Document 9J8eoaKrNkMzLXvNkevpm2BE6

Abstracts from Current Literature General Industrial Sporotrichosis. L. Tulipan and E. Muskatblit, Compens. Med. 3:36 (June) 1950. The case reported is the second in New York state since the inception of the compensation law. Trichosis is contracted mostly by agricultural workers, gardeners, florists, berry pickers and workmen in grain mills, elevators, etc. The case reported concerns a sewer digger. There was quick response to combined aureomycin and potassium iodide. What part the aureomycin played is not known. Indust. Hyc Dicest Industrial Hygiene. Industrial Hygiene Foundation, H. H. Schrenk, research director, Indust. & Engin. Chem. 42:81A (Oct.) 1950. Selection of Divers. C. N. G. Aldao, Med. depor. y trab. 15:3390 (June) 1950. The plan for selection of divers suggested by Aldao includes examination of the physical and practical aptitude of candidates, classification of tasks, periodical examinations of divers and hygiene and diet. Special attention is given to susceptibility of candidates to "caissons disease," mental capacity, alertness, and psychic and neuromuscular reactions of candidates when these are subjected to tests with decompressed air. Mental Hygiene in Industry: Results and Possibilities. R. K. Jech, Wein. Ztschr. f. Nervenh. 3:70 (May) 1950. According to Jech, mental hygiene in industry comprises psychopathology applied in a social sense, applied psychiatry and practical psychology, which likewise should be applied in a social sense. The purpose of mental hygiene in industry is the curative treatment of established mental disturbances and the prophylaxis of additional mental trauma. Mental hygiene has-to do more with environmental prophylaxis than with hereditary prophylaxis. Trauma results from mild, often subliminal, insults, which exert a cumulative effect because of their repeated occurrence or permanent duration, rather than from severe insults. Work becomes meaningless with pro gressive division, of labor. Creative impulses may no longer be elicited. Mental hygiene was practiced in two textile plants by a team consisting of the author as industrial psychiatrist, a psychologist and a social worker. The author made himself acquainted with the work done in the various work shops at great heat combined with 70 per cent humidity (required by the process of production) before he opend his psychiatric consultation office. One hundred and thirteen persons, 28 men and 85 women, submitted to psychiatric examination. Thirty-four had depressions, 13 had hyperthyroidism, 25 had neuroses and 4 were epileptics. The main symptoms observed were sweating, palpitation of the heart, agitation, anxiety and head ache. Psychotherapy was combined with administration of sedatives and drugs having a specific effect on the neurovegetative system, such as ergotamine preparations. Highly satisfactory results were obtained in neurotic headache. Hydantoin derivatives proved effective in preventing epilep tic attacks and in restoring the working capacity of epileptic patients. The psychologist subjected the new employees to a psychotechnical examination; suggestions for placement were based on the results of this examination. The social worker, did useful work with respect to the patient's environment outside the plant. Loss of working hours was reduced considerably by tW mental hygiene team. Regional possibilities for team work in the field of mental hygiene should be created in corre spondence with industrial districts, thus making it economical with respect to time, procedure and costs. 323 B fl