs and corridors of cinemas, and this idea was adopted. A fitting, the " Major Flush Louvre Light " (manufactured by Manjor Equipment Co.), was let into the wall where it would be underneath a bed, 1 ft. 8 in. above the floor. At this height the louvred openings are just below the level of the bed and the light cannot be directlyseen by any patient in the ward ; at the same time they illuminate the polished floor completely and the reflected light makes objects on the beds and lockers quite visible. This fitting could be improved, for the replacement of burnt-out bulbs is troublesome and the lowest power of bulb available is 15 watts, which is too high. Five of these were fitted in a ward of 12 beds 55 ft. 6 in. x 20 ft. and gave more light than is required ; one light to 300 sq. ft. should be sufficient. This system of lighting has since been copied in the Acland Nursing Home and the Nuffield wards of the Radcliffe Infirmary at Oxford. CLARK NICHOLSON. Moreton-in-Marsh.
Hospital
OIL FOR FLOORS SiB,—We were interested to read Dr. J. M. Twort’s letter of Aug. 16 (p. 205) in which he pointed out the
of spindle oil, and the danger which may therefore be associated with its use as a dust" layer on hospital floors. The term " spindle oil is used to cover a wide variety of mineral oils of varying degrees of refinement, ranging from the relatively crude, carcinogenic lubricants employed in cotton mills to the highly refined, biologically inert white oils and the new paraffiCost is a useful indication of num liquidum leve B.P. the degree of refinement of these oils, the more highly purified oils costing 2s. 6d. per gallon while the cruder ones may be obtained for less than half this amount. The extent of the danger of using " spindle oil " as a dust-layer depends on the degree of refinement of the oil used and the frequency with which it is applied to floors, so that care is necessary in selecting an appropriate oil..We have always used a well-refined oil of the more expensive type, the specifications of which we have defined (Lancet, 1941, 2, 123). Dr. Twort informs us that this oil is unlikely to be harmful, and we consider, therefore, that the danger associated with the application and presence of spindle oils of this nature on hospital floors is negligible. Should circumstances necessitate a prolonged and intimate contact of the skin with the oil before and after it is applied to the floors the still more highly refined oils may equally well be used. These oils are equally efficient dust-layers, but are slightly more expensive that the spindle oil we have used. Dr. Twort has kindly tested such an oil for us (Technical White Oil’ refined by the Manchester Oil Refinery, Ltd.) and found it to be biologically inert. It was the consideration of the carcinogenic properties of the cruder oils which led us to recommend the more highly purified oils for dustlaying on bedclothes, where intimate contact between the patient’s skin and the oil is inevitable. M. VAN DEN ENDE. JOHN C. THOMAS.
carcinogenic properties
National Institute for Medical Research.
THE GOVERNMENT AND PROPRIETARY MEDICINES SIR,-At the recent annual general meeting of Beechams Pills Ltd., the Chairman said (as reported in the Times): " For the ninth successive year our trading profits show an increase. The profit for the year amounts to f:1,085,893.... The company’s normal trade both at home and overseas, without accounting for Government contracts, shows considerable expansion.... "
" Since we last met, Parliament has passed the Pharmacy and Medicines Act of 1941.... Generally, it is hoped that the new Act will improve the status of proprietary articles and patent medicines. The directors have decided that the full benefit shall be given to the public...." As regards the Government contracts mentioned, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, in reply to Sir E. Graham Little, M.P., said on Sept. 30 : " So far as I have been able to ascertain, no Government department has a contract with this firm." I think the profession is entitled to know which of these two statements is correct. Leicester. N. I. SFRIGGS. RADIOLOGY AS A CAREER SiB,—It is with surprise that I read of the novel scheme for producing radiologists, revealed in your annotation of Oct. 11 (p. 432). It is difficult to appreciate the reason for the unusual step that is being taken, unless a shortage of radiologists is upon us. At present there is no evidence that such is the case. I have recently been informed that no radiologists are required by the E.M.S., and as the Services will not take them without considerable clinical and radiological experience, the new candidates will not find their path as rosy as would appear at first sight. In any case it seems a retrograde step to be subsidising would-be specialists when, to my knowledge alone, three qualified radiologists are unable to find work. Radiologists have many trials to undergo because their specialty is a junior one, but I am surprised that my senior colleagues have not resisted this unnecessary attempt to induce people to join their ranks, for it cannot enhance our prestige.
D.M.R.E. HAD THE CERTIFYING DOCTOR KNOWN
SiB,—At a recent gathering of doctors at a steel works the topic of certification of employees in industry came under discussion, and the company had received an urgent request for help to manufacture a part for a war machine. The shortage of this component was causing a serious delay in supplies. It so happened that there was in one shop adaptable equipment but no skilled
In reviewing the labour force it remembered that three men who were skilled at this type of work had been transferred several years before when orders were short to other departments. They were requested to report back the following week to their original shop. Two days later they presented medical certificates, each bearing a different doctor’s signatures giving some reason for their not transferring to the operation required. I felt satisfied that the real cause of the trouble was not a question of health. The men had settled down to a new occupation with a fresh set of men, in surroundings which happened to be more congenial, and they were displaying the understandable and common dislike of being uprooted and disturbed. I interviewed the three men and they all seemed to be in normal health. I pointed out to them that, although the work that they were at present doing was of importance, the work to which they were requested to transfer was particularly urgent and vital and that their greatest utility value to the country on this occasion would, be to return to their original occupation. Two of them, on considering these points, immediately volunteered to do The third man disclosed that he had lost as we wished. a sister and brother from tuberculosis and that as the original shop was certainly dustier than his present shop he did not want to return. It was apparent that his fear It was, however, pointed out to him was quite genuine. that if he had a liability to tuberculosis probably the shop that he was working in was not the most suitable : that open-air work would be preferable, and that in any event he ought to have enough courage to have an examination before it was too late for his doctor to help him. To this he reluctantly agreed and it was arranged that he should be examined by the local tuberculosis officer. The result of this examination was not reported, but ten days later the man presented himself for work in the occupation that he had been requested to take up, and he was a happier man than he had been for some
operatives available.
was
years
past.
That is what happened ; but if this satisfactory conclusion had not been reached the problem would have
-
Hospital
OIL FOR FLOORS SiB,—We were interested to read Dr. J. M. Twort’s letter of Aug. 16 (p. 205) in which he pointed out the
of spindle oil, and the danger which may therefore be associated with its use as a dust" layer on hospital floors. The term " spindle oil is used to cover a wide variety of mineral oils of varying degrees of refinement, ranging from the relatively crude, carcinogenic lubricants employed in cotton mills to the highly refined, biologically inert white oils and the new paraffiCost is a useful indication of num liquidum leve B.P. the degree of refinement of these oils, the more highly purified oils costing 2s. 6d. per gallon while the cruder ones may be obtained for less than half this amount. The extent of the danger of using " spindle oil " as a dust-layer depends on the degree of refinement of the oil used and the frequency with which it is applied to floors, so that care is necessary in selecting an appropriate oil..We have always used a well-refined oil of the more expensive type, the specifications of which we have defined (Lancet, 1941, 2, 123). Dr. Twort informs us that this oil is unlikely to be harmful, and we consider, therefore, that the danger associated with the application and presence of spindle oils of this nature on hospital floors is negligible. Should circumstances necessitate a prolonged and intimate contact of the skin with the oil before and after it is applied to the floors the still more highly refined oils may equally well be used. These oils are equally efficient dust-layers, but are slightly more expensive that the spindle oil we have used. Dr. Twort has kindly tested such an oil for us (Technical White Oil’ refined by the Manchester Oil Refinery, Ltd.) and found it to be biologically inert. It was the consideration of the carcinogenic properties of the cruder oils which led us to recommend the more highly purified oils for dustlaying on bedclothes, where intimate contact between the patient’s skin and the oil is inevitable. M. VAN DEN ENDE. JOHN C. THOMAS.
carcinogenic properties
National Institute for Medical Research.
THE GOVERNMENT AND PROPRIETARY MEDICINES SIR,-At the recent annual general meeting of Beechams Pills Ltd., the Chairman said (as reported in the Times): " For the ninth successive year our trading profits show an increase. The profit for the year amounts to f:1,085,893.... The company’s normal trade both at home and overseas, without accounting for Government contracts, shows considerable expansion.... "
" Since we last met, Parliament has passed the Pharmacy and Medicines Act of 1941.... Generally, it is hoped that the new Act will improve the status of proprietary articles and patent medicines. The directors have decided that the full benefit shall be given to the public...." As regards the Government contracts mentioned, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, in reply to Sir E. Graham Little, M.P., said on Sept. 30 : " So far as I have been able to ascertain, no Government department has a contract with this firm." I think the profession is entitled to know which of these two statements is correct. Leicester. N. I. SFRIGGS. RADIOLOGY AS A CAREER SiB,—It is with surprise that I read of the novel scheme for producing radiologists, revealed in your annotation of Oct. 11 (p. 432). It is difficult to appreciate the reason for the unusual step that is being taken, unless a shortage of radiologists is upon us. At present there is no evidence that such is the case. I have recently been informed that no radiologists are required by the E.M.S., and as the Services will not take them without considerable clinical and radiological experience, the new candidates will not find their path as rosy as would appear at first sight. In any case it seems a retrograde step to be subsidising would-be specialists when, to my knowledge alone, three qualified radiologists are unable to find work. Radiologists have many trials to undergo because their specialty is a junior one, but I am surprised that my senior colleagues have not resisted this unnecessary attempt to induce people to join their ranks, for it cannot enhance our prestige.
D.M.R.E. HAD THE CERTIFYING DOCTOR KNOWN
SiB,—At a recent gathering of doctors at a steel works the topic of certification of employees in industry came under discussion, and the company had received an urgent request for help to manufacture a part for a war machine. The shortage of this component was causing a serious delay in supplies. It so happened that there was in one shop adaptable equipment but no skilled
In reviewing the labour force it remembered that three men who were skilled at this type of work had been transferred several years before when orders were short to other departments. They were requested to report back the following week to their original shop. Two days later they presented medical certificates, each bearing a different doctor’s signatures giving some reason for their not transferring to the operation required. I felt satisfied that the real cause of the trouble was not a question of health. The men had settled down to a new occupation with a fresh set of men, in surroundings which happened to be more congenial, and they were displaying the understandable and common dislike of being uprooted and disturbed. I interviewed the three men and they all seemed to be in normal health. I pointed out to them that, although the work that they were at present doing was of importance, the work to which they were requested to transfer was particularly urgent and vital and that their greatest utility value to the country on this occasion would, be to return to their original occupation. Two of them, on considering these points, immediately volunteered to do The third man disclosed that he had lost as we wished. a sister and brother from tuberculosis and that as the original shop was certainly dustier than his present shop he did not want to return. It was apparent that his fear It was, however, pointed out to him was quite genuine. that if he had a liability to tuberculosis probably the shop that he was working in was not the most suitable : that open-air work would be preferable, and that in any event he ought to have enough courage to have an examination before it was too late for his doctor to help him. To this he reluctantly agreed and it was arranged that he should be examined by the local tuberculosis officer. The result of this examination was not reported, but ten days later the man presented himself for work in the occupation that he had been requested to take up, and he was a happier man than he had been for some
operatives available.
was
years
past.
That is what happened ; but if this satisfactory conclusion had not been reached the problem would have
-