Document 6mM3DryDdqp0G1bxDVKem0X1

<* -o U HW6B-0007851 ^ i 1:, ^ a *< = HEHEIENCES TO RECENT LITERATURE ON INDUSTRIAL DISEASES ,} News Items. 569 MICHIGAN SSJOSIUN. Ind. Med. , 562 (Oct., 193?). 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 and will be abstracted as they appear. 590 OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE SYMPOSIUM. Ind, Ked. 6, 550-3 (Oct., 1937). A symposium on industrial diseases was held at Northwestern University on Sopt., 27 and 28. Papers on silicosis, allergy, industrial solvents and goatraliate/ dustrial health were presented and will be abstracted as they appear* .. i 591 A PLAN FOR INSTRUCTION IN INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE. Ind. Med. 6, 666*71 <0t Rapid developments in industrial hygiene throughout the Country hw o demonstrated that the weakest link in plans for coping with ooeupatl ease, plant sanitation, and occupational disease legislation, it the adequate training of physicians and engineers in those subjeot instruction has been developed by the Bureau of Indus trial Hyi Department of Health of Detroit. Didactic and laboratory work grees will be given by the schools sending their students, botassociated laboratory practice for a unit of 3 months, or Ion, will be provided by the Bureau. The above Bureau, directed by McCord, will furnish details to interested persons or institttticcWk 592 FIGHTING DUST HAZARD BY GENERAL ELECTRIC. Ceram. Age 29, 33^ (lor., I#|T> The General Electric Co. is now engaged in an extensive progrtn for ^ dust in its porcelain plant. Approximately $35,000 has been spent on MV'mPV, and some old equipment ins been discarded or replaced. The equijMnt iS'#f^%hS water-wash type and has proved highly successful. Dust oouats show very^n* oouraging results and are still being made, with the reoepttole diieetlyf*the breathing zone of the workmen. 593 EXHIBIT AT 1937 3TATE FAIR. Ind. Bull. (Sept., 1937). The New York State Department of Labor sponsored an industrial hjficsl SBtvibit , 1 at the State Fair in September, built around the central thane of *a pr^j|^S3i `-*4 for the prevention of dvst diseases in industry." A large painting eotStled "silicosis" was surrounded with cards containing informatics* about tfar earlout ? silica industries and pictures of lungs showing silicosis, flbrosia att#'baker- j culosis. Following were pictures of efficient and practical enhMOt eyo^Bi 9 for use in typical dusty industries. Tfax models of hands tficsrlng daivattse* of $ various types Were displayed, and dust and gas detectors were ala* skjyp^.91* exhibit is also teirg shown at schools, convention* and cthar meets % HU6B-600785<t References to Recent Literature - 2 534 MEETING OF INDUSTRIAL PATHOLOGISTS OF THE 94TE CONVENTION OF THE SOCIETY OF GER MAN SCIENTISTS AND PHYSICIANS IN DRESDEN, SEPT. 24, 1936. Arch, f. (^erbepathol u. Gewerbehyg. 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 spectroanaiyt- ical determination of aetals in cases of poisoning, and a report on a case of fatal radium poisoning. Abstracts of some of these papers may appear later. -.3) Papers or. Dust, Dust Diseases and Gg-.eral Industrial Hygiene 535 REVIEW OF LITERATURE ON EFFECTS CF BREATHING DUST 'NIT" SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SIL ICOSIS. D. Harrington and Sara J. Davenport, U.S.Bureau of Nines, Bulletin 400. 1937. 3C5 pp. j This review, originally issued in parts in mimeographed form, in 1935 and 1936, J 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 Super intendent of Documents, Washington, D. C., for 25 cents, cash. 596 DUST CONTROL THROUGH ORGANIZED RESEARCH. W.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 leg*^# . medical and engineering departments with the need of small plants having only limited facilities. The research plan of an ideal large corporation, taken at a composite of the best parts of programs now being carried out by Mveral large companies, is outlined. The urge for self-examirr.tion was begun in the legal department. A "Hygiene committee" was organized. The engineering department spent generous sums on laboratory apparatus, and a thorough dust survev was made. ah engineer gave his full time to the installation of dust control eq^.pnent where needed. New types of approved respirators were purchased, two for each ex posed worlcnen and provisions were made so that each would always have his own respirator. Time 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 organisations 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 oampany* s per manent program. The small company cannot go through this elaborate procedure, but must turn to an agency that will give advice and assistance. Such organizations include the U.S. Public Health Service, the Bureau of Nines, the Harvard School of Public Health, the Saranac Laboratory, insurance companies, several trade organisations, 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 flew, critical velocity, empirical friction formulas 03117772 tx ! 1u jy ^ A HMB8-0007855 ,--n <n - References no Reoent Literature - 3 Reynolds' dimensions 1 analysis, pipe friction in laminar and turbulent states, velocity distributions and flow of mixtures. The most important conclusions are that flow in industrial exhaust systems is always turbulent and that tho presence of solids in the air stream can usually be ignored in the dc-sign of dust collecting systems. No reprints are available at present, but the combined papers nay be published at the conclusion of the series. SS3 INDUSTRIAL EXHAUST VENTILATION. TYPICAL EXHAUST HOODS. John L. Alder-. Heating k Ventilating 34, 49-53 (Nov., 1937), See preceding note about reprints. The second paper in the series 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 - savs, planers, shapers and sanders. Hoods for shoe machinery, auto matic lathes, drills, milling machines, and similar machinery follow the same principles, ar.d the following general directions are given* (l) always fit the hood to the dust trajectory* (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 walls. 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. Milton H. 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 dinted with talo powder in the course of preparation 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 56$ was under 5 microns* The powder consisted of 82.7$ talc, 8.7 calcium carbonate, 6.6$ magnesium car bonate, and 1*0$ moisture. Ihe conditions were comparable to Uioae found in dusty factories. Talc is one of the substances implicated in the production of pulmonary diseases, which, however, are of the non-disabling type. 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. "Te feel that perhaps many other hospitals in this country are using methods, some more primitive then others, where a potential hazard is oreated by the inhalation of talc dust which contaminates the working atmosphere. The trend of the day, based upon scientific facts and measures, is to prevent ail dusts, as well as fumes, vapors and gases, since all are dangerous." 6C0 NOTES OH AN INSTRUMENT DESIGNED TO RECORD CONTINUOUSLY THE AMOUNT OF DUST IN AIR. C.'A'.Biccard Jeppe and E.C.Halliday. J. Chem. Met. Milling Soc. S. Africa, 33, 75-80 (Aug., 1937). This instrument, developed at the University of Witwatersrand, measures atmos pheric dust while in suspension. The air is drawn through a chamber by con vection by : heating -unit. The light scattered by the suspended dust falls upon a photo-electric cell, and the current is measured by means of a TTheatstcr.e 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. 03117773 HWB8-0007856 References to Recent Literature - 4 601 NOTE ON 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 one quadrant of *ue usual 7Aiirple grid. The new eyepiece is used by the Division of Industrial hygiene of the 7.S.Public Health Service, and it is said that the results are identical with those obtained when counting one-fourth of the Whipple field. 502 DETERMINATION OF DUST IN FLOWING GASES. E.V.Yushmanov and M. Popil'skii. Zavodskaya Lab. (Russian) 5, 520-4 (1936). The gas is passed at known velocity through a small dust-trap, which is weighed before and after the experine nt. 6G3 FINE-DUST FILTER - THE PROBLEM AND ITS SOLUTION. G. Stampe, K. Grosskopf and K.F.Noellerir.g. Draeger-Hefte German) No. 1S1, 3571-82 (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 cf 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 cf specially prepared filter peper. It has an efficiency faator of 99.85?? when tested against fine stone dusx and silica dust. Riotoaicrofraphs of dust collected from the air before and after filtration are shoiro. Kiotographs of the filter and of apparatus for particle size determination are also giver.. 604 THE SILICOSIS PROBLEM AND THE NECESSITY OF RELUELE METHODS OF DOST MEASUREMENT. G.Hass. Zentrlbl. f. Geverbehyg. 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 ANIM.iL EXPERIMENTS ON PATHOLOGIC TISSUE CHANGES FOLLOWING INTRAVENOUS INJECTION 01 VARIOUS DUSTS. X.H.Stoeckel. Arch. f. Hyg. (German) 118, 111-25 (1937). Various dusts, including steel-shot, quartz, lime, Thomas slag, chamotte, quarteite and argillite, were injected in rabbits at intervals. Tissue changes in dif ferent organs are described and illustrated. Different dusts, however, never shewed a really characteristic or specific reaction. Lack of infomation on the composition of seme of the dusts and variations in average particle size limit ' the value of the results. 606 DUST AND TUBERCULOSIS. EXPERIMENTAL WORK ON THE EFFECT OF SERICITE AND GRINDING WHEEL DOST ON TUBERCULAR GUINEA PIGS. H. Selter and P. Weiland. Arch. f. Gewsr- bepath pathol. u. Gewerbehyg. 71-52 (1927). (Gerran.) The authors compared the effects of sericite end of grinding wheel duet, consist ing of steel ar.d emery dust, by exposing animals infected with virulent and weaker tubercle bacilli, to inhalation of the dusts. They found that sericite is as injurious as the grinding dust. (The abstractor points out that no com parison was ride with silica dust, and no pneumoconiosis developed, so the exper iments have no teari:`.g on the sericite question.) 0311*7774 i References to Recent Literature - 5 i*rs no rv. 607 ULTRA.''IC R0SC0FIC SILICA IX LOT'S TISSUE. 0-.il. Faber. Staug, no. 3, 372-83 c| (Oct., 19, 1936). German. The author points out some possible sources of error in determining the presences silica in portions of hardened lung by x-ray spectroscopy. The formalin used foj hardening the lung tissue ca.ises same deflection of the x-rays *.vhich rust be al-* lowed for. The x-ray speetrur. from pieces of lung was present in such exceeding!- minute particles (0.1 to 0.01 micron) as to suggest that it was in colloid form. The theory is advanced that silica beccr.es 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. 605 EXHAUST VENTILATION FOR LUST CONTROL IX ?TET ROCK DRILLING. Theodore Hatch, Liv. of Industrial Hygiene, K.Y. Stars Dept, of Labor, 30 Centre St., New York City. Ind. Bull. 1_6, 359-90 (Oct., 1937). Reprints obtainable ?t above address. The author 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 capacirv of exhaust apparatus to operate under wet conditions: (l) the wet sludge muv'.- be removed -without clogging the exhaust hood or hose; (2) the dust collector murt 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 tranr porting velocity in relation to the density and fluidity of the sludge. The equif ment tested -was entirely satisfactory in that respect, so that there wee practice.* ly no dust remaining to clog the filter. The average partidf ai8e of duat oaught on the filter was less than 1 micron, and the moisture on the filter was that ex pected from condensation alone. The devices were equipped with overflow valves, fulfilling the third requirement. The objection has been made that exhaust p.pparc tus will not collect and remove cuttings from wet rock or functiai in the er.oe of water. The tests were limited in scope and duration, and it cannct be con cluded that this type of apparatus will function under all conditions; however, the tests have demonstrated its practicability, and the method is therefore recanmended. 60S .0 NE7<' XCU2SNTS ON SILICOSIS. E. Martin. Med. du Travail 9, 149-56 (July, 1937). INQUIRY REGARDING SILICOSIS IN BELGIUM ORGANIZED BY THE INDUSTRIAL 1EDICAL SEBVTCIbid, 157-64. SILICOSIS: NEW RADIOGRAPHS AND COMENTS. M. Conrozier and J. Uagnin. Ibid, 165-209. The entire July issue of La Medecine du Travail is devoted to silicosis. Progr?Sv in silicosis prevention in France and Belgium has been retarded by the opposition of a small but powerful group of mining companies and their physicians. The fir-'t paper tells the story of the long fight in France and the progress that has beermade. The second gives 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 disease from, tuberculosis. 61: PHYSICS aND TECHNIQUE OF AIR SEPARATION. H/V.Gonell. Chem. App. 24, 193-7 (1937) >1 Tshizeesauothfodr uesxt palandinscotwhdeerpyhmysaictearliapl rbinycaipnleasirocfusrerepnatraatnindgdpesacrrtiibceledsthoef dapifpfearraetunst and its practical application. 03117775 Nw66-000/S58 % References on Recent Literature - 6 611 LAW OF SIZE IISTRI3UTION AND STATISTICAL DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULATE MATERIALS. P.S.Roller. J. Franklin Ir.st. 222, 6C9-33 (1537). 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 fror. this the frequency, to size of par ticle. The author deals with finely divided clays, litharge, silica, cement, lir.e, feldspar, talc, and the like as used in the ceramic industry. It seems probable that the method car. be aoclied to hvgier.ic problems. 612 IMPROVED METHOD FOR DETERMINING NASAL FILTRATION OF XST. G. LEHMANN, Arbeitzphysiol. , 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. 613 THE SIGNIFICANCE CF NASAL DUST FILTRATION IN ASBESTOSIS. G. Lehmann. Arbeits- physiol. 572-3 (1137), (Gerr.an.) 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 sever* 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. 614 PATHOLOGICAL AID ANATOMICAL QUESTIONS IN CASTS OF PNEUMOCONIOSIS* SEVERE ilSESTO- SIS. <V. di Biasi. Med. Welt U^, 1234-7 (1937). (German.) i The author rives a clear discussion of pathological and anatomical change* la the development of pr.eunoconiosis (silicosis) and emphasizes the fact that atiftal pneumoconiotic changes have been seen without exposure to quartz. Ia huadredf of cases ir. the Ruhr district, he has never seen connective tissue growth ia lungs completely blackened by coal dtxt unless rock dust was also present. Claims to the contrary have not been confirmed by autopsy findings. In asbestosle, the growth of diffuse connective tissue is greater in the lower pert of the lung than in the upper. The author attributes this growth to the mechanical action of as bestos . 615 DUST CONTENT 0? AN ASBESTOSIS LUNG AID THE NATURE OF ASBESTOSIS BODIES. N. Sundius and A. Sygder.. Arch.f. Gewerbepathol. u. Gewerbehyg. 8, 26-70 (1937) (German.) This long paper reports careful 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 not.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 fror. 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. 03117776 HWBS-uO078^9 References to Recent Literature - 7 616 THE RAILROAD SURGEON'S RELATION TO OCCUP.-TTCU^L 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 "occupatior.al disease." One includes any dis ease or ailment that may have its inception in the course of the occupation and may be sa'id to have had a contribution to its cause by seme 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 end 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 beer, advocated in addresses on occupational diseases ar.d 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 ?.r. extreme of precaution, and which is far werse 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 occupational disease, but sever al claims are cited in vhich 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 vjork of Dr. McCann on determination of disability, supported by Rochester manufacturers, is cited and conclusion* are quoted. Proper diagnosis is difficult, and often coiclusions based upon inad equate examine.tior. and uncertain history are accepted by the court*. The medical profession has important functions in the field of determination of industrial disease claims, ar.d should lead thought in channels founded on common **n*a and not follow those whose thinking is more social than scientific. 617 THE *.7TDER ISSUES OF HEALTH LEGISLATION IN INDUSTRY. L.P.Lockhart, R.E.Lane and E.levin. 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. 613 A STUDY OF CHRONIC CHEST DISEASES IN SKOTTS, SCOTLAND. J.A.Moore Hall. J. Ind. Kyg. IS, 506-9 (Nov., 1937). Sixty-foinr miners, suffering from chronic chest diseases, were examined, 595? 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 of myocardial decompensation was observed, ftieumoconiosis occurred in 42$ of the cases, most of which hed chronic bronchitis also. Pul monary tuberculosis, mostly of low grade, occurred in 17$. The blood sedimentationreaction 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 affeetions 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 o familial dia thesis to respiratory disease is suggested as a means of minimizing cheat affec tions in the coal mining industry. - From the author's summary. 619 INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE - ITS HISTORIC,! DEVELOPMENT AND THE MODERN CAMPAIGN. Milton K. Kroner.fcerg, ID., Chief, Division of Industrial Hygiene, Illinois State Dept, of Health, Chicago, 111. Ill* Med* 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. 03117777 References to Recent Literature - 3 s 90 The author then pleads for fuller recognition of preventive medicine in industry* better training of physicians in industrial hygiene, employment of trained en- <s gineers, cooperation of compensation boards, strong ar.d unbiased lamislation, and the establishment of industrial hygiene laboratories. eaa v cxa :* 62C EMPLOYEE EXAMINATIONS. Kart E. Fisher. Ir.d. Hed. 6, 503-6 (Sept., 1337). The author advocates pre-employment and periodical or non-periodical medical ex aminations of employees, net 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.. 621 A '"EDITA! CONTROL FLAK FOP. THE FRE7IHTI0N OF OCC'JFATIOHAL DISEASE. Robert C. Page. Ir.d. Ked. 5, *91-6 (Sept., 133"). A medical control plan necessitates an exact understanding among the various parties involved, including the employer, the.employee, the examining physicians ar.d 'he 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 d:.scussed. 622 ANNUAL REPORT OF IKE CHIEF* INSPECTOR OF FACTORIES AID WORKSHOPS FOR THE YlAR 1936. H.K. Stationery Office, London, 1337. Obtair.ao*e from British Library of Informa tion, 270 Madison Ave., Hew 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 analytic has show that the curve of accident rates is roughly parallel to the employment curve. How ever, the rate fer fatal and presumably other serious accidents shows a tendency to decline. One means of reducing accidents that should receive more attention is the safeguarding of net: rachir.ery as soon as it is installed. The acoident rate for persons under 13 is higher than for mature workers, but it is declining,"~ ar.d 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 pitch, and cutaneous cancer among cotton mule spinners have shc**n 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 i urged as a preventive measure. In sandblasting, several firms who have lately substituted steel gri1, and shot for sand and flint have now reverted to their for mer practice, and reg iatior.s controlling the use of sand are advocated. The nur. ber of voluntarily resorted cases of dermatitis is increasing* but suitable means for protection are becoming more widely teov/r.. Acne from the use of chlorinated waxes is being studied. 523 "FERMI HAL *.Y" AND CALCIUM-CHLORIDE TREAT! EH: OF HAULAGE-ROADS. B. Price. Trans. Irstn. Kir. Er.grs,, London, 5-3, 252-60 (June, 1937). The paper describes the treatment of haulage roads with the wetting agent "Fenain`Y." Or. adequately stone-dusted roads creatm.ent with water alone is satisfactory over a limited period, but has no effect on vrater deposited afterward; treatment with calcium, chloride is satisfactory, lasts longer, and a portion of the dust subsecuer.tlv deposited is taken up. On roads of this type treatment with calcium, chloride alone is as effective as when Perminal is also used. 03117778 references to Recent Literature - 3 la a z e 0 0- m k m 624 DISABLING ILLNESS AMONG TEE INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYEES IN 1936 AS C(STARED WITH EARLII YEARS. D.K.3rur*dage. U.S.Public Health Repts. 52, 1297-1303 (Sept. 17, 1937). y-s Reprints obtainable from Supt. of Documents, YfaXhington, D.C., for 6 cents, cash The sickness and nonindustrial injury rate for males in 1936 was 90.3 per 1C0C, the highest since 1932, and the rate for sickness exclusive of influenza 63.7 pe 1000, the highest for 6 years. Tuberculosis of the respiratory tract he s decree ed from 1.9 ir. 1S21 to 0.3 in 1936. The rates for women are 160$ higher than for men. 625 AIR C::T):::o:;i::0 FOR THE VENTILATION OF THE SUITE ythe. a.S.Richardson, Min. Con*. J. 23, 43-5, 55 (Oct., 1937). The paper describes the air conditioning system in use at the Butte nine 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 cod ing. That is accomplished by a special system involving sprays and cooling coils. The water delivered to the line is then cooled to 5GF. In the experimental plant, the air was often cooled by 20, and the average mine air is expected to be reduced to 75<5p, About 46$ of the dust in the air is removed on the average, and greater comfort and efficiency has been attained. 626 AIR CONDITIONING OF THE MAGMA MINE. William Koernes and C.B.Foraker. Mining Cong. J. 23, 21-3 (Nov., 1937). REMARKS ON AIR CONDITIONING FOR MINES. J.*. Kooistra. Ibid., 23-5 These papers vrere contributed to the discussion to the preceding one. The general manager and the ventilating engineer of the Magma Copper Co. describe the recent installation of air conditioning in the Magma mine at Superior, Aris, -where a mere 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 neoessary. The refrigerant is monofluor-trichlorooethane, a liquid at ordinary temperature, non toxic and non-combustible. The problems of sufficient water supply, temperature _< of the underground water and the distance from its source to its place of use and how they were solved, are discussed. All the water produced in the mine is used, and an additional shaft was necessary to bring it to the surface. No data can be given as yet or* economics of operation, as the s-vatem has been in operation only a few weeks, but the early results are 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 8one." 627 HYGIENIC AIR HEEDS IN THE VENTILATION OF WORK PLACES. If. Lisse. Geeundh. lag. 60, no. 24, 374-80 (1937). (German.) The entire number of periodical is devoted to stressing the aignifieaaee 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 dom by American in dustrial hygienists. Papers follow dealing with various measurements and stand ards relating to air conditioning. 03117779 h | t 000786? References tc Recent Literature - 10 S2S PHYSICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PRINCIFIES OF AIR CCTDIIICNING. 105, 945-50 (Sept., 18, 1937). II C.p. Yaglcu. J.A. The general objectives of air conditioning for summer ar.d 'winter are outlined.S experiments on summer cooling show that the shock from overcooling experienced sensitive persons can be avoided and at the same tins all occupants car. be com fortable. Additional experiments on drafts and their effects are mentioned. VENTILATION NOMOGRAMS. R. McAdan. Colliery Guardian 154, 735-6 (April 16, 1937). J. Cher.. Tec. Min. Soc. So. Africa, 36, 50-2 (July, 1937). Four nomographs are presented, furnishing a ready means of automatically sclvir.z 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. (I) Papers on Industrial Poisons, Cancer, Dermatitis, etc. 63C THE GRLAT PROBLEMS OF MODERN INDUSTRIAL TOXICOLOGY. F. Flury. Arbeitsschutz, $ 199-200 (1937). (German.) A brief discussion of the chief problems ir. toxicology is presented. New chemical, are offered daily whose names give no hint of their contents; declaration of con '0 tents should be compulsory. There are also complicated injuries, not only from the combined action of different toxic agents, but also from the combination of poisons ar.d alcoholic drinks. Other difficulties lie in the increasing chemical treatment of foods and the misuse of medicines. The study of these problem* must include refinement of methods, ascertainment of norms, and disoovery of the af fect of poisons on the young, and of the relation between poisoni^C and inherit* ance. Purification of air must be sought not only for workplaces but also in the streets. .1 631 PREVENTION AID TSEATtlSKT OF DISEASES IN THE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY. V. Dafelice. Semana Med. (Spanish) 44, 1689-31 (1537). The most common occupational diseases ir. the petroleum, industry are skin disor ders? and there are cases of gastric symptcr.s and blood conditions associated with hemolysis. Prevention comprises regular medioal inspection of the workers, careful personal hygiene, use of protective gloves, and application of glycerin* CLINICAL ASPECTS OF LEAD POISONING. Thomas A.Johnson..Fenna fed. J. 40 741-4 (1937). Studies in a lead coating plant led to the detection of 94 cases of lead poison \ tinog leinad75fu5meems.ploTyheeesb, looofdwhsotmu.d2ie8s2 wleedre toexpthoesedcocnocnlusstiaonntlythaantda27s3afeintcerrim ticitatel ntly level is 4;: of reticulocytes of 0.2^ of stippled cells, or ^oth. 633 COMPARISON OF PUNCTATE EASOFKILIA .I'D RATIO OF LARGE TO SMALL LYMPHOCYTES IN vr i THE DL.GNOSIS ..ND PREVENTION OF LEAD POISONING. D.O.Shiels. Med. J. Australia, 'k, 1^, 535-45 (Apr. 10, 1937). / y The 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 pressions of the clinical condition, and may even rise as the petient improves. The ratio of large to small lymphocytes is more closely correlated with the clinical condition than is stippling. Correlation of a vast aaowt of data shows that it is inadvisable to adjudge the severity of cases by laboratory standards alone. Evidence of lead poisor.i-.g -with disability is to be expected when the laboratory data show: (a) total stippled count 25,000; (b) coarsely stippled cell count i,CCC; (c) ratio of large to small lymphoid cells, less than 1.5; (d) concentration of lead in urine, C.15 mg. per liter and over; (e) coarsely stippled cell count divided by the ratio of large to small lymphocytes, 800. 03117780 HiilfB-0007863 References to Recent Literature - 11 634 PATHOLOGY ATTD THERAPY OF IEAD ANEMIA. (German) 57, 283-95 (1937). R. ELima and H. Seyfried. Folia hematol. 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 case by sternal puncture. Erythropoises is greatly increased, and a lively action o the bone marrow is observed in a few days. The erythropoiesis remains high for a few weeks and then falls gradually at which point exhaustion begins. Finally red narrow is converted into a kind of gelatinous or fatty marrow. Temporarily stippled cells are present, but not in all cases. Probably the lead in the blood stream acts cn 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 chronic lead poisoning does no good, although it may be of some value in acute cases. 535 SPINAL INJURIES FRO!' LEAD A2TD THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SPINAL FLUID LEAD DETERMINATION IN RECOGNIZING LE-O DAMAGE OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. F. Duensing. Deutach Ztschs, f. Nervenheilk, 143, 297-305 (1937). n case 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 ec. tut only 72.2 in the blood, indicating spinal lead injury. In another ease, that of a painter, the amount in the spinal fluid was 493 micrograms per 100 oe. Other cases in the literature are mentioned, and all point to the necessity ot determining leed in the spinal fluid. 636 SULFUR THERAPY OF CHRONIC LEAD POISONING AND URINARY IEAD ELIMINATION. G. labatine, F. Molfino and M. Mazzantini. 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 cases of chronic lead poisoning is followed by a decrease in urinary lead and diuresis and that the patients show a rapid improvement in general condition and a progressive dimillirtion in clinioal symptoms. 637 LEAD MOBILIZATION *SD MINERAL METABOLISM IN LEAD POISONED K1RSONS. F. Schmitt and H. Taeger. Ztschr. f. exp. Med. 10, 21-41 (1937) (German). The authors studied variations in daily lead elimination and lead in blood in two lead poisoned persons, in order to determine fixation or mobilisation of lead during various methods of treateent. In agreement with other workers, they found increased lead elimination or mobilization following adid 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 ealcium, phosphate and gluconate. (This conclusion is questioned by the abstractor on the ground that a larger number of cases should be studied.) 636 V.a-.T LEaD CONTENT IN CHEMICAL BLOOD EXAMIN.TIONS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS PATH OLOGIC? *?. Ehrhardt. Ztschr. f. aertyl. Fortbild. (German) 34, 436 (1937). Lead contents of 0.0C5 to 0,01 mg. per 100 cc. of blood are Tound in normal per sons, while ir. lead poisoning they are 0.07 to 1 mg. The evaluation of blood lead must be considered in relation to other findings. 03117781 0^86^0007864 references tc recent Literature - 12 53S OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIMENTS ON MERCURY POISONING IN THE LABORATORY. E. Hohwi Christensen, 11. Krogh and M. Nielsen Skand. Arch. f. Physiol. 75, 273-8 (1937). (German). Also brief account in Nature 139, 526-7 (1937). In the course of experiments on the effect of increased carbon dioxide content o 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 ceptacle to the table ar.d floor. The conditions of the experiment contributed to the maximum effect cf the small amount of mercury. Similar effects were found in animal experiments. This occurrence calls attention to the care needed in breath ing experiments. S4C ACVTE MERCURIAL POISONING. Jarrett E. Vfilliams and C.F.N. Schram. Ir.d. Med. 6 490-1 (Sept., 1937). " A few workmen were engaged for several davs in removing mercury seals from stills. In the course of sevecal years, small quantities of mercury had been spilled from, time to time upon the lids of the stills end some of it had been painted over. Holes were cut through the lids by means of an acetylene torch, and although the visible mercury had been removed, and only the odor of paint fumes could be de tected, several men developed cases of acute mercury poisoning. Apparently all the trouble arose during the first day's work, when the ventilation was insuffi '0 cient. Symptoms are described. All the patients recovered, but the occurrence is reported to shew the necessity of extreme care in situations in which mercury vapor may be present. 641 ZINC FEVER. PROPHYLACTIC RESULTS. H.S.Natvig Fidssla*. f. d. Norske Laegeforening (Norwegian) 7, 456-63 (1937). Cases of zinc fever, often recurrent, were observed in over 100 worker* in brass foundries ar.d other workshops where zinc is fused with copper. The dieeeee is transitory and comparatively harmless but disagreeable. It is caused by the in halation of very fine particles of zinc oxide formed from the zinc vapor which is given off in large quantities when molten zinc and copper are mixed. The parti cles are sufficiently small to enter the alveoli. No fixed ventilation system or respirstcr was found adequate. A movable device was contrived, equipped with a funnel-shaped opening and forced draft for removing the zinc vapor at its point of generation. No case of zinc fever has been found where it was in use. 642 CHRONIC ARSENIC POISONING AN OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE, NOT AN OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENT. J.A.? .A. (medicolegal abstracts) 109, 388 (July 31, 1937. The Oregon state supreme court ruled that a case of arsenic poisoning of the hand from peeling sprayed fruits was ar. occupational disease, which is not compensable, and not an accident. 643 EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON THE EFIECT OF ARSENIC ON THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM. D. 3ertschinger. Folia hematol. 5_7, 194-205 (1937) (German). A daily dose of 1 cc. of 1% solution of arsenic acid, given a rabbit for 38 days, produced a fall in leucocytes after each dose, rising to almost normal before the next injection. A slow steady decrease was also noted. *ith greater doees a rap: lymphopenia set in. Another experiment indicated that the cause is not injury to lymph tissue but rather destruction of lymphocytes outside the lymphatic tissue. 03117782 References to Recent Literature - i3 IT' 644 CHROMIC ARSINE POISONING. K. Kiese. Arch. f. exp. Pathol. u.Ftoaraakol* 136. 337* 76 (1937) (Gertr.an). _ Animals were subjected one hour daily, over a period of several weeks to quantiJ ties of arair.e of 4 to 50 nicrogram.s of arsir.e per liter of air. Twice the :.as imum quantity produced subacute poisoning in a week. As in acute poisoning, th blood was most affected, especially in fall of erythrocyte count and hemoglooinJC Active regeneration was seen at first, but it disappeared later and a stationary state of anemia was reached. Yiher. exposure ceased, blood recovery took place mcr* slowly than th\;t of the general condition. Ir. autopsies, much iron pigment ard the largest quar.ti-ies of arsenic were found in the spleen, liver and ccr.e marrow. 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 dehorn. 645 USE OR PROTECTOR LIQUIDS iy CHROMIUM PLATING. P. I. Verkhovskaia. Gigier.a truda no. 2, 33-6 (1937) (Russian.) A layer of kerosene 10 mm thick over the plating solution was 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 protector liquid -was used. 646 PROTECTOR LIQUID IN ELECTROLYTIC CHROMIUM PLATING. E. I. Shaverdova. Gig Iona truda, no. 1, 89-91 (1937). fruesitn). The plating solution was covered by a layer, 20 mm. thick, of petroleum, to which had been added 125 cc. of sulfuric acid, 10 g. of bichromate and 250 cc of water per liter of petroleum. Practically no vapor escaped from the vata and the proc ess was not disturbed. NEW DATA ON THE TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF AIR. E. Eohn-Abrest. Rev, ohia. ind. (French) 46, 2-14, 40-45, 66-70 (1937). A general pacer describing the determination of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxice, carbonaceous gases, alkyl halogens, hydrogen sulfide, arsine, phosphine, hyd'egzu cyanide, nitrogen oxides, benzene and solid and finely divided liquid particles ' 4 643 THE DETERMINATION OF ATMOSPHERIC CONTAMINANTS. I. OBGANIG HAOLGEN COMPOUNDS. Hervey 3. Elkins, Amos E. Hobby and James E. Fuller, Division of Occupational Hygiene, .Massachusetts Department of Labor ar.d Industries, Boston, Mass* J. Ind. Hyg. i_9, 474-85 (Nov., 1937) Reprints obtainable from oenior author. The paper describes a chemical method for the determination of organic haloger. vapors and dusts in the atmosphere. The vapors of volatile liquids are absorbed ir. 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 zation, by a Mohr titration. Trial and consideration of the properties of sol vents led to the selection of amyl acetate as the most suitable- The absorber1 consisted of 5 inclined tubes in one piece. The method was shown to be satis factory for 8 chlorine compounds of industrial importance. It is shown theoret ically that the volume of air that can be sampled successfully is inversely pro portional to the vapor cressure 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 tetrachloride. Comparison with the activated charcoal method shewed 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-boilir.g compounds in mixtures can be determined separately by the absorption method. 03117783 SifeB-HSb/866 Preferences to Recent Literature - 14 649 MOTE ON TEE STUDY OF DECOMPOSITION BY HEAT OF HYDROCARBONS , ESPECIALLY CHLORIMA HYDROCARBONS, MIXED VfITH AIR. E. Kohn-Abrest and Mafi. Ann. d'Kyg., put. 15 373-84 (1937) (French.) The authors describe a process by vhich quantities of chloroform., triohlorethyl carton tetrachloride and tetrachlorethane, far below the danger lir.it, can be d tected. In ccr.bustion, free chlorine and carbon dioxide develop only if r.ore than 4 to 12 mg. per liter of the chlorinated hydrocarbons are present, depending upon the substance. In concentrations up to IOC mg. per 1., the production of phosgene cannot be detected. Detection of these substances in organs is also described. 650 CAUSATIVE INFLUENCES AID CLINICAL TYPES OF POISONING BY CARBON TETRACHLORIDE. THE 1LDIC0-LEGAL VI-T.VPOINT. Dervillee. J. Med. de Bordeaux 114, 557-82 (1537) (French The properties and uses of carbon tetrachloride are first described. The results of poisoning are variable, as individual susceptibilities vary greatly. It nay affect the brain, the liver and kidneys, the kidneys alone, the lungs or the skin Details are given of cases falling 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 olose 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 AMD VENOUS LIFEMIA IN EXHIRIl'EMTAL CARSON TETRACHLORIDE POISONING. G.G. Zolezza. 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 TRICHLOKETHYLENE. 7,m. D. McNally. Ind. Ned. 6, 539-44 (Oct., 1937). <C : The paper is devoted mainly"to the toxicity of trichlorethylene itself. It is quit stable at ordinary temperatures and the commercial product does not decompose to yield hydrochloric acid, because a small quantity of al^li is added as a stabi lizer. However, when it canes in contact with heated metal, gas flames or burnir*. tobacco, 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 most of the cases of poisoning result from ths . inhalation of the vapor. It is somewhat less toxic than most of the other chlo 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 face 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. 553 SERVE INJURIES (NEURITIS ISCHLATICA, TRAUMATIC EPILEPSY) AFTER ACUTE BENZINE POIS 0NINC-. 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 symptoms. The injuries cannot be definitely attributed to the benzine alone, as the exact composition of the gases was unknar 03117784 References to Recent Literature - 15 654 A STUDY OF SENZOL POISONING. Carlos E. Fallon. Ind. Med. 6, 560-2 (Oct., 1937). The symptoms and progress of 3 fatal cases of benzol poisoning in a leather fac tory -under the author's observation are given detail, as are also the results o blood counts on a number of employees. The method of urir.e sulfate determir.ati and the decrease in the number of white blood cells are good indications of ear stages of poisoning. 655 ACUTE POISONING 7TI7H A NZ.7 MOTOR FUEL (LIQUID PROFANE GAS). CLINICaL INVESTIGATIOUS a''D ANIMAL EXFERIIZNTS. H.J.V.'olf and r.Menne. Arch. f. exp. Pathol, u. Fharmakol. (Germer.) 186, 7S-S8 (1537). This gas contains mainly propane, with some butane ar.d olefine. A driver who had inhaled some of the gas developed symptoms which can be divided into 2 groups: narcosis 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 de fine content of the gas varies v/idely. 656 THE DETERMINATION OF CARBON DISULFIDE IN ELOOD. J. Roberts Harrower and Frank H. Tfiley, Haskell Lab. of Industrial Toxicology, TTilmington, Del. J. Ind. Hyg., 19, 0 466-90 (Nov., 1937). Reprints probably obtainable at that addrese. A micro-apparatus is described which permits the determination of carbon disulfide in minute amounts through its conversion to the potassium ethyl xanthate hy the action of alcoholic potassium hydroxide and the subsequent oxidation of the xar.tl- ate to dixanthate by titration with iodine. Carbon disulfide has been estimated with a fair 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 summarv. 657 THE SYMPTOMATOLOGY OF CHRONIC POISONING Y.rITH OXIDES OF NITROGEN. N.A.VigdortschM and others. J. Ind. Hyg., _1, 469-73 (Nov., 1937). No reprints. An investigation was made of 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 belcra 0.005 mg. per liter (about 1.5 parts per million) - a figure that is generally considered safe - ar.d periods of exposure varied frcnt 3 to 5 years. A large num ber of tests 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 a table under the headings of authentio symptoms and probable symptoms according to the degree of correlation obtained. The authentic symptoms include wearing down of teeth, inflamed mucosa of the gvana, emphysema of the lungs, tuberculosis, hypotonia, bradycardia, and in the blood, high hemoglobin content, large numbers of erythrocytes, increased vital granula tion, marked basophilic granulation, increase in maximum resistance of erythro cytes, accelerated agglutination of blood, reduced catalase index, reduced re serve alkalinity, decreased sugsr content, and lability of the sugar curve. The probable syr.otoms include carious decay of teeth, disturbed gastrio secretion, chronic bronchitis, cardiovascular neurosis, and in the blood, moderate leucopenia, moderate lymphocytosis, increase in minimum resistance of erythrocytes, d 1 vyed reaction to their precipitation and increased content of bilirubin* The re lation of these symptoms to the poisoning is discussed; some follow indirectly a: the result of other symptoms. The results were checked by a study of 5 men who hed left the hazardous occupations; in all cases a definite tendency of the blooc to return to its normal composition was observed. The necessity of further work is emphasized. 03117785 References to Recen. i.: terature K M S 6 -()ife 7 8 6 8 58 SYMPTOMATOLOGY AllD PATHOGENESIS OF SC IE POISONINGS. 0. Roth. Schweizer. '-Vchr.schr. 7, 533-6 (1937). (German.) The author reports cases of poisoning in which there were some peculiar reactio In one apparently light nitrous gas poisoning the patient developed ar. attack o cramps which returned repeatedly in the following years. The cramps v/ere found to follow hyperventilation or dyspnea, and the nitrous poisoning seemed to have cleared the way for this reflex. Another case was that of asthmatic outbreaks caused cy welding, ar.d m another bromethyl possibly contributed to development of polyvalent bronchial asthr*. 559 CLINICAL ASPECTS Or NITRONS GAS POISONING. 33C-2 (1937). Holland. Med. Klin. (German) 33, The author reports a case of moderately severe poisoning. In 15 hours after ex posure, ar. x-ray shewed both lung fields covered with countless mottled shadows of various sizes which were confluent in the basal region. Lr. 8 days the shadows had disappeared, as did also the pains. Eight months later there was an increase m erythrocytes and in the hemoglobin. Similar changes have been found in other cases. 66C NOTE ON THE DECREE 0? 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 lur.r edema in autogenous welding presented great difficulty to the authorities, ar.d was finally decided as being a fatal accident from "phosphorous and hydrogen sulfide and irreparable gases." 661 TOXICITY OF VARNISH FOR BEER BARRELS. J.A.M.A. 109, 454 (Aug. 7# 1937). In reply to a letter reporting a case of poisoning of a wcrlonan 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 aros-e 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. Ghezti. Med. lavora (Italian) 7, 225-49 (1936). Rabbits v/ere intoxicated progressively by acetone-. Loss in weight took plaoe, in some cases to or.e-third the original weight. Some subjects 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, hyperglucemia ar.d increase in the urobilin in the urine. 663 PROTECTION AGAINST MINE GASES. J.J.Forbes and G.V.UGrove. Miners' Circular 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 circulars 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) erec tion of barricades; (2) the carbon monoxide self-rescue respirator; (3) gas masks for protection against sases, smokes and vapors; (4) self-contained oxygen breath ing apparatus, ar.d (5) hese masks. The discussion of barricades includes recom mendations for their constriction, 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 the various protective devices are described 03117786 H U B B -am irM ? references to Recent Lite rature - i *? ir. detail. A chapter on treatment for gas poisoning or asphyxiation concludes t paper. The recommended forms of treatment include several manual methods of ar tifioial respiration and oxygen breathing apparatus. Mechanical devices such a the pulmotor are not recommended for use by laymen. 664 LOSS OF MEMORY FROM GAS POISONIM-G: A MAM "'IT-OUT THE 125'ORY. G. Stoerring. Zcschr..f* d. ges, Menrol. u. Psychiat. 155, 420-1 (1937) (German.) A sound film, illustrates a case of loss of memory caused by severe gas poisoning at an over.. The man was able to remember experiences for about one second. 0h?0: :: a; eaust gas poison: ir/rSIIGATTOMS UITH A DIESEL MO TOG. M. Schr.idtr.ann. Arch. f. Gewerbepethol. u. Oewerbehyg. 1-13 (1S37) (German). Experiments on rabbit: showed that ar.thracosis results from inhalation of ex haust gases from Diesel motors. Two remarkable observations are that lymph in filtration ar.d 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 pert of petroleum or the heavy oil of coal cr pyrolusite tar boiling at around 300C* 666 BLOOD PRESSURE RESPONSES TO ACUTE CARBON MONOXIDE-POISONING. W. R. Brewer. Am. J. Biysiol. 120, 91-9 (Sept. 1, 1937). Animals given mixtures of carbon monoxide and oxygen do not respond by a rise in blood pressure, which 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 CHRCMOSMON STUDIES. I. ACTION OF EKTEYLENS BLUE-GLUCOSE ( CHROUOS1IOX) ON CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING IN ANIMAL RESEARCH. A. Strum and H. Wohlfahat. Aroh. f. exp. Pathol, u. Fharnakol. (German) 186, 294-302 (193?). II. ACTION OF METHYLENE BUI GLUCOSE (CHROMCSMOM) ON ANIMALS POISONED EXPERT ENTALLY 7.1TH CYANIDE. A. Strum and Z. Parser. Ibid. 303-5. III. C.'.N 5ETHYLENE BLUE (CHROMOSMOM) POFM 1ETHEM0GL03IN IN "2 LIVING ORGANISM. A. Strum and *Y. Franke. Ibid., 306-12. The results of three series of experiments reported indicate that chrontoamom is a specific antidote against cyanide poisoning and non-specific although effectiv in carbon monoxide poisoning. It causes no noteworthy increase in emthemoglobin and tissue respiration is definitely not endangered by its use. 66S FIRST INTERNATIONAL SESSION ON THE' PATKOLOC-Y AND ORGANIZATION OF '-YORK, PARIS. JUNE 2-6, 1937. Ann. d* Hyg. pub. (French) 1, 413-24 (1937); also in J.A.M.A. (Paris Letter) 109, 722-3 (Aug. 23, 1937). 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 TEE EFFECTS OF ASPHYXIATING GASES ON THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM. S. Blackmore and others. Proc. Roy. Soc. Med. _3<j, 1033-8 (July, 1937). This is a general discussion of the effects of war gases - phosgene, chlorine and mustard gas - ar.d includes etiology, pathology and treateent. In anoxemia oxygen should be administered es soon as possible and maintained until the pa tient can do without it for 5 minutes without clinical retrogression. Bleeding is an accessorv treatment of great value. There is much difference of opinion on the value cf infusion of saline, glucose, etc. 03117757 /I .< - References to Recent Literature - 15 670 FIXATION OF SULFUR FROM SMELTER SMOKE. R.S.Dean. U.S.Bur. Mines, Rept. Ir.vestig tior.s no* 3339 (May, 1937). Obtainable from Division of information, U.S.Bureau of Mines, Washington, D.C. i The problem of prevention of damage to plant and animal life by sulfur dioxide / 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 sulfu , dioxide to a disposable liquid or solid compound. The first method seems like! to remain the most generally applicable ar.d satisfactory for many years. The second awaits development of an economically practical method ofrecoverir.g el ementary sulfur. The present report includes a study of the progress made in thi direction here sr.d 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 ar.d 'water vapor to smelter gases to precipitate ammonium sulfite particles and (3) absorption of sulfur di oxide by aeneous diethylene triamine solutions. 671 INVESTIGATION OF ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION, REPORT ON OBSERVATIONS IN THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1S36. Dept. Scientific and Industrial Research, H.M.Stationery Office.. London, 1937. Price 6 s. Obtainable from British Library of Information, 270 Madison Ave., New York. A review of observations in Great Britain for the pest 20 years indicates that the smoke abatement movement has 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 whioh re cords the frequency of winds from each of eight 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 discussion 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.Satanson and D.P. Vinogorow. Viestnik Opht. 10, pt. 2, 280 (1937). (Russian). A study of 244 welders shows that no serious or permanent ocular inflammations or deleterious effect on visual acuity or visual fields are produoed by welding. However, chronic electric oothalmias are frequent, and corneal sensitivity is considerably reduced. The probable causes are light, flying particle* of metal and chemical vapors. Lenticular opacities are not attributable to this occupation 673 EXPERIMENTS ON A PHYSICAL QUALIFICATION TEST TOR 'YORK WITH X-RAYS. M. Sgalitzer and E. Unger. Strahlentherap. (German) 58, 701-9 (1937). There are great individual differences in radiation sensitivity of the bloodforming organs, and physical tests should be made to determine sensitivity. The leucooyte6 should be counted before exposure and on the 11th and 14th days after exposure. 674 INDUSTRIAL RADIUM DAMAGE. L. Teleky. Wien. klin. 7-chrschr. (German) 50, 613-23 (1937). A review of industrial injury from radium, as observed in clinics, in industries producing ar.d 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, ar.d tumors after long exposure or latent period. Bron chial cancer results from inhalatior, and bone sarcome from absorption from the digestive tract. 0311*7788 WBBS0007f/0 /T?\ i x - References to Recent Literature - 13 675 CLINICAL ASRCTS ANN THERAPY OF INDUSTRIAL X-RAY D^JLwE. F.F.Freund. Strahlentherap.(Proc. 1st Congress of the Austrian X-ray Society in Vienna) (German) 56, 94-6 (1937). Vfe have no information on this taper except that it is a general review. 676 MEASUREMENTS OF RADIATION PROTECTION. K.G. Diimner. Strahlentherapie 59, 671-9 (13 X-rays and gamma rays cause cell injury which is transmitted to the next genera tion 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. Condens..ion icnozation 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 cf 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 RAYS. 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 seo. is not applicable. The author recommends compulsory reporting on the part of fao* tories, measurement of radiation and medical supervision of workers, inciting total and differential white blood corpuscle counts at intervals. f 67S EXPOSURE TO X-RAY IN INDUSTRY. REPORT OF A CASE. J.M. Kronenberg and Halter Shriner. Ind. Med. 6, 532-3 (Oct., 1937). A fluoroscope 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 care an employer must use to protect himself from possible suits. 679 MEASUREMENT OF RADIATION OF PERSONNEL IN RADIOLOGIC WORE AND PROTECTIVE MEASURE MENT AGAINST GAMMA RAYS. A. Feller and Langer. Acta Radiol. 18, 546-51 (Aug. 31, 1937) (Swedish). A case in which a surgeon and his staff were found affected by radiation is re ported. The measured quantity of radiation showed it to be fir 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. 660 AN ATTEMPT TO INHIBIT THE DEVELOPMENT OF TAR-CARCINOMA IN MICE. J.R.Davidson. Can. Med. Assoc. J. 37, 434-40 (Nov., 1937). As the result of 6 years* 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 now used wiil ce sufficient or will have to be increased with age, and will permit determination of the tumor threshold in the animals with low vitamin diet. 03117789 HWBBr0007871 References to Recent Literature - 2C HHS^-d0|7872 68: CANCER Or THE LUNG* A CRITICAL SURVEY OF 100 CASES. C.Harvey. Med. J. Australia 1_, 5c5-72 (1536). Abstracted in An# J. Cancer. A survey of ICO cases of cancer from 1910 to 1935 seems to indicate that there been sons real increase in the incidence of the disease. Over half occurred be tween the agea of 41 and 60. An occupational influence is suggested by the larg percentage of patients (38$) exposed to noxious inhalatory stimuli and of those engaged in out-of-door pursuits (25#)* 682 INDUSTRIAL DERMATITIS AND ITS PREVENTION. Louis Schwartz, IX, Medical Director, Dermatoses Investigations, U.3.Public Health Service. Nat. Safety News 36, 34-6 (Nov., 1937); Safety Eng. _74, 7-10 (Nov., 1937). This paper is a brief review of the subject of industrial dermatitis. There are r^ at least 2C,CC0 cases of occupational skin diseases annually in the United States, of sufficient severity to lose time from work, and about 65$ 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 ia is laid on prevention, including cleanliness, the use of carefully selected pro tective ointments as a temporary measure, and pre-employment examinations. Treat ment without cessation of work is recommended 7/hen the case is not too severe. Proper legislation is advocated, and factory inspection by insurance carriers, in addition to complete reports of all cases is urged. (Reprints fc<e probably not obtainable, but the two Bulletins next mentioned are recommended for a fuller knowledge of the subject.) 633 SKIN HAZARDS IN AMERICAN INDUSTRY. Fart I. Louis Schwartz, U.S.PublU Health Bull no. 215/ Obtainable from the Superintendent of Document, Washington, D.C. for 15 cents, cash. This bulletin was originally issued in 1934, but has been reprinted and is now /i available. Each of a 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, syllihetic dye manufac ture, candy making, silk, linseed oil, manufacturing, perfiaae and insecticides. 684 SKIN HAZARDS IN AMERICAN INDUSTRY. Fart II. Louis Schwarts. U.S.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 foll^ring 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 zinc chloride. 685 DERMATITIS AMONG A GROUP OF OFFICE '.YORKERS 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, DT7., for 5 cents, cash. A supposed outbreak of occupational dermatitis among a group of 750 office werkers was investigated, and from a study of the cases and of the work processes and from, the results of patch tests performed with the material* handled it was fouzMI that the skir. diseases were of various kinds and were not of occupational . origin. 03117790 References to Recent Literature - 21 In an investigation of 12 kinds of carbon papers and of a factory where carbm ^ papers, typewriter ribbons, hectograph ribbons and hectograph inks are nade no r%. cases of occupational dermatoses were found. Before a diagnosis of occupational dermatitis is made in an office worker, the physician should obtain an accurate clinical history, should study at first hand the actual work performed, and shoufcfc make patch tests with the substances handled by the worker. If he neglects to this, he may cause unjustified alarm among the workers and unnecessarily disrupt the business of the office. Proved cases of occupational dermatitis from carbon paper and carbon copies are exceedingly rate. - From the author's summary. 636 TORCH OIL DERMATITIS. Adoiph G. Hammer and Richard H. Callahan. J.A.M.A. 109, 1511-? (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 dermatitis was seen in workers who did not also have interdigital epidermomycosia of the feet. The therapeutic measures usually applied to fungous infections were success 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 almcst universally among workers at the present time. 687 INFECTIVE WARTS IN WORKERS USING BONE-GLUE. A.I.G.McLaughlin and J.W.Ediagton. Lancet 233, 685-6 (Sept. 18, 1937). f An outbreak of warts, mainly on the back of the hands and fingers, oceurr^l among workers in a cardboard-box fectory. All those affected came in oontaot with bone* glue. The warts were of an infective variety, but the glue was found from the virus, and was also heated above the lethal temperature for the rims* How ever, the glue was used after cooling, aid the fingers and knuckles ware constant ly covered by the glue. It developed that the infection was originally introduce-: by some girl who had become infected outside the factory, ard the infection spreac through contact with the glue pots. The outbreak ceased on elimination of the infection 688 STUDIES ON THE SENSITIZATION OF ANL'ALS WITH SIMPLE CHEMICAL COMFWJNDS. IV. AN APHYLAXIS INDUCED BY PICRYL CHORIDE AND 2:4 DINITROCELORBENZENE. K. Landateiner and M.7.;.Chase. <J. Exp. Med. , 337-51 (Sept., 1937). These substances produce contact dermatitis in man, and it is possible to induce true anaphylactic sensitization in guinea pigs by intravenous injection of protei: conjugates and by the Dale technic. 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. 21-6 (1937) (German). The method involves the use of the Pulfrich photometer with mercury vapor light and a passing filter. Carbon monoxide hemoglobin quantities of about 2% can be measured and gradations of 0.5s? are recognizable. Only 0*1 oc. of blood is necessary, and only 8 ainu-'s are required. References to Recent Literature - 22 ^ r- 690 TURKNTINE ECZEMA IN SWEDISH PAINTERS. E. Thrysin. Hygeia (Swedish) 99, 268-87 " (1937). -- g In order to solve the problem of turpentine eczema in painters it is first nec- essary to determine what constituent of turpentine is responsible, ar.d the authfi analyzed a number of preparations sold as oil of turpentine. There are 5 class* of "turpentine":'(l) 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 ir. the fourth class are fradulentiy 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, 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 involve* the solvent paved the way for the injurious priming dye. No remits 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, SFORT, ACCORDING TO SEASON AND FROM COSMETIC!, IN CLUDING A SUPPLE!,ENT OF FIRST AID IN SUDDEN SKIN INJURY. M. Oppe&heim. flea, ned. Nchnschr. 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 disease* 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. 1, 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* 694 ACTION OF HYDROFLUORIC ACID ON THE SKIN. H. Scheuermann. Dermatol, frchnschr. 104, 661-7 (1937). (German.) A case of action of hydrofluoric acid on the skin is reported in which a 2-minute exposure to the vapor caused severe disturbance of 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. the 5th to 6th days. 695 BLOOD VESSEL DAMAGE FROM PROLONGED VIBRATION OF COMPRESSED AIR TOOLS AS AN IN DUSTRIAL DISEASE. H. Junghans. Arch. f. klin. Chir. (German) 188, 466-79 (1937). Little nodules found on the forearm of a castings polisher showed changes that resembled those seen in Buerger's thrcanbangitis obliterans, and produced by pro longed vibration. The author suggests compensation of this as an industrial disease. 03117792 HWBB-OO0/87S References to Recent Literature - 23 696 JOINT INJURY FROM WORX WITH PNEUMATIC TOOLS. Rostock. Fortschr. a. d. Geb. d. Roentgenstrahl. (German) 5^, 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 -y the vibrationThey can also be caused by other hard work. The author gives some idea of the relative frequency of the condition. 697 MIHIMUM-Y.'AGE LEGISLATION IN THE UNITED STATES AS 0? JULY 1, 1937. U.S.Monthly Labor Rev. 45. 361-93 (Aug., 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 law 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. Nw in addition to the 22 States, minimum-vage lav/s are also in ef:ect in Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. The article includes the principal provisions of all the minimum-wage laws in effect in 1937. 03117793