The Bacterial Content of the Air in Army Sleeping Huts, with especial reference to the Meningococcus

Abstract

Experiments I–VIII.I shows that under the conditions shown the plates were covered with innumerable colonies 7 feet above ground level to ground level. The beds and trestles were used to keep the hut always uniform.II shows that 8 feet above ground, i.e. on top of the crossbeams, the same conditions obtain.III, IV, V, and VI show that the same condition exists in the area between the beds or trestles. The beds make no difference, better or worse.VII shows practically the same condition high up on the beam between the beds. The inverted plates naturally show less colonies, as the organisms mostly fall on to the plates.VIII confirms the above.There is only one conclusion to draw from these experiments, and that is that practically speaking there is no difference in the number of organisms on the ground floor and 8 feet above it, in the ordinary men’s sleeping huts, Barrack Design 230/14.

The Transmission of Respiratory Infections

“…Lastly, there is high probability that other organisms, Dip. pneumonice, C. diphtheria, and N. meningitidis, may similarly be conveyed on airborne particles because they have been found in the air or in the dust of wards in which there were cases, but virtually nothing is known as to how they got there (Stillman 1917, Wright et al 1941, Eagleton 1919).…”