Document 3NGXOz1Gj668YaEVK1jL2aZyE

Air Hygiene Foundation of America, Inc., 4400 Fifth Avo., Pittsburgh, Fa., December 10, lf-37 b'CES 10 RECENT LITERATURE 0,-.' INDUSTRIAL DISEASES 589 MICHIGAN SYIFOSIU: . Ind. Med. , 562 (Oct., 1937). An Occupational Disease Symposium under the auspices of the Department of Labor and Industry of the State of Michigan was held at Detroit on Oct* 21 and 22. Several papers were presented end will be abstracted as they appear. 590 OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE SYITOSIUK. Ind. Ked. 6, 55.-3 (Oct., 1937). A symposium on industrial diseases was held at Northwestern University on Sept., 27 and 28. Fapers on silicosis, allergy, industrial solvents and general in dustrial health were presented and vrill be abstracted as they appear. 591 A PLAN FOR INSTRUCTION IF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE. Ind. Med. 6, 566-71 (Oct., 1937). Rapid developments in industrial hygiene throughout the country have clearly demonstrated-that the weakest link in plans for coping with occupational dis ease, plant sanitation, and occupational disease legislation, is the lack of adequate training of physicians and engineers in those subjects. A plan for instruction has been developed by the Bureau of Indus trial Hygiene of the Department of Health of Detroit. Didactic and laboratory work, credits and de grees will be given by the schools sending their students, but field work and associated laboratory practice for a unit of 3 months, or longer if desired, will be provided by the Bureau. The above Bureau, directed by Dr. Carey P. . McCord, will furnish details to interested persons or institutions. 592 FIGHTING DUST HAZARD BY GENERAL ELECTRIC. Ceram. Age 29, 334 (Nov., 1937), The General Electric Co. is now engaged.in a A extensive program for eliminating ' dust ir its porcelain plapt. Approximately $35,000 has- been spent on new booths, and some- old equipment lias been discarded or replaced. The equipment is of the water-wash type and has proved highly successful. Dust counts shoiv very en couraging results and are still being made, with the receptacle directly in the breathing zone of the workmen. .' ' * 593 EXHIBIT AT "1S37 STaTE FAIR. Ind. Bull. (Sept., 1937). The New York State Department of Labor sponsored an industrial hygiene exhibit at the State Fair in September, built around the central theme of "a program for the prevention of dust diseases in industry." A large painting-entitled "silicosis'* was surrounded with card's containing information about the various silica industries and pictures of lungs showing silicosis, fibrosis and tuber culosis. Following were pictures of efficient and practical exhaust syst&*s for use in typical dusty industries. Vfex models of hands showing dermatoses of various types were displayed, and dust and gas detectors were also shown. The exhibit is'also being shown at school's, conventions end other meetings. PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT /S3 References to Recent Literature - 2 594 MEETING OF INDUSTRIAL PATHOLOGISTS OF THE 94TK CONVENTION OF THE SOCIETY OF GER MAN SCIENTISTS AI^D-PHYSICIANS IDRESDEN, SEPT. 24, 1936. Arch. f. Grerbepathol u. Gewerbehyg. 7, 596-706 (1937), The subject of the meeting was "Industrial injuries of blood and blood-forming organs," and most of the papers dealt with phases of that subject, including in juries caused by various substances used in industry. Other subjects discussed included injuries of animals from remote action of industrial exhaust gases, the possibility of manganese damage in pyrolusite mines, quantitative spectroanalytical determination of metals in oases of poisoning, and a report on a case of fatal radium poisoning. Abstracts of some of these papers may appear later. (B) Papers on Dust, Dust Diseases and General Industrial Hygiene 595 EEVIES7 OF LITERATURE ON EFFECTS OP BREATHING DUST WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SIL ICOSIS. D. Harrington and Sara J. Davenport, U.S.Bureau of Hines, Bulletin 400. 1937. 305 pp. This review, originally issued in parts in mimeographed form, in 1935 and 1936, has been printed as a single bulletin- It is a thorough summary of the liter ature on silicosis and includes 527 references. It is obtainable from the Superintendent of Documents, 7/ashington, D. C., for 25 cents, cash. 596 DUST CONTROL TdmXJ(}}i ORGANIZED RESEARCH. TJ.G.Hazard. Safety Eng., 74, 11-14 (Nov., 1937) This office has a limited number of reprints for distribution. The author contrasts procedures for dust control in large plants having legal, medical and engineering departments with the need of small plants having only limited facilities. The research plan of an ideal large corporation, taken as a composite of the best parts of programs now being carried out by several large companies, is outlined. The urge for self-ex&mimtion was begun in the legal department. A "Hygiene oommittee" was organized. The engineering department spent generous sums on laboratory apparatus, and a thorough dust survey was made. An engineer gave his full time to the installation of dust control equipment where needed. New types of approved respirators were purchased, two for each ex posed workmen and provisions were made so that each would always have his own . respirator. Tins'was devoted, to "selling" dust control to everyone from the plant manager down to the janitor. All new machinery was properly equipped with dust control devices at the start.. . Pre-employment and regular physical examination* were instituted. The legal .department cooperated with the other organizations in bringing pressure to bear on State legislatures to bring silicosis under work men's compensation acts. Dust control was made a part of the company's per manent program. - - The small company cannot go through this elaborate procedure, brut must turn to an agency that will give advice and assistance. Such organizations include the U.S. public Health Service, the Bureau of Wines, the Harvard School of Public Health, the Saranac Laboratory, insurance companies, several trade organizations, and the Air Hygiene Foundation.- 597 INDUSTRIAL EXHAUST 'VENTILATION. FLOY OF FLUIDS. John L. Alden. Heating and Venti lating. 34; 39-45 (Sept., 1937). . ' This paper is the first of a series dealing with various phases of exhaust ven tilation. The laws of flow of conveying fluids are discussed, with special refer ence to air. The following factors are considered: compressibility, static ve locity and impact pressures, static pressure as a measure of resistance, measure ment of pressures, relation of velocity pressure to velocity, Bemuouilli's theorem, nature of fluid flow, critical velocity, empirical friction formulas References to Recent Literature - 3 Reynolds' dimensional analysis, pipe friction in laminar and turbulent states, velocity distributions end flow of mixtures. The most important conclusions arc that flov/ ir. industrial exhaust systems is always turbulent and that the presence of solids in the air stream can usually be ignored in the design of dust collecting systems. . i:o reprints are available at present, but the combined papers may be published at the conclusion of the series. 598 INDUSTRIAL EXHAUST VENTILATION. TYFICAL EXHAUST HOODS. John L. Alden, Heating 3: Ventilating 34, 49-53 (Nov., 1937), See preceding note about reprints. The second paper in the scries was abstracted in our last Bulletin (No. 548). In this third paper, hoods of various types are described and illustrated by diagrams* Every exhaust problem calls for individual treatment, but the hoods described are to serve as examples* They include hoods for woodworking ma chinery - sars, planers, shapers and sanders, Hoods for shoe machinery, auto matic lathes, drills, milling machines, and similar machinery follow the same principles, and the following general directions ere given? (l) always fit the hood to the dust trajeotoryj (2) provide no adjustments unless absolutely necessary, and (3) hoods must be rugged and must be attached solidly to the machine. Top hoods or canopies are similarly discussed, and booths for spray painting are to be considered as top hoods with side wells, Blow-and-exhaust hoods are recommended for use with tanks where the space over the tank is obstructed. Hoods for abrasive processes are not included, as they have been fully treated in the Tentative Code of the -American Foundrymen's Association. 599 DUST DANGERS EXPOSED. Hilton K. Kronenberg, Chief, Division of Industrial Hygiene, Illinois State Dept, of Health, Chicago, 111. Modern Hospital 49 A, (Aug?, 1937). Reprints obtainable from author. In a large city hospital rubber gloves were dieted with talo powder in the course of pre-paration for operations, in a rather small room, by methods which produced a great amount of dust, and no precautions were taken for protection or dust removal. The Illinois Division of Industrial Hygiene in a survey found 39 million particles per cubic foot, of which 55$ was under 5 microns. ' The powder consisted of 52*7% talc, 8.7 calcium carbonate, 6f6% magnesium car- . bonate, and 1*0$ moisture* The conditions were comparable to those found in dusty factories. Talc is one of the substances implicated in the production of pulmonary diseases, which, however, are of the non-disabling typo. Measures to control and remove talc dust environment in hospitals are urged, and the same preventive measures that should be taken as in an industrial establish ment. fhYc feel that perhaps many other hospitals in this country arc using methods, some more primitive than others, where a potential hazard is created by the inhalation of talc dust which contaminates the working atmosphere. Tho trend of the day, based upon scientific facts and measures, is to prevent all dusts, as well as fumes, vapors and gases, since all are dangerous,* 6C0 NOTES OR AH INSTRUMENT DESIGNED TO RECORD CONTINUOUSLY THE AMOUNT OF DUST IN AIR, C.T/.Biccard Je-ppe and E.C.Halliday. J# Choir.* Not. Mining Soc* S. Africa, 38, 75-80 (Aug,, 1937), . Wis" instrument, developed at th-.. University of V.'itwr.tersrar.d, measures atmos pheric dust while in suspension. The air is drawn through a chamber by con vection-by a heating unit. The light scattered by the suspended dust falls upon a photo-electric cell, and the current is measured by means of a YJheat- stene bridge. The possibility that moisture may increase the light scattering is being remedied by the construction of a waterproofed instrument. The work is being continued, References to decent Literature - 4 N601 NOTE OK A NEW OCULAR MICROMETER FOR USE IN DUST COUNTING. Richard T. Page. Pub. Health Reports 52, 1315-6 (Sept. 17, 1937). Obtainable from Supt. Of Documents, `Washington, D.C., for 5 cents, cash. A description of a new micrometer eyepiece which has only one ruled grid cor responding in size to ore quadrant of +ue usual Whipple grid. The nev*- eyepiece is used by the Division of Industrial hygiene of the U.S.Public Health Service, and it is said that the results are identical with -those obtained v/hen counting one-fourth of the Whipple field. 602 DETERMINATION OF DUST n; FLOWING GASES. E.V.Yushmanov and II. Fopil'skii. Zavodskaya Lab. (Russian) 5, 820-4 (1936). The gas is passed at known velocity through a small dust-trap, which is weighed before and after the: experime nt. 603 FINE-DUST FILTER - THE' PRO I LEU AND ITS SOLUTION. G. Stamp, K. Grosskopf ana K.F.Koellering. Draeger-Hefte - German) No. 191, 3371-82 (1937). The paper opens with a discussion of the occurrence, characteristics and danger of fine dusts. Coarse dusts, def-'ned as between 1 ar.d 3 microns in diameter, are easily caught by a filter of cotton or other fibers,-but dusts under 1 micron re quire a specially constructed filter. Several methods for particle size deter mination are described. A filter constructed by the Draeger Co., designated "fine dust filter DF 90" has a pre-filter of loosely pressed fibers and an ac cordion filter of specially prepared filter paper. It has an efficiency factor of 99.85$ when tested against fine stone dust and silica dust, Riotomicrographs of dust collected from the air before and after filtration are shown. Photo graphs of the filter end of apparatus for particle size determination are also giver.. 604 THE SILICOSIS PROBLEM AND THE NECESSITY OF RELIABLE METHODS OF DOST MEASUREMENT. G.Hass. Zentrlbl. f. Gewerbehyg* 24, 175-7 (1937). (German.) A general paper listing the dust problems still to be solved and noting the need for dust determination and analysis. The various instruments for those purposes are mentioned. .- . 605 ANIMAL EXPERIMENTS ON PATHOLOGIC TISSUE CHANGES FOLLOWING INTRAVENOUS INJECTION 0V VARIOUS DUSTS/ K.K.Stoeckel. Arch. f. Hyg. (German) 118, 111-25 (1937). Various dusts, including steel-shot, quartz, lime,. Thomas slag, chamotte, quarts- ite and argillite, were Injected in rabbits at intervals. Tissue changes in dif- ferent organs are described and illustrated. Different dusts, however, never showed a really characteristic or specific reaction. Lack of information on the composition of some of the dusts and variations in average particle size limit the value of the results. . - 606 DUST'.AND TUBERCULOSIS. EXPERIMENTAL '"OPE ON THE EFFECT OF SERICITE AIT) GRINDIMG 7,REEL DUST ON TUBERCULAR GUINEA PIGS. N. Selter end P. Neil and. Arch. f. Gewer- bepath pathol. u. GewerbenVg. 8, 71'~c2 (1937). (German.) ' The authors compared .'the effect's of sericite and of grinding wheel duet, consist ing .of .steel and uur.ery dust, by exposing animal s. .infected vrith virulent and weaker tubercle bacilli', to 'inhalation of the dusts. They found that sericite is as injurious as-the grindihg: dust. (The abstractor points out that no com parison wa-s ir.ude with' silica dust, and no pneumoconiosis developed, so the exper iments have no beari'ig on the sericite question.) ^ferences to Recent Literature - 5 rif ULTRAKICROSCOPIC SILICA IN LUNG TISSUE. O-K. Faber. Staug, no. 3, 372-83 (Oct., 19, 1936). German. The author points out some possible sources of error in determining the presence o silica in portions of hardened lung by x-ray spectroscopy. The formalin used for hardening the lung tissue causes some deflection of the x-rays which must be al ' lowed* "for# The x-ray spectrum from pieces of lung was present in such exceedingly minute particles (0*1 to 0.01 micron) as to suggest that it was in colloid form. The theory is advanced that silica beccrces converted in the body into the colloid form, in which it is most injurious. It is now necessary to know whether silica is actually inhaled in colloid form in any considerable quantity, or whether the colloid silica found in the lung tissue results from the breaking down and dis solving of large particles. Further investigations are to be made on that point. & EXKAUSf :VUTIUTION FOR FITS? CONTROL IN TVET BOCK DRILLING. Theodore Hatch, Div. of Industrial Hygiene, K.Y. State Dept* of Labor, 80 Centre St., New York City. Ind;. Bull* 16, 339-90 (Oct, 1937). Reprints obtainable et above address. Theyauthor reports a series of tests -with 3 types of drills equipped with exhaust devices, in hard, wet rock. Three criteria must be applied to test the capacity of'exhaust apparatus to operate under wet conditions: (l) the wet sludge must be removed without clogging the exhaust hood or hose? (2) the dust collector rust ef fectively handle the material without becoming plugged, and (3) an overflow must be provided ttet will allow the collected water to drain away when it exceeds a safe level'of operation. The first criterion is simply a natter-of adequate tranc porting velocity in relation to the density and fluidity of-the sludge. The equi* ment tested was entirely satisfactory in that respect, so that there was practice] ly_ no dust remaining to clog the filter. The average partial 6ize of dust caught on-the filter was less than 1 micron, and the moisture oh the filter was than ex pected from condensation alone.' The devices were equipped with overflew valves, fulfilling the third requirement. The objection has been made ttet exhaust e.ppart tus will not collect and remove cuttings from wet rock or function in the pres ence of water. The tests were limited in scope and duration, and it cannot be cor eluded that this type of apparatus will function under all conditions; however, the tests have demonstrated its practicability, and the method is therefore recenmended. 60S Wi: DOCUMENTS ON SILICOSIS. E. Martin, Med. du- Travail 9, 149-56 (July, 1937). INQUIRY REGARDING SILICOSIS IN BELGIUM ORGANIZED EY THE INDUSTRIAL IEDICAL S3PYTC. -Ibid. 157-64. SILICOSIS: NEW RADIOGRAHiS AND C0J3ENTS. K. Conrozier and J. Magnin. Ibid, 165-209. The entire July issue of La Medecine du Travail is devoted to silicosis. Progr*^ in silicosis prevention in France and Belgium has been retarded by the oppositim of a small but powerful group of mining companies and their physicians. The paper tells the story of the long fight an France and the progress that has been made.- The' second gi-ves-'a short review of the Belgian investigation and its re sults* The third presents 23 x-rays and short case histories, on the basis of which they state the view, held by all experts, that silicosis is a separate dis ease from tuberculosis. 610 PHYSICS -iTD TECHNIQUE OF AIR SEPARATION. H.Vi.C-onell. Cherc. App* 24, 193-7 (1937) The author explains the- physical principles'of separating particles of different sizes of dust and oowdery material by an air current and described the apparatus and its practical application. - on Recent Literature 6 C1 LAW OF SIZE DISTRIBUTION vil'F STATISTICAL DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULATE MATERIALS. f.S.Roller* J. Franklin Inst. 223, 609-33 (1937). This is a mathematical treatment of the results obtained with air separator de scribed in our abstract No. 362. A law of size distribution has been discovered which relates the weight percentage and from this the frequency, to size of partide. The author deals with finely divided clays, litharge, silica, cement, lime, feldspar, talc, and the like as used in the ceramic industry. It seems probable that the method can be applied to hygienic problems. $2 S'-TROVED MTTHGD FOR DETERMINING NASAL FILTRATION OF HIST. G. LEHMANN. Arbeitzphysiol. 9, 569-71 (1937). German.) Time is saved by the use of a photometric method instead of the konimeter, for counting dust particles. The Zeiss Pulfrich photometer and a special stage are employed. The apparatus must be calibrated for each kind of dust. 513 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NASAL DUST FILTRATION IN ASBESTOSIS. G. Lehmann. Arbeits- physiol.-E, 572-3 -(1937). (German.) . J The author determined the nasal filtering efficiency of 73 workers in an asbestos plant. Most of the employees had not worked long, and only 1 medium to severe ' case of asbestosis was found, with 17 light and 24 incipient cases. He concludes that nasal filtering efficiency is as significant in asbestosis as it is in silicosis. 14 PATHOLOGICAL AND ANATOMICAL QUESTIONS IN CASES OF FNEUMOCONIOSIS* SEVERE ASBESTOSIS.'W. di Biasi. Med. "felt U, 1234-7 (1937). (German.) The/author gives a clear discussion of pathological and anatomical changes in the development of pneumoconiosis (silicosis) and emphasizes the fact that no real pneumoconiotic changes have been seen without exposure to quartz. In hundreds of cases in the Ruhr district, he has never seen connective tissue growth in lungs completely blackened by coal diet unless rock dust was also present. Claims to the contrary have not been confirmed by autopsy findings. In asbestosis, the growth bf`diffuse connective tissue is greeter in the lower part of the lung than ` in the upper. The author attributes this growth to the mechanical action of as bestos. . . 615 DUST CONTENT OF AH-ASBESTOSIS LUNG AND THE NATURE OF ASBESTOSIS BODIES, N. Sun- dius and A, Bygden. Arch.f. Gewerbepsthol. u. Gev.'erbehyg. 8, 26-70 (1937) (German.) : This long paper reports cereful chemical experiments on the asbestos in the lung and asbestosis bodies. Although much more serpentine asbestos than hornblende is used in' industry, the latter was found exclusively in the lungs examined. The asbestosis body sheaths are formed r.ot only around asbestos but also around sim ilar' crystals of other substances. No support has been found for the belief that asbestos causes a chemical decomposition in the lung. The gel substance of the sheath consists of iron oxide, phosphoric acid and a protein. This gel substance originates entirely from the body fluids and since the iron content is high (40$ as oxide), the most plausible suggestion is the blood. The cause of the sheath formation is not related to the chemical nature but to the rigid and sharp needle form. The authors believe that the fibrosis can also be attributed to this. ^{erences to Recent Literature - 7 ri tee RAILROAD SURGEON'S RELATION TO OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE. Oliver G. Browne, " General Claims Agent, New York Central Railroad System, New York* Ind* Med* 6, 544-7 (Oct., 1937). Reprints obtainable from author. There are 2 conceptions of the term "occupational disease." One includes any dis ease or ailment that may have its inception in the course of the occupation and nay be said to have had a contribution to its cause by some exposure of the em ployment, however slight. The other view is that a disease to be classed as oc cupational must be one that is "peculiar to and characteristic of" the occupation. Only under the second viewpoint can we determine what constitutes a disease dis ability that is fairly chargeable to industry. However, the first view has been advocated in addresses on occupational diseases and in the courts and is the basis of "blanket coverage" in the laws of several states. If this view is accepted, the employer can be saddled with a form of health compensation-which he cannot prevent even by an extreme of precaution, and which is far worse in its possibil ities than any reasonable scheme of health insurance so far proposed. In the rail road industry, admittedly there are true cases of occupatiorfil disease, but sever* al claims are cited in which it was shown on investigation that the injury was not a result of the occupation. Each case must be scientifically determined on the facts developed, so that employment may not be charged with every man's physical breakdown. In the field of silicosis, the work of Dr. McCann on determination of disability, supported by Rochester manufacturers, is cited and conclusions are quoted. Proper diagnosis is difficult, and often conclusions based upon inad equate examination and uncertain history are accepted by the courts. The medical profession has important functions in the field of determination of industrial disease claims, and should lead thought in channels founded on common sense and not follow those whose thinking is more social than scientific. 617 THE WIDER ISSUES OF HEALTH IEGISLATION IN INDUSTRY. L.P.Lockhart, R.E.Lane and E.Bevin. Brit. Med. J. 2, 605-12 (Sept* 25, 1937). . Three addresses are devoted to discussion of what may evolve in industrial med icine from the new British Factory Act. 618 A STUDY OF CHRONIC CHEST DISEASES IN .SKOTTS,. SCOTLAND. J.A.Moore Hall. J. Ind. Kyg. 19, 506-9 (Nov., 1937). " Sixty-four miners, suffering from chronic chest diseases, were examined, 59$ be ing totally incapacitated. Dyspnea, cyanosis, clubbing of the fingers and barrel shaped chests were noticed in many of the cases. Cardiac vascular disease was absent, but Evidence 6f myocardial decompensation was observed. Pneumoconiosis occurred in 42$ of the cases, most of which had chronic bronchitis also. Pul monary' tuberculosis, mostly of low grade, occurred in .17$. The blood sediment- tionreaction was normal or subnormal, except in the presence of active pulmonary tuberculosis or secondary infection. Unfortunately the test did not help in dif ferentiating between these two conditions. The incidence of pulmonary affections in the families of the incapacitated miners was- found to be much greater than in the families of healthy miners. ` The employment of men who have tfo familial dia thesis to respiratory disease is suggested as a means of minimizing chest affec tions in the coal mining Industry, r From the author's summary. 619 INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE' - ITS HISTORIC'X; DEVELOF^YT A'KD THE'.MGEERK CAKPaIGN. Milton H.:Kronenberg, ID.Chief, Division of Industrial Hygiene, Illinois State Dept, of Health,` Chicago/ 111. 111. 1'ed. J., (July, 1937). Reprints obtainable from author. -- ...... This is a general paper, first briefly reviewing the history of industrial hy giene, and its necessity which arose with the progress of the machine age. ` feren ces to Recent Literature 8 The author then pleads for fuller recognition of preventive medioine in industry better training of physicians in industrial hygiene, employment of trained en gineers, cooperation of compensation boards, strong and unbiased legislation, and.the establishment of industrial hygiene laboratories. ;#0 EMPLOYEE EXAMINATIONS, Hart S. Fisher. Ind. Med. 6, 503-6 (Sept., 1937). The author advocates pre-employment and periodical or non-periodical medical ex aminations of employees, not merely in connection with occupational diseases but as a general health measure benefiting both employer and employee. The advan tages to both are presented in chart form* 521 A MEDICAL CONTROL FLAK FOR THE PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE. Robert C. Page. Ind. Med. 6, 491-6 (Sept., 1937). A medical control plan necessitates an exact understanding among the various parties involved, including the employer, the employee, the examining physicians and the insurance carrier, with respect to the part each plays in the program. A proposed plan is presented in tabular form, including a schedule of departments, operations, exposures and physical examinations, and forms for various physical examinations. The responsibilities of the employer, the examination, the Insur ance company and its engineering department are discussed. : 622 ANNUAL REPORT CF THE CHIEF INSPECTOR OF FACTORIES AND WORKSHOPS FOR THE YEAR 1936. H.K. Stationery Office, London, 1937. Obtainable from British Library of Informa . tion, 270 Madison Ave., New York, price about 50 cents. The number of industrial accidents in Great Britain showed an increase in 1936, but the number of persons employed also increased. Statistical analysis has show that the curve of accident rates is roughly parallel to the employment curve# How. ever, "the rate for fatal and presumably other serious accidents shows a tendency to decline. One means of reducing accidents that should reoeive more attention is the safeguarding of new uaohinery as soon as it is installed* The accident rate for persons under 18 is higher than for mature workers, but it is declining, and special care of young workers is urged. In the section on occupational diseases, progress in prevention is noted'in many lines* No general adverse effects on health have been attributed to the use of speeding-up systems. Lead poisoning, dermatitis from handling tar and pitoh, and Cutaneous cancer among ootton mule spinners have shown encouraging decreases* An Investigation of cancer of the nose and lung among nickel refiners is being pur- . sued, and although the cause has not been determined, dust and fume suppression it urged at a preventive measure. In sandblasting, several fims who have lately : substituted steel grit and shot for sand and flint have now reverted to their for* , mer practice, and regulations controlling the use of sand are advocated* The man*, ber of voluntarily reported cases of .dermatitis is increasing* but suitable means for protection are becoming more widely known. Acne from the U6e of chlorinated waxes is being studied. .- - 623 "H5RMINAL 7f" AND CALCIUM-CHLORIDE TREATMENT OF KAULA-ROADS. H. Price. Trans# Instn. Min. Engrs., London, 93,.252-60 (June, 1937). ' The paper describes the treatment of haulage roads with the wetting agent "Pertain; Yi." On adequately stone -dusted roads treatment with water alone is satisfactory over a limited period, but has no effect on water deposited afterward; treatment with calcium chloride is satisfactory, lasts longer, and a portion of the dust subsequently deposited is taken up. On roads of this type treatment with calcium chloride alone is as effective as when Perminal is also used. ;gfej*ences to Recent Literature - ? ,-'4 plSABLIr'G ILLNESS AMONG. THE. INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYEES IK 1956 AS COMPARED- YfITH EARLIER ", YEARS-. r D.-K.3rundege.., U.S.Public Health Repts. 62, 1297-1305 (Sept. 17, 1957). Reprints obtainable from Supt. of Documents, Washington, D.C., for 6 cents, cash. The sickness and nonindustrial injury rate for males in 1936 was 90*3 per 1000, the highest since 1932, and the rate for si close ss exclusive of influenza 63*7 per 1000, the highest for 6 years. Tuberculosis of the respiratory tract has decreas- ed from 1*9 in 1921 to 0*8 in 1936. The rates for women are 1Q0% higher than for men* ;:5 AIR CONDITIONING FOR THE VE**7ILATI0N OF TIE BUTTE NINE. A.S.Richardson, Min. Cong. J. 23, 43-5, 55 (Oct*, 1937). The paper describes the air conditioning system in use at the Butte mine of the Anaconda Copper Co. The process consists in transferring the heat from the air to water in copper pipes, which is then raised to the surface and cooled by the atmosphere. Only in the summer is it necessary to use artificial means of cool ing. That is accomplished by a special system involving sprays and cooling coils* The water delivered to the line is then cooled to 50F* In the experimental plant, the air was often cooled by 20, and the average mine air is expected to ; be-reduced to 75F* About 46% of the dust in the air is removed on the average, .and greater comfort and efficiency has been attained* 626 AI>R CONDITIONING OF THE'&AGKA KIKE. William Koernes and C.B.Foraker* Mining , Cong. J. 23, 21-5 (Nov., 1937). REMARKS ON AIK CONDITIONING FOR MINES. J.F. Kooistra. Ibid*, 23-5 These papers were contributed to the- discussion to the preceding one. The general manager and the ventilating engineer of the Magna Copper Co* describe the recent installation of air conditioning in the Magma nine at Superior, Ariz*, where a more severe problem had to be solved. The temperature at the 3,400 foot level isl34F, and 140 at the lowest level, 4,000 feet. Previously it was necessary to allow about 3 years of cooling by ordinary .ventilation in a new low level . : before stope development could be carried on* A water circulation system is used here also, but cooling of the water by refrigeration is necessary* The refrigerant is monofluor-trichloromethane, a liquid at ordinary temperature, nonirdfcpjcAc and. non-combustible* The problems of sufficient water supply, temperature . of the underground water and .the distance from its source to its plaoe of use and ;. how they were solved, are discussed* All .the water produced in the mine is used,. and a-n additional shaft was necessary to bring it to the surface. No data can , - be given as yet on-economics of operation, as the.s.vstem has been in -operation ; only a few weeks, but the early results .a^e gratifying, and as the rock on the -lower levels is cooled, the cooling effect will be available for parts more dis. tant from the plant* The cost of the system to date is $95,000. The paper by ; Kooistra,-of the Carrier Corporation, presents some general considerations of air -conditioning* Its success in mines has been demonstrated in South Africa, and ;...the lowering of temperature already achieved in.the Magma mine is sufficient to -increase materially the efficiency of .workers* A chart shows the temperature and humidity conditions necessary to secure conditions within.the "comfort zone." 627- HYGIENIC AIR NEEDS IN THE VENTILATION OF WORK PLACES. Lisse. Gesundh. Ing- .60, no. 24, 374-80 (1937). (German.) . . -.-.The. entire-number of periodical ..is. devoted to stressing the significance of good ! air-in work places, the subject of a .drive undertaken by the German "Work Front." The paper mentioned serves as. introduction.to.the series. The author defines good air as that free from dust, odor and. toxic materials and absorbing the excess heat of the human body. He lists the basic principles set down by American in dustrial hygienists. Papers follow dealing v&th various measurements and stand ards relating to air conditioning. defences to Recent Literature - 10 PHYSICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES OF AIR CCNDITIONING. II C.P.Yaglou, J.A.K.. 109, 945-50 (Sept*', 18, 193?). ' ' general objectives of air conditioning for summer and -winter are outlined.New experiments on summer cooling show that the shock from overcooling experienced by sensitive persons can be avoided and at the same time all occupants can be com fortable. Additional experiments on drafts and their effects are mentioned*. VENTILATION NOXOGRAl-S. R. KcAdam. Colliery Guardian 154, 735-6 (April 16, 1937). J* Chen. Met. Uin. Soc. So. Africa, 38 , 50-2 (July, 1937). Four nomographs are presented, furnishing a ready means of automatically solving several common ventilating formulae, including the 6 most involved formulae used in the "Standard Specifications for the Testing of Mine Fans" adopted by all min ing engineers in England. (C) Papers on Industrial Poisons, Cancer, Dermatitis, etc* 630 THE GRLAT PROBLEMS OF MODERN INDUSTRIAL TOXICOLOGY. F. Flury. Arbeitssohuts, 199-200 (1937). (Genren.) A brief discussion of the chief problems in toxioology is presented* New chemical* are offered daily whose names give no hint of their contents; declaration of con tents should be compulsory. There ere also complicated injuries, not only from the combined action of different toxic agents, but also from the combination of poisons and alcoholic drinks. Other difficulties lie in the increasing chemical treatment of foods and the misuse of medicines. The study of`these problems must include refinement of methods, ascertainment of norms, and discovery cf the ef fect of poisons on the young, and of the relation between poisoning and inherit- anee. Purification of air must be sought not only for workplaces but also in the streets. . 631 PREVENTION AND TREATMENT CP DISEASES IN THE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY. V, Defslioe* Seraana Ked. (Spanish) 44, 1689-91 (1937). The most common occupational diseases in the petroleum industry are skin disorders$ and there are oases of gastric symptoms and blood conditions associated with hemolysis* Prevention comprises regular medical inspection of the workers, ; careful personal hygiene,.use of protective gloves, and application of glycerin* 632 CLINICAL ASH2CTS OF LEAD POISONING, Thomas A*Johnson. Penna Med* J. 40 741-4 (1937). - ' ` . -- " ' -- - Studies in a lead coating plant led to the detection of 94 cases of lead poison ing in 755 employees, of whom 282 were exposed constantly and 273 intermittently to lead fumes. The blood studies led to the conclusion that a safe oritloal level is 4/* of reticulocytes of 0*2# of stippled cells, or both* 633 COMPARISON OF PUNCTATE BASOPHILIA RATIO OF URGE TO SMALL LYMPHOCYTES IN THE DIAGNOSIS JJJD PREVENTION OF LEAD POISONING. D.O.Shiels. Med. J. Australia, 1, 536-45 (Apr. 10, 1937). ` -. author has made a thorough study of: laboratory procedure in the diagnosis of ' lead poisoning* The stippled, cell, count, often used is shown to give false im - pressione of-the clinical condition,, and may even rise as the patient improves. ; The ratio of large to small- lymphocytes is more olosely correlated with the " clinical condition than is stippling.: Correlation of a vast amount of data shows that it is inadvisable to adjudge the severity of cases- by laboratory standards alone. Evidence of lead poisoning with disability is to be expected when the laboratory data show* (a) total stippled count 25,000; (b) coarsely stippled cell count 1,000; (c) ratio of large to small lymphoid ceil6jT less than (d) concentration of lead in urine, 0.15 mg. per 1 iter and over; (e) ooarsely stipcled cell count divided by the ratio of large to small lymphocytes, 800* jftaces to Recent Literature - 11 . jaTHOLOGY AUD THERAPY OF LEAD ANEMIA. R. Klima and H. Seyfried. Folia hematol. .{German) 67# 283-95 (1937). Lead anemia in chronically poisoned guinea pigs and rabbits was studied by ex amining the blood and investigating the bone marrow by biopsy, and in a few cases by sternal puncture. Erythropoises is greatly increased, and a lively action of the bone marrow is observed in a few days. The erythropoiesis remains hii for ' a few weeks and then falls gradually at which point exhaustion begins. Finally red marrow is converted into a kind of gelatinous or fatty marrow# Temporarily stippled oells are present, but not in all oases# Probably the lead in the blood stream acts cm the erythrocytes so that they are decomposed in the spleen and other organs that remove old or damaged cells The marrow responds to the first hemolysis with increased erythropoiesis# There is a basic difference between the results of lead poisoning and pernicious anemia, although there are many similarities# Liver treatment in ohronic lead poisoning does no good, although it may be of sane value'in acute oases# SPIRAL INJURIES FROM LEAD AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SPINAL FLUID LEAD DETERMINATION .IN RECOGNIZING LEAD DAMAGE OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. F. Duensing. Deutsch Ztschs# ~f Nervenheilk, 143, 297-305 (1937). A ease of lead poisoning resulting from lead in drinking water, and resembling tubes is described# The lead in the spinal fluid was 220 micrograms per 100 cc# but only 72#2 in the blood, indicating spinal lead injury. In another *ese, that of a painter, the amount in the spinal fluid was 493 micrograms per 100 cc* Other eases in the literature are mentioned, and all point to the neoessity of detemining lead in the spinal fluid# ^6S6;SULFUR THERAPY OF CHRONIC LEAD POISONING AND URINARY IEAD ELIMINATION. G. Sab.Atifie, F# Molfino and 15. Maxzantini. Med. del Lav# (Italian) 28, 129-38 (1937)# The authors claim as a result of an investigation that intramuscular injection 'of various sulfur preparations in oases of ohronio lead poisoning is folloiwd by a decrease in urinary lead and diuresis and that the patients show a rapid improvement in general condition and a progressive diminution in clinical 637 LEAD MOBILIZATION AND MINERAL METABOLISM IN LEAD POISONED JENSONS* F* Sohaitt . .and _H# taeger# Ztschr# f. exp. Med# 10, 21-41 (1937) (German). * .The authors studied variations in daiYy lead elimination and lead in blood in two v}ead poisoned persons, in order to determine fixation or mobilisation of lead during'various .methods of treatment. In agreement with other workers, they `found increased lead elimination or mobilization following acid diet with am monium chloride, calcium poor diet, or the use of sodium carbonate, potassium 'iodide, elytyran or parathormore# 'In disagreement with others, they obtained the same results with an alkaline vegetable diet and by oral or intravenous .administration of calcium, and conclude that the effect is caused by a sudden diet change or sudden administration of large calcium doses. They recommend the use of gradually increasing doses.of calcium, phosphate and gluconate# (This conclusion is questioned by the abstractor on the ground that a larger number of cases should be studied.) - 638"WKAT LEAD CONTENT IN CHEMICAL' BLOOD EXAKIN-TIONS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS PATH OLOGIC? 17. Ehrhardt. Ztschr# f. aertyl. Fortbild. (Gennan) 34, 436 (1937)# Lead contents of 0.005 to 0*01 mg# per 100 co. of blood are found in normal per sons, while in lead poisoning they are 0*07 to 1 mg# The evaluation of blood lead must be. considered in relation to other findings. f$r*nce& to Reoent Literature - 12 OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIMENTS ON MERCURY POISONING IN THE LABORATORY. E. Hohwi 'Christensen, .M. Krogh and M Nielsen- Skand. Arch. f# Physiol. 76, 273-8 (1937). (Genian). Also brief account in Nature 139, 626-7 (1937). In the oourse of experiments on the effect of increased carbon dioxide content of inspired air, the subjects in one test experienced more serious symptoms than usual. The trouble was traced to droplets of mercury which had fallen from a re.oeptacle to the table and floor. The conditions of the experiment contributed to 'the. maximum effect of the small amount of meroury. Similar effects were found in animal experiments# This occurrence calls attention to the care needed in breath, ing experiments# g40 ACUTE MERCURIAL POISONING. Jarrett E. Williams and C#F.K. Schram. Ind. Med# 6 490-1 (Sept,, 1937). ~ A few workmen were engaged for several days in removing mercury seals from stills# -- In-the course of several years, small quantities of mercury had been spilled from ' time to time upon the lids of the stills and some of it had been painted over# ' Holes were cut through the lids by means of an acetylene toroh, and although the . visible mercury had been removed, and only the odor of paint fumes could be de tested, several men developed cases of acute meroury poisoning. Apparently all . . the. trouble arose during the first day*s work* when the ventilation was insuffi cient. Symptoms are described.' All the patients recovered* but the occurrence is reported to show the; necessity of extreme care in situations in which meroury ' yapor may be present# 641. ZINC FEVER. PROPHYLACTIC RESULTS. H.S.Natvig Fidsskr. f. d# Norsk Laegeforen; ing (Norwegian) 57, 456-65 (1937)# Cases of tine fever* often recurrent* were observed in over 100 workers in brass foundries and other workshops where tine is fused with copper# The disease is transitory and comparatively harmless but disagreeable* It is caused by the in halation of very fine particles of tine oxide formed from the rino vapor which is given off in large quantities when molten tine and copper are mixed# The partioles are sufficiently small to enter the alveoli# No fixed ventilation system or respirator was found adequate# A movable device was contrived* equipped with a funnel-shaped opening and forced draft for removing the tine vapor at its point of . generation# No case of tine fever has been found where It was in use# 642 CHRONIC ARSENIC POISONING AN OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE, NOT AN OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENT. J.A.M.A. (medicolegal abstracts) 109* 3BB (July 31, 1937. The Oregon state supreme court ruled that a case of arsenic poisoning of the hand from peeling sprayed fruits was an occupational disease* whioh ie not compensable* and not an accident# 645 EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON THE EFFECT OF ARSENIC ON THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM. ' D* Bertsohinger# Folia hematol# 57, 194-205 (1937) (German). A daily dose of 1 cc. of solution of arsenic acid* given a rabbit for 38 days, produced a fall in leucocyt5 after each dose* rising to almost normal before the next injection# A slow steady decrease was also noted. Y.ith greater doses a rapi lymphopenia ; set in. Another experiment indicated that the cause is not injury to . lymph tissue but rather destruction of lymphocytes outside the lymphatio tissue* ' renes to Recent Literature - 15 CHRONIC ARSINE POISONING. M. Kiese. Arch. f* exp. Pathol* u.Pharmakol. 186, 337rT 76 (1957) (German). Animals were subjected one hour daily, over a period of several weeks to quanti ties of arsine of 4 to 50 micrograms of arsine per liter of air* Twice the max imum quantity produced subacute poisoning in a week* As in acute poisoning, the blood was most affeoted, especially in fall of erythrocyte count and hemoglobin. Active regeneration was seen at first, but it disappeared later and a stationary state of anemia was reaohed* When exposure ceased, blood recovery took plaoe more slowly than that of the general condition* In autopsies, much iron pigment and the largest quantities of arsenic were found in the spleen, liver and bone marrerw. . . At about 20-25 micrograms per liter is a range below which the accumulation of .. poison and injury does not reach its maximum. A real habituation seems to dev&op. $45 USE OF FSOTECTOR LIQUIDS IN CHROMIUM PLATING. P. I. Verkhovskaia. Gigiena truda no. 2, 33-6 (1937) (Russian.) A layer of kerosene 10 mm thick over the plating solution wa6 found adequate to prevent escape of vapors, and to prevent abnormal changes in the mucous membrane of the nose and at the base of the larynx, which occurred before the proteotor liquid was used* 646 PROTECTOR LIQUID IF ELECTROLYTIC CHROMIUM HATING* E. I. Shaverdova. Gigiena truda, no. 1, 89-91 (1937). fuecisn). The plating solution was covered by a layer, 20 mm. thick, of petroleum, to which had been added 125 oca of sulfuric acid, 10 g of bichromate and 250 co* of pater per liter of petroleum. . Practically no vapor escaped from the vats and the proc ess was not disturbed* 647 EEF DATA ON THE TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF AIR. E. Kohn-Abrest. Rev. ohim* ind* (french) 46, 2-14, 40-45, 66-70 (1957). A general paper describing the determination of carbon monoxide, oarbon dioxide, carbonaoeous gases, alkyl halogens, hydrogen sulfide, arsine, phosphine, hyd/egsn cyanide, nitrogen oxides, benzene and solid and finely divided liquid particles. 648 THE DETERMINATION OF ATMOSJJHERIC CONTAMINANTS. I. ORGANIC HAOLGEN COMPOUND?* Hervey B. Elkins, Amos K* Hobby and James E* Fuller, Division of Occupational . Hygiene, Massachusetts Department of Labor and Industries, Boston, Uas6* J. Ind, Hyg* 19, 474-85 (Nov., 1937) Reprints obtainable from senior author* The paper describes a chemical method for the determination of organic halogen vapors and dusts in the atmosphere* The vapors of volatile liquids are absorbed in a suitable solvent in a special absorber, and the solvent is burned in a mod ified sulfur lamp apparatus. The products of combustion are absorbed in dilute sodium hydroxide solution and the halogen present is determined, after neutrali sation, by a Mohr titration. Trial and consideration of the properties of sol vents led to ths selection of amyl acetate as the most suitable. The absorber consisted of 5 inclined tubes in one piece. The method was shown to be satis factory for 6 chlorine compounds of industrial importance. It is shown theoret ically that ths volume of air that can be sampled successfully is inversely pro portional to the vapor pressure of the substance absorbed. The method cannot be used for extremely volatile substances such as methyl chloride, and cooling with ice is desirable for chloroform and ethyl bromide, also for low concentrations of carbon tetraohloride. Comparison with the activated charcoal method showed that the absorption method is somewhat more accurate for low concentrations* . A few comparisons were also made against the direct combustion method, and the relative advantages of the two methods are discussed* To some extent high-boil ing and low-boiling compounds in mixtures can be determined separately by the absorption method. ranees to Reoent Literature - 14 NOTE ON THE STUDY OF DECOMPOSITION BY HEAT OF HYDROCARBONS, ESPECIALLY CHLORINATE! HYDROCARBONS, MIXED V/ITH A3R. E. Kohn-Abrest and Mafi. Ann, d'Hyg., pub. 15 3 $75-84 (1937) (French.) The authors describe a process by which quantities of chloroform, trichlorethylent carbon tetrachloride and tetrachlorethane, far below the danger limit, can be de tected. In combustion, free chlorine end carbon dioxide develop only if more than 4 to 12 mg, per liter of the chlorinated hydrocarbons are present, depending upon the substance. In concentrations up to 100 mg. per 1., the production of phosgene cannot be detected. Detection of these substances in organs is also described. CAUSATIVE INFLUENCES AND CLINICAL TYPES OF POISONING BY CARBON TETRACHLORIDE, THE KBDICO-IEGAL VIEWPOINT. Dervillee. J. Med. de Bordeaux 114, 557-82 (1937) (French'; The properties and uses, of carbon tetrachloride are first described. The results of poisoning are variable, os individual susceptibilities vary greatly. It may affect the brain, the liver and kidneys, the kidneys alone, the lungs or the skin Details are given of cases telling under these headings. The after-effects of ex posure are as variable as the symptoms; some persons are attacked fatally and sue cumb to uremia or acute pulmonary edema, others recover completely, and others present various sequelae. Treatment must depend upon the manifestations. Preven tion is important and easy to ensure. Adequate ventilation and avoidance of close areas and high temperatures are the principal precautions. Its use in therapeu tics and in hair lotions should be avoided entirely. Workers injured by its in dustrial use should receive compensation. '651 ARTERIAL AND VENOUS LIFEMIA IN EXPERIMENTAL CARBON TETRACHLORIDE POISONING. G.G. Zolessa. Med. del Lav. 28, 138-47 (1937) (Italian.) The action of carbon tetrachloride in producing arterial and venous lipemia was traced by animal experiments to the lipoid and fat solvent action on the tissue . substance. 652 A CASE OF PHOSGENE POISONING DUE TO INHALATION PRODUCTS OF TRICHL0H3THYLBNE Vim. D. McNally. Ind. Med. 6> 539-44 (Oct,, 1937). . The paper is devoted mainly"to the toxicity of trichlorethylene itself. It is qui stable at ordinary temperatures and the commercial product does not decompose to yield hydrochloric acid, because a small quantity of alkali is added as a stabi liser* However, when it canes in contact with heated metal, gas flames or burnin tobacoo, it decomposes with formation of hydrochloric acid and phosgene, which is best known from its use as a war gas. Trichlorethylene is used in many industries as an oil and grease solvent, and mioat of the cases of -poisoning result frem ths inhalation of the vapor* It i6 somewhat less toxic than most of the other ehlo- rinated'hydrocarbons, and does not cause fatty degeneration as do many ofthe others. However, acute poisoning cases result in anesthesia of the nerve dis tributed over the faoe and mouth and atrophy of the optic nerve, leading to loss of sight. The work of a number of experimenters on animals and reports of human cases are reviewed, showing lung damage, blindness, and poisoning of a number of organs. Diagnosis is complicated by the identity of many of the symptoms with those from other causes, which must be considered by careful examination and knowledge of case history. Preventive measures include removal of the vapors .by down-draft ventilation, use of a closed system if possible, avoiding contact with flames and heating surfaces and prohibition of smoking. . 653 NERVE INJURIES (NEURITIS ISCHIATICA, TRAUMATIC EPILEPSY) AFTER ACUTE BENZINE POIS OKING. H.H.Jansen. Deutsch* Ztschr* f. Nervenheilk, 144, 68-80 (1937) (German.) The author reports 3 cases in which nerve injury appeared after severe acute ben zine poisoning, with description of symptemis. The injuries cannot be definitely i.j 4-v,0 benzine alone, as the exact composition of the gases was unknew fences to Reoent Literature -15 c i, - * * ^ A STUDY OF BENZOL POISONING. Carlos E. Fallon. Ind. Med. 6, 560-2 (Oct., 1937), The symptoms and progress of 3 fatal oases of benzol poisoning in a leather fac tory under the author's observation are given detail, as are also the results of blood counts on a number of employees. The method of urine sulfate determination and the decrease in the number of white blood cells are good indications of early stages of poisoning. ACUTE POISONING WITH A NEW MOTOR FUEL (LIQUID PROPANE GAS). CLINICAL INVESTIGA TIONS AND ANIMAL EXPERIMENTS, H.J.Wolf and F.Menne. Arch. f. exp. Pathol, u. Riarmakol. (German) 186, 78-88 (1937). This gas contains mainly propane, with some butane and olefine. A driver who had inhaled some of the gas developed symptoms which can be divided into 2 groups* naroosis and a symptom complex caused by very marked irritation of the para sympathetic system. The authors produced the same symptoms in rabbits, and after severing the vagus and depressor nerves, the blood pressure, which had decreased markedly, recovered. However, a second sample of the gas did not produce the same effects. The authors assume that this vagus irritant is to be found in the ole fines , whereas the other symptoms are caused by the propane. Doubtless the ole- fine content of the gas varies widely. 656 THE DETERMINATION OF CARBON DISULFIDE IN BLOOD. J. Roberts Barrower and Frank E. Wiley, Haskell Lab. of Industrial Toxicology, Wilmington, Del. J. Ind. Hyg., 19, 486-90 (Nov#, 1937). Reprints probably obtainable at that address. A mioro-apparatus is described which permits the determination of carbon disulfide in minute amounts through its conversion to the potassium ethyl xanthate by the action of alcoholic potassium hydroxide and the subsequent oxidation of the rantt ate to dixanthate by titration with iodine. Carbon disulfide has been estimated with a fhir degree of accuracy by this procedure in a 10 cc. sample of blood con taining as little as 0.05 mg. of this substance per 100 cc. - From the author's 657 THE SYMPTOMATOLOGY OF CHRONIC POISONING WITH OXIDES OP NITROGEN. N.A.Vigdortschi* and others. J. Ind. Hyg., 19, 469-73 (Nov., 1937). No reprints. An investigation was made oT'"'the effect of continued exposure to oxides of nitro gen in low concentrations on 127 workers in sulfuric acid plants and etchers in . printing shops. The nitrogen dioxide concentration was in almost all oases below . 0.005 mg. per liter (about 1*5 parts per million) - a figure that is generally ' considered safe - and periods of exposure varied from 3 to 5 years. A large num ber of test& was made, and the findings were compared with those in a control group of unexposed persons of the same ages and living under approximately sim ilar conditions* The results were compared according to approved statistical methods and are presented in & table under the headings of authentic symptoms and probable symptoms according to the degree of correlation obtained. The . authentic symptoms include wearing down of teeth, inflamed muoosa of the guns# emphysema of the lungs, tuberoulosis, hypotonia, bradycardia, and In the blood, high hemoglobin content, large numbers of erythrocytes, increased vital granula tion, marked basophilic granulation, increase in nnximum resistance of erythro cytes, acoelerated agglutination of blood, reduced catalase index, reduoed re serve alkalinity, decreased sugar oontent, and lability of the sugar curve. The probable symptoms include carious deoay of teeth, disturbed gastric secretion, chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular neurosis, and in the blood, moderate leucopenia, moderate lymphocytosis, increase in minimum resistance of erythrocytes, d* layed reaction to their precipitation and increased content of bilirubin* The re lation of these symptoms to the poisoning is discussed} some follow indireotly a* the result of other symptoms. The results were checked by a study of 5 men who had left the hazardous occupations; in all oases a definite tendency of the bloo< to return to its normal composition was observed. The necessity of further work is emphasized. renoes to Recent Literature - 16 ` AtMPIOMATOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS OF SOME POISONINGS. 0. Roth. SchweUer. med. tfchnsohr. 7, 593-6 (1937). (German.) The author reports cases of poisoning in which there were scsne peculiar reactions, In one apparently light nitrous gas poisoning the patient developed an attack of cramps which returned repeatedly in the following years* The cramps were found to follow hyperventilation or dyspnea, and the nitrous poisoning seemed to have cleared the way for this reflex* Another oase was that of asthmatic outbreaks oaused by welding, and in another bromethyl possibly contributed to development of polyvalent bronchial asthma* V CLINICAL ASPECTS OF NITROUS GAS POISONING. G. Holland* Med. Klin. (German) 33, 9SO-2 (1937)-. The author reports a case of moderately severe poisoning- In 15 hours after ex posure, an x-ray showed both lung fields covered with countless mottled shadows of various sizes which were confluent in the basal region# In 8 days the shadows had disappeared, a6 did also the pains* Eight months later there was an increase in erythrooytes and in the hemoglobin. Similar changes have been found in other cases. SOUS ON THE DECREE OF THE REICH'S MINISTER OF LABOR ON THE GENERATION OF NITROUS OXIDE IN AUTOGENOUS WELDING. P. Kissinger. Aertzl. Sachverstaend. - Ztg. 43, 122 (1937), (German). A case of lung edema in autogenous welding presented great difficulty to the authorities, and was finally decided as being a fatal accident from "phosphorous and hydrogen sulfide and irreparable gases." 361 TOXICITY OF VARNISH FOR BEER BARRELS* J.A.K.A. 109, 454 (Aug. 7, 1937). In reply to a letter reporting a case of poisoning of a workman varnishing beer barrels and inquiring whether the use of pure grain alcohol instead of denatured alcohol as a solvent would have prevented poisoning, the editor-replies that a number of constituents of typical varnishes are toxic, as are also the blow torch fumes, and that the injury probably arose from those sources rather than from any constituent of the alcohol* He advocates the use of a positive pressure helmet for work in enclosed spaces. 662 EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON INTOXICATION WITH ACETONE. U. Bassi and G* Ghezzi. Med. lavora (Italian) 27, 225-49 (1936). Rabbits were intoxicated progressively by acetone. Loss in weight took plaoe, in some oases to one-third the original weight* Some subjeots showed habituation, especially with smaller doses. Symptoms included irritation, disturbances of the central nervous system, decrease in the red cell and hemoglobin content of the blood, hypergluoemia and increase in the urobilin in the urine. 663 PROTECTION AGAINST MINE GASES. J.J.Forbes and G.^.Grove. Miners* Ciroular No. 35 U.S.Bureau of Hines, 1937 . 52 pp. For* sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D.C., for 10 cents, cash. This publication is an up-to-date revision of Part III of a series of-oirculars on advanced mine rescue training, originally published in 1929. The general pre cautions against fire and explosion dangers include adequate ventilation and the use only permissible explosives, but this circular is concerned mainly with means of protection when a fire or an explosion has occurred. They include* (l) ereotion of barricades; (2) the carbon monoxide self-rescue respirator; (3) gas masks for protection against gases, smokes and vapors; (4) self-contained oxygen breath* ing apparatus, and (5) hose masks. The discussion of barricades inoludes recom mendations for their construction, quantity of air necessary to sustain life, and appraisal of their value, illustrated by a table of mine accidents in which they were used. Many types of tte various protective devices are described 'renoee to Reoent Literature * 17 is detail# A chapter on treatment for gas poisoning or asphyxiation concludes the paper# The recommended forms of treatment include several manual methods of ar tificial respiration and oxygen breathing apparatus. Mechanical devioes such as the pulmotor are not recommended for use by laymen. LOSS OP MEMORY FROM GAS POISONINGt A KAN 'VI THOUT THE MEMORY. G. Stoerring* Ztschr. f* d. ges. Kenrol. u. PsycRiat# 158, 420-1 (1937) (German.) A sound film illustrates a case of lose of*memory caused by severe gas poisoning at an oven# The man was able to remember experiences for about one seoand. 665 CHRONIC AUTOMOBILE EXHAUST GAS POISONING. INVESTIGATIONS 7fI3H A DIESEL MOTOR. K. Schmidtmann# Arch# f# Gewerbepathol. u# Gewerbehyg# 8, 1-13 (1937) (Getman). Experiments on rabbits showed that anthracosis results Trcra inhala tian of ex haust gases from Diesel motors# Two remarkable observations are that lymph in filtration and increase of connective tissue are found and that the anthracosis is caused by much smaller quantities of soot than those ordinarily required. The author explains both by the small quantities of unburned oil with which the soot is mixed# A Diesel motor generally uses the part of petroleum or the heavy oil of coal or pyrolueite tar boiling at around 300C# 666 BLOOD PRESSURE RESPONSES 10 ACUTE CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. W. R# Brewer. Am. J# Physiol. 120, 91-9 (Sept. 1, 1937). Animals given mixtures of carbon monoxide and oxygen do not respond by a rise in blood pressure, whioh is an invariable result of nitrogen administration. This absence of rise is not due to any lack of 'capacity of the carotid sinus and aortic depressor nerve endings to receive stimuli. 667 CHROMOSMON STUDIES. I. ACTION OP EKTHYIENE BLUE-GLUCOSE ( CHROMOSMOH) ON CARBCN MONOXIDE POISONING IN ANIMAL RESEARCH. A. Strum and H, Wohlfahat. Aroh* f. exp. Pathol. u.'Pharmakol. (German) 186, 294-302 (1937). II. ACTION OP METHYLENE BLU* GLUCOSE (CHROMOSMOH) ON ANH&LS~KTlSONED EXPERDENTALLY WITH CYANIDE# A. Strum ; and K. Shnser. Ibid. 305-5, III. CAN 1BTHYLENE BLUE fcHROMOSiSDM) POOS 1BTHBM0GLOBIN IN THE LIVING ORGANISM. A. Strum and W. Franks. Ibid., 306--12# The results of three series of experiments reported indicate that ohrotaosmom Is a specific antidote against cyanide poisoning and non-speoific although effeotivt in carbon monoxide poisoning. It causes no noteworthy increase in emthemoglobin and tissue respiration is definitely not endangered by its use# 668 FIRST INTERNATIONAL SESSION ON TIE PAIHOLOGY AND ORGANIZATION OF 770RK, PARIS. JUNE 2-6, 1937. Ann. d* Hyg. pub, (French) 15, 413-24 (1937); also in J.A*M#A# (Paris Letter) 109, 722-3 (Aug. 28, 1957)o * A short report on this session includes brief notes on a few papers, one by Kohn-Abrest, who showed that paradoxically the carbon monoxide in acute poison ing is washed out of the blood in a few hours, whereas in chronic poisoning traces are detectible for months# ., 669 DISCUSSION OF THE EFIECTS OF ASPHYXIATING GASES ON THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM. S. Blackmore and others. Proc. Roy# Soc# Med. 30, 1035-8 (July, 1937). This is a general discussion of the effects of war gases - phosgene, chlorine and mustard gas - and includes etiology, pathology and treatment# In anoxemia oxygen should be administered as soon as possible and maintained until the pa tient can do without it for 5 minutes without clinical retrogression# Bleeding is an accessory treatment of great value# There is much difference of opinion on the value of infusion of saline, glucose, etc. fences to Reoent Literature - 18 FIXATION OF SULFUR FROM SMELTER SMOKE- R.S.Dean* U.S.Bur# Mines, Rept. Investiga- V iions no# 3539 (May, 1937). Obtainable from Division of Information, U.S.Bureau of Mines, Washington, D.C. t The problem of prevention of damage to plant and animal life by sulfur dioxide i$ the vicinity of smelters has been met in 2 ways* (l) dilution of effluent gases . by using high stacks and high gas temperatures, and (2) by converting the sulfur dioxide to a disposable liquid or solid compound* The first method seems likely to remain the most generally applicable and satisfactory for many years* The second awaits development of an economically practical method ofreeovering e1- eaentary sulfur# The present report includes a study of the progress made in thi direction here and abroad, and includes progress reports on laboratory studies at the Bureau of Mines on the following processes* (l) absorption of sulfur dioxide by ammonium sulfite solution; (2) addition of ammonia and water vapor to smelter gases to precipitate ammonium 6ulfite particles and (3) absorption of sulfur di oxide by agneous diethylene triamine solutions. 671 INVESTIGATION OF ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION, REPORT ON OBSERVATIONS IN THE YEAR ENDED MARCH SI, 1936. Dept* Scientific and Industrial Research, H.M.Stationery Offioe, London, 1937. Price 6 s. Obtainable from British Library of Infonmtion, 270 Madison Ave#, New York* A review of observations in Great Britain for the past 20 years indicates that the smoke abatement movement hat had a real effect in reducing smoke pollution# A simpler and less expensive photometer has been devised for measurement of day light. Earlier experiments to obtain records of sulfur dioxide pollution from different wind directions have led to the development of an apparatus which re cords the frequency of winds from each of eigit sectors and exposes a correspond ing sector of a lead peroxide fabric# In subsequent analysis of the sectors of fabric, the sulfur pollution associated with the different wind directions can be-estimated# The appendix of the report contains a dlsoussion of observations on the intensity of ultraviolet and visible rays at Rochdale,.with graphic analysis# 672 THE EFFECT OF WELDING ON THE EYE. D.M.Natanson and D.P. Vinogorow# Viestnik Opht. 10, pt* 2, 280 (1937). (Russian). * A study of 244 welders shows that no serious or permanent ooular inflammations or deleterious effect on vispal acuity or visual fields are produoed by welding# However, chronic eleotrio opthalmias are frequent, and corneal sensitivity is considerably reduced* The probable causes are light, flying particles of metal and chemical vapors# Lenticular opacities are not attributable to this oocupatiov 673 EXPERIMENTS ON A PHYSICAL QUALIFICATION TEST FOR WORK WITH X-RAYS. H. Sgalitser and E Un^r# Strahlentherap. (German) 68, 701-9 (1937). There are great individual differences Tn radiation sensitivity of the blood forming organs, and physical tests should be made to determine sensitivity# The leucocytes should be counted before exposure and on the 11th and I4th days after exposure# 674 INDUSTRIAL RADIUM DAMAGE. L. Teleky. Wien, klin. Wchnschr. (German) 50, 619-23 (1937). A review of industrial injury from radium, as observed in clinics, in industries producing and using radium preparations, and in mines. The results of exposure include skin affections, damage to bones and blood, all occurring after a rela tively short exposure, and tunors after long exposure or latent period. Bron chial cancer results from inhalation, and bone SArcame from absorption from the digestive tract. renoes to Reoent Literature -19 ? 'CLINICAL ASH5CTS AND THERAPY OF INDUSTRIAL X-RAY DAMAGE. F.F.Freund. Strahlentherap.(Froc. 1st Congress of the Austrian X-ray Society in Vienna) (German) 58, j694-6 (1937) -He have no information on this paper except that it is a general review, MEASUREMENTS OF RADIATION PROTECTION, K.G. Zimmer. Strahlentherapie 59, 671-9 (193r X-rays and gamma rays cause cell injury which is transmitted to the next generetion of cells, making any establishment of a tolerance dose impossible, since that depends on restitution ability. Exposure of persons to radiation, therefore, must be reduced as much as possible, and measurements of radiation must be made by equipping workers with automatically registering apparatus# Condensation ionoration chambers are best for this purpose* One such chamber put on the hand and one at the head of a nurse employed in the preparation <f radium applicators showed that the accepted tolerance threshold of 0.2 r. per day was always exceeded at the back of the hand, and often at the head. Working conditions, therefore, must be improved. "677 PROTECTION IN THE USE OF ROENTGEN RATS. A. Brandt. Fortschr. a.d. Geb. d. Roent- genstrahl. 55, 25-8 (1937). The author suggests that the radiation hazard is much greater in technical than in medical occupations. There are longer exposures and greater amounts of ra diation in the former, and persons exposed are engineers not medically or hygien ically trained. Therefore the suggested tolerance dose of O.OOOOlrper sec. is not applicable. The author recommends compulsory reporting on the part of fac tories, measurement of radiation and medical supervision of workers, including total and differential white blood corpuscle oounts at intervals. . -:678 EXPOSURE TO X-RAY IN INDUSTRY. REPORT OF A CASE. K.H. Kronenberg and Walter Shriner-* Ind. Med. 6, 532-3 (Oct., 1937). A fluorosoope was used in the examination of packaged goods. It was guaranteed ray-proof by the manufacturer, however, dental films attached to the wrist, front of the chest, and cap of the operator were found fogged in a week, while one on the back was not* The machine was then more completely ray-proofed and suitable eye shields were provided. The occurrence is given as an illustration of the oare an employer must use to protect himself from possible suits. , 679 MEASUREMENT OF RADIATION OF PERSONNEL IN RADIOLOGIC WORK AND PROTECTIVE MEASURE MENT AGAINST GAMMA RAYS. A. Feller and Langer. Acta Radiol. 18, 646-61 . (Aug. 31, 1937) (Swedish). . A oase in which a surgeon and his staff were found affeoted by radiation is re ported. The measured quantity of radiation showed it to be far above the toler ance dose, and the greatest amount was found to be received in the manipulation of moulages. After a movable protection wall had been set up and the manner of handling the moulages had been improved, radiation on the body fell well below the tolerance dose. 680 AN ATTEMPT TO INHIBIT THE DEVELOPMENT OF TAR-CARCINOMA IN MICE, 3. R. David eon. Can. Med. Assoc. J. 37, 434-40 (Nov., 1937). As the result of 6 years1 observation of over 600 mice, it seems to be farily well demonstrated that the tunor threshold of the mouse can be lowered by tar-irrita- . tion, and raised or maintained at a constant level by breeding and diet, with varying dosages of vitamins in the diet, especially A,B, and E. Completion of the series will require another year, and will show whether the high vitamin diet nowused will be sufficient or will have to be increased with age, and will permit determination of the tumor threshold in the animals with low vitamin diet. fences to Reoent Literature - 20 CANCER OF THE LUNG* A CRITICAL SURVEY OF 100 CASES. C.Harvey. Ked. J. Australia 1, 565-72 (1936)* Abstracted in Am* J. Cancer. r survey of 100 cases of cancer from 1910 to 1935 seems to indicate that there has been some real increase in the incidence of the disease. Over half occurred be tween the ages of 41 and 60. An occupational influence is suggested by the large percentage of patients (38$) exposed to noxious inhalatory stimuli and of those engaged in out-of-door pursuits (25$). INDUSTRIAL DERMATITIS AND ITS PREVENTION. Louis Schwarts, MD, Medical Director, Dermatoses Investigations, U.S.Public Health Service. Nat. Safety News 36, 34-6 (Nov., 1937); Safety Eng. _74, 7-10 (Nov., 1937). This paper is a brief review of the subject of industrial dermatitis. There are at least 20,000 cases of occupational skin diseases annually in the United States, of sufficient severity to lose time from work, and about 65% are dermatoses. The total number in all degrees of severity is probably about 250,000 cases yearly Factors involved in the cause of dermatitis include individual susceptibility, diet, age, presence of other skin diseases and lack of cleanliness* The chief causes are alkalies, oils and greases, solvents, acids, corrosive chemicals and plants* Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment are discussed briefly, but emphasis is is laid on prevention, including cleanliness, the use of c&refally selected pro tective ointments as a temporary measure, and pre-employment examinations. Treat ment without cessation of work is recommended when the case is not too severe. Proper legislation is advocated, and factory inspection by instance carriers, in addition to complete reports of all cases is urged. (Reprints fcre probably not obtainable, but the two Bulletins next mentioned are recommended for a fuller knowledge of the subject.) 683 SKIN HAZARDS IN AMERICAN INDUSTRY. Part I. Louis Schwar*^, U.S.Publi# Health Bull no. 215 Obtainable from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D.C. for 15 cents, cash. This bulletin was originally issued in 1934, but has been reprinted and is now available. Baoh of & number of industries is considered in a separate section, including causes, symptoms with illustrations, treatment and prevention. The following industries, are included* rubber, oil refining, ayfiihetlc dye manufac ture, candy making, silk, linseed oil, manufacturing* perfume and insecticides 684 SKIN HAZARDS IN AMERICAN INDUSTRY. Part II. Louie Schwarts. U.8.Public Health Bull. no. 229 (1936). Obtainable from Supt. of Documents, Washington, D.C. for 15 cents, cash. This Bulletin is similar in plan to the preceding, and includes the following industries* manufacture of synthetic resins and waxes, leather manufacture, fur industry, manufacture of artificial silks, fabric dyeing, wearing and handling dyed fabrics, and manufacture and use of insecticides and fungicides, alkalis, . calcium cyanamide, chronic acid and tine chloride. 685 DERMATITIS AMONG A GROUP OF OFFICE WORKERS FOUND NOT TO BE OF OCCUPATIONAL ORIGIN Louis Schwartz and Marion B. Sulzberger. U.S.Public Health Repts., 52, 1441-7 (Oct. 15, 1937). Obtainable from Supt. of Documents, Washington, D.C., for 5 , cents, cash. - A siQ>posed outbreak of occupational dermatitis among a group of- 750 office workers was investigated, and from a study of the cases and of the work processes and from the results of patch tests performed with the materials handled it was founA ` that the skin diseases were of various kinds and were not of occupational >. origin. Frances to Reoent Literature - 21 In an investigation of 12 kinds of carbon papers and of a factory where carbon papers, typewriter ribbons, hectograph ribbons and hectograph inks are sade no cases of occupational dermatoses were found* Before a diagnosis of occupational deraatitis is made in an offioe worker, the physician should obttei an accurate clinical history* should study at first hand the actual work performed, and should sake patoh tests with the substances handled by the worker* If he neglects to do this, he may cause unjustified alarm among the workers and unneeessarily disrupt the business of the office* Proved cases of occupational dermatitis from oarbon paper and carbon oopies are exceedingly rate* - From the author*s smmary* $85 TORCH OIL DERMATITIS. Ad^gfe G. Kammer and Richard H. Callahan. J.A.U.A. 109, 1511-7 (Nov* 6, 1937). A number of workers handling torch oil developed dermatitis of the hands* An ex tensive investigation disclosed that there is probably an interrelationship be tween contact with torch oil and the existence of a focus of superficial fungous disease* The fungus did not come from the torch oil, and no case of deraatitis was seen in workers who did not also have interdigital epideracmyoosis of the feet* The therapeutic measures usually applied to fungous infections were suooesr ful. The demonstration of a focus of fungous disease is not enough to warrant the incrimination of that infection in the development of an industrial dermatosis* Such foci probably exist almcdt universally among workers at the present time* $87 INJECTIVE WARTS IN WORKERS USING BONE-GLUE* A.I.G.McLaughlin and J.W.Edington* Lancet 233, 685-6 (Sept* 18, 1937). An outbreak of warts, mainly on the back of the hands and fingers, occurred among workers in a cardboard-box ib ctory. All those affected came in contact with bone* glue* The warts were of an infective variety, but the glue was found free from *tii virus, and was also heated above the lethal temperature for the virus* How ever, the glue was used after cooling, and the fingers and knuckles were constant ly covered by the glue. It developed that the infection was originally introduce? by some girl who had become infected outside the factory, and the infection spree? through oontaot with the glue pots* The outbreak ceased on elimination of the infection. . 688 STUDIES ON THE SENSITIZATION OF AXTSALS WITH SIMPLE CHEMICAL COMFOCJNDS. IV. AN AFHTOAXIS INDUCED BY FICRTL 'CBORIDE AND 2*4 DXNITROCHLORBENZEHE K. Landsteiner and M*W#Chase* J. Exp* Med. 66, 337-51 (Sept*, 1957)* These substances produce oontaot dermatitis in man, end it is possible to induoe true anaphylactic sensitisation in guinea pigs by intravenous injeotion of protei: conjugates and by the Dale technio. This furnishes strong evidence for the forma tion of antigenic conjugates following application of substances of simple chem ical constitution. Since the anaphylactic state is induced by the same methods that cause cutaneous sensitivity, it seems evident that the formation of con jugated antigens offers an explanation of the skin effects also* 689 METHOD OF QUICK AND EXACT MEASUREMENT OF VERY SMALL AMOUNTS OF CARBON MONOXIDE HEMOGLOBIN IN BLOOD. I. May. Arch. f. Gewerbepathol* u* Gewerbehyg. 8, 21-5 (1937) (German). " The method involves the use of the Pulfrich photometer with mercury vapor light and a passing filter# Carbon monoxide hemoglobin quantifies of about 2% can be measured and gradations of 0*5# are recognizable. Only 0*1 cc. of blood is necessary, and only 8 minutes are required* References to Recent Literature - 22 90 TURPENTINE ECZEMA IN SWEDISH PAINTERS. E. Thrysin. Hygeia (Swedish) 99, 268-87 (1957). In order to solve the problem of turpentine eczema in painters it is first nec essary to determine what constituent of turpentine is responsible, and the author analyzed a number of preparations sold as oil of turpentine. There are 5 classes of "turpentine*': (1) true balsam oil of turpentine, obtained by tapping certain trees; (2) sulfate oil of turpentine, a by-product of sulfate cellulose produc tion; (3) charcoal oil of turpentine, produced by dry distillation of wood; (4) mixtures of true turpentine with mineral oils, and (5) "animal oil of turpentine" which contains mineral oils only. Some in the fourth class are fradulently labeled, also in the last class if sold as turpentine. Tests and standards in use in various countries are described. A process of purification by frac tional distillation is described with diagrams. Standards for purity should be imposed. - 691 SKIN DISEASE IN A VARNISHING PLANT AND ITS INVESTIGATION WITH SPECIAL REGARD TO SKIN TESTS. G. Munkwitz. Arch, f* Gewerbepathol u. Gewerbehyg., 8_t 83-112 (1937). (German). An attempt was made to determine by skin tests which of the materials used in a varnishing plant caused eczema. He concluded that a combined factor was involved the solvent paved the way for the injurious priming dye. No results were ob tained on constitutional influences, on account of the small number of cases of eczema - 30 out of 240 persons examined. 692 SKIN INJURY FROM OCCUPATION, SPORT, ACCORDING TO SEASON ANT) FROM COSMETICS, IN CLUDING A SUPPLEMENT OF FIRST AID IN SUDDEN SKIN INJURY. M. Oppenheim. V/ien. med. Wchnschr. _87, Nos. 11, 12, 20, 24, 27, 30, 31 (1937). The series consists of description of skin injuries having various external causes* The first four are concerned with industrial skin diseases, and fuller information will be available later. 693 THE ANTHRAX HAZARD. John N. McDowell, Div. of Industrial Hygiene, N.Y. State Dept, of Labor* Ind. Bull. 16, 393 (Oct., 1937). Cases of anthrax occur occasionally, and may become fatal if proper precautions , are not taken. The possibility of anthrax exists in all industries in which an imal skins and hair are handled. Precautions include cleanliness and reporting all cases of cuts, accidents, pimples, sores or abrasions of the skin or any illness, no matter how harmless they may seem. 6S4 ACTION OF HYDROFLUORIC ACID ON THE SKIN. E. Scheuermann. Dermatol. V/chnschr. 104, 661-7 (1S37). (German.) A case of action of hydrofluoric acid on. the skin is reported in which a 2-minute exposure to the vaoor caused severe disturbance o^ the cutaneous and subcutaneous cell tissue with affection of the bone. No effect was seen a few hours after ex posure, but the disease reached its crisis on tho 5th to 6th days. 695 BLOOD VESSEL DAMAGE FROM PROLONGED VIBRATION OF COivTTESSED AIR TOOLS AS AN IN DUSTRIAL DISEASE. K. Junghans. Arch. f. klin. Chir- (German) 18S, 466-79 (1937). Little nodules found on the forearm of a castings polisher showed changes that resembled those seen in Buerger's thrombangitis obliterans, and produced by pro longed vibration. The author suggests compensation of this as an industrial disease. Inferences to Recent Literature - 23 $96 JOINT INJURY FROM WORK TOTE PNEUMATIC TOOLS. Rostock. Fortschr. a. d. Geb. d. Roentgenstrahl. (German) 55_, 21-3 (1937). Continued work with compressed air tools causes osteochondritis in the hands, el bow or shoulder, depending upon which joint is affected most vy the vibration. They can also be caused by other hard work# The author gives some idea of the relative frequency of the condition. 597 MINIMUM-WAGE LEGISLATION IN THE UNITED STATES AS OF JULY 1, 1937. U.S.Monthly Labor Rev, 45, 361-93 (Auo, 1937). Minimum wage laws are now in effect in 22 States. An impetus to such legislation was given this year by the United States Supreme Court, in effect reversing an earlier decision that had declared the minimum-wage lav/ of the District of Columbii unconstitutional. As a result of that decision, several jurisdictions have re vived their minimum wage laws, considered dormant since 1923. Kw in addition * to the 22 States, minimum-vrage laws are also in efiect in !*uerto Rico and the District of Columbia. The article includes the principal provisions of all the minimum-wage laws in effect in 1937.