WOOL DEVELOPMENT

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 231, 8 September 1939, Page 4

WOOL DEVELOPMENT

ARMY UNIFORMS WOOL IN THE TROPICS ■; / • i ' : ■ - EXPMU'iiiN.CE IN U.S- ARMY The United States Army authorities are at present testing a new blue' uniform designed to replace the jexisting lfhaki service dress. The new uuiform, like the old, must be made of all wool, of which not,less than (jo- per cent, must be new wool. The army authorities haw, in addlition, specified that army shirts \must bo all . wool, oven/when intended for use in tropicak ■climates. The United States Army Medical Services are of the opinion that by insisting on the use of. wool shirts, the risk of chill and sickness is greatly reduced, especially in those hot climates in. which there is a'liability to> sudden changes in temperature. DECREASING DISEIASE IN SOUTH AFRICA , , In South Africa, both the Union Government and the mine owners have given increasing attention in recent 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 improved and intensive investigation lias been made into methods for controlling disease, of which tubercu-

losis and pneumonia are amongst tho most important.

tvhs found that the incidence- of To*!. rffcteyfroniiy, pneumonia land other- acute, respiratory diseases highest amongst underground miy tive labourers, not only lit eg use their work is iriore arduous but also i»y reason of the fact that' such workers are subjected! to considerable changes in • temperature below and above grdiind. It was therefore decided to test .the effect of issuing a woollen outer • garment to protect the worker against chilling during the .unavoidable periods of delay in. draughty, places or on coining to the surface. The. general practice of issuing an army tunic or other wool garment to mine labourers was decided upon in 193 d, and in •coiisequence there has been: in the opinion of mine medical officers, a ,steady decrease in the inci\douse offipneumonia and other pulmonary .qb.iiiplai.hts.