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SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.—I*. 429 
MM. R. Bonnarpet and H. Laucier. 
Summary of the work of Langlois, Boussaguet, Desbouis, Garrelon, Marcou and 
Routhier concerning Human Labour in an Artificial Mine.—This artificial mine 
constructed by the Mining Committee, is 8 metres in length with a cross-section 
of 24 square metres. It contains devices for ventilation (fan delivering 10 cubic 
metres per second), air heating (gas boiler generating 18,000 calories per hour), 
humidification (helicoidal fluid jet atomisers), which thus permit of varying the 
ventilation, the temperature, the hygrometric degree, and of obtaining temperatures 
of 40° Centigrade in an atmosphere saturated with moisture, with an air velocity 
reaching 6-40 metres in a gallery 1 metre in height. 
The essential results are as follows :— 
1. Ventilation and Circulation.—The ventilation, with the subject in repose, brings 
about a reduction in the maximum arterial pressure, particularly at high temperatures ; 
during work the increase in pressure is diminished by the ventilation. 
2. Ventilation and RespirationSeveral cases (Marcou) : ‘(a) When the effect of 
the wind becomes manifest in symptoms of cold, no matter how slight (goose-flesh, &c.), 
the amplitude of the respiration, the production of CO,, the consumption of O., and 
also the emission of vapour by the respiration are much higher than in a calm. 
‘(b) Under average conditions in which the effects of the wind or calm on the 
sensation of warmth are deemed to make no difference, the amplitude of the respira- 
tion and of the production of CO, are not affected by the wind, but the emission of 
vapour decreases considerably in the wind. 
‘(c) In cases (high temperatures of over 30°) in which the wind produces an 
agreeable sensation, the amplitude of the respiration increases under the action of 
the wind, the production of CO, diminishes slightly, and the emission of vapour 
decreases considerably. 
*(d) At extremely high temperatures, i.e. air warmer than the body, the amplitudes 
of respiration and also the production of CO, are greater in the wind than in a calm, 
the emission of vapour being considerably greater in the wind than in a calm.’ 
3. Study of the loss of Water.—In repose the ratio between the water lost by 
respiration and the water lost through the skin (evaporatory quotient of Boussaguet) 
is about 40 per cent. During work it falls to 12-16 per cent. In a dry atmosphere 
a ventilation of 2'to 3 metres per second may cause this quotient to fall below 2 per 
cent. On the other hand, ‘ any deviation in temperature between the dry thermometer 
and the wet thermometer of less than 4°, when the wet thermometer is above 24°, 
indicates a surrounding atmosphere incompatible with the physiological working 
conditions.’ 
4. Action on the thermal regulation.—The ventilation distinctly assists the thermal 
regulation. 
5. Effect on the efficiency—In comparing the work done with the quantity of CO». 
evolved, Langlois and Routhier conclude ‘ that, in an atmosphere having a temperature 
adjacent 25° on the wet thermometer, an air stream striking the worker at a velocity 
of 1 metre per second considerably increases his efficiency.’ 
6. Effect on pathological conditions.—Investigations on animals; comparison of 
working conditions on normal guinea-pigs and tuberculous guinea-pigs. The 
hypothermia, which is a function of the hygrometric state, is more pronounced in 
tuberculous animals than in healthy animals, and the consequences, which are mild 
in the case of the healthy animal, are serious in the sick animal. 
_ Prof. E. P. Catucart, C.B.E., F.R.S. 
The appreciation by those responsible for the organisation of labour of the 
_ physiological limitations of man as a working unit would do much to alleviate the 
* 
conditions of labour. 
The adjustment of the machinery and conditions of labour to man’s capacity will 
determine the optimal result both as regards the health of the worker and his output. 
_ The design of the machine, the environmental conditions such as the temperature, 
Fi 
_ Speed of work, &c., and the physique of the personnel are all involved. 
‘the humidity, lighting, as well as the actual workshop organisation with its rest pauses, 
As man spends but a portion of his time within the workshop, it is evident that 
the mode of employment of the non-working hours will largely determine his working 
efficiency, 
