EFFECT OF IRRADIATION OF THE AIR IN A WARD ON THE INCIDENCE OF INFECTIONS OF THE RESPIRATORY TRACT

Abstract

In a recent communication¹it was shown that the incidence of infections of the upper respiratory tract in a ward was decreased by means of indirect ultraviolet irradiation of the air. Encouraged by the results of this study, we resumed our observations on a new group of infants and studied the effect of continuous, instead of interrupted, irradiation of the air. As stated in our previous communication, we had hoped by means of intensified treatment to reduce further the incidence of ward infections. This investigation was begun in October 1939 and terminated April 30, 1940. The method of procedure during this period was identical with that used in the previous study except for continuous operation as against the interrupted irradiation employed in the earlier investigation. During the 1939-1940 period, in the group of 15 infants placed in the irradiated ward 59 infections occurred, whereas among the 19 control infants