Abstract
THE committee appointed jointly by the Minister of Health and the Minister of Home Security in September last, under the chairmanship of Lord Horder, made its first recommendations within a few days of its appointment and has continued to give advice from time to time. Further recommendations, with brief statements by the Ministry concerned of action already taken, have now been issued (London: H.M. Stationery Office. 2d. net). The Committee states that the crux of the problem is overcrowding, which should be countered by popularizing the domestic and communal shelters, and also by vigorously pursuing evacuation schemes already in operation. The other recommendations refer mainly to the provision of amenities, such as bunks, lighting and sanitary arrangements, and of first aid posts. On the thorny question of heating, the Committee points out that it is closely related to ventilation. The ideal solution would be air-conditioning, but as this is not practicable, ventilation by natural means is assumed. All ventilation shafts and other means for the entrance and exit of air should obviously be kept free, and floor draughts should be controlled by arranging for incoming air to be admitted at high levels so that it may mix with warm air. Shelters liable to crowding do not require heating even in winter, but sparsely occupied shelters might be heated during the latter part of the day-time. Airborne infections may be reduced by spraying with a solution of sodium hypochlorite, and innoculation against diphtheria should be encouraged. A simple form of face mask would help to prevent the spread of droplet infection by coughing and sneezing.
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Conditions in Air Raid Shelters. Nature 146, 712 (1940). https://doi.org/10.1038/146712b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/146712b0