Document GR9xK1NNBByDxqG2GoR42jDx

ST 0850666 United Stales David L. Edsall, M.D., S.D. EDITORS Great Britain E. L. Colus, M.D., M.R.C.S. HONORARY CONSULTING EDITOR Sib Thomas M. Leggb, M.D., D.P.H. ASSOCIATE EDITORS United States Great Britain W. Irving Clark, Jr., M.D. Cecil K. Drinker, M.D. Embbt R. Hayhltbst, A.M., Ph.D., M.D. Yandell Henderson, Ph.D. . James P. Leake, M.D. Walter R. Miles, Ph.D. Harry E. Mock, M.D. C.-E. A. Winslow, M.S., A.M., Dr.P.H. William P. Yant, B.S. John C. Bridge, F.R.C.S.(E.) D.P.H. Sm Kenneth Goadbt, K.BJE., M.R.C.S., D.P.H. Sib Leonard Hill, M.B., F.R.S. T. Listed Llewellyn, B.S., M.D., M.I.M.E. Sib Thomas Oliver, M.D. R. Prosser White, M.D., M.R.C.S. H. M. Vkbnon, A.M., M.D. D. A. Coles, M.D. South Africa E. H. Clover, A.M., M.D., B.Ch., D.P.H. Canada C. H. Best, M.D. Australia Charles Badham, M.B., B.Sc., D.P.H. MANAGING EDITORS Alice Hamilton, A.M., M.D. Philip Drinker, B.S., ChJS. ABSTRACTS ST 0850667 0 DUST HAZARDS AND THEIR EFFECTS Dust in Ultraviolet Light. Pfaff. Schweiz. med. Wchnschr., Dec. IS, 1950, p. 1174. The author made dust counts on air samples (300 c.c.) collected under a quartz lamp before it was lighted and on samples collected three or four minutes after the lamp had been lighted, at a distance of 50 cm. from it. Counts are given from two experi ments, both of which showed a 59 per oent. increase in flocoulation of dust particles after the lighting of the lamp. The author gives as explana tion of this that the air becomes ionized in the vicinity of the ultra violet light and removes the electric charge from the dust particles, thus allowing them to settle in greater numbers.--M. C. S. The Nature of the Dust in the Air of Cotton-Card Rooms. R. H. Pickard. Abatr. as follows from Jour. Textile Induat., 19S0, vol. SI, pp. 6966O4T, in Chem. Abatr., Aug. 10,1951, vol. S6, p. 41SS. This is a report of an investigation of the dust produced during carding in seventeen card rooms covering the widest possible range of conditions in regard to the type of cotton, the dimensions and layout of the room, the efficiency of the ventilation, and the method of stripping. The duBt is shown to consist mainly of minute almost invisible particles, less than 0.01 mm., and of a few large particles, chiefly fragments of fiber, which are, in general, numerically unimportant. The sampling of the air by Owens' jet extension apparatus, the computation of the minute particles, and the expression of the results are described. The composition of the dust from a chemical and biologic standpoint is discussed. The ratio of the number of organisms of all kinds to the total number of dust particles in the atmos phere did not vary greatly in the tests. The mildew Organisms belonging to the Aspergillus niger group were in variably strongly represented. Ofthe total number of fungus spores present, they rarely formed less than 50 per cent., and at times exceeded 90 per cent. Chemical analysis of the dust (ten samples) indicated that it was composed of about 90 per cent, organic matter, and about 10 per cent, in organic matter. The organic matter consisted of cotton hair fragments, seed coat particles, and fungus spores. Approximately 60 per cent, of the inorganic matter was Bilica, and the remainder was chiefly iron. A Comparative Study of Dust Filters. T. M. Kozlyaeo. Art. wise. Forsch.-Sekt. Leningrad., AH. Arbeitsschutzes, 19S7, vol. 1, part 2, pp. 268877. Tuberculosis and Pulmonary Anthracobis. M. Staseen. Abatr. from Rev. beige de la tuberc., July-Aug., 1929, vol. 20, p. 147, in Am. Rev. Tuberc., May, 1981, vol. 23, pp. 105104. This is a review and discussion of tuberculosis and anthracosis in coal miners, presented under the following headings: (1) route of passage of dust; (2) nature and properties of coal dust; (3) physiologic factors affecting health of coal miners; (4) action of coal dust ST08S0668 10 THE JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE on sensitized human respiratory mech anism; and (5) search for tubercle bacilli in sputum. Interested readers are referred to the abstract in the American Review of Tuberculosis.-- E. 0. Methods foe Sufpbesbino Dust in Asbestos Textile Factories. Home Office Repobt. H. M. Sta tionery Office, 19S1. Embodied in this report are a series of agreements between employers and inspectors as to danger points and methods of dust suppression in textile asbestos factories. The report is well illustrated throughout by diagrams and also by photographs of actual plants. The danger from asbestos dust has raised new and difficult problems in ventilation for dust suppression. These problems can, however, be sur mounted by the use of modem ap pliances; but time must elapse before the dust danger in this industry can be brought under control. The in terest in this report is the demonstra tion it gives of the advances which have taken place in recent years in the technic of locally applied exhaust venti lation for suppressing any dust hazard. --E. L. C. Silicosis in South Africa. A Symposium on the Histo-Patholoqy, Pathological Anatomy and Radiol ogy of the Disease. F. W. Simson, A. S. Strachan, and L. 0. Irvine. Proc. Transvaal Mine Medical Officers' A sen., Special Supplement, 1981, col. 10, no. 118, pp. 44- Three papers are presented here in order to set out plainly the conclusions arrived at by South African experts relative to the pathologic types which are associated with different combina tions of silicosis and tuberculosis. Simple silicosis starts in lymphoid tissue, which occurs anatomically along the air passages rather than the blood vessels; it is instigated by the arrival in this tissue of phagocytes carrying silica particles. A silicotic islet formB enlarging into a nodule on a whorled plan. Such nodules may coalesce with neighboring ones, and form a fibroid mass; they are generally distributed fairly evenly throughout both lungs. Should tuberculous infection occur simultaneously with the dust inhala tion, the fibrous formation is usually more rapid and more massive; further, it shows a tendency for the center of the nodule to become necrotic. This pathologic condition is called infective Bilicosis; but it may progress slowly over years, during which the patient appears in fair health and experiences no toxic symptoms. Finally such a case becomes one of overt tuberculoeiB. Should the tuberculous infection be present before the dust is inhaW, the tendency is for similar infective nod ules to occur; but their distribution is isolated and not symmetrical, depend ing upon the sites of original infection. When, however, the tuberculous in fection is superimposed upon simple silicosis, caseous tuberculosis may be found surrounding the fibrous nodules, which in themselves show little sign of necrosis; this condition is usually one of overt tuberculosis from the commencement of infection. An opportunity arose for correlating pathologic findings with clinical symp toms and X-ray shadows from 400eases in which a clinical examination and radiograph had been taken within six I.LE ABSTRACTS ST0850669 11 months of death. An explanation is nations than upon radiographic find given of the classification used in judg ings. The onset of the condition is ing radiographs. First comes general slower and any disability caused is arborization, then slight mottling less definite than fibrosis among the which gradually becomes coarse; all metalliferous miners; no tendency to these are shown by simple silicosis. succumb to tuberculosis was apparent. The presence of active tuberculous More knowledge as to pathology and infection is indicated by cloudy shad histology is desired.--E. L. C. ows, usually localized.--E. L. C. Silicosis. E. L. Collis. Pneumonokoniosib, Tuberculosis, Bull. and Social Conditions in Iron Hyg., April, 1981, vol. 6, pp. 805-818. Foundry Workers in Vienna. B. . This is a good general review of the Komissamk. Arch. f. Oewerbepath. u subject, short and to the point. Qewerbehyg,, 1981, vol. , no. 1. There are no references in the text, This is a report on the results of but an excellent bibliography is ap examining a group of forty workers in pended.--P. D. an iron foundry clinically and by X- rays, and also of questioning them as Fibrosis of the Lunob in South Coast Coal Miners, New South Wales. K. R. Moon and C. Badham. to their family history and conditions of living. There were altogether 153 persons employed at the foundry. Health, Commonwealth of Australia, None who had less than ten years' work 1981, vol. 9, pp. 88-40. at the foundry were examined. A des The results are reported of examin cription is given of the process of casting ing 471 coal miners with not less than and the cleaning of castings, and the ten years' experience below ground. various materials used are enumerated. The inquiry was made to ascertain the The most important injurious factor influence on the lungs of mine dust is sand dust, and according to Collis the before stone dusting was put into prac sand used in molding contains almost tice. Fibrosis was found in 25.9 per 79 per cent, of silica (SiO*). cent.; it increased with length of ex The men worked for nine and three- posure, attaining 40.8 per cent, for fourths hours on five days a week and men with over thirty years' industrial did no work on Saturdays. Of the history. The fibrosis among these forty examined half were from 51 to South Coast coal miners in radiographs over 60 years of age; thirteen had shows as a fine-grained type diffused worked from thirty-one to forty years, generally over the lungs; occasionally five from forty-one to fifty years, and it is coarser where an infective element two over fifty years. About 95 per is present. It resembles the findingTM cent, had been employed continuously of asbestosis rather than silicosis; and on dusty work. In twelve cases the is in accord with other findings among fathers of the men examined had also coal miners (see This Jour., 1931, worked at the foundry and had lived vol. 13, p. 19). Estimations of dis from 75 to 84 years; none had died of ability among such miners with fibrosis tuberculosis. According to the state jfflust depend more upon clinical exami ments of the workers there were only .;VoL 14 #No. 1 ST 0850670 12 THE JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE nine cases in which a member of the family had died of tuberculoma. Of the forty examined, four were definite cases of pneumonokoniosia, five were suspected cases, and three were borderland cases. By X-ray examination twenty-three were found to have signs of old inac tive pulmonary tuberculosis but no tubercle bacilli were found in the sputa. Hie investigations show the neces sity of improving the hygienic condi tions of work by dust estimation and air analyses in the places of work, and by careful attention to the ventilation system and theworking of the exhausts. --A. J. C. Experiments to Determine the Minimum Amount of Coal-Dubt Requibed tor Propagation of a Mine Explosion. 0. S. Rice and H. P. Greenwald. V. S. Bur. Mines, Rep. Investigations, Serial No. SI $2, Aug., 19S1, pp. S (multigraphed). Tests in the Experimental Mine have shown that the lower limit of inflammability of through 200-mesh Pittsburgh coal duBt lies between 0.032 and 0.08 ounce per cubic foot under the conditions there obtaining. It appears that the limit will be not far from 0.05 ounce per cubic foot. This is a very small amount and is equiva lent to 3 ounces per linear foot in an entry of 60 square feet in cross seotion. Such an amount distributed over all the surfaces could be detected only by careful examination. It is evident that no coal mine can be so dean that propagation of coal dust explosion is impossible, a conclusion voiced by the Bureau's engineers many years ago, and one which points to the need of efficient rock dusting to prevent coal dust explosions.--Authors' Conclusions. OCCUPATIONAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES: OCCURRENCE, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION Infectious Agents in Industry. F. Schools. Rev. d'hyg., Jan., 1981, vol. 68, pp. 82-87. The author discusses theoccurrence in Belgium of ankylostomiasis, an thrax, syphilis, and smallpox, and refers to the legislative measures which have been adopted for their control. Organization of a Campaign against Ankylostomiasis in a Min ing Camp. C. Garin, J. Rousset, and B. Gonthier. Abslr. as follows from Mid. du travail, March, 1981 ,vol.S,pp. 87-48, in Bull. Hyg., July, 1981, vol. 6, p. 689. The first need is a complete exami nation of the stools of everyone work ing below ground. An accurate list must be obtained and the co-operation of the workers insured. Special sani tary conveniences must be erected, where a bucket is used for defecation and then passed to an attendant who takes a sample for transmission to the laboratory. Telemann's method for the microscopic counting of the eggs present is employed, wherein an aqueoub emulsion, after being shaken up with hydrochloric acid and ether, is centrifuged; a drop of the deposit is then placed under a cover slip and examined. Particular attention is di rected to the organization of the work so that from 150 to 200 samples can be dealt with daily, and to strict cleanli- j. i. H. Iu., 1B3S ABSTRACTS ST0850611 65 differential diagnosis, and finally va rious minor forms of poisoning. With respect to adults, the diagnosis of mild and severe forms of plumbism and late manifestations are discussed in detail. A Bhort bibliography is ineluded.--L. T. F. The Prevention and Control op Lead Poisoning in Industry. J. 8. Mark. New Jersey Med. Soc. Jour., Oct., 1881, vol. 28, p. 778. ' j A Case of Mercurial Poisoning. ^i. Langele*. Rev. du travail, 1981, vol. 88, PP-1268-1269. Following the occurrence of a slight t'csae of mercury poisoning, an investi gation was carried out at a factory i'where hair is treated with nitrate of i. meroury for use in the manufacture of ''hats. The man concerned was emri f>loyed in moving bags of treated hair labile packing them for dispatch. He was not employed in treating the hair; this prooess was carried out in an Entirely separate place. Chemical a^alysis of the atmosphere in which he was working indicated the presenoe iof traces of mercury. Further tests were then carried out by placing sacks ` of treated hair in a closed chamber in which test papers were exposed. When the hair had been prepared during the preceding four weeks, the test papers became gray after four hours, and were black after twenty-four hours. When the hair had been prepared for a year, no reaction could be detected for Beven hours, and after twenty-four the blaok tint was not so deep. When the hair had been prepared two years, the black tint was still less intense after twenty-four hours. This in vestigation indicates that an uncom bined salt of mercury is present on hair treated with nitrate of mercury, and that vapors containing mercury may arise at ordinary temperatures. In the present instance, such vapors traversed strong paper bags.--E. L. C. Determination of Small Amounts or Zing in the Presence or Lead. M. E. Stas. Abstr. as follows from Pharm. Weekbl., 1980, pp. 98-97, in Bex. U. d. ges. Physiol, u. exper. Pharmakol., July 1', 1981, vol. 60, p. 178. In the absence of the sulphide or ferrocyanide nephelometric methods of zinc determination (which require the removal of lead in any case in order to give correct results), the o-oxyquinoline method gives good results even in the presence of lead.-- L. T. F. DUST HAZARDS AND THEIR EFFECTS On the Question of Obtaining a (Constant Dust Concentration in a jDubt Cabinet. H. Abeshaus. Arch. Jv-Hyg., April-May, 1981, vol. 106, 102-111. Translation of Aus Summary, p. 110. By means of a suitable simple iparatuB, it was possible through the ethod of dispersing eddies to obtain a constant dust concentration some time after starting the fan, with variations 3 to 8 per cent, in extent. 2. An ordinary fan used for stirring up the dust, whether above or below, did not give a uniform dust concentra tion in the chamber. 3. Only the combination of two fans, turning in opposite directions ST0850672 66 THE JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE with suitable selected rotative speeds, Case of Asbestos-Like Bodies in gave a uniform dust concentration in a the Lungs of a Coal-Miner Who particular zone with a fluctuation of Had Never Worked in Asbestos. 4 per cent. F. E. Tylecole and J. S. Dunn. Lancet, 4. The dust concentration in the Sept. 19,1931, vol. , pp. 633-633. central zone was greater than the Details are given of the pathologic concentrations at exterior points; such condition found in a fatal case of nonuniform vertical distribution was chronic fibroid tuberculosis of the an advantageous condition in those lungs in a man who had worked as a cases where we wished to have different coal miner. He had never been ex constant dust concentrations.--T. H. posed to asbestos dust; nevertheless, bodies were found in the lungs re PneUMONOKONIOHS IN ITS Clini sembling those which originate from in cal Aspects and its Significance as haling asbestos duBt. They simulated an Industrial Disease. 17. Bred- tborr. - vnd in general shape, now. Abstr. *-- July 19,193< cUc S led swellings at their was similar; and they Rev. Tuberc. ron abundantly. But ue. ser and les& regular This is a re >die8, and possessed a voked by th iaque material. The nance which that these bodies severe cases of; linute fragments of terested reade ning mineral, which abstract in tl the lungs, and under- Tuberculosis.-- lange under the in- Asbestos I Bodies thou ti tos Worker. State Med., Sept. 648. Asbestosis bodies are composed of a me fluids; hence re ion of a peripheral ihe iron containing it of these bodies ____ _ occurrence apart from exposure to asbestos.--E. L. C. colloidal covering upon a Blender filar Pulmonary Asbestosis Compli ment of asbestos fiber, upon which the cated by Pulmonary Tuberculosis. covering is adsorbed. The nuclei of W. B. Wood and S. R. Gloyne. Lan the bodies consist of spicules of bio- cet, Oct. 31,1931, vol. S, pp. 964-956. tite. The author ascribes to the iron The point under discussion is present in asbestos the reaction which whether asbestosis predisposes to pul occurs, and maintains that some sol monary tuberculosis in the Bame way uble fraction of asbestos leads to the that does silicosis. Information is formation of the asbestosis bodies, given concerning a total of fifty-seven and that this chemical action plays its cases of asbestosis, twelve of which part in the production of pulmonary showed evidence of tuberculosis. The f fibroaiB.--E. L. C. information gathered is not held to J. I. H. Much. ISM ABSTRACTS ST0850673 67 be conclusive as to whether either condition prepares the way for the other; nor does it negative either suggestion. But it does definitely indicate that both diseases can be present simultaneously. The artiole is of value in presenting concisely the symptoms and physical signs of un complicated asbestosis, as follows: "Irritable cough, scanty expectora tion, shortness of breath, progressing to a distressing dyspnoea on the slight, est exertion, pains in the chest and ^decline in weight, often followed by extreme emaciation. The complexion is `earthy.' Cyanosis is usually but not invariably present. Clubbing, if present, is of slight degree. On auscul tation, fine dry crackles are usually heard over the lung bases posteriorly, mid in the axillary regions. Fine pleural friction is often heard. Per cussion may reveal some impairment of resonance at the lung bases. Nega; tive points are the absence of haemopi tysis--except perhaps an occasional trace of colour in the sputum--and the slight degree of expectoration. Spu tum examination reveals the charac teristic asbestosis bodies. X-ray examination shows a diffuse fine fibrosis affecting chiefly the lung bases while sparing the lung apices and infraclavicular regions." These char acteristics sharply differentiate the condition from those commonly asso ciated with tuberculosis.--E. L. C. The value of this article, written by an engineer, lies in the analysis he gives of artificial grindstones. Such chemical analyses are difficult and expensive. The three he cites were made by a German-American firm. No. 1. Binding material: ceramic. Grinding material*, artificial carborundum. Analysis of the fired wheel: AliOi. SiO,.. Fe0, MgO. CaO.. Na,0. K,0.. TiO,.. % 83.29 11.14 0.83 0.48 0.02 0.25 0.70 2.09 Total............................................. 100.00 Laboratory remarks: Free silioa can be practically excluded in a normal, t.e., highly fired stone. No. 2. Binding material: ceramic. Grinding material: silicon carbide. Analysis of the fired wheel: SiC............................. ...................... SiOt............................ ...................... Si................................. ..................... AljO,........................... ......................, Fe,0,..................... MgO............................ ...................... CaO............................. ..................... NajO............................ .................... K,0....................... .................... TiO,............................. .................... % 81.60 12.87 0.85 2.89 0.18 0.27 0.29 0.83 0.07 Total....................... .................... 100.09 Laboratory remarks: The binding ma terial contains feldspar and quartz; some part of the total silica contained in the feldspar is free silica. The heat reactions during firing dissolve some, but not all, of the free silica so that in the finished stone the free silica amounts to about 3.55 per cent. A third analysis (in essentials not differing widely from those detailed) ST 0850674 68 THE JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE is given in which the binding material of the death registers in the area from was a silicate and the grinding material 1879 to 1926 shows the incidence of artificial carborundum. The labora miners' phthisis to be high. The tory remark shows it to contain prac mines were badly ventilated and very tically no free silica. wet, and complication of silicosis by The author Btates that in grinding tuberoulosis was almost universal. with artificial stone the "wear" pro It was found that in the narrow region portion of the article ground to the 37 per cent, of the deaths took place Btone is as 1:45 (in parts by weight) between the ages of 57 and 62, and as compared with the much greater only 8 per cent, between the ages of 65 1:5 to 1:10 with natural stone. and 70, as against 22 per cent, and 20 His view is that from purely physical per cent., respectively, in the wider, considerations any dust in inordinate more fertile area. Most deaths from amount is harmful, but that silicosis, miners' phthisis took place when the generally speaking, can only arise mining activities were declining. The from natural sandstones.--T. M. L. incidence of simple pulmonary tuber culosis follows the same variations in Some Geographical and Anthro- the period under review as miners' pological Factors in the Study op phthisis. The better class of living, Industrial Diseases. E. Q. Bowen. more sunshine, and other social and Abstr. as follows from Jour. State Med,., economic factors in the second valley Nov,, 1980, vol. 88, pp. 666-671, in have resulted in increased resistance Med. Jour. Australia, Sept. 18, 1981, to pulmonary tuberculosis in the vol. 8, p. 887. older mining population as well as in Bowen has attempted to show how the present agricultural population. geographic and racial factors affect the course of miners' phthisis. An anthro Silicosis. Internal. Labour Office, pologic survey of two adjacent valley Studies and Rep., Series F (Indust. regions in Cardiganshire has revealed Hyg.) No. 18,1980, pp. 4. the existence of two separate types of This issue consists of the resolutions inhabitant, one type inhabiting each adopted by the conference held at of the areas surveyed. The two Johannesburg in August, 1930; al valleys present different geographic though only just published, it is a sup features, one, inhabited by dark, long plement to the larger volume which headed folk of slender build, being recorded the proceedings of the con narrow and gorge-like; the other valley ference and should be filed with it is wider and peopled by a larger, fair (see This Jour., 1931, vol. 13, p. 183). haired type of individual. Lead It is a useful summary for reference and zinc mining has been carried out purposes. The part dealing with the in these valleys for many centuries medical aspects, including etiology, and has now declined, leaving the pathology, and diagnosis, is particu inhabitants to take up fanning. Sheep larly concise and accurate. There are farming is practicable only in the three appendixes, one of which is narrow valley, but crops are grown concerned with radiology and sets a in the more fertile one. Examination standard of technic; a second deals 1.1. H. U&rdi, 1832 fice, lust. r. I. H.. i. ABSTRACTS ST0850675 69 with preventive measures as practised in mining; the third discusses prog nosis, after care, and compensation.-- jE. L. C. 1,1 Silica in the Bbonchial Glands ik Pulmonary Silicosis. A. Leulier and A. Policard. Abstr. as follows j>V from Compt. rend. Soc. de biol., 1981, 108, pp. 1084-1086, in Physiol. Abstr., Sept.-Oct., 1981, vol. 16, p. 891. The portion of the ash of the bronpcbial glands which is insoluble in jrdrochloric acid is taken as a crude leasure of the amount of silica con ned in them. Scarcely a trace of Ffcilica is indicated by this method as ^feriBting in the glands. Evidently here is a difference in mobility bereen the elements in the lung which the silica and those fixing carbon R* anthraoosis. The latter migrate ily to the glands. logically eleven of the workers re vealed silicosis in stage 1, three in stage 2, and seven in stage 3, while six were free from silicosis and five were questionable. The latent period of the disease averaged about one year, and a definite disposition was discernible. Workers with deformi ties of the thorax or the spinal column Bhowed a severe silicosis after a rela tively short time. In none of the cases were tubercle bacilli found in the sputum, but one of them was a case of spontaneous pneumothorax and two postmortems disclosed silicosis without tuberculosis. The workers were without exception strong, athletio types of men between 20 and 40 years of age. In twelve oases, in which there were found roentgenologically old and fresh tuberculous foci, there could be noted no influence of the silicosis or of the tuberculosis upon each other. [Silicosis and Tuberculosis. W. (ascker. Abstr. as follows from Beiir. fKUn. d. Tuberk., 1980, vol. 78, p. 88, in Am. Rev. Tuberc., Nov., 1981, l 4, pp. 114-115. iJThe author examined thirty-two prkers in the quartz industry, the prkers being subjected to an intense jjconoentration of dust containing 99 |per cent, of silicic acid. Roentgeno- Effects of Colloidal Silica upon the Growth of Tubercle Bacilli in Blood. S. L. Cummins and C. Weatherall. Brit. Jour. Exper. Path., Aug., 1981, vol. 12, p. 245. The authors' experiments in vitro lead them to the conclusion that "silica sol does not in any way further the pullulation of tubercle bacilli in human blood outside the body." OCCUPATIONAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES: OCCURRENCE, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION Common Colds. W. G. Smillie. Personnel Jour., April, 1981, vol. 9, pp. io-474. ftWe do not know the cause of colds, iere is Btrong evidence that the dis- is due to an infectious organism, probably a filterable virus. We be lieve that this infection is spread by direct contact, from person to person. Some people are entirely immune, but most people contract the infection once or twice a year. We have strong ABSTRACTS S T 0850676 119 above this a fan had been installed a short time before illness showed itself. The sticky material called "Resistin" was said to contain alcohol 6 parts, benzene 4, tetrachlorethane 14, and acetate of cellulose 3. None of the oases was oorrectly diagnosed by the medical attendant. The author reviews the many cases . of poisoning which have been described sinoe the introduction of tetrachlorethane in 1903 as a solvent for fats and .resins, claiming its noninflammability ' and slight solubility in water as an advantage over other solvents. In Addition to numerous oases from doping of airplane wings (leading ultimately 'in 1917 to its exclusion from the dope), he cites fatal cases from the manufac ture of artificial pearls and from its ^presenoe in rapon lacquers. He de scribes its increasing use as a solvent, : as a cleaning agent, as a head wash, as -_a parasiticide, in the artificial silk and - the boot and shoe industries, and as an ingredient in all manner of cleaning gents sold in tubes under trade names. --T. M. L. tv ,v Experimental Contribution to .Poisoning by Tetrachlorethane. iL. MilUer. Abstr. as follows from Arch, ff. Oewerbepath. u. Qewerbehyg., 1931, 'vol. 2, pp. 320-329, in Bull. Hyg., Dec., 1931, ocl. 6, p. 868. n. In experiments on white mice, guinea-pigs, and rabbits by inhalation, subcutaneous and intravenous injec tion, the author was able to note only fatty degeneration of the lobes of the liver, but not acute atrophy or the regenerative processes observed in man. This may be due, he thinks, to the same causes as have prevented, hitherto, experimental production of cirrhosis of the liver in animals.--T. M. L. Investigation or Injuries from Harmful Effects or Xylene in Ber lin Lithographic Processes. L. Nelken. Abstr. as follows from ZentraM. f. Qewerbehyg., Jvly, 1931, N.S. vol. 8, pp. 182-184, in Bull. Hyg., Dec., 1931, vd. 6, p. 863. As a result of observations as to the harmful effects of xylene published by Dr. Stocks in the ZentralblattfiLr Qewerbehygiene und UnfaUverhUtung of De cember, 1929, the laboratory of the Sickness Insurance Society for Letter Press Printing issued a questionnaire and carried out determinations of the hemoglobin and the number of leuko cytes in 220 persons. The number of leukocytes was less than 6,800 in 13.64 per cent., under 5,500 in 8.18 per cent., and under 5,000 in 3.63 per cent. The hemo globin was below 80 per cent, in 16.35 per cent, of those tested. The general conclusion is that xylene poisoning (with possible toluene and benzene admixture) is caused in the processes where it is used in spite of the almost invariable application of local exhaust ventilation, and the changes can be shown in the blood picture.-- T. M. L. DUST HAZARDS AND THEIR EFFECTS Industrial Dust and Pulmonary Tuberculosis. K. W. Jotten. Forsch. '. Fortschr., Nov. 20, 1931. 1 During the last eight years the author has studied the effects of industrial dusts on rabbits which had been pre viously infected with tuberculosis from a human source, and he has been able pi It 'p. ( ST 0 850677 120 THE JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE to show the different effects individual dusts have on the lung tissues. The rabbits were placed in a special in halation chamber, into which the dust was introduced from below. The dust was thoroughly mixed with air by passing an intermittent air current through a series of three glass cylin ders, the dust being put in the first. The dust concentration was generally from 60 to 80 mg. per cubic meter of air. Inhalations lasting from one-half to one hour a day were continued for three and one-half to five months; then the animals were killed and the lungs examined both macrosoopically and microscopically. The results are ar ranged in three series: (1) the effects of dust from steel grinding, and from porcelain, coal, chalk, and soot; (2) the effects from cement, tobacco, and schist dusts; and (3) the effects from limestone, quartz, basic slag, white lead, and cotton textile dusts. The greatest development of pul monary tuberculosis was caused by the dust from grinding Bteel, and the next from porcelain and schist duBts, all of which contain much free silica. In spite of its high content of silica, quartz was found essentially harmless. Baric Blag, coal, Boot, and limestone were only slightly injurious. Cement, tex tile, and tobacco dusts were almost noninjurious, and the Bame may be said for white lead dust and chalk dust (Ca(OH)j), the latter of which might almost be regarded as a therapeutic agent. These results agree generally with statistics of diseases, and where variations occur they can be explained by special circumstances, such as care ful vocational selection, the employ ment of many juveniles, and home work under bad housing conditions. A high rate of pulmonary tuberculosis had been expected from the quartz dust, owing to the high content of free silica and therefore its harmleesness came as a surprise. It seems, however, that Smith and Collis have previously shown that this harmlessnesB may be due to a considerable admixture with aluminium oxide, and Heffeman has Bhown the same among quartz workers in Derbyshire. The failure of white lead dust to produce pulmonary tuber culosis was due to the great solubility of this dust in the lung tissues.--A. J. C. Puluonabt Asbestosis. E. Beintker. Abstr. as follows from Arch. f. Gewerbepath. u. Gewerbehyg., 1981, vol. 8, pp. S4SS58, in Bull. Byg., Dec., 1981, vol. 6, pp. 868-888. The author records two eases, with postmortem examination, of pulmonary asbestosis occurring in a factory con cerned with the crushing, cleansing, and spinning of asbestos and the manu facture of insulation materials. The fint had been exposed to asbestos duet from 1002 to 1922, and from 1022, when symptoms first appeared, until his death in 1020 as a porter. On X-ray examination the heart ehadow was inoreased in diameter and the lung roots showed enlargement. The lung fields showed diffuse shadowing with small nodules about the sise of a millet seed. These appearance* were on the whole most marked in the left lower lobe. The patient died of heart failure. Histologic examination of the lung showed increase in connective tissue and extensive inflamma tion of the lung, together with asbestosis bodies. The exposure in the second case began in 1000. There was a long period of dyspnea and the patient finally died of heart failure. The X-ray appearances were ohiefly con fined to the lower lobes. In discussing the formation of the asbestosis bodies, the author is in j.lh. itar.ua ABSTRACTS S T 0850678 121 agreement with the general opinion distributed diffusely throughout the that they are formed from the asbestos lung. The actual morbid anatomy fiber in situ in the body tissues, prob picture appears to depend upon the ably as the result of a biochemical distribution of the asbestos fibers in the action with silica contained in the raw lung tissue, and it is assumed that the material. He attributes the diffuse asbestos fibers which gain access to the character of the X-ray shadowing to tissues probably do not bogin their the fact that the asbestos fibers pene development into bodies until they trate impartially throughout the lung reach the tissues. Theyare apparently tissue and are not aggregated to the accumulation of the silica contain gether as they are in the other forms of ing material. The author believes that silicosis. He believes that the as the X-ray picture in all types of sili bestos loses its magnesium portion cosis, including asbestosis, depends not in the tissues and that pure silica re so much on the quantity of the thick mains, which stimulates the formation ened tissues as on its distribution in the of connective tissue. lung. Diffuse distribution does not In conclusion, the author notes that give the same intensity of shadow to asbeetosis of the lung differs from sili the radiologio picture as does the nodu cosis in its radiologic picture as well as lar distribution; He suggests that, li in anatomic findings, in that the con the fibrosis of the lung tissue develops, nective tissue increase is very diffusely in asbestosis, through the breaking distributed. It is arranged in nodules down of the material of the asbestos in silicosis, whereas in asbestosis it is fibers into silica.--S. R. G. OCCUPATIONAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES: OCCURRENCE, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION Discussion on the Peesent-Dat any ill effect. In 1930 the number of Position of Pneumonia on the cases increased owing, it was believed, f.v Mines. A. Smith, F. Daubenton, P. A. to the increase in the new laborers PeaU, L. I. Coleman, and H. Q. F. taken on that year, and to the occur Thompson. Abstr. as follows from rence of influenza in overcrowded quar Jour. Med. Assn. So. Africa, 1981, vol. ters. While the mortality from other 6, pp. 889-898, in Bull. Hyg., Nov., causes had decreased of recent years, 1981, vol. 6, p. 807. mortality from pneumonia had in This is a report of a meeting held at creased. Johannesburg in May, 1931. Dr. A. Dr. Daubenton called attention to Smith, who read the first paper, said the incidence rate of 3 per cent, for the that since 1923 pneumonia had steadily Rand and 1 per cent, in other countries, increased despite the use of Lister's and the case mortality of 11 per cent, pneumonia vaccine. Since 1928 the on the Rand compared with over 20 prophylacticvaccination of new recruits per cent, in Britain and between 30 and had been given up at most of the mines, 40 per cent, in the United States. as it was considered that a new type of There were a number of cases resem pneumococcus had developed, and its bling lobar pneumonia which cleared up discontinuance did not seem to have in from two to three days. These he Vol. u No. S ST 0850679 142 THE JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE two could any histologic evidence of infiltration be discovered. Changes in the Lives in Rabbits with Tab Cancer. A. Babes. Abstr. as follows from BuU. Assn, franc, pour I'ilude du cancer, 1981, vol. 0, p. JfiO, in Am. Jour. Cancer, Jan., 19S, vol. 16, p. 7. The author has already described de generation and necrosis of the paren chyma in the liver of rabbits which die during the first ten days of tarring, and proliferation of the hepatic oells in those that live more than ten days (Bull. Assn, franc. Vour Vttude du can cer, 1929, vol. 18, p. 328). These lesions are constant and very pro nounced. In the present paper he records the changes found in this organ among thirteen rabbits that survived tar painting long enough for seven of them to develop carcinoma. These were, in brief, very active proliferation of the parenchymal cells and a hyper trophy affecting particularly their nuclei, the two processes beinggenerally more intense in rabbits with cancer and increasing in proportion to the develop ment of the tumor. The author regards this alteration as equivalent to that proliferative process in the tarred akin which precedes the appearance of cancer, and is inclined to attribute both to one common cause. Together with somewhat similar oc currences in the spleen these prolifera tive changes are an expression of some still unknown stimulus which tar in appropriate doses exerts upon the cells of the organism, and especially upon those of the epidermis. The development of tar cancer in particular, and of cancer in general, may thus be considered, in part, as an outcome of some constitutional condi tion. DUST HAZARDS AND THEIR EFFECTS The Impinqer Dust Sampling Apparatus as Used by the United States Public Health Service. L. Greenburg and J. J. Bloomfield. U. S. Pub. Health Rep., March 18, 1982, vol. Iff, pp. 664-876. The object of the present contribu tion has been to describe the design and construction of an apparatus for the sampling of atmospheric particu late matter. This device, known as the impinger apparatus, possesses the advantage of high duBt catching effi ciency when sampling air over the full range of dustiness (from relatively pure outdoor air to that found in very dusty coal mining operations) at the rela tively rapid rate of 28.3 liters (1 cubic foot) per minute. The dust is caught in a liquid medium in which it may then be counted and analysed micro scopically, gravimetrically, and chemi cally. Three forma of the instrument are described: the electrically driven, the compressed air driven, and a hand actuated form. Photographs and drawings of the apparatus have been provided. The results of the sampling of vari ous duBts, as well as of chromic acid mists and lead fumes, are cited in order to show the range over which this instrument may be used.--Authors' Summary. I. H. ABSTRACTS ST0850680 143 Safety Codes for the Prevention of Dust Explosions. V. S. Dept. Labor, Bur: Labor Statistic!, Bull. No. 60S, Dec., 19S1, pp. 87. The safety codes for the prevention of industrial dust explosions included in this bulletin are the work of a com mittee sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association and the United States Department of Agriculture. They have been adopted by the Na tional Board of Fire Underwriters and chosen by- the American Standards Association as "American Standards.'' This publication is an enlarged edition of the earlier work which was published in Bulletin No. 433 of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Safety codes are given for the following industries: starch factories, Sour and feed mills, terminal grain elevators, pulverizing systems for sugar and cocoa, spice grinding plants, wood dour manufacturing, pulverized fuel sys tems, and coal pneumatic cleaning plants. Methods of prevention are treated under the general headings: location, building construction, electric power and lighting, control and removal of suspended dust, prevention of igni tion, mechanical precautions, and housekeeping. The use of inert gas for fire and explosion prevention is treated in a separate section, and includes details concerning the amount of gas required, design of gas supply equip ment, and operation.--T. H. The Fixation of Mineral Dusts in the Human Lung. A. Policard. Bull. hist. appl. d la physiol, et d la path., Dec., 1980, vol. 7, pp. 887-868. ' Special treatment of lung tissue by hydrochloric acid and by micro-inciner- ation discloses that adult lungs, apart from any pneumonokoniosis, contain many particles of soot and a large amount of ash. They represent par ticulate matter inhaled during life. The lungs of adults, but not of infants, are chemically rich in ash, particularly in silica ash. Mineral and silica par ticles are not peculiar to the lungs of miners; and pulmonary sclerosis due to silica is not entirely confined to certain occupations. It is a question of degree. The air of modem towns con tains dust which is inhaled, and the particles which accumulate in the lungs are not always innocuous.-- E. L. C. Pneumonoconiosis: Partial Re view OF Literature. W. L. Cooke. West Virginia Med. Jour., Jan., 1988, vol. 88, p. 19. Asbestosis: Two Cases. H. L. Stewart, C. J. Bucher, and E. H. Cole man. Abstr. as follows from Arch. Path., Dec., 1981, vol. 18, p. 909, in Jour. Am. Med. Assn., March 5,1988, vol. 98, p. 848. Stewart and his associates report two cases of pulmonary asbestosis. In the first case the symptoms were rela tively unimportant. In the second case the disease was concomitant with tuberculosis and, with it, was the cause of death. The similarity be tween some of the features of tubercu losis in childhood and tuberculosis complicated by asbestosis is sug gested. In asbestosis the lung is not the only organ invaded by asbeBtosis bodies. The authors show that the spleen and lymph nodes may harbor large asbestosis bodies. They believe that from the histories of the cases they report there appears to be a fur- ST085068 I 144 THE JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE ther need for study along the lines of prevention of this disease.--C. K. D. Pulmonary Asbestosib. E. Kru ger, Rostoski, and Saupe. Abslr. from Arch. f. Gewerbepath. u. Qetoerbehyg., 1931, vol. 2, pp. 558-690, in Butt. Hyg., Dec., 1931, vol. 6* pp. 861-862. After an exhaustive survey of the work on pulmonary asbestosis in other countries, the authors give an account of the work done in Germany together with a short record of cases of the dis ease which have come under their own observation in Dresden. The first record in Germany was a demonstration by Fahr to'the Medical Society of Hamburg in 1914 of speci mens and photomicrographs of a case of pneumonokoniosis in an asbestos worker. Fahr mentioned the occur rence of a large number of crystals in the lung but did not describe them more closely. He stated, however, that they had been seen by Marchand and Riesel in 1906, who had speculated as to whether they were due to the inhalation of asbestos dust or were a hemoglobin derivative. In 1931 BQttner-Wobst and Trillitzsch described nine cases occurring in two asbestos factories near Dresden. Meanwhile the authors of the present paper had begun to collect cases. They have now examined fifty-two (eighteen male and thirty-four female) workers, of whom thirty showed definite lung changes. A short analysis of the his tory of these cases is given. The longest exposure to the dust was thirty-one years in a worker aged 60. The commonest initial complaint was dyspnea. Cough occurred in 43 cases. Night sweats were recorded in 12 cases. Abdominal complaints were rare but loss of weight in the late stages was found in 15 instances with rheumatic pains, headache, and general nervous symptoms. Among the 34 female cases abortions were recorded in 10. Conjunctivitis was found in 16. Pha ryngeal symptoms were not infrequent. Enlargement of the thyroid was seen on 0 occasions, with definite Basedow symptoms in 5. There were 4 cases of kyphosis and 4 of scoliosis. The pulmonary signs were as follows: The respiratory excursion was diminished. In 16 cases there were alterations in percus sion note on auscultation at the apex, while in the rest diminished breath sounds with fine riles, etc., were more marked in the lower lobes. In some cases there was also evidence of pleural thickening. Bputum was present in 28,12 showing asbestos fibers and 6 asbestosis bodies; there was no blood, and no tubercle bacilli or elastic fibers could be found. Cardiac enlargement was noted in 3 instances, 1 case displayed an aortic systolic bruit and 6 a mitral bruit, but they were apparently compensated lesions. The blood pressure was never below 100 and in 8 cases was between 150 and 170 mm. The hemoglobin in 2 cases fell to between 60 and 70 per cent., and in 14 others was between 70 and 80 per cent. Clubbing of the fingers was noted only once. The urine was fre quently alkaline or neutral (20 instances); traces of albumin were noted in 18 cases. A strong urobilinogen reaction (red colora tion with benzaldehyde in the cold) was obtained. For X-ray films the following expo sure data are given: focus film distance 1.5 m., 300 m.A., 45 KV, 0.05 to 0.08 seconds. Especial emphasis is laid on the importance of short exposure. Three stages in the development of the radiologic picture are defined: (1) an increase of the normal lung striation with the appearance of a fine network often difficult to determine except by a long series of films; (2) a thicker netr work with delicate sharply defined spots of opacity (Fleckenschatten); (3) an intensification of this network to ABSTRACTS S T0850682 145 form a shadowy veil covering the Attention is drawn to the work re lung. The signs begin to appear and cently done upon the pathologic condi are most marked in the midzone and tion of the lungs of coal miners, lower lobe areas of the radiologic pio- brought about by the inhn.1ftt.inn of ture. The contour of the heart dust during their work. Undoubtedly shadow became ill defined in the second a great development of fibrous tissue stage. The root shadows were not is found in the lungs. In certain cases affected in this stage but showed en coal dust is collected in the fibrotic largement in the third stage. The tissue to such an extent as to justify infraclavicular areas remained clear the condition being called silico- and there was no "snowstorm" appear anthracosia. Such lungs do not appear ance such as characterizes the typical to succumb readily to tuberculous silioosis film. In six cases signs of infection; possibly this is due to the obsolete tuberculosis were recognized fact that the adsorbing power of the (primary complex). Tuberculous foci coal dust renders inert the toxic prin were generally thicker than asbestosis ciple of tuberculin. Where the silicotic foci and more easily distinguished than condition is paramount, as in hard in other forms of pneumonokoniosis. heading workers, the tendency to Signs of old pleurisy were frequent. tuberculous infection is on all fours Four short statistical tables are with that found among gold miners. given showing the relationship of the Coal miners' lung is not normal; the asbestosis to the period of exposure, miner suffers from breathlessness and type of work, etc. The general con dyspnea, with a high death rate in late clusion is that moderately severe as life from bronchitis. The causation of bestosis takes about five years to de such trouble is dust; and every possible velop. Of the workers examined who precaution should be taken to mini had had ten years' or more exposure mize its presence in the air.--E. L. C. none were free from signs of the disease. In correlating their findings with the Histochemical Research on the different types of work in the two as Initial Lesions of Experimental bestos factories concerned the authors Pulmonary Silicosis. A. Policard. point out that the numbers are too Compt. rend. Acad. d. sc., July 20,1931, small for very definite conclusions to pp. 197-199. be drawn. The four most advanced Cellular masses containing silica eases were ifound in the spinning and particles, called plaques, appear in twining (Zwimerei) sections. A sum animals exposed to the inhalation of mary of fifteen cases classified into silica dust; rats were used. These stages 1, 2, and 3 of the disease is given plaques are accumulations in alveoli (see X-ray findings). Several radio of cells--dust cells--arising from the grams are reproduced.--S. R. G. pulmonary stroma, loaded with mineral particles. The size of the The Need foe Dust-Prevention plaques is limited by that of the alveoli Measures in the Coal Industry. from which they cannot escape. They Proc. So. Wales Inst. Eng., 1932, vol. have a high mineral content, due to I 47, no. 5, pp. 729-743. silica in an organic combination which Vol. u ST 0850683 146 THE JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE kills and petrifies cytoplasm. Plaques bo mummified cannot escape by the air passages, but remain and provoke fibrous reaction in the surrounding tissue. The degenerate cytoplasm, rich in silica, is an excellent medium for the growth of tubercle bacilli.-- E. L. C. peritoneal injection of dust particles leads to the agglutination of the leuko cytes and dust cells and to their preser vation intact for two months and upward. The bearingof these observa tions on pulmonary silicosis is dis cussed. Experimental Pulmonary Silico sis. A. Policard. Abstr. as follows from Bull, hut. appl. d la physiol, eld la path., 1981, vol. 8, pp. 190-806, in Physiol Abstr., Jan., 1888, vol. 16, p. 684. Experimental silicosis was produced in white rats by repeated inhalation of dust from silicious rocks. The cells seem to undergo a mineral impregna tion accompanied by a resistance to staining, an enormous increase of ash as shown by micro-incineration, and a sort of mummifying of the protoplasm which resists all digestive autolyms. The plaques are formed by the accu mulation within an alveolar cavity of cells with silicious particles.--C. K. D. The Retardation of Lytic Proc esses by Colloidal Silica Solution. S. L. Cummins and C. Weatherall. Abstr. asfollowsfrom Brit. Jour. Exper. Path., 1981, vol. 18, pp. 889-844, in Physiol. Abstr., Feb., 1988, vol. 16, p. 724- Preservation from lysis in human blood or serum by colloidal silica solu tion extends to other serum-soluble bacteria besides the typhoid bacillus. The solution also preserves type 1 pneumococci from lysis in ox bile and retards both tryptic and peptic di gestion of albuminous substances. The addition of colloidal silica sol to a cellular exudate produced by intra- Industrial Hygienic Problem of the Copper-Mining Industry. F. V. Meriweather. Abstr. asfollowsfrom Arizona Pub. Health News, 1881, vol. 64, pp. 86-86; U. S. Pub. Health Eng. Abstr., Sept. 19,1981, vol. 11, IHS, p. 18, in Chem. Abstr., March 10,1988, vol. 86, p. 1861. Since many Arizona copper ores con tain from 68 to 69 per cent, of silica, the problem of silicosis among workers in the mines is serious. The problem is discussed.--P. D. Pneumonoconiosis with Special Reference to Stonemasons. P. Heffeman. Tubercle, Feb., 1988, vol. 18, pp. 198-199. The main interest in this article lies in the questions asked and the infonnar tion given regarding the physical chem istry of Bilica containing compounds. The dust of free silica is accepted to be toxic, and the dust of combined silica to be nontoxic. But asbestos, always spoken of as magnesium silicate, is composed of magnesia contained in minute pores of a silica matrix, which forms the asbestos fiber; the magnesia can be dissolved, leaving a fiber of pure silica; this physical form may explain the toxic properties of asbestos. On the other hand, certain innocuous shales contain a fair proportion of quartz particles; but these particles are so protected by argillaceous mate- j. i. B. Jans, 1MJ ABSTRACTS ST 08 50684 147 rial as to prevent them from reacting with their environment. Medically the term "shale'' is unfortunate, as some, which ought rather to be called "grits," are definitely harmful. The author, after these interesting, rather theoretical discussions, closes by point ing out the clinical and pathologic dif ferences which exist between simple and infective silicosis.--E. L. C. OCCUPATIONAL AFFECTIONS OF THE SKIN AND SPECIAL SENSES Occupational Eczema Due to the cows were affected with a peculiar Cement. Hemoclastic Cbibis Fol zoonosis which produced these nodules lowing Contact Test. Gougeroi, R. in men. They resemble the eruption Cohen, and Qanot. Abstr. as follows that Pirquet produced in association from Bull. Soe. frang. de dermal, et with typical vaccine efflorescences by syph., July, 1981, vol. 88, p. 1186, in inoculation of vaccine detritus, and Arch. Dermal, and Syph., March, 1988, which he called "paravaccinia" (vac vol. 86, p. 648. cine rouge of the French). In all A patient who had worked with ce early cases of milkers' nodes the au ment for some time with impunity thors found in men as well as in animals suddenly developed a sensitivity to it, the Strongyloplasmata, small round as expressed in a dermatitis that bodies believed by Lipschuetz to be the cleared up on removal from contact causative agent. The Strongyloplas- with the substance but recurred on mata-paravaccinia cannot be differ resumption of his work. A patch test entiated either morphologically or with the cement gave a positive reac tinctorially from the causative agent tion in a few hours, which was accom of vaccinia (elementary bodies of Pas- panied by a hemoclastic crisis, as mani chen), but in contradistinction to the fested by a fall in blood pressure and a latter, the paravaccine does not pro rising leukocytosis. duce keratitis in rabbits (Paul's test). In six patients, histologic examination The Etiology op "Milkers' of nodes in different stages was made. Nodes." A. P. Dolgov and M. A. In the corium inflammatory changes Morozov. Abstr. as follows from Sovet. were found; in the older lesions the Vest. Dermat., April, 1981, vol. 9, p. structure of granuloma was present, 888, in Arch. Dermat. and Syph., Dec., but in no case were epithelial changes 1981, vol. 84, p. 1098. of the type found in vaccinia seen. Most authors believe that the erup Inoculation into the skin and cornea tion on the hands of milkers known as of guinea-pigs and rabbits was negative. "milkers' nodes" is due to vaccinia Auto-inoculation in nine patients gave infection from cows. The authors of a negative result, and only one patient this article have observed thirty cases responded positively; however, the cul 4 in different regions of the Moscow dis ture revealed a staphylococcus in this trict, eleven of which were examined case. When the affected milkers were thoroughly in the clinic. In each case inoculated with vaccine lymph, eight the cows were examined and were gave early reactions of different degree, found free from vaccinia. However, and on revaccination three gave a ST 0850685 ABSTRACTS 171 most varied applications in industry as a good fat solvent and cleanser, especially of metal parts. Parallel with this is its powerful narcotic action and action as a nerve poison, the latter showing itself in paralysis of the trigeminus and optic nerves, as well as in apoplectic seizures, the re sult of injuries to the blood vessels in the brain. Long-continued inhalation of small doses leads to chronic effects involving the whole organism and to addiction. The paper contains a table embracing 284 cases of poisoning of which 202 were acute and eighty-two chronic. Of the total, twenty-five were fatal. Local irritative action is slight. Under different physical and chemical conditions (even light alone) trichlorethylene undergoes decomposi tion with formation of hydrochloric add, especially in the presence of aluminium dust which may lead to explosions in closed vessels. In the presence of alkalies also it decomposes, forming, among other compounds, acetylene chloride which may give rise to fires. With naked flame it may decompose with formation of phosgene. Open washing apparatus is recom mended, while employment of young persons on machines containing the substance should be prohibited. Appended is a summary of the 284 reported cases which the author has collected from many publications of factory inspectors and others. Fairly full details are given of the various types of attack--trigeminus paralysis, optic atrophy and neuritis, apoplexy (which she compares with a similar condition produced occasionally by carbon monoxide), and the inclination of trichlorethylene to induce addiction to its vapor. [This is by far the most complete ac count of the effects of trichlorethylene that has so far appeared.]--T. M. L. DUST HAZARDS AND THEIR EFFECTS Measurement or Average Parti cle Size or Fine Pigments. S. D. Oehman and T. C. Morris. Indust, and Engin. Chem., Analyt. Ed., April 16, 1932, vol. 4, pp. 167-162. A method of calibrating a microturbidimeter of the extinction type against particle size of rubber pig ments is described. Particle size meas urements were made by the ultramicroscopic counting method, employing accurate concentrations of well-dispersed suspensions. Satisfac tory calibration curves were obtained although it is pointed out that smooth curves were given because of the uni formity of size in the individual suspensions.--T. H. Report or the Departmental Committee on Dust in Card Rooms in the Cotton Industry. H. M. Stationery Office, 1932, pp. 96. This report has unusual medical interest, since it promises to throw considerable light on the causation of spasmodic asthma. This disease, as it affects those exposed to dust in the card rooms of cotton mills, is a charac teristic occupational trouble. The dust at first irritates only slightly; but as years pass, the irritation becomes more intense, until an asthmatic condition is established. Finally the operative may be compelled to give up work entirely. Well-applied local ized ventilation has, during the past ST0850686 172 THE JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE twenty years, greatly improved mat ters; but uncertainty exists as to whether ail harmful dust is today removed. The most harmful appears undoubtedly to consist of the finest particles, of about 5 microns in size. The Committee, notwithstanding laborious investigation of sickness records, found itself unable to deter mine whether any harm is today resulting from the atmosphere of the workplace. It turned its attention to localizing the factor in the dust which is at fault. Clinical and X-ray examinations failed to indicate the presence of any pathologic characteris tic in the lungs of those affected; pathologic investigations gave the same reply. Hence the conclusion was drawn that the condition de pended upon contraction of the in voluntary muscles in the walls of the air passages brought about by sensiti zation to some substance present in the dust. The exact substance which sets up this allergic condition has not definitely been isolated. Histamine was found in the dust, and may be the factor in question; but the whole matter has been referred for further research. The sufferers from the asthma gave positive skin reactions to extracts made from the dust, thus establishing the contention that this occupational trouble is due to sensitization. Without waiting for further scientific research, the Committee recommends that every step shall be taken, as far as possible, to clear all dust from the carding engines by localized exhaust drafts, and to apply general ventila tion to the card rooms, preferably by means of a downward draft, in order to keep all fine particles below the breathing level.--E. L. C. Pneumonokoniosis among the Miners or Uedjang Lhbong (Suma tra). P. J. van Oulik. Abstr. as follows from Geneesk. Tijdschr. t>. Nederl.-Indil, 1981, vol. 71, pp. 718727, in Bull. Hyg., Jan., 1982, sol. 7, p. 21. According to Sleeswijk pneumonokoniosis is common among workmen em ployed in mines where the ground is poor in calcium but contains an excessive percentage of silicates. In order to verify this theory, the author examined the ore of Redjang Lebong and found that it was very rich in silicates and contained very little calcium. He therefore expected to find many cases of pneumonokoniosia among the miners who had worked more than fifteen years underground. The results of the clinical and of the radiologic examination of the miners showed a relatively small incidence of pneumonokoniosis, and the author thinks that this may have been due to a high percentage of moisture in the air of the mines (almost 100 per cent.). --H. L. Pnettmonoconiosib. J. W. Gullikson. Northwest Med., Feb., 1982, vol. 81, p. 84. PULMONABT FlBBOBIB: EXPERI MENTS of Short Duration. W. S. Lemon and G. M. Higgins. Abstr. as follows from Am. Jour. Med. Sc., Feb., 1982, vol. 188, p. 158, in Jour. Am. Med. Assn., April 28, 1982, vol. 98, p. 1601. Lemon and Higgins believe that the fibrosis of the lungB produced in a ft. J. I. H. 8pt., ins Vo No S T 0 8 50687 ABSTRACTS 173 workers exposed to dusty atmos pheres, especially those in which fine particles of silica make up the larger percentage of the dust, is an end product and represents a progressive defeat of the protective mechanisms of the body. It is never found until the lung fails to rid itself of dust carried out of the bronchi by ciliary action or of dust carried through the lung by way of the lymphatic channels. With the breakdown in the carrying mechanisms, the burden of protection is the phagocytic cell, which, with its load of engulfed material, /passes to all parts of the lung and ultimately ; becomes immobilized in those portions - of parenchyma in which lymphatic tissue is abundant. The cells con cerned are polymorphonuclear leuko cytes, which are the first to appear, to disintegrate, and to disappear, and . clasmatocytes, which appear later, are ^ extremely active, break up less rapidly, and may become transformed into (fibroblasts. In association with the tissue fibroblasts the clasmatocytes ; form scar tissue. Finally, fibrosis is ' the result of the action of substances secreted by the cell on the foreign particles. If a tissue poison results from this chemical action, fibrosis is encouraged, and is progressive, lasting as long as the unaltered irritant remains in the lung.--C. K. D. Abbestobib of the Lung. Gerbis and Ueko. Deutsch. med. Wchnschr., Feb. 19, 1982, vol. 58, p. 285. Acute Silicosis. E. M. Chapman. { Jour. Am. Med. Assn., April 28, 1982, tol. 98, pp. 14S9-1U1. 5 . The appearance of respiratory symp toms after eight, twenty-one, and twenty-nine months of exposure to an alkaline dust of high silica content marks a more rapid and severe silicosis than is usual. Russell has seen the disease fully developed in a lens grinder who inhaled a pure quartz spray for eight months. In granite cutters the earliest case without symp toms was found by roentgenograms after two years of service. The rapidly fatal cases of MacDonald occurred in two young girls who had been employed for two and threefourths and four and one-fourth years packing a similar type of soap. The TABLE 1.--SILICA CONTENT OF TISSUES MO. or KXJtCOK DIOXXDK m OH. Or DKXBD naauB Lung Bob* Harrow Normal......................................... 1.4 In chronic silicosis (King)... 123.55 In Case 1: left upper lung... 12.0 In Case 1: left lower lung___ 13.2 0.3 0.7 1.0 severity of respiratory embarrassment is attested by the marked decrease in the vital capacity, which waB lower in the first case than that usually seen in uncomplicated cardiac failure. The right ventricular hypertrophy, described in the pathologic examina tions, is probably explained by the increased resistance and loss of elas ticity in the pulmonary vascular bed. This finding aided in the recognition of the disease in the living patient, in whom the diagnosis could not be made by the roentgenogram alone. No determination was made of the ST0850688 174 THE JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE silica content of the dust or Boap to which these men were exposed, but estimates of the silica content of the tissues of the first case, done by the method of King, are given in Table 1. The data suggest that the reaction in the lungs is not a direct, quantitative one and very likely, as Heffeman believes, the rapid development of fibrosis results from the accelerated formation of a silica hydrosol in the presence of the alkaline soap dust. Ordinarily this reaction progresses slowly in the faintly' alkaline tissue fluids and may be so prolonged that symptoms do not appear until years after one has left a hazardous industry. The three cases of acute Bilicosia that have been recorded are among the first such cases in American industry. The rapidity of the process, ih contrast to the usual chronic form, is probably due to the accelerated forma tion of silica hydrosol in the presence of an alkaline soap dust.--Author's Comment and Summary. OCCUPATIONAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES: OCCURRENCE, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION On the Fbequency of Human Anthrax Infections. A. Schmitz and F. Widsch. Abstr. from Arch. f. Gewerbepath. u. Gewerbehyg., 1981, vol. 8, pp. 749-766, in Bull. Hyg., April, 1982, vol. 7, pp. 282-288. In an introductory section the author summarizes the regulations that are in force for the prevention of the introduction of diseased animals or products from diseased animals into Germany. Statistics are available of the number of cases of anthrax occurring in human beings in Germany from the year 1910, and the author quotes these to show that imported raw materials of animal origin are responsible for the majority of cases. In a second table are set out the figures showing the origin of the infec tive materials in those cases of anthrax which occurred among men in the hide and hair trades. During the Bame period there were 1,060 cases; in 74.5 per cent, of these the material was of foreign origin, in 4.6 per cent, it was home produced, while in the remaining 20.9 per cent, its origin was not determined. These 1,060 cases are again sub divided into three groups: namely, persons working in tanneries, transport workers dealing with hides, hair, etc., and manufacturers using hair of animal origin. The majority of cases (670) occurred among tanners; the other two groups were nearly equal in size, with 191 and 199 respectively. Materials of foreign origin are the source of the Infection in from 60 to 80 per cent, of the cases. The author states that a considerable proportion of those due to infective material of undetermined origin should be classed as due to imported materials. Tabulating the figures again to show the nature of the infection the author shows that in 95.4 per cent, of all the cases the infection involved the skin, with a fatality of 10.9 per cent. In 4.6 per cent, of cases the infection took place in the internal organs, and here the fatality was 94.5 per cent. During the twenty-nine years under review, 1,362 cases of anthrax occurred in J. I. H. Sept., 1J ABSTRACTS ST 0850689 225 This is a brief summary of the inves tigation of the United States Public Health Servioe into the question of the hazards of luminous dial painting. The results will be published in extenso in the Public Health Reports.--L. T. F. Hygienic Conditions op Work in Certain Operations op Spray Paint ing, with the Use op Cellulose Varnishes. F. H. de Balsac and A. Feil. Mouvement Sanitaire, 1982, vol. 9, pp. 222-226, 229. Some description is given of the use of the spray to apply cellulose varnisheB in France. These varnishes con tain from 75 to 85 per cent, fluids, and from 15 to 25 per cent, solids. The solids contain nitrocellulose resins and gums, together with pigments, among which lead salts may figure; but the amount of lead seldom reaches 2 per cent, of the whole. Any risk arises from evaporation of solvents. Ex amination of men employed at a fac tory near Paris showed that there was some complaint of gastric troubles, of cough and difficulty in breathing, of vertigo and giddiness, as well as head ache. Examination, however, failed to disclose any pathologic condition, while blood showed no abnormality, nor could signs of lead absorption be detected. Apparently the use of the spray for painting presents little risk under good conditions of ventilation. Any symptoms present disappear quickly in the open air. Nevertheless, if different materials be used, such as chlorine bodies, poisoning might result. Moreover, none of those examined had worked for more than a few years; pos sibly longer exposure may prove the work to be harmful.--E. L. C. DUST HAZARDS AND THEIR EFFECTS Pulmonary Asbebtobis. J. V. Sparks. Radiology, Dec., 1981, vol. 17, pp. 1249-1257. The Asbebtobis Body. S. R. Gloyne. Lancet, June 25, 1982, vol. 1, pp. 1851-1856. In this article the author brings to gether all the information he can col lect with regard to the first recognition of what are now known as asbestosis bodies, and concerning their origin, both theoretically and experimentally considered. He has himself contrib uted much to the whole subject. A series of drawings presents various forms of asbestosis bodies; while in formation is given as to how these bodies react to acidB and alkalies, as well as to ferments. The conclusion seems definite that they are formed by the deposit upon fine asbestos fibrils of organic matter from the tissues, which contains iron. This organic coating can be dissolved, leaving bare the origi nal fine fibril. This article brings up to date in a useful way the considera tions relative to the asbestosis body, but curiously omits any reference to the presence of such bodies in lungs not exposed to asbestos dust, such as coal dust, as reported by W. E. Cooke (see following abstract).--E. L. C. SiLICO-AnTFIRAC08I8 PRESENTING Curious Bodies Similar to Those in Asbestosis. W. E. Cooke. Brit. Med. Jour., April 9, 1982, vol. 1, pp. 656657. The primary factor in the production Vol. 14 No. ST0850690 226 THE JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE of coal miners' lung is Bilicosis, coal dust being retained in large amounts when the lymph drainage has been impaired by the action of silica; thus anthracosis is a special variety of silicosis, depend ing upon the accumulation of coal dust in a silica damaged lung. Most of the cases have been described among men getting anthracite coal, but the author cites a case in a miner who had worked on soft coal. Chemical analysis of the lung showed a silica figure of 40.2 per cent, in the ash, of which 15.6 was insoluble silica. An interesting point is that certain bodies similar in every way to the curious bodies seen in cases of asbestosis were found in the lungs. Apparently such bodies are not pecul iar to asbestosis, and any spicule of insoluble material may have colloid deposited around it and become molded into a curious body. The appearance of such bodies is illustrated.--E. L. C. Silicosis. Lancet, June 4, 1932, vol. 1, p. 1206. A useful summary is here given of the experimental investigations which have been carried out into the devel opment of pulmonary fibrosis following dust inhalation. Tests have shown that there are two groups of dusts, one active and the other inert. The inactive dusts include carbon, coal, aluminium oxide, oxide of iron, marble, and carborundum; the active dusts in all cases contain silica in some form, as either quartz, shale, kaolin, or as bestos. Particular attention is drawn to the procedures followed by Professor Kettle, who studies the effects of dust by either subcutaneous experimental lesions or by intratracheal injection into the lungs.--E. L. C. Silicosis and the Industrialist. H. BaUantyne. Jour. State Med., June, 1932, vol. 40, pp. 342-349. The causation of silicosis as en visaged by an industrial managing director is Bet out. No threshold be yond which dustiness in the air be comes a hazard has been fixed medi cally, although some undefined degree of dustinesB is acceptedly quite harm less. Today large industrial concerns must be prepared to install means for trapping or withdrawing from the working atmosphere as much dust as is practicable. It is safest to err on the side of excess when safeguarding the health of workers.--E. L. C. CLIMATE Atmospheric Pollution in Bor deaux. P. Lamarque. Gaz. hebd. d. sc. mid. de Bordeaux, 1932, vol. 63, pp. 210-219. An investigation extending over a period of eighteen months was carried out by the author into atmospheric pollution of the town of Bordeaux. Various reasons contribute to this pol lution, such as the manufacture of sul phuric acid and hyperphosphates, the combustion of organic waste, domestic fires, the exhaust fumes from the com bustion of heavy oils and from motor cars; while nitrous fumes and fiuosilicic acid emanate from certain industries. The author considers that all forms of pollution can be prevented, frequently with an advantage from the capture of valuable material now allowed to waste. The way in which such steps should be taken is outlined; and the J. 1. H. Not., 19M