Summary of Conclusions
I. The injurious organic effects exerted by smoke on human beings are both direct and indirect. The direct effects are due to the injury caused by the smoke contents themselves, while the indirect effects arise from meteorological changes produced by atmospheric smoke.
II. The mental effects of smoke and smoke-produced weather states are likewise both direct and indirect. The indirect effects issue from bodily changes produced by smoke or smoke-produced weather states, while the direct effects are due to the influences of the mind’s own states upon its subsequent thoughts, disposition and conduct.
III. Smoke fills the atmosphere with acrid, poisonous compounds and soot particles which may serve as carriers of the obnoxious products of human fatigue, which irritate the sensitive membranes of the eyes, nose, throat, lungs and gastro-intestinal tract, increase the susceptibility of gastro-intestinal, pulmonary and naso-pharyngeal disorders, diminish the potential reserve, working capacity and well being of the individual, increase fatigue, irritability and malcontent, and may tend to hasten premature decay.
IV. Smoke lessens the duration and intensity of sunshine, reduces the intensity of daylight, the limit of visibility and the diurnal winter temperature; increases humidity, mists, the frequency and duration of fogs and possibly alters the electrical potential.
V. Sunshine is an important bio-dynamic agent. It promotes anabolism, transpiration and perspiration, and increases the percentage of hemoglobin. The blue and ultra-violet rays of sunshine exert a bactericidal effect on pathogenic bacteria, and a tonic, vitalizing influence upon the human organism. Sunshine exerts an exuberant influence on the feelings. Moreover, colorless daylight is superior for visual efficiency, optical health and affective quality.
VI. Dark clouds have a depressing, devitalizing effect. They may cause fear in children, reduce working efficiency, and labor returns; give rise to eye strain and dioptric disorders; give rise to disquietude, restlessness and forebodings in the insane; and may increase drunkenness because of the reduction of the diurnal temperature in the winter time.
VII. Humidity increases the solid, poisonous, bactericidal contents of the air, aggravates various pathological conditions of the body, reduces the sensitivity of some sense organs and depletes the vital potential. Fogs, in addition, increase the inaccuracy of mental work (bank errors), increase the prevalence of diseases, and augment the death rate.
VIII. Clear, dry days are anabolic in character and thus produce a superabundance of energy. While this may lead, as statistics seem to show, to an increase of school misdemeanors, assaults, suicides and arrests for drunkenness in emotionally and nervously unstable individuals, it also tends to energize the human organism, augment its functional efficiency and enhance its achievement capacity. Negatively the data seem to indicate that smoky weather states (just because they deplete energy and thereby inhibit action) lessen rather than increase crimes of violence.
IX. Smoke clouds are inimical to the highest aesthetic development of urban communities. They seriously limit not only the possibilities of municipal art, in respect to architecture, statuary, painting, and ornamental gardening, but also limit the possibilities of art education in the community in question. They begrime, deface, decolor, destroy and corrode interior and exterior artistic effects in color, brick, stone, marble or metal. They befoul the persons as well as the dress of the inhabitants, limit the range of wearing apparel, and may foster habits of indifference. They obliterate the natural terrestrial panorama of art, the iridescent clouds of the sky. Because of the murky, abject inartistic appearance of these cities, they are avoided by the wealthy tourist and the retiredperson of wealth who is in search of a desirable place for residence.
X. Our knowledge of the mental influences of atmospheric smoke pollution should be rendered more complete by systematic psychological research. Two methods are available for this investigation, namely, the questionnaire method and the experimental method. By means of the questionnaire a mass of interesting and valuable experiential, observational and impressionistic data can be collected from children and adults bearing on smoke psychology. By the experimental method it is possible to measure in quantitative terms under controlled conditions of smoke density, the influence of smoke upon the functional efficiency of various sensory, motor and intellectual processes. To prosecute such a research one requires controlled subjects, controlled apparatus and controlled smoke rooms.
My thanks for courtesies extended to me in connection with this research are due toDr.R. C. Benner,Mr.J. J. O’Connor,Jr.,Dr.W. W. Strong andMr.E. H. McClelland.