STANDARD SURROUNDINGS VALUABLE.—­Standard environment, or surroundings, of the worker are valuable for two reasons: 

1.  Because they directly increase output by eliminating everything which might distract attention or cause needless fatigue, and by assisting in the attainment of more output by having the best possible surroundings for greater output.

2.  Because all surroundings suggest an easy achievement.  Knowing that everything has been done to make his work possible and easy, the worker feels this atmosphere of possibility and ease around him, and the suggestive power of this is strong.

UNNECESSARY FATIGUE SHOULD BE ELIMINATED.—­The walls, appliances and furniture, and the clothing of the worker should be of that color which will rest his eyes from the fatigue of the work.  All unnecessary noise should be eliminated, and provision should be made, where possible, that the workers may enjoy their sleep or their rest hours in perfect quiet.

Records show the value of having quiet reign in and near the camp, that the workers may not be disturbed.  Even though they are not disturbed enough to be waked up, every noise that is registered in the brain affects the body, for it is now conceded that the body reflects every phase of mental activity.

ALL MENTAL STATES AFFECT BODILY STATES—­Dr. Stratton says:  “It is now generally accepted that the body reflects every shade of psychic operations; that in all manner of mental action there is some physical expression."[7] All consciousness is motor “is the brief expression of this important truth; every mental state somehow runs over into a corresponding bodily state.”

ELIMINATION OF WORRY ASSISTS IN CONCENTRATING ATTENTION.—­The more fireproof the building, and the more stable the other conditions, the greater the efficiency of the inmate.  Burglar-proof buildings not only actually induce better sleep, in that possible intrusions are eliminated, but give a state of mental peace by the removal of apprehension.  So also, a “germ proof” house is not only really more healthful for an inmate, but eliminates worry over possible danger of ill health.  The mental health of the worker not only controls, in a measure, his physical health, but also his desire to work.  Having no distractions, he can put his mind upon that which is given him to do.

DISTRACTED ATTENTION CAUSES FATIGUE.—­The attention of the worker is apt to be distracted not only by recognized dangers, such as burglars, fires, and disease, but also by other transitory things that, involuntarily on his part, take his mind from the work in hand.  A flickering light distracts the attention and causes fatigue, whether we have consciously noticed it or not.  Many things are recorded by the senses without one’s being conscious of them.

For example, the ceasing of a clock to tick, although we have not noticed that it was ticking.  Another example is the effect upon the pulse or the brain of being spoken to when asleep.