Document 2qneb7zmkYQK33Boww61qyymr
9< .i; 4 tfc**9*# wpo*
concern *9
ttrMt A0 ****!(
rfry. T> *B^ '* til cefti**"
liicUt. **
aJ K#r
'Por,J-
9*t*r witK
ditort` ooo*tfc. Tht riiorl po`-
4CT i4 to *'* <rk OutwM
On thi
e*`fcM*`,,k **
a.. l * I
> > 'ti* ccw*c> c* ou e.r.^#a
tw* * 1> ** 'ttpr*t
#.f
oo-r.ent o'
wr
ft eu
e #.< v
o>*o' .!..IP > '* e**
*t
qp tpp
tp i*f lk.
v r
The Journal of Occupational Dneaiei and Traumatic Su-gerv With which arc consolidated "The Industrial doctor" end "iMemalional Journal rl Mcoicinc and Suraery."
The Science, the Law and the Economics of Industrial Health
Volume 9
FEBRUARY, 1940
Number 2
General Motors Corporation Medical Conference
--Davtun, Ohio. Novnuhfr 2 mill 10JO--
HE recent Meukwl. Conference ok General
TMotors Physicians, held at the Biltmore Hotel, Dayton, Ohio, November 2 and 3,1939, comprised five meetings and 18 presentations. The Program was as follows:
Thursday, November 2:
MORNING Session: Chairman, 1.1, M. Shafer, M.D.. Medical Director, Frigid.nre Division. Dayton. 1. "Recent Developments in Relation to Silicosis." LeRoy U. Gardner. M.D.. Saranac Lake, New York.
"A Plan lor the Control of Tuberculosis in Industry." Max Burnell. M.D.. Medical Director. AC Spark I'iug Division. Flint, Michigan.
3. "X-Ray in Industry," M. Willxajvi Cur:. M.D.. Hurley Hospital, Flint. Michigan.
4. "Preliminary Report on Hygiene Studies of Weld ing." L. B. Case and V. J. Castrop. Industrial Hygiene Laboratory. General Motors. Detroit.
AFTERNOON Session: Chairman. A. L. Brooks. M.D.. Medical Director Fisher Body Division, Detrar,. j. "Recent Developments in the Occupational D rni.itoses," Marion 3. Sclzbeiiccr. M.D., New York City
6. "The Course of Disabling Morbidity among Intius-
trial Workers. 1921-1938." William M. C.ArArEii. D.Sc.. L\ S. Public Health Service, Washington. C
7. "The Industrial Nurse." IIaholo M. James. Medical Director. Delco Products Division, Dayton
8. "The Doctor s Part in the Personnel Prugum." Georce A. CoauRK. Personnel Director. Delco-Remy Di\ . sion. Anderson, Indiana.
EVENING Session: Chairman. Walter M. Simpson. M. D.. Director. Kettering Institute for Medical Re
search. The Miami Valley Hospital. Dayton. 9. "Relationships of Industrial Medicine to Private
practice," Stanley J. Seecer. M.D.. Chairman Council on Industrial Health. American Medical Association.
10. "Unfinished IUisum-ss." C. F. KrrTniiNC. Dirremr
General.Motors Research Laboratories. Detroit.
Friday, November 3:
/rORNING Session: Chairman. G. L. Btnn. M.L.. MediIYI cal Director General Motors of Canada. Ltd.. Osita-
s, Ontario, Canada. 11. "A Practical Approach to Supervision of Mental
Health m Industry " F. S. Parney, M.D.. Chief. Division of Industrial Hygien Dvpt nf Pensions and National
Health. Ottawa. On. - C nnda.
e *vAJi fcxamok
-try's Participation in the
Aati-Sjy C;rnr............... J < --r, M.D.. Medical
Dni-eln.1'. Fislu-i HoCy Lansing Division. Laming. Mic.':.gan.
12 "Study of the Factors of Emnloyabihty. Espccialiv Disabilities and lnlirr...:n-s of the Elderly, and Problems Arising from Employment of the Same," Gconcc A Pall. M.D.. Medical Director. Hyatt Bcnnncs Division. Harrison. Ni w Jersey.
14. "Early Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis." Rusk McAdam. M.D.. Medieal Director. Fisher Body St. Lluis Division. St. Louis, Missouri.
AFTERNOON Session- Chairman. F. B. V.'isn/.no M E . Medical Director. Delco-Remy Division. Ar.acrson. Indiana. 13 "Relationship of the Length of the Inguinal Liga ment to the Occurrence of Inguinal Hernia." C. M. Hillexeranb. M.D.. Medical Director. Harrison Radiator Div,sion, Loekport. New Ycrk.
16 "Hernia in Industry; Review of the Cases During the Past Tori Years." R. L Joiinston. M.D., Medical Director. Inland Mfg Division. Dayton.
17. "Antiseptics and Their Action." R. M. Freeman. M.D.. Medical Director, Linden Division. Linden. New Jersey.
18. "Manaeemcnt of Fractures of the Spine." R W PononsKY. M.D.. Medical Director, Electro-Motive I>iv,Mim. La Grange. Illinois.
Excc-pl fur Da. Sulzdercer's address on "Recent Developments in the Occupational Dermatoses" all of the papers given at this Conference are in cluded here in full text, in the order of their places on the Program:
Recent Developments in <
Relation to Silicosis
LeRoy U. Gardner. M.D..
Director. The Saranac Laboratory jor rite S:ucy
oj Tuberculosis.
Saranac Lake. Ketc York
HEN your Chairman asked me to speak of
Wnew developments in the field of silicosis I was perplexed because all but a few cf the pathological, clinical and diagnostic aspe of th:s disease are now well established. ! reakred
Prgc 46
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
Fear in;* i :w.
that you had become belter ncquamu-d than 1 with ill the bn-liclmili.' As
:i Ioiiun .n,,j 0,,,.
the practical problems of diagnosis bocau.o you tracts, the air spans an obliterated b> scar tis
were dealing with them every day. Alter some sue. In expel mu r.tal animals. .4 iuM. this el.ai.c*-
deliberation I decided to tell vuu of some of the is nut a progressive cine alte: cessation of expo: .in
experimental work in progress at the Saranac to tiie dust as is the ease in the ri-spcn.se in qua:'./
Laboratory and to permit myself to speculate as Perhaps the reason is tin- deposition of the | i-
to its significance. These* experiments are incom culiar irun-cor.taming touting on ti>e surf..n- ot
plete and no conclusions are possible now. but the inhaled hint's giving rise to the charaetm is'.\ perhaps they may ultimately lead to a better un "asbestosis bodies*' Dr Tiniothv Lears ropsi.i.
derstanding of tin1 action ol irritant dusts upon ers-` that the 1v.-.ullaiil Mnoo'.ii riuinueii in:::, oi
:he lungs.
those bodies arc nu longer capuolc of scrutcning
As for as I have been able to discover, it is Mill tiic delicate surfaces of inv air spaces.
true that only certain forms of free silica and the Finally it is most suggestive that among dozens group of fibrous silicates known as asbestos, are of different silicate minerals only the five known
capable of producing fibrosis in a normal lung as asbestos, which arc unique because they arc
Many other silicates have been incriminated by fibrous in .structure, should be commonly iccog-
roentgenologists, but when autopsy specimens nized as pulmonary irritants. The variation :n
have been examined it is discovered that there chcniiral composition within this group is greater
is associated chronic infection or that the inhaled than that between them and many other silicates
dust contains significant quantities of free silica. In fact chrysotile asbestos has the same ch1-11m.1l
I shall first compare the action of chrysotile as formula as a non-fibrous silicate, serpentine,
bestos with that of quartz upon experimental ani which is physiologically inert. Ohvinusiy irrita
mals and review ennsiilerahle evidence bearmj; tion would seem to he a: Mici.ilcd with the |'hv:.ic.il,
on their respective modes of action. A few of rather than the chemical, composition of these
these observations now have uractical significance: minerals.
others may prove to be quite unrelated to the One point ol practical significance may he indi
pneumoconioses found in human beings.
cated by these observations, namely, that very
finely ground asbestos is not dangerous. This
FOR the last year or two we have been coming conclusion has support in clinical observation, tor to the conclusion that inhaled asbestos fibres it has long been known that at the Thetford mills are irritating not because they are silicates but bethere was nn clinical asbestosis even though m
cause they are stiff fibres which mechanically ir former years the atmosphere was very dust;, and
ritate the lungs. Unlike tiic free silicas, these the dust was extremely fine. The tact that lubri
minerals will not stimulate fibroblasts in anv pari cation of fibres of the same mineral in American
of the body; only those in the lungs are affected. plants could produce disease was one of the puz
It was inferred that these organs were affected zling features of this disease. But these experi
because the movements oi respiration arc so much ments offer a plausible explanation. The fine dust
more rapid and continuous than those of other in the mills is composed of serpentine and ex
viscera. Then it was discovered that if asbestos tremely short chrysotile fibres; that in the spin
was ground very finely so that few of the fibres ning and weaving mills contains many more brnc.
were longer than 2/* in length the irritating prop fibres.
erty of the asbestos was practically destroyed. In
halation experiments with such fine chrysotile asbestos have now been continued for three years. TTo fibrosis has developed in spite of the fact that
IN THE case of jrec silica everything points to a chemical form of irritation although the solu bility hypothesis as now conceived is not com
an average atmospheric concentration of 125 mil patible with all the observations that have been
lion particles per cubic foot of air has been main made. In experimental animals inhaling or in
tained. In contrast I would point out that in a jected with excessive quantities of pure quartz
previously reported experiment* one third this or flint in exceedingly fine state of subdivision, it
concentration of long fibre asbestos dust produced can be observed that tissue reaction takes place
well marked fibrosis after about two years.
in two stages. First there is an acute inflamma
If the effect of asbestos were chemical, one tion resulting in necrosis. Following it there is
would expect that a decrease in size would ac healing with fibrosis in the form of a granuloma
celerate tissue response. With free silica large whose end product is the silicotic nodule. The
particles have little effect, but as their size de collagen laid down by the connective tissue cells
creases cellular reaction becomes more vigorous is modified in a peculiar way analagous to that in
and even constitutional symptoms may ensue.* the tanning of leather, and this is responsible for
With fibrous asbestos the reverse is true.
the characteristic hyalinization of silicotic fibro
The histology of early asbestosis does not -ig- sis. Incidentally, leather has been tanned with
gest a chemical injury. Even under the most ex silica and sections of such leather reveal that the
treme eonditions that can he created by artificial collagen lias undergone a similar hyaline trans
injection there is no preliminary phase of tissue formation. In human subjects only cases of rapid
necrosis with infiltration of leucocytes as occurs ly developing silicosis show evidence of a tv 1-
with high concentrations a* v*nj fine quartz. The stage reaction. In those with ordinary chronic
connective tissue Mails mtfreli* multiply very Slow disease, degenerative changes are slight and ovc: -
ly in aru v-i.ert. Tni
f>br; s :.K- Cc.u^ht -Wftdowed by the formation of connective tissue
Vol. No. 3
JN1H .STKIA1. mkdicink
/'mic **
The solubility hypothesis is based sulci'- upoll tides u! larger size ai d it has not been noserwd
indirect evidence. 1: is known that colloid;.: s.hc.i on in ted mg suspensions <>f several oilier nm.Lrais
is toxic and that quartz will dissolve to .--me ex gii-uiM lo the same particle size
tent in slightly alkaline llouls nl the same | M
Sv inplu'ti.. an- imli.ded even before eompielmg
those of '.he body. Hut it has never been possi the injection bv the iii.se! of rapid, labored lesiui-
ble to prove that silica has dissolved wilhm the .iI uni. Tin - skin ol tin-
.ind r\; remitii a becomes
body, because the solubl" material is immediately pale. Tin* animal displays uncoordinated mus
combined with local tissue elements. It is now cular movenieiHs and spoi.idie convukmn-. i,-i-
generally accepted that the .soluble silica ! teele.l mm.ilie:: in iii atb il the tlo-.i- e. sliflieient When
in the urine and blond probably comes li"in in smaller Joses are udiomislci ed complete i eeoverv
gested food and dm:k rather limn from inbalcd take.- place.
dust.
Aulopsv nl fatal cases iIisi-Iom-s an mtri.se en gorgement of the spleen, omentum and subnen-
WE have made a pond many experiments wlmsc tone.nl tissues which are deep jnirplc-rc-d in color. results are diiTirult to reconcile with the solu Tin- liver, and in fact practically all the remainder bility hypothesis. They do not necessarily invaolfi ilie bmly, is almost bloodless. Counts of tardate it because we iniiv mil have all the facts and vcin blond show only about half the number of do mil know Iiiiw |o inlorpi ol lltoili. For examplo. leuroryn-s present iusl before the injection and wc have found llial collnl.n n."linns 1 nt;111 wilhm i roi i e-.piiinlinr leducli"!- III ii-d blood cells The 13 to 3(1 minutes after injecting line particulate blond ii" longer clots. There is no homnlv-us silica. In the test-tube traces of dissolved silica Animals that .have recovered from one reaction are only discoverable by nr. t-scrrdingly srnsilive seem to acquire a tolerance so that in some in
colorimetric rcacliun alter 13 to 34 hours. Possi bly "vital" factors may accelerate the process, hut no means of evaluating them has yet been dis covered. No one has ever produced fibrosis by single or repealed injections ul Use various forms of soluble silica. The effect is apparently not due to the quantity of silica dissolved. for many of i In inert silicates in vitro are more soluble than quart/ or flint. Evidences of alteration of the surlacc of quartz particles long in contact with living tis sue have thus far escaped detection.
In years of experimenting to discover the mechanisms by which lice silica exerts Us pe culiar effects upon living tissues we have re peatedly observed evidences of a specific toxicity. Guinea pigs, injected inlrapenloneally with largedoses of fine quartz particles are often obvmuslv sick for some hours. When Mr. Cummings and Mr-. Rcd!in: were seeking an avenue for the
stances at least twice the former dose may be in jected without symptoms. The degree of toler ance. however, varies widely in different indi viduals.
Tiiese symptoms are not influenced bv the in jection of adrenalin. They arc not reproduced by transfusing the blood of an animal dyinc m shock .nto another one of the same species. Taw are or.lv exhibited or. injecting .suspension:: of quartz particles less than 3" in diameter. They
are not produced by injecting the supernatant salt solution from which the quartz particies have been removed by centrifugation. The seventy of the reaction does not vary with the age of the par ticle suspension, although the amount of soluble silica increases on standing.
The toxic effects of quartz can be more or less effectively neutralized by adding small amounts of different substances. Colloidal aluminum hy
quantitative inliuduclion of silica they tried in travenous injections into rabbits and discovered the method which we now use as a standard for comparing reactions to different dusts. But in cidentally they found thai Iht-se animals would
die very promptly if the unit dose of quartz par ticles were too large. These deaths were not em bolic because they did not occur with large par ticles but only when the quartz grains were 3,. or less in diameter, and they did not develop on in jecting suspensions of other minerals ground to the same size.
Mr. Dworski and Mr. Delahant have extended
these early observations in a long series of ex periments that have yielded interesting though
droxide gives complete protection in a dilution of 0.03',; ; colloidal ferric hydroxide is much less effective. Animal charcoal cannot be injected, be cause it flocculates with the quartz and produces emboli. The finely ground metallic aluminum, used by Denny, Hobson and Irwin4 in the preven
tion of silicosis has no influence upon acute in toxication. Further experiments are in progress to verify the conclusion of these authors that aluminum coats the surface of the quartz particles with insoluble material.*
Recent observations indicate that all species of animals arc not equally susceptible to intravenous injections of quartz. Dogs, which develop sili cotic fibrnsis very slowly and under conditions
puzzling information. They have shown that line not vet defined, tolerate intravenous injections of
silica injected into the left side of a guinea pig's comparatively large doses of fine quartz without
heart acts like a strong poison.
symptoms of ant' kind. Rabbits, guinea pigs and
Symptoms of shock followed by death within white rats all die of shock. a few minutes to one hour occur when a 400-gram Soluble colloidal silica m dispersed phase is also
guinea pig receives an intracarduic injection of or 4 cc. of a suspension of 1 to 3,< quartz par ticles in physiological salt solution. The reaction is sp-cifttM thai'- iSrtatpnAjuzed by quartz par-
* Subsequent experiments have shown tnat stcrihaims mmus nf nicinllic aluminum Iy hrat oestn**** t! *i
|K\vi*r nf iHMJiralutn^ ;hr actum if .sihea. Unhcnum su>*
IX'nsmn* nf the mrtal an* tost ;* i*fTTUvr ns th<- hv't4.. V l* I c
banc 48
INDUSTRIAL .V.ED1CINF
f\-
toxic, and intravenous in.ii-i'liuiix produce the re |M ;.reo i* l> i|Uile imiu.iuriin u e\ Un leecsieu
actions just described with t-xiu-melv small buses. ii uu rial In Hie case of particles 3,. or under tnc
With larger ones death occurs promptly with number inside each phagocyte was countless, and
symptoms referable to the respiratory tract. The there was marked evidence of degeneration of tin-
lesions are then confined to over-distention of cytoplasm of those cells. In other words, the ef
llio limps and suliploural pi-ln-liial hrmorrliapi-s fect of surface an a hail to lie exerted inside of tin
cell and not upon the body fluids as a whole. Ex
THE results produced by injecting particulate tracellular quartz seemed to have little influence, silica into the circulation all suggest a rela and even ml i .icel hilar particles of a l.ii ;;e run tionship to a large amount of mineral surface sudproduced no visible evidence of irritation.
denly brought into contact with the blond or tis
Tsues. This is borne out both by the absence ul
reaction to large particles in excess of in diam
HIS observation brings us bacr. to the cans'of these progressive changes. Apparcnliv
eter and possibly by the observations on neutral
they are initialed with degeneration m tnc pri
ization. Any effect due to preformed soluble mary phagocytes, an effect which is exui:]y paral
silica liberated in tbc suspension before injection leled in the histogenesis of tuberculosis. Some
has been eliminated, and no active soluble silica ears ago I published a paper calling attention
could be demonstrated in the hlnocl of an animal to the similarities between silicosis and tuber
dying in shock by transfusion into a second host. culosis." In both of these diseases the primary
Everything now suggests an effect taking place irritants. (piarU grains or tubercule bacilli, as
very rapidly at the interface between the quartz the ease may be. intoxicate the phagocytes. In
and some element in the bloocl or tissues. Whe tuberculosis the cells thus poisoned are commonly
ther this is due to the very rapid production of designated as "epithelioid cells." in silicon tie
colloidal silica in this location or to unique elec morphological cflcct ;s similar. Visible lul
trical properties of quartz is still a fascinating droplets accumulate in the cytoplasm and the
subject for speculation. In the same category is elements stainablc by supravital dyes undergo
the demonstration of the tolerance conferred by rearrangements in characteristic patterns. Giant
previous injections.
cells of the Langhan's type are produced in each
The manifestation of acute toxic symptoms by disease by stimulation and repeated multiplication
those species of animals which develop silicotic of the nucleus. In each disease many cells die
fibrosis nos: readily and their absence in the dog, and their degenerated products are liberated in
which appears to be much more resistant, sug gests that these immediate reactions may have some bearing on the etiology of silicosis. Until more is learned about the reactions in the dog no
the tissue spaces. Incidentally it is the paoulum of necrotic cells in silicotic lesions on which tu bercle thrive so well, an effect w'hich is responsiole for the high frequency of complicating tuber
inference is possible. The influence of particle size is just as signifi
cant in the production of advanced silicotic fibro sis as it is in eliciting acute symptoms of intoxica tion. Many injection experiments have convinced
us that quartz particles over 3m in diameter arc of little or no physiological significance. The fact that the lungs of persons exposed to most dusts contain few' particles larger than 10m in diameter has been responsible for the establishment of tms size as the maximum important in dust counting. As a matter of fact we know that with some dusts there may be many larger ones. While it would be just as well that any large fragments should be excluded from the lungs, it is felt that only ones 3m or less in diameter are responsible for causing silicotic fibrosis.
We have long maintained that particles of this size are irritating because they present a suffi cient surface of silica to the fluids. Recently Mr. Dworski decided to test this reasoning further bv
injecting graded coses of different sized quartz
particles which would all present the same total surface area. He found, hnw'evcr. that regardless
culous infection in silicotics. In the tubercle it is in the necrotic or caseous tissue that tubercle bacilli are most frequent. Perhaps they not only cause such caseation but they themselves thrive on it. Coincidentally more cells migrate to tinarea and proliferate to form the granulomatous nodule that is characteristic of each disease.
Finally the production of necrotic tissue, high in lipoids, by two very dissimilar primary irri tants recalls the experiments of Fallon* and his hypothesis that it is these lipoids which are di rectly responsible for the formation of the granu loma. He showed that the injection of such
lipoids, freed at least partially of contaminating silica particles, was capable of producing a granu lomatous nodule.
Such mechanisms may be involved in the pro duction of both silicotic nodules and tubercles. It still remains to demonstrate the nature of the primary injury by each of these irritants, and it is this problem that will probably engage our at tention for some time to come.
Bibliography:
of the total surface, silicotic reaction only 'tn.
t. CAmiNi.it. L. U.. and Ccmminrs. 15.E.. Sturt ic- on
velnperi when the size of the particles was ;t,, or F.\fM*i-iiut-nl:i] Put-inivM-oniOMS1 VI luli.il.itmn nf A'rti--'l<*-
less. On examining his material it was discov ered that with particles 4 to 5m in diameter or larger there were only two to fqur visible in a thin section of each phagocyte. These cells ap-
Dust. I if Llli-cl upon I,riin;u-y Tuberi-iiluus Inlt-clMni J
hnlii.ci. Hun.. 13.G3-G8 and ST-114. February and Marcn.
1031.
`
^ CJhii-cki:. T.. 1'.. and Cummiscn. 15 F..: The nr.-M-tam
i<- Fine and Medium-Sized Quartz and Aluminum Omik
Vol. . No. -
INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE
Poop -iP
f>MtlCies. Silicone Curii<>M uf (lie Liver.
J- Hath .
jg33;9. Supplement wituiv iiuinucr 54. TS1 -71*3
J. Timothy Llaay. piT*nai Communication
4. DtNKY. J. J.. Hopson. W P. unit Ihwin. 1i A Tii-
prevention of Silicosis by Metallic Aluminum. Canai.
iS.A /-37:1-11. 1937
5. Gardni*. L~ U. Tlie Similtiriiy of the Lesions Pro*
duced by Silica and ll>e Tubercle Ikiciliu* Am. J Huth..
tion. This is done with the intent of placing that individual in industry where lie or she is best physically as well as mrnlally fitted. Tin* exam ination is not done for the purpose of eitner pass ing or rejecting that person for employment. Tins
pre-c:npl(i>ment examinati :i gives the examining physician the best possible opportunity to netert
13:13-22. January. 1S3T.
nulmonary tuberculosis.
g Talk's. J. T.: S|ierific Tissue neaetiim In l'iiuspholipids: A SuKSesied Explanation for the Similarity of the Lesion* of Silicosis anti Pulmonary Tubei culosis.
Ccnad. M. A. J.. 3C.==3-=2. 1MT
Dr. Robinson Bnswcrth. President of the Iliinuis
Tuberculosis Association, state:::- "'C5'-i of adult pulmonary tuberculosis has its beginning in the ai'.e group 11) In -It. In the vast majority ol case:!
there arc no symptoms and no physical aims "
A Plan for the Control of
It is exactly this age group that concerns us most in our pre-employment physical examina
Tuberculosis in Industry
tion. for it is during this age period that most em ployees first enter industry. We therefore led
Max R. Burnell. M.D., Medical Director,
that such an examination is not complete w::h<>ui
an x-ray of the chest. Wc believe, with Dr. Andrew R. Riddell, of the
/.C Spark Piny Dirixion, General Motors Corp., Industrial Hygiene Department. Ontario Depart-
Flint. Mnrni/au
incut of lie.illli, that Die wholesale luljei > ulm
testing in industry ha:; many disadvantages. He T IS a proud day when it can be stated that states that3 "the individuals must present them
I one of the safest places lo be in this country is selves at least three times--there is considerable at work. Statistics from the National Safety disruption of work--even after most careful ex Council seem to bear this out. The reduction inplanation as to the meaning of the test, the em
the frequency and severity accident rates in uur ployees wiio react positively are greatly dis industrial institutions has been nothing short of turbed." remarkable. Prevention has been the watchword. Applicants in whom active pulmonary tuber
With such improvements, the consideration of culosis is discovered are sent to their family e. ys.-
the medical departments in industry has more re cian. Our roentgenogram is at his disposal, but
cently been drawn to the general health of its em must be returned to our files so that we can later
ployees. Attention to the control of tuberculosis compare the progress of the disease and determine
has been a very major issue. We believe that m at what future time those persons may be pro
no adult group throughout the rountry can so nounced employable. much be accomplished in prevention and early Applicants with arrested or quiescent tubercu recognition of this disease ns in our industrial in losis arc placed at work after being informed of
stitutions.
their condition and instructed to return for pe
Legislation varies in the different States regard riodic examinations. These examinations for new
ing occupational disease but the ultimate objective employees, in this classification, are conducted
of this legislation is clear: The general health of every three months.
the employee must increasingly become the re It has been increasingly evident that our re
sponsibility of the employer. While the status of sponsibility does not end there. We explain to
tuberculosis has been debated by many legisla tive bodies, silico-tuberculosis is definitely com pensable. In the state of Illinois the new occupa tional disease disability compensation law went into effect on October 1, 1936. Dr. C. 0. Sapping-
the employee that while he now has an arrested tuberculosis, it was once active. We encourage him to have the members of his family examined by the family physician. We feel that not until then has industry wholly discharged its duty to
ton states that "during the first year of the ODer- the community.
ation of this law, 10.9'r of disability claims filed
2. Periosic Examinations for Old Employees.
were for pulmonary tuberculosis while silicosis These examinations are made at different times
claims were 15 9c of the total."1
and for varied reasons:
The corporation that is looking toward the fu (a) Upon returning to work after vacations.
ture with the best interests of its employees m
(b) After absence caused by an illness.
mind certainly should be actively engaged in the (c) Re-employment following seasonal lay-off.
problem of the control of tuberculosis. Many of (d) Transfer from one type of work to another.
our industrial institutions have already shown, by (e) Medical department requesting the exam
marked reduction of the incidence of pulmonary ination for some definite reason.
tuberculosis, just how this can be accomplished. (f) Volunteer requests by the employee for
Our own corporation has a very definite program such an examination.
-
concerning tuberculosis.
Little comment is necessary concerning these
examinations except to stale that every employee
THE PROGRAM: 1. ' Physical Examwtatic ls givt"' there
Pre - Employment comes into our medical department for a general -y prospective physical check up at least once each year. :ics' :r.a- Two types of periodic examinations deserve