It takes your breath away.

Galleries and Reading Room

Library

Shop

Café

Due to essential system maintenance, online requesting will be unavailable from 9pm until midnight on Tuesday 21 April. You can still search the catalogue as usual. We apologise for any inconvenience.

We're running paid user research studies to improve Wellcome Collection online

Take part in research

<p>The effect on the lungs of living in a polluted atmosphere is briefly shown on pathological specimens. Two patients are seen, one of whom had to change his job on account of reduced respiratory capacity due to bronchitis. This film uses very evocative footage of polluted city centres and inner city housing, showing widespread burning of fossil fuels in industry and the home as well as a hospital. Smutty deposits are over everything. Comparisons are made between Social Class 1, who can afford to live in the clean suburbs and Social Class 5, who fall victim to respiratory disease through constant exposure to pollution.</p>

It takes your breath away.

Licence and re-use