(2) Over ventilation. Discretion is needed under adverse conditions of this
nature. No amount of over ventilation can compensate for overcrowding; over
ventilation may cause chilling and do more harm than good.
3-18. DUST CONTROL
Dust control is very important in fighting respiratory diseases.
a. Infectious Organisms in Dust. The principle in providing ample sleeping
space in barracks is to allow exhaled droplets and droplet nuclei containing infectious
organisms to fall to the floor, rather than be inhaled by another individual
This principle will be defeated if dust on the floor is stirred up as to re-
contaminate the air.
Some organisms, especially the tuberculosis bacilli, continue to live for
some time after falling to the floor or other surface.
b. Floor Maintenance. Therefore, dry sweeping should not be permitted. Dry
sweeping raise dust, which may be germ-laden.
Either a sweeping compound or soap and water should be used.
Oil or light paraffin may also be used to settle the dust on floors.
-- It has been found that oiling of barracks floors reduces airborne
bacteria by approximately 70 percent.
-- In hospital studies, it has been observed that oiling the floors will
reduce the bacteria count by 90 percent.
-- A special oil emulsion has been developed for the treatment of
bedding during the laundering process.
-- This compound does not impart a greasy or oily feel to the material,
nor does it constitute a fire hazard.
3-19. SUNLIGHT
Respiratory diseases are effectively reduced by the practice of airing and sunning
barracks, bedding, and blankets.
a. Natural Solar Radiation. Natural solar radiation as a sterilizer of air has long
been known and accepted as a valuable disease control measure. Bacterial counts in
the air are reduced by exposure to sunlight and even diffuse daylight.
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