SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.— I. 397 



In this paper an attempt is made to set out a scheme for the practical 

 diagnosis (personal and collective) of ' Fatigue in Modern Industry.' 

 Certain special causes of fatigue which are commonly overlooked are briefly 

 discussed, and the method of diagnosis explained. 



Dr. H. M. Vernon. — Fatigue in industry (11.30). 



The physical fatigue experienced by industrial workers depends (a) on 

 the length of time for which they have to work, (b) the character of the 

 work, and (c) the conditions under which it is performed, (a) Hours of 

 work were greatly improved after the war, when the working week was cut 

 down from 5 2-5 5 i hrs. to 47-48 hrs. in most occupations ; but some 

 groups of workers still suffer from over-fatigue caused by excessive hours 

 of work. The majority of coal miners still work 8-hour shifts ; again, 

 many bakers work from 70-80 hours a week, while shop assistants and 

 employees in the distributive trades frequently work unduly long hours. 

 (b) If the work is of a heavy character, the fatigue induced can often be 

 lightened by the introduction of rest pauses at regular intervals. Also the 

 adoption of the most suitable movements, of an easy and rhythmic character, 

 may reduce fatigue ; but time and motion study resulting in undue speeding 

 up must be avoided, (c) Suitable environmental conditions are very im- 

 portant. Good lighting may increase the quantity and quality of the work 

 produced substantially. Heating, if insufficient, induces cold fingers and 

 diminished manual dexterity ; if in excess, and especially if accompanied 

 by inadequate ventilation, it causes extra fatigue and diminished produc- 

 tion. Noise, if excessive, has adverse effects, both subjective and objective. 



In addition to its direct effects, reduction of fatigue acts indirectly by 

 diminishing liability to accidents. While good progress has been made 

 of recent years in adopting measures for reducing fatigue, much remains to 

 be done. The principle of the 40-hour week, with maintenance of the 

 workers' standard of living, was adopted by the International Labour 

 Conference at Geneva last year. 



Dr. G. H. Miles. — Fatigue from the industrial point of view (12.0). 



General Discussion (12.30). 



Afternoon. 

 Excursion to Open-air Swimming Pool, Blackpool South Shore. 



Friday, September 11. 



Presidential Address by Prof. R. J. S. McDowall on The control of the 

 circulation of the blood (10.0). 



Discussion, with representatives of Sections A (Mathematics and Physics) 

 and B (Chemistry), on The architecture of life (11.0). 



Dr. A. D. Ritchie. — Introduction. 



Dr. D. M. Wrinch. — Molecular structure of living matter. 



Great advances have recently been made in investigating the structure of 

 hair, silk and other products of living organisms. The crystalline character 



