Report of the Departmental Committee apointed to inquire as to precautions for preventing danger of infection from anthrax in the manipulation of wool, goat hair, and camel hair.

  • Great Britain. Committee on Anthrax.
Date:
1918
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Departmental Committee apointed to inquire as to precautions for preventing danger of infection from anthrax in the manipulation of wool, goat hair, and camel hair. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    10/356
    In order to compute the cost, careful records were made by means of chemical analysis, and in other ways, of the loss of disinfectant in the commercial scale experiments. It, 1s pointed out that these were wasteful owing to defects of the adapted machinery, which would be absent in machinery specially designed for disinfection. Plans and estimates of cost of machinery and buildings were obtained from machinery makers and mill erectors on the basis of disinfection being carried out in central disinfection stations. An estimate of all other working costs was also prepared and submitted to several managers of woolcombing mills whose comments are given. From these sources of information it is calculated that the capital cost of erection and equipment of a central station capable of disinfecting 10,000,000 Ibs. .of wool annually would be 18,000/., and that the working cost of disinfection, including very liberal allowances for depreciation and sinking fund, would vary from 0°544 penny to ()°824 penny per pound of untreated material. The costs are computed at pre-war prices, and about 75 per cent. would have to be added to meet existing conditions. Manufacturers consider this to be reasonable, having regard to the object in view and the condition of the material after treatment. tet The Sub-Committee recognise that there must be no ground for dispute left, and the fullest details of their work are, therefore, given. They are unanimous in putting forward the process as one the adoption of which the Departmental Committee will be completely justified in recommending to the Secretary of State as a satisfactory means of preventing anthrax among persons manipulating wool and hair. No recommendations are made, as it is pointed out that this is a question for the full Committee. It is clear, however, that the Sub- Committee strongly favour the policy of disinfection in central stations. “- The evolution of a successful process of disinfection of wool and hair profoundly modifies the position in relation to the problem of preventing anthrax. ‘I'he information in possession of the Committee indicates that not only does anthrax occur whenever and wherever infected material is handled after it leaves the producing districts, but also that infection may be spread during the whole time between its collection and manufacture, and even after. The Committee is, therefore, of opinion that disinfection should be carried out at the earliest stage possible in the course of the material from the producing to the consuming districts. The Committee has adopted the Sub-Committee’s report, and the measures by which dis- infection can best be applied are under consideration. _ It was unanimously agreed, however, — that the report should be presented to you without waiting for recommendations as to the manner in which disinfection of wool and hair should be brought into operation. It is necessary to issue a warning against the taking of premature action by any individual or body before the presentation of the Committee’s final report. Disinfection is a highly. technical process, and demands skilled scientific supervision and the use of extensive special machinery. It cannot, in our opinion, after reviewing all the circumstances, be carried out in factories in which wool or hair is manufactured. Nor can it be applied effectively by any private body. I cannot, of course, anticipate the recommendations of the Committee, but the cireum- stances are such as to make it necessary for the Government themselves to organise disinfection, and it is further necessary for it to be carried out before the materials are dealt with in any | way in this country. The report and recommendations are now in draft, and will be presented to you within a few weeks. ‘Tull a decision has been come to as to the steps to be taken following on those recommendations, it will be unwise for any person or body to take any action whatever on the results of the Sub-Committee’s investigation. bts I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, i WM. MIDDLEBROOK, Chairman. G. Ex_uuirst DuckeERIne, Secretary.