Sun & Glass

Children and animals that live in glassed houses are cheated of that ultraviolet part of the sun's light which helps the bones ossify. The glass blocks the ultraviolet rays; the children and animals become rickety. Therefore glass substitutes have recently appeared for sale. Prominent are:

VITA GLASS clear and "cathedral," made by Vita Glass Corp., Manhattan.

CEL-O-GLASS, made by Acetol Products Inc., New York City.

FLEX-O-GLASS, made by Flex-0-Glass Mfg. Co., Chicago./-

CORNING GLASS, made by Corning Glass Works, Corning, N. Y.

Vita Glass and Corning Glass are true glasses. Celo-O-Glass is composed of wire-mesh screen filled with an apparently celluloidinous material. Flex-O-Glass is a thin, fairly loosely woven cloth treated with a paraffin-like substance.

Last week the American Medical Association's Council on Physical Therapy, which has been investigating the health values of these glass substitutes, published its report in the Association's Journal:

"The results of these investigations encourage the belief that there are now available materials for glazing our windows which do not possess the fault of window glass in excluding the health-giving rays of sunlight. A comparatively small amount of exposure to sunlight, even during the winter months, at the latitude of Boston has a decidedly beneficial effect.

"Corning Glass and the clear Vita Glass are as transparent to the visible rays as is window glass. Vita Glass is furnished also in a translucent ("cathedral") form which is particularly suitable where privacy is desired. Cel-O-Glass and Flex-O-Glass are not transparent, but the data presented show their comparative value for use in solariums and for animal husbandry in cases in which transparency is not essential. Both of these substances are less expensive than ordinary window glass, but the Flex-O-Glass does not withstand the onslaught of the weather as well as does the Cel-O-Glass. The waxy coating of the Flex-O-Glass has a tendency to soften in hot sunshine, and dust may then adhere which is not easily washed off. This material is primarily intended, however, for use in animal husbandry to provide protection in winter. During the hot summer months it may be removed and in the fall reinstalled."

/- Vio-RAY, made by Vio-Ray Co., Kansas City, Mo., is like FLEX-O-GLASS.