DISEASE DECREASING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 July 1939, Page 9

DISEASE DECREASING

POSITION IN SOUTH AFRICA. PROTECTION OF WOOLLEN GARMENTS. In South Africa both the Union Gov. ernment and the mine owners have given increasing attention in recon' years to measures designed to decrease the incidence of disease amongst native workers in the Rand gold mines In consequence, housing and dietetic conditions have been greatly improver and intensive investigation has beer made into methods for controlling dis case, of which tuberculosis and pneu monia are amongst the most important. It was found that the incidence of and mortality rate from pneumonic and other acute respiratory disease? was highest amongst underground native labourers, not only because their work is more arduous but also b\ reason of the fact that such workers are subjected to considerable ehanges in temperature below and above ground. It was therefore decided to test the effect of issuing a woollen outer garment to protect the workot against chilling during the unavoidable periods of delay in draughty places oi on coming to the surface. The general practice of issuing ar army tunic or other wool garment to mine labourers was decided upon in 1935. and in consequence there has been, in the opinion of mine medical officers, a steady decrease in the incidence of pneumonia and other pulmonary complaints.