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0m \--yi i TTTT FOUNDATION FACTS . Thin nfW3-ttter It lusued monthly to member compnniri and trade associations affiliated with Air Hycicne Foundation. Its nuniosc is to report Foundation news and aotivitivs. Atr Hygiene Foundation la a partnership of Industry and science orcanixed to protect the health of the V May, IW > j' Kvv\ >v Companies-Tnterested in Sick Absenteeism to meet May 27 An "instruction" meeting of companies participating in the Foundation* s r;rvoy of "Sick Absenteeism in Industry," and companies desiring more information the survey, will be held at Mellon Institute, Pitt:l"uv;h, on Ha*- 27 at 10 A.M. > -tern Daylight Time. Notices of the meeting have been rushed to all companies Affiliated with the Foundation. The purpose of the meeting is to oxplain how to keep tabs on workdays lost through illness, and to answer questions companies may have respecting the work. Such subjects a3 forms for recording absences, amount of clerical work involved, expense, confidential character of the material, benefits of such an "inventory" to manageru.-nt, etc., will be explained by the following specialists: Dr. A.J. Lanza, Chairman, Foundation's Medical Committee Dr. R.R. Sayers, Representing Public Health Servico and Association of Industrial Physicians and Surgeons Dr. C.D. Selby, Medical Consultant, General Motors Corporation Dr. W.M. Gafnfer, Senior Statistician, Public Health Service Ur. R.J. Vane, Statistician, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Dr. Lanza will outline tho subject. Dr, Sayers will explain the collabor ation of tho Public Health Sorvice. Dr. Gafafer and Mr. Vano will explain the tech nical dotails, the "do*s" and "don*ts." Dr. Selby will speak from tho experience of n company engaged in such a survey. The above authorities on the subject of sick absenteeism met at Mellon Institute on Kay 3 and planned details of the survey as well as the program for the May C?th meeting. All companies interested in this vital work should bo represented At tho "instruction" meeting. Foundation's Work Summarized In Mellon Institute Report Enclosed with this monthly Digest is a copy of Mellon Instituto* s Annual report, just released, Plcasa soe the special section, starting on page 29 & devoted to the work of tho Foundation during the Institute's fiscal year. James J. Donny, 55, noted Canadian metallurgist who worked with Dr. W. D. Robavn in experiments with aluminum dust as a possible silicosis preventive, died at T-.r nto on April 30, according to the Associated Press. Members of the Foundation staff havo articles in tho current issues of the NATIONAL SAFETY NEWS and SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN. Pennies for prevention save dollars worth of euro i May, 1940 Air Hygiene Foundation, 4400 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa DIGEST OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE Literature--News--Development s News Items 350 Legislation Heloting to Compensation for Partial Disability from Silicosis, T. 0* Waters, member of the Foundation's Legal Committee (Mullikin, Stockbridge and Waters, Baltimore, Md.) gives the following summary regarding states which do not grant compensation for partial disability from silicosis; 1. Arkansas* This law does not become effective until approved by refer endum to be held November 5, 1940* No compensation payable for disability from silicosis or asbestosis of less than 33-l/3Jo of total disability* (Enacted 1939}. 2. Idaho. No compensation for partial disability from silicosis. (Enacted 1939). 3. Maryland. No compenstition for partial disability from silicosis or asbostosis. (Enacted 1939). 4. Massachusetts. No compensation for partial incapacity due to silicosis or other occupational pulmonary dust disease. (Laws of 1939), 5. Michigan. No compensation for partial disability duo to silicosis or other dust disease. (Act of 1937) 6. Now York. No compensation for partial disability due to silicosis or other dust disease. (Act of 1940). 7. Ohio. Compensation payable only on account of silicosis in tho event of temporary total disability, permanent total disability or death. (Act of 1939), 8. Pennsylvania. No compensation for partial disability duo to silicosis, anthraco-silicosis or asbestosis. (Enacted 1939). 351 American Industrial Hygiene Association, First Annual Meeting. Hotel Pennsylvania, Hew York City, June 4-5, 1940. This gtv'p meets joinxly vrich xhc ArnurJ con Association ot Industrial Physicians and Surgeons who held their 25th annual meeting this year# Pertinent matorial presented will be abstracted in future issues of this Digest, 352 Over-Kcatlng and Over-Exertion Results in Death of Boiler Fireman. Occupational Hazards, 2, 36 (April, 1940). Compensation was sought for tho daath of a boiler fireman# The employee who had heart trcublo, hardening of the arteries and high blood pressure died suddenly, shortly after he finished shoveling fuol into the furnace. It was shown that a groat deal of heat wa3 thrown off from tho open furnacos, and that tmdor the con ditions tho job of keeping the furnaces going was quite exhausting. The Court said that tho doath of the fireman was compcnsablo as resulting from an "acci dent"; that the facts and circumstances surrounding the death lead to tho con clusion that tho death was hastened by tho over-heating and ovor-exortion arising directly from performing dutios in connection with his employment. To say that the doceasod, in Ids condition, might havo died suddenly at homo or in any other place is merely ontoring tho field of speculation. Ozbolt vs, Wcbor-King Manu facturing Co., ct al. (Louisiana), 193 C. 303 (Jon., 1940). q v g/J * Digest of Industrial Hygiene -2. 353 Bnployce's Negligence and Violation of Company Hulo Doesn't Prevent Award. Occu pational Hazards, 3? (April,1940). A packing house employee suffering an attack of indigestion went to an adjoining pickling room to get a drink of water. In that room he noticed a barrel contain ing a substance which looked like, and which he thought to bo baking soda. The barrel wu3 paintod red to denote danger, and labeled "sodium nitrate." The om- ploycu dissolved some of the substance in wator, drank it, end become fatally ill. The Company resisted a claim for compensation on the ground that the death did not arise in the course of employment; that the death v/as caused by an act of self-medication in violation of a company rule requiring ailing employees to re port to the company hospital. The Court granted an award to the widow and children of the deceased employee. It said, "Acts essential to life, comfort, and convenience of employees while at work are incidental to his service, and injuries sustained in their performance 'arise out of the employment' and are com pensable, Tho violation of the rule governing employeesdid not remove the employ ee from the course of his employment," There was no question but that the employ ee in this case was negligent, but the Court said that negligence of an employee is not a factor in a workmen's compensation case. Security Mutual Casualty Co. vs, Wakeflold (U.S. Cir, Ct. of App,, 5th Cir.) (Texas), 108 Fed, (2nd) 273 (Jen*, 1940), 354 High Court Speak3 on Impartial Physicians. Labor Standards, TT.S, Dept, of Labor, ,26 (March, 1940). WorJflacn's compensation administrators are often confronted with conflicting med ical testimony as to the nature and extent of disability and its relation to truiaaa or employment exposure. In such cases the usual procedure is the selec tion of on impartial physician to examine the claimant and pass an opinion upon the disputed facts. Because this opinion is often accepted by the administrators as final and conclusive, the role of "impartial examiner" is highly important. The question arises whether a physician who is professionally employed more or loss frequently by insurance carriers can be teimed "impartial" from the view point cf the workmen's compensation claimant. This question was recently pre sented to tho Supremo Judicial Court of Massachusetts by a compensation claimant in that State, It is thought to be the first case of this kind passed upon by a high court. In an opinion handed down this month the court held that "it cannot bo ruled as a matter of law that a physician is not impartial because merely he has testified in numerous cases on behalf of insurance companies," The court indicated, however, that a different question would arise if the physician had been "habitually employed or consulted by this employee or this insurer in res pect to othor than/injury hero involved." V/hile thus ruling on the precise question of law, the Massachusetts opinion, however, contains this concent: "7/e agreo with the argument of the employee that it is the duty of the board to exor cise all possible care to appoint as impartial physicians under the act only such as arc really impartial, and thateyery effort should be made to avoid the appear ance ds well as the fact of favoritism or sympathetic inclination towards one party as against the other," 355 Blood Clot a Compensable Injury in Georgia. TJ.S. Dopt. of Labor, Monthly Labor Review, 50, 671 (March. 1940). The Georgia Court of Appeals recently upheld a decision of a lower court which allowed compensation to an employee for a blood clot caused by jarring in tho operation of-a gas shovol. The employee operated a gas shovel weighing 17 or 13 ton3, and was obliged to sit in a cramped position. The constant jarring and jolting resulted in the formation of blood'clots in both legs, causing sevorc pain and disabling him for work. Tho industrial board rulod that tho employee's condition rosultod from on occupational dicoaso and therefore was not componsablo fVt <u OJAo v t Digest of Industrial Hygiene * 3. under the State wortoaen* 3 compensation act. The lower court reversed this find ing. The Court of Appeals, in affirming tho decision of the lower court, was of tho opinion that tho industrial board erred in finding that the blood clot, technically called phlobiti3, was an occupational disease. Any injury, the court said, resulting from a sudden jarring, such as the shovel caused, was an injury compensable undor tho workmen's compensation act. (Lumbermen's Mutual Casualty Co. et al, v. Lcyfield', 5 S.E. (2d) 610.) 356 Unemployment Benefits No Bar to Workmen' s Compensation# U.S. Dept, of Labor, Monthly Lnbor~RovioW,~5Qt 67U (March, 1940). An employee receiving unemployment benefits under the unemployment compensation act is not disqualified from recovering compensation for the same period under the workmen's compensation act, according to the Supreme Court of Michigan. This waa hold in two recent decisions. The court ruled that in both instances the awards wore statutory, and, although there was no doubt as to some inconsistency in the provisions, they wero bound by tho wording of the acts. The employee, in the first case, Suffered from an injury which necessitated the amputation of part of a finger and prevented him from continuing in tho same line of work. He was, however, given a job as a sweoper, and was so employed when he was laid off. The second case concerned on employee who had sustained a hernia and, for a short period, was paid compensation for total disability. He thereafter returned to work and wa3 working full time v;hon laid off. The employee, in each case, ob tained unemployment benefits, and later applied for and received an award of workmen's compensation for the same period. Both men were employed by the Ford Motor Co., which claimed a deduction of this award during the period the employee was paid unemployment benefits. In upholding the award of workmen's compensa- tion, the court pointed out that there was nothing in the unemployment-compensa tion act which precluded tho employees from recovering under the woitaaen* s compen sation act, and vice versa. Tho legislature, it was said, intended to create two independent organizations to administer two kinds of compensation, payable from different funds, and until the enactment of tho unemployment-compensation act thero would have been no dispute as to the employees' right to compensation. It was also observed that members of the Michigan Unemployment Compensation Commis sion and tho agency administering the workmen's compensation act are public offi cers, and that they may not refuse compensation to persons entitled to it under the act. In this connection, the court declared that if a deduction of the award was permitted the Court would be granting relief beyond the toms of the work men' s compensation act, and, for these reasons, concluded that tho remedy to pro vide for deductions or for denial of compensation under cithor act is with the legislature. (Henry v. Ford Motor Co., 289 N.W. 244; Bartels v. Ford Motor Co., 289 N.Ti. 322.) 357 Genoral Session on Toxicology. American Ceramic Society, Toronto, Canada, April 7-13, 1940. Pathological Influence of Dusts in the Ceramic Industry. Dudley Irwin. -- An explanation of the function of tho lung and how tho prosence of dust interferes with its normal function. Toxicity of various kind3 of dusts, the ways of deter mining tho amount and toxicity of dusts encountered in industry, and methods that may bo applied to prevent tho development of silicosis aro discussed. Relative Toxicity of Load and Dome of Its Common Compounds. Lawrence T. Fairhall. An investigation was uuido of the relative toxicity of load and various lead com pounds, commonly encountered (including lead arsonate, load carbonate, lead chro mate, litharge, rod lend, load peroxide, lend phosphate, lead silieato, lead sulfato and load oulfido) following tho administration of these substances by mouth, by intrspcritonoal injection, and by inhalation. . Symptoms of lead poisoning, ouch as muscular incoordination and anemia wero sought; blood chunges with rcspoct to tho red cells, particularly basophilic stippling, pclychroaasia, and 0Lj9C Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 4, morphologic changes were noted; and blood calcium determinations were made. Body weight changes and mortality figures were collected. The lead was administered in known amounts by ingestion, injection, and inhalation, .nd its distribution in such tissues as tho livor, kidney, bones, lungs, and carcass was determined after such exposure. The toxic effoct of lead compounds was more evident cn inhalation than when administered either by mouth or by intraperitoneal injoction and emphasizes the importance of this typo of exposure in du3ty trades employing lead. Tho order of toxicity as shown by feeding experiments did not voiy much for c number of the compounds studied. Lead carbonato, lead monoxide, and lead sulfato, however, wero shown to be more toxic by mouth than metallic lead or tho remaining load compounds. Lead carbonate and lead monoxide were more tox ic following inhalation than the other compounds studied. Health of Brick and Tile Plant Workers in North Carolina. M.F. Trice. -- This paper reviews some of tho data obtained in an investigation of the North Carolina brick and tile industry to evaluate the siliceous dust exposure of the workers in terms cf hazards to health, particularly with respect to silicosis. The dis tribution of the 48 plants is shown by map and classified as to raw material em ployed, i.e., alluvial clay or shale* Plant equipment and operating practices are reviewed in a general discussion of the industry. The extent of the dust exposuro of the workers by occupational classification is appraised in terms of millions of particles of dust per cubic foot of air, which i3 based on particle- count analyses of 183 samples of air-borne dust collected in 28 plants. An eval uation of the health status of the workers is based on medical data obtained in the clinical and x-ray examination of 1550 employees in an equal number of plants, most of which were tho same as those in which dust samples were obtained. There is presented on analysis of the more important medical data. The investigation disclosed that none of the employees had silicosis, a fact which apparently is explained by a low quartz content of tho atmospheric dust, an absence of excessive concentrations of dust, end a high labor turnover. Engineering Control of Dust with Special Reference to Respirators. A.D. Brandt. A brief discussion of tho more common methods of reducing or controlling the respiratory hazard due to dust. Specific methods named ore (1) control of dust at point of generation; (2) isolation of dusty processes; (3) process changes; and (4) reduction cf dust in inspired air by means of respiratory protective devices. The general methods are (1) general ventilation, (2) good housekeeping, and (3) a rigid inspection of ell control devices. The remainder of tho paper is devoted to a detailed discussion of respirators, their propor use, construction, main tenance, and Bureau of Nines approval. 358 List of Respiratory Protective Devices Approved by the Bureau of Mines. H. H. Scurenk, U.S. Bur. of Nines, Inf. Circ. No. 7030 (Fifth Supplement) (April 18, 1940). See No. 792, November 1939 (Digest of Industrial Hygiene) for previous approvals. SCHEDULE 14D--GAS MASKS. Type A.--Acid Gas Masks. 4. Davis Hydrocyanic Acid Gas Mask. Approval EK-1424, issued to Davis Emergency Equipment Co., Inc., Docnmbor 11, 1939. 5. Willson Chlorine Gas Mask. Approval Bi-1426, issued to Willson Products, Inc., March 8, 1940. Type C.--Ammonia Gas Masks. 9. Willson /jnaonia Gas Mask. Approval EM-1425, issued to Willson Products, Inc., December 20, 1939. SCHEDULE 21 --MECHANICAL-FILTER RESPIRATORS. Typo A,--Pnoiawconiosis-Producing or Nuisance Dusts. 22, M.S.A. Alkali Dust Rospirntor. Arprovc.l EM-2136, issued to Mine Safoty Appliancoc Co., Doeehbor 1, 1939. 23. American Optical Co., R9100 Rospirator. Approval IM-2137, issued to American Optical Co., March 6, 1940* 0 J 00 Digest of Industrial Ifygieno - 5. SCHEDULE 21 --HECIWNIGAL-FILTER RESPIRATORS CONT'D. Lead Dust* 7, American Optical Co., R1000T Respirator. Approval EM-2138, Issued to American Optical Co., March 16, 1940. Typo B.--Fumes 2. M.S.A. Comfo Respirator. Approval 3M-2139, issued to Mine Safety Appliances Co., March 27, 1940. Notices of Now Books 359 Dormatolrrcic Allergy by M.B. Sulzberger, M.D., 540 pp. 8.50. Charles C. Thomas, Baltimore, Md. This book is a compilation of locturos given by the author and is "intended to be only u primer, an `Introduction* to Dermatologic Allergy." The titles of the Chapters aro as follows: I. On Definitions and Classifications. II. On the Skin as a Protective Organ; the Skin as the Recorder and as the Possible Origin ator of Allergic Changes. III. On Some Fundamental Phenomena of Allergy and Their Significance as the Common, Basic Factors in Certain Diseases and Reactions Due Either to Non-living Allergens or to the Agents of Infectious Diseases. IV. On the Investigation of Individual Cases Presumed to bo Based on Allergy. V. On Common Allergic Skin Reactions and Skin Diseases: Their Classification and Some of Their Distinctive Characteristics. VI. On Eczematous Contact-Type Dermatitis (Dermatitis Eczematosa or Eczema)Significance, Differential Diagnosis and Etiologic Investigation. VII. On Urticarial Responses to Skin Tests. On Urticarial Skin Diseases, Including Atopic Dermatitis. VIII. On Some Manifes tations of Allergy in Infectious Diseases. DC. On Allergy to Tuberculin and on Tuberculodcrms--Including the Sarcoid Group. X. On Allergy to Fungi (Dermato- ' aycott-33) and to the Fungous Extracts (Trichophytin); on Deimatomycoses. XI. On Allergy as the Basis of the Manifestations of Cutaneous Syphili3--(Including Specific, Acquired "Chancre Immunity"). XII. On Allergy and Allergic Skin Re actions in Miscellaneous Infections; and in Other Exposures to Living Agents and Their Products (Parasitic Infestations, Insect Bites, etc.; Foreign Sera, etc.). XIII. On Allorgy to Drug3 and on Drug Eruptions. XTV. On the Future of Allergy. .There are several appendices, one of which is a tabular presentation of criteria for determining the industrial character of a dermatitis. Papers on Air, Dust and General Industrial Hygiene 360 Analysis of Occupational Diseaso Claims Filed During Year 1939. Ohio Ind. Comm. Monitor, 13, 55 UprilT 1940). A preliminary summary shows a marked increase over the preceding year from 1,358 to 1,713. This seems to be duo largely to an unusual number of claims for skin diseaso. Many of those are largely preventable. Lead poisoning claims slightly increased but showed loss than 1937. Prepatellar bursitis and tenosynovitis in creased as did claims for poisonings other than lead, such as benzol, arsenic, mercury, manganese, anilia, sulfur dioxide and volatile petroleum products. There wore 160 claims for silicosis, of which 40 wore complicated by tuberculosis. The foundry industry had 53.1$ of tho claims and the ceramic industry 37,955. In every caso where cases of silicosis developed it was found that high dust counts developed. During the past year tho occupational disease law was amended to include all occupational diseases. Tho definition given is: "A disease peculiar to a particular industrial process, trado or occupation and to which an enployeo is not ordinarily subjected or exposed outside of or away from his employment." 0 :.,i 00 Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 6. 361 Analysis of Silicosis Claims. Ohio lad, Comm. Monitor, 13, 56 (April, 1940). Since the amendment adding silicosis to the list of compensable occupational discasos beccao effective July 31, 1937, a total of 337 claims basod upon sili cosis have been filod with the Industrial Commission of Ohio. Approval was given to 131 claims, 190 wore disallowed and 66 ore still pending. Up to March 29, 1940, the ensos ollov/od were distributed as follows: Foundries 67, of which 16 were in stool foundries, 35 in iron foundries and 16 in non-ferrous foundries. This is 51.2 per cunt of tho claims filed. In tho ceramics industry there were T>2 cases, or 39.7 per cent of the total. They were distributed as follows: Building brick and tile 1, enamels 2, firebrick 1, floor and wall tile 11, glass house refractories 3, insulating brick 3, insulators 4, silica brick 1, silica sand and aiatomacoous oarth 2, stonewear products 2 and tableware 17. In cut stone work thoro wore 8, or 6.1 per cent, 6 being in monument work, 1 in quarries and 1 in building. Polishing, buffing and grinding accounted for 3, or 2.3 por cent of tho .total and coal mining 1, or .7 per cent. During the month of March, 5 claims were allowed and 9 disallowed. 362 Limitations of Compensation Insurance. L.T. Parker. Pit and Quarry, 2^ 49 (April, 1940). The original intent of wo^lartcn, s state compensation laws was to assure employees of reasonable compensation for disabilities, and to enable employers to secure protection against expensive damage suits by employees; in other words, to elim inate the necessity of suing for damegos. Generally speaking, of course, an em ployer who provides state compensation insurance cannot be sued by an injured employe for damages. Nevertheless thousands of employers who pay premiums for state industrial and compensation Insurance arc often astonished when awards for damages amounting to thousands of dollars are made to injured employees. The laws of Pennsylvania and many other states do not provido compensation for illnec arising from occupational disease, unless it results from violence. In this con nection, a higher court has rendered a leading decision in the caso of Billo v. Allegheny, 195 Atl. 110. The facts of thi3 case aro that a worker was employ ed in a grinding department using emery wheels for a period of five years, when he became ill and incapacitated. No exhaust-fans were supplied to dravf off the dust. After a tine the employee offered testimony to prove that he had contract ed silicosis. Since the laws of the state do not provido for compensation to employees who contract occupational diseases, the employee sued for damages, alleging negligonco of the employer in failing to supply: (1) adequate exhaust fans to carry off the dust, and (2) sufficient ventilation--ail which were re quired by state laws. The lower court held the employer liable in the amount of $6,000. On appeal, the higher court declared: It is well settled that an employee has a common-law right of action against his employer for injuries . caused by disease contracted by tho employee in the course of his employment and duo to tho negligent conduct of tho employer in violation of a statutory duty. Under certain circumstances an injured employee may be unable to collect in surance benefits from tho state and may sue the employer for damages. For illustration, in the loading case of Hamilton v, J. Lc Roy Company, 261 N.VA 506, it was disclosed that c Mr. Hamilton acted as manager of a plant while it was in operation, but during off-seasons ho performed various kinds of manual labor around tho plant. One day Hamilton was soricusly injurod -while ongagod in tak ing an inventory of stock located in the warehouse of the factory. The owner of the plant quite naturally expected that Hrmilton Aould bo paid compensation in surance for the injury and that Ho could not suo for damages. Howovor, tho In dustrial Ccmicoion refused to approve Hamilton* 3 compensation claim on tho grounds that he was not nn employee protoctcd by the compensation insurance laws because at oortuin periods ho acted no a representative or manager of tho plant. As a result, Hamilton brought suit against the company for damages. Tho law3 of certain states provide that employers who post noticos, supplied by tho .Dlgost of Industrial Ifygieiie -7. commission, stating that they carry insurance, shall not be sued by injured em ployees, or their dependents for damages* If the employer forgets to post those notices in conspicuous places, or the industrial commission neglects to sond tho notices, the employee may sue for damages. Another portion of the lav; pro vides that all employers who have paid insurance premiums may bo sued by employ ees who are injured because tho employer failed to comply with "lavtful require ments for the protection of the lives and safety of employees." In a leading ca30 (91 O.S. 205) it was held that if an employer fails to place a guard on a mechanical apparatus, the employee may sue instead of accepting compensation. 363 Proceedings of the Sixth National Conference on Labor Legislation. U.S. Dept, of Labor, Div. of Labor Standards Bulletin No. 35, 109 pp. (1940). In these Proceedings, the Report of the Committee on Prevention and Compensation of Industrial Injuries and Diseases is of most interest here. The Connittee re commends: that compulsory compensation for all industrial injuries; that insur ance should be in an exclusive State Fund; that "injury" should be defined to include occupational disease and coverage should be "blanket" instead of by schedule; that medical and hospital service should be unlimited; and that power should be vested in labor departments or industrial commissions to establish minimum standards of safety and health by the promulgation of industrial health and safety codes. The Committee approved a resolution petitioning that Senate Bill 1620 (Wagner National Health Bill)include provisions making it possible for State labor departments to obtain funds for the furtherance and promotion and control of industrial hygiene, and that labor departments have an equal opportun ity with departments of hoalth to secure such funds. These are only highlights of the Report, Copies may be obtained from the Government Printing Office, Y/ashington, D. C. 364 Guarding the Health of Garment Workers. L. Price. Lab. Inform. Bull., 7_, 6-7 (January, 1940), In 1913, the International Ladies* Garment Ytorkers Union established its Union Health Center in New York to promote the health of its members and their families Prospective members must pass a physical examination. Those with physical de fects or who are over 50 are taken in as "non-beneficiary" members. No one with acute or contagious disease is accepted. Up to 1920 an average of 3000 examin ations had been given; in 1939 the estimated number is 95,000. Several cf the locals of the union have sick benefit associations with premiums ^ranging from $1.00 to $6.80 per year. Some provide care for tuberculous members and one offers hospital insurance. All members pay $1,00 a year, entitling their bene ficiaries to $150 death benefit. 365 Disabling Morbidity Among Industrial Workers, Final Quarter of 1939 end the Entire Year. Yf.U. Gafafer. U.S. Public Health Reports, 515, 650-652 (April 12, 1940). These statistics are based on periodic reports on sickness and non-industrial injurios lasting more than one week among 173,000 male members of industrial sick benefit organizations. The frequency (annual nxanbor of cases lasting 8 days or longor) of 88.8 por 1000 men was slightly larger than the corresponding frequency (82.2) for 1938. Influenza and grippe appear to be primarily responsible. The 1939 frequency for pneumonia is 30# larger than that of 1938 but only slightly in excess of tho figure for 1934-38. That of 1939 is the highest recorded for tho ten year poriod 1930-39, while that in 1933 is tho lowest. 306 Pnoamoconiosls from Mineral Colors. J, Hagen. Arch. f. Gewerbopath., 9^, 621-633 (1939). (German). Fcur non had been engaged for from 15 to 28 years in crushing minoral colors. Tbs author found silicosis of slight to medium degree and one severe case. Analysis of tho minoral colors showed up to 15# quartz, but mostly 1.5 to 2.5#. Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 8. 36? Use of Respirator Masks End3 Sickness Absences, H. M. Scherr. Factory Man. & Main.,"2 4y (April, 194oT. An examination of sick-list data revealed that 805$ of tho absences for illness in this plant were in tho cloth-cutting department. Constant nose and throat irritation, shortness of breath, frequent coughing, and various other respiratory complaints were common eaong the workers in this department. Fluoroscopic ex amination showed a type of pneumoconiosis caused by tho inhalation of wool and cotton lint given off from the fabric in cutting. The uso of respirators has completely eliminated sickness absences in the cutting department. 368 Favorable Health Showing. The Management Review, p. 129 (April, 1940). Health conditions among tho 18,000 men and women employees of tho main offices of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company are so favorable that the mortality in this group is only about one-half that of the general population in tho corresponding age classes, according to the statisticians of the company. While not directly attributing this extremely low mortality to any specific cause, tho statisticians nevertheless explain that for a period of more than 25 - years the insurance company has made periodic medical examinations available to employees. They point out that this favorable health showing is of special in terest in view of tho "modern movement in favor of periodic health examinations." In 1938 there were only 68 deaths among the group of 13,000 employeos, and this figure is tho equivalont of a crude death rate of 6.1 deaths per 1,000 for males ana 2.5 for females, or a combined rate of approximately 4 per 1,000. These rates aro only about 60 por cent of the "expected," according to the "modern Ordinary insurance experience." Making allowance for tho difference in the specific sex and age composition of tho employee group and of tho general pepu- lation, it was found that in practically evory instance mortality from specific . diseases among the employee group was more favorable than for the general popu lation. The employco tuberculosis death rate, with allowance still made for difference in sox and age composition, is less than 30 per cent of the rate for the general population. 369 Silicosis--Rocket or Responsibility? Ceramic Ind. 34, 41-42, 63 (April, 1940). A general discussion of the subject of 3ilicosis--etiology, pathology and pre vention* It is generally felt that the dust hazard in the pottery industry is not sorlous as many of the processes are carried out in the wet state. In order to eliminate the incidence of silicosis entirely, adequate exhaust systems should be used, etc. In porcelain enameling whore ware is sprayed, it is important that proper exhaust bo provided and that the overspray enamel not be permitted to accumulate on the sides of the spray booth, for the enamel is highly siliceous. In the glass industry, mixing, grinding and handling the sand are hazardous but proper protection has practically eliminated silicosis. Although several surveys have shown that cement dust is not a cause of either tuberculosis, pneu monia or silicosis, care should bo taken to avoid breathing the dust. Careful physical end periodic examinations and care in the selection of personnel are advocated. 370 Roentgen Examination of tho Structure of Pneumoconiotic Lungs. H. Gartner. Arch. f. Gowerbcpath., 634-659 (1939). (German). Tho principle of this method is the deflection of x-rays by crystals and is em ployed for recognizing different dusts. The author oxaminod 15 pnoumoconiotic lungs and tho 6 rock dusts which caused the damage. After destruction of tho lung tissue by nitric acid or hydrogon peroxide, the remaining dust was treated again, driod, and one part ached. X-ray examination by this method permitted the naturo of tho dust to bo detorninod, oven if it was mixed. 0M QV 4 Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 9. 371 Prevention of Coal Dust Explosions by Rock Dusting;* Mine Safety Board Decision 32. U.S. Bureau of Mines, Information Circular No. 7109, 3 pp* (March, 1940). To prevent the propagation of mine explosions, the Bureau of Mines recomcnd3: (1) That nil coal and lignite mines, except anthracite mines shall be rock dust- od. (2) That rock dust shall be distributed upon top, bottom, and sides of all underground openings of every description, to within at least 40 feet of all working faces and the areas not rock dusted shall be.kept wet. (3) That rock dust shall bo maintained in such quantity that the incombustible material in representative samples of dust collected shall not be less than 65 per cent. Where methane gas is present in the ventilating current, the minimum percentage of incombustible matter in the mine duct shall bo increased 1 per cent for each 0.1 per cent of methano. (4) That when the rock dust in any area becomes caked so that it cannot be dispersod readily as a cloud in the air, that part of the mine shall be redusted immediately. (5) That the dust to be used shall not con tain more than 5 per cent of combustible matter nor more than 25 per cent of quartz or free silica; all of the dust shall pass through a sieve having 20 meshes per linear inch and GO per cont or more shall pass through a sieve having 200 meshes per linear inch; the dust shall not absorb moisture from the air to such an extent as to cake and destroy its effectiveness as a dry dust. (6) That rock dust barriers shall not be regarded as a substitute for generalized rock dusting. The kind of rock dust to be used should have the approval of the State Mine Inspection Service. Pure limestone or pure dolomite produces the best rock dust. If the mine personnel is repeatedly oxposed to breathing high concentrations of the dust, the percentage of free and combined silica should be -as low as possible, preferably less than 5 per cent. Persons engaged in the application of rock dust should wear approved dust respirators as listod in Bur eau of Mines Information Circular 7030 or revisions thereof. 372 Constant Dust Feeding Device for Laboratory Use. C.E. Williams and VJ.P. Battista, J; Ind. Hyg. & Toxicol., 22, 152-153 (April, 1940). A plan is presented for an inoxponsive apparatus having a capacity of three pounds per minute for introducing dust into an air stream at constant rates. The machine was designed with a capacity sufficient for loading air streams up to 15-20 gr. of dust per cubic foot in a maximum air volume of approximately 1000 c.f.m. By using adapters at the hopper outlot practically all dry dusts common to industry may be fed except those which contain largo chips or blocks. 373 How to Design Exhaust Hoods for Quartz-Fusing Operations. E.C. Riley and J.M. DallaValle^ Heating and Ventilating, 37, 25 (April, 1940). Because of the high tempornturo and fumes to which they are exposed, quartz-fus ing operators must be protected by oxhaust hoods. Effective removal of fumes was obtained with average air 3poeds of 100 f.p.m. at the face of the hood when large volumes were handled. Howevor, to produce greater cooling effect for the oper ator, it is recommended that large air volumes be used at relatively low velocity (100-200 ft, per min.). The hood should bo largo enough to permit the fusing to be deno inside and the burner should be directed into the hood. 374 The Effect of Lint on Air Filter Performance. F.B. Rowley and R.C. Iordan, Heating, Piping and Air Conti., 12, 61-67 (January, 1940), In devising methods fer rating efficiencies of commercial air filters for air con ditioning, a scries of studies have been made. This one employs lint. A deter mination of size distribution of lint taken from commercial filters was made and an artificial lint tku3 prepared. Ton per cent of lint in dust decreases the life of a filter more than 80&, indicating the importance of including it in artificial dust for tost purposes. 0U04 -a Digo3t of Industrial Hygiene - 10. 370 What13 the Best Way to Hemove Dust? Ceramic Ind., 34, 65-66, 68 , 70 , 72 , 74, 76, 78 (April, 19-*oT. Duot control rather than dust elimination is the only practicable approach in certain manufacturing operations where the production of finely divided particles is c.n inherent part of the process. Of the available methods, exhaust ventila tion i3 probably the most vddely applied. The principal types of industrial du:;t collectors arc: (1) Gravity or settling chambers -- effectivo only in re moving relatively coarse particles, 100 to 200 microns in diameter. Used pri marily to reduce dust load ahead of more effective equipment. (2) Centrifugal or cyclone chambers -- may be used for particles as small as thirty microns, although tangential cyclones will remove 5 micron particles. (3) Baffle type collector -- primarily for removal of coarse particles, it may be used at higher temperatures than those feasible with cloth filters. (4) Fan typo centrifugal collector -- source of air movement togothor with dust removal action by centri fugal forces. (5) Wet or ?rasher typo collector ~ dust precipitation by action of water spray and impingement on wotted surfaces. (6) Electrical precipitator- due to high initial end maintenance cost, limited to higher temperature install ations and where material collected is of considerable value. (7) Cloth type filter -- accomplishes high recovery of finely divided dry dusts at economical .cost. Either type (tube or bag, and cloth screen) are efficient for particles of 0.5 micron. Plant atmosphere can be controlled by placing it under prossure with filtered air from outside the factory. In the pottery industry fettling of dinnerware, shaping of insulators, and sprayed glaze are sources of dust hazard. The free silica content of pottery bodies varies around 35$, therefore careful precautions must be taken to avoid dusty conditions. 'The vacuum cleaner is of groat value here. In the glass industry the only danger lies in tho handling of raw materials. Numerous methods of control are in operation for this- .hazard. In on enemcl shop the silicosis danger is slight except, perhaps, in sandblasting operations. Dust control in spraying and brushing are desirable, however, from the standpoint of cleanliness and savings involved in reclaiming enamel* 376 Determination of Cloth Area for Industrial Air Filters. C.E. Williams, T. Hatch and L. Greenburg. Keating, Piping and Air Cond. t~12~2h9-265 (April, 1940). An attempt is made to reduce the problem of determining the cloth area of indus trial cloth filters to it3 fundamental terns. Filtering velocity is shown to have little importance per so as a criterion of filter operation and in its place emphasis is placed upon the maximum allowable filter resistance, a practical limit which is fixed at 3 in. water gage. This represents a comprcmiso between Initial filter cost and powor and maintenance cost. It is well below the danger point with rospoct to safe filter operation for all du3ts except those of extreme ly fine particle size, such as lemp black. For practical operation, the maximum allowable resistance must not be reached until the end of tho required period of operation between cleaning periods. Thus, the basic filter specifications are (1) maximum allowable resistance end (2) minimum operating time. It is suggested that those should be specified by the purchaser of cloth filters and that the re quired filtering velocity bo determined from tho values thus fixed. The filter resistance is shown to be dependent upon several factors of which velocity of filtration is only one. Others of equal or greater importance are the particle sizo of the dust, the porosity cf the deposit on tho filter, and tho loading of dust. A resistance equation is presented in which those several factors are com bined in their proper foim. Tho rociotnnco coefficients for several industrial dusts,.based upon laboratory studios, are also given. They are shown not to vary uienificantly among tho several materials studied but to depend primarily upon tho particle sizo of tho dust. Within the rang of sizes occurring in industrial exhaust systems the coefficient was found to vary many fold. 0L4 03 Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 11. 377 Are You Buying on Eehnust System? Pert III, Filters, Washers, and Precipita tors. F. F. Kravuth. Heating and Ventilating, October, 1939. "Gravitational Filters: This typo of filter whilo theoretically capable of clean ing the air of impurities down to 5 to 10 microns in. diamotor, nevertheless would have to bo so huge that its cost and space requirements would make it prohibi tive...... Where a plant is isolated from any residential or business districts, this type of filter, a slow speed planing mill exhauster and a high stack, may constitute an efficient and economical setup. Its greater use, however, is as a classifier in conjunction with a cloth or other type filter, by removing all heavier particles the life of the final cleaner is materially lengthened..,.. "Cyclones: The cyclone unlike the gravitational filter increases in efficiency ?/ith a decrease in size of, at least, tho diameter. Requiring but a fraction of the space of the gravity filter and cupablo of cleaning efficiencies which at times challenge those of the cloth filter, the cyclone is probably tho most wide ly used dust collector........ Cyclones find their greatest use where tho dust or material is non-abrasive in action.. Whore the dust is abrasive, cyclones may be used in conjunction with the final cleaner as a low efficiency classifier, keep ing tho diameter largo and the inlet velocity relatively low. "Cloth Filters: This type of filter has enjoyed the greatest popularity where high efficiencies arc necessary for reclamation of valuable material, where re circulation is desired as a means of reducing heating losses, or in residential neighborhoods where it is unlawful to discharge visible solids into the atmos phere. While the cost of such a unit is considerably higher, than a cyclone to handle the same volume, its efficiency is unquestioned, its life extremely long, and its maintenance quito simple as long as the proper care i3 given. Y/itb this type of filter it is essential that precleaning bo provided to prevent tearing of the bags by high velocity largo particles slipping around the baffle plates or going directly through worn baffles. Procleaning also reduces tho dust load ing of the air going into the filter so that the intervals between rapping per iods nay be materially increased without sacrificing exhaust efficiencies at the hoods........ "Air Y/ashers: There are many different typos of air washers, scrubbers, and purifiers on tho market, each of which undoubtedly has features making it pre ferable to different plant engineers. While some utilize the inertia of tho entering du3t laden air to get rid of tho larger particles as by a rapid change in tho direction of air flow, others have a regular cyclone built into the washer as a primary separator, its efficiency enhanced by the constantly wetted walls, which at the same time increase the lifo of tho unit........ V/hile it is the writer* s opinion that tho efficiency -of the air washer is definitely lower than that of the cloth filter, when tho cloth filter is properly applied and maintain ed--it is the lack of proper application and maintenance in so many cloth filter installations that tends to make tho air v/asher the more practical unit. Y.'hen separating coarse material, tho efficiency of the air washer may approach perfec tion. .... Points against the washer are the need of an individual pump and drive (usually the case), the coot of v/ater when supplied from city mains, or the necessity for sludge tanks, supports, wear resistant jumps, etc., when recircu lating v/ater........ ^loctrical Precipitations While olectrical precipitation presents probably the most efficient type of separation, its initial cost is considerably higher than the washer or cloth filter duo to tho costly electrical equipmont necessary..... As long as the cost remains high, its use will undoubtedly be restricted to the reclamation of valuable material or extronoly dangorous ones, especially where recirculation is desired, but as tho price is reduced this filter will be more and moro widely used." 0L* 0 c Digest of Industrial Hygiene - in. 37B Dust -- Foe of Management, Bnployoe and Machine. Brick and Clay Record, 96, 24-23 (April, 1940)7 Tho Medic??! Anglo on Dust.--A brief discussion of the medical aspects of silicosis How You Can Dotermine tho Amount of Dust in Your Plant. -- A short outline of the subject of dusts, dust sampling and counting with discussions of the various typos of devices for the purpose. What Some Clay Plant3 Have Done to Rid Themselves of Dust. -- Although the free silica content of clay is relatively small, the presence of certain quantities have been an incentive for confining clay du3t and preventing its escape into the v/orkroom. The dry pan, although ono of the major dust producing units in the plant, can be effectively hooded and the dust which it generates can bo com pletely confined. A properly designed enclosure will carry a minimum of fines from the process, and will not disturb batch ratios where various ingredients are pulverized together. Exhaust air and dust hoods are required on conveying equipment only at points of material transfer. Bucket elevators must be venti lated, and the casings enclosing them must bo tight. Confinement of dust from screening equipment requires more study than any other dust producing apparatus in tho usual clay plant. Necessary volumes of air exhausted hero will vary with tho type of enclosure provided and with tho size of the screen. Grinding wheels which arc used for sizing finished products should be equipped with adequate ex haust systems, in order to prevent contamination of the plant atmosphere and tho subsequent detrimental effoct3to men and machines. Although the prime reason for installing dust collecting systems in heavy clay products and refractories is to insure-the employees a healthy working atmosphere, it has been shown that a by product is the lower machinery maintenance costs and possible salvage of valuable materials. 379 Pneumonia in Industry. H.A. Lindberg. Ind. Med., 203-205 (April, 1940). Iron and steel workers are constantly exposed to intenaittent extremes of temper ature, unsheltered work, and humid and drafty conditions. The average frequency of pneumonia in occupations involving exposure to inclement weather was 13.6 cases per 1000 men. The case rate among men subjected solely to hazards involv ing wido ranges of temperature was 12.6 per 1000. These rates may be contrasted with the frequency of 3.9 cases annually per 1000 factory men exposed to nc in dustrial condition which might be regarded as particularly hazardous from a pneu monia standpoint. Iron and steel workers who havo recovered from pneumonia show a higher rate of heart defect than cases in a whole group of the same plant. The oxcess in cases of pneumonia in iron and steel over men in other industries is about 685 per year and excess deaths about 171 per year. To eliminate lowered resistance due to exposure, chilling, dampness, and temperature extremes, the workor should be constantly reminded of his general health. Seventy-five per cent of all pneumococcic pneumonias arc preceded by an upper respiratory infec tion; therefore control of pneumonia must stort here. After prevention, early diagnosis is the next important step. Thero are now available two powerful therapeutic agents -- anti-pne'jnococcic serum and sulfapyridine which are most offoctive when used early in the course of the disoase. In Illinois, by an in tensive campaign, mnemonic, mortality in serum treated cases was reduced 37.6ft last year. 380 Industrial Workers of I960. C.F. McCord. Ind. Med. 9_, 173-178 (April, 1940). The increase of persons over 50 years of ago is proceeding apace -- in a few yonrs it will be twice tho present number. Now they are 1/5 of the total; at the present rate of increase, they will be 1/3 by 1960. This fact has deep signifi cance for industry both with respect to changed demand for certain products and with the change in age group3 of available industrial workers. Tho author holds nn optimistic viow for tho future--that quality rather than quantity will bo tho trend. o * r* Digest of Industrial Hycicne -13. 381 Integration of Inrtustrini Hygiene, with Industrial Medicine. H.G. Dyktor. Ind. Med., 2* 193-196 (April, 1940). Tho official industrial hygiene unit and the plant medical department have a field in common where they may profitably cooperate. The former may make cpcciul tcst3, examinations *uid studios which the latter is not equipped or qualified to do; provide detailed and specific information on toxic substances and harmful conditions; provide comparable statistics on other plants in the same industry; furnish industrial health statistics duly interpreted; correlate work of indus trial hygieno in many plants to obtain uniformity; stimulate the plant medical department to concentrate on preventive measures; and to stimulate tho plant medical unit to interest itself in the worker's life outside tho plant. The plant medical unit can assist by: displaying a sincere desire to improvo the health of workors; supporting the official industrial hygiene unit in its educa tional campaign to make both employers and employees "health conscious"; supply ing the industrial hygiene unit with records of absenteeism for analytical exam ination; advicing the industrial hygione unit of its own experience in preventive and control measures; supporting the unit in obtaining recommended improvements as soon ns they have been decided upon; and cooperating in the largor concept of industrial hygiene (non-occupational diseases, housing, etc.). 382 Pro-Employment Examinations (North Carolina). M.F. Trice. Ind, Med., 2* 138-193 (April*, 1940). " Physical examinations of workers and prospective employees who may be exposed to the hazards of asbostosis or silicosis are compulsory undor provisions of the North Carolina Workmen's Compensation Act. To secure uniformity of findings, this work was assumod by the Industrial Commission and is carried out by the Division of Industrial Hygiene with the State Board of Health as joint sponsor. Occupational, family, said past medical histories are token. Physical examin ation, serological tests, x-ray of chest with fluoroscopy, tuberculin tests, and sputum specimens included in some cases are carried out by means of a mobile laboratory. Persons unfit for employment in dusty trades are rejected and when pulmonary tuberculosis is found or suspected, the worker is referred to a sana torium. Thoso having a positive serology are informed of the fact and advised . to sco their physicians." In cases of death from doubtful cause, autopsies may bo ordered by the Industrial Commission -- if this is denied, all right to com pensation ceases. 383 Industrial Medical Education. J.Am.Med.Assoc., 114, 583-586 (February 17, 1940). Of 52 medical schools, tho average time devoted to instruction cf industrial hygiene is about 5 hours. The time allotted in 24 schools is 3 hours, or less; in only soven is 10 hours or more scheduled. Twelve schools offer elective courses in industrial hygiene. Sixty per cent of recont graduates encaintored industrial medical problems early in their private practice. However, only 9 schocIs offer definite graduate lovol courses in industrial hygiene. Other methods of approach to this problem are continuation ccursos, special society meetings, symposia on industrial health, county medical society programs, and the Congress on Industrial Health of thd American Medical Association. 384 Visibility and Ease of Seeing. M, Luckiesh and F.K. Moss. Ind. Med., Ind. Hyg. Sec,, 2 33-39 (April, 1940). Although tho dogrca of fatigue induced by a given visual task is not now measur able in absolute tcvms, it may be regarded as axiomatic that fatigue ic reduced when tho conditions for seeing arc improved. Frequency of blinking is a most convenient and sensitive criterion of tho oase'of seeing that has been dcvolcped. Ease of seeing as determined by the rate of blinking increases a3 the visibility of tho visual task increases. o io a i Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 14. 385 Baalc Principles of Industrie! Sanitation. J.M. DalloValle and R.R. Jones. J. Am. Pub. Health Assoc.. 30, 369-3G4 '(April. 1940). Industrial hygiene may be considered as being organized into the following divi sions: Sanitation, Environmental Principles; Ventilation Requirements; Engineer ing Control Principles; Records and Posting of Notices. Under oach of these points the authors have given details of procedures and principles. Industrial hygiene is to bo considored as sanitary or public health engineering with special emphasis on tho industrial environment. It should not be restricted to control of occupational diseases. It also offers the opportunity to extend the treatment of venereal diseases as well as the determination and control of malnutrition, tuberculosis and other diseases. The industrial hygienist can simplify the task of the public health administrator, who ordinarily must wait for cases to come to the attention of the family physician or clinic. Such on opportunity to reach large sections of tho population cannot bo disregarded. 386 Operator Fatigue is Minimized by Modern Machine Tools. Steel, 106, 50-52, 83 (April 22, 1940). A discussion of specific improvements which not only lessen the fatigue of oper ators but increase their efficiency by removing mental and physical hazards. To be efficient men must be masters of their machines. Modern machine tools are as safe as any piece of machinery possibly can be. 387 -Syphilis Case Finding in Industry. A.E. Russell. J.Aa.Med.Assoc., 114. 1321- 1324 (April 6, 19401. Most of tho principles of the control programs in tuberculosis con be applied to the control of syphilis. The interest of industry in the health of workers has proved that it pays dividends in more than one way. There are over 15 million people in the mining, metal and manufacturing trades in the Unitod States. A syphilis program which will include this group and their families v/culd roach about half the people of this country. The annual attack rate of syphilis per hundred thousand of population in the United States in 1935 was 796 compared with 47 in Great Britain (clinics only), 20 in Denmark and 7 in Sweden. 388 ' Industrial Cooperation in Syphilis Control in New Jersey. John Hall. J. Soc. Hyg., 26, 56-61 (February. 1940i~.~ ~ An account of tho procedures used in a definite program of syphilis control in industry. Experiments in publicity and serological test programs are discussed. An attempt to have the serology conducted by privato laboratories was not very successful. The results of a questionnaire sent to industries already making tests of their employees showed rates ranging from 1.7# to 4.0#. Among a group of Negro oyster shucker3 100 out of 500 were found to be syphilitics In a group of over 3000 Negro itinorant farm workers 30# wore found to be positive.. Progress in this program, especially its educational features, 3hould result in a reduc tion of this disease. 389 Industrial Anti-Syphilis Programs at Work. J. Soc. Hyg., 26, 82-88 (February, 1940). A condensed report from four plants to illustrate industry* s attempt to 3c.lve the problem of venereal disease among its workers. Included aro a large depart ment store, a foundry, and tractor and packing companies. Y/hcn jobs are assured and tests aro confidential, onployoos seem ready to cooperate. The program of tho small foundry succeeded not only in interesting its employees but their fanilios as well. 0 L `1 C 0 Dices- of Industrial Hygiene - 15. 390 A Syphilis Control Program in Industry. C.A. V/ilabach. J.Soc.Hyg., 26, 49-55 (February, 10*10). After two years of operation, the anti-syphilis program in Cincinnati has tested 64,COO .vorkorc, The results are entirely confidential. Many industrialists have been induced to join tho program and no worker has been discharged because of positive findings* In one series of 5000 tests, 2.6$ were positive. An out line of the program is given. avi Inol loncc of Syphilis in Industrie! Plants. H. Heimann. Nov; York State Dept, of Labor. Industrial bulletin, 19, 45 (March, 1940). Ihc syphilitic worker is a grave liability to industry. Among the reasons cited r,r.*r: ^(l) Delay in healing of traumatic wounds, resulting in extra largo compen sation bills ani loss of timo; (2) tho dcvolonacnt of central nervous system syphilis with its associated mental symptoms resulting in lack of proper judgment and skill in the workor; (3) tho chance for spread of the disease by extragenital contact is great in 3ome lines of work v/hore many workers must handle the material being processed; (4) the syphilitic cannot, with safety, work with substances v/hich are liver toxins, such as carbon tetrachloride and certain chlorinated hydro carbons. A compilation of data on the incidence of syphilis in workers, collected by various authors, shows wide variation as recorded in the different investigations. Significant factors in the variations appear to be: age, sox, coJor, nationality, social status, and method of case finding. In an anilin dye plent no positive Vassermans ware found in 61 tested. In a rotogravure plant me positive (0.9$) was discovered in 110 examinations. In a felt hat' plant 143 persons were tested with two positive cases (1.3$). 'Out of 585 tests in tho fur industry there were four positives (1.0$). Out of a total of 699 tests there were seven positive results, an incidence of 1.0$. There were two Negroes, both vlth negative serclogies. Only 10.2$ of thoso tested were women-- all v/urc negative. 39C Effects of Syphilis on Health and Earning Power. A. Lillywhite. J.Soc.Hyg., 26, 6&-72 (February. 1940). A presentation of tho results of a study made of a group of reliof applicants in Georgia. Tho ability to work of syphilitics and non-syphilitics was compared. A handicap of the former was apparent in all age groups: 51,9$ of the infected could do hard work, 62$ of the non-infected wore able. A greater Incidence of nua-syphilitic diseaso was feund among the syphilitic group. Syphilis contri butes to the burden on the community as it incapacitates many who oust be given public relief. 393 Familial Occurrence of Nysta/saus of Miners. J. Ohm. Arch. f. Ophthal., 141, 20-31 (1939), (German). Tho author studied 128 families with 303 persons. He concludes that nystagmus seen in ffamilies shows striking similarities in one or more of the attributes, but also some dissimilarity. The relatives of the seme generation are more alike than tiiosc of different generations. ^ Corporative Invnsti^ations on the Reaction of the Lens and Cornea to Infra-Red Dokfcor. Arch. f. Opnthal., 141, 170-173 (1939) . (German) Gi'*.',.makers' cataract docs not arise from direct absorption of infra-red rays by tho Ions but by absorption of heat rays by tho iris, which heats the lens, causirw; it X-: become clouded. This is the author's contention which he attempts to 1 r-vc :.n tho basis of experiments. ,,J" Injury t* Health by Radiation in Arc Woldln/r* LoCompte. Arboitsschutr., pp. 9-10 iGemuu) J*n ^hvot^tigation into disturbances of the genitalia of arc woldors by the Minis try :,c Labor. An extremely high portion of ultra violot ray3 with a very short o *i o Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 16. wave length were found but no radiation of shorter wave length. As very sensi tive instruments were used in the investigation, the author believes that there is no radiation noxious to the genital organs. 396 Industrial Health. J.iim.Med.Assoc., 114, 573-586 (February 17, 1940). This is a general discussion of the relationships of industrial medicine and is of importance* because it represents the attitud of organised medicine towards this field. The article ha3 a wide scope, covering the general subject of in dustrial health, the population groups involved, the unequal character and dis tribution of industrial nodical sorvices, effects of occupation on health, indus trial accidents, occupational diseases, ordinary illness in industry, the physi cian in industry, industrial hygiene, physical supervision, therapy, functions of the nodical service in industry, industrial health activities in organized ncdicino, industrial health in the government, and industrial medical education. It is believed that the principal causes of lost tine to industry are the dis eases and complaints found in general practice but the industrial physician usually only diagnoses and treats miner injuries and ailments. His opportunity in the larger field of general health protection is being grasped more fully. The inadequacy of training in industrial medicine is revealed by the fact that the average amount of time devoted to industrial hygiene in medical schools is bfirely in excess of five hours. This can hardly be remedied as long as the opportunities in the field of industrial health are so few. Little advantage has been taken of the advanced training centers in heavily industrialized com munities, showing that there is evidently snail demand for this field of practice Papers on Industrial Poisons, Cancer, Dermatitis, etc. 397 Ascorbic Acid in the Treatment of Chronic Lead Poisoning. A.H. Dennenberg, A.H. V/idorman and P.S. Friedman. J.Am.Med.Assoc., 114, 1439-1440 (April 13, 1940} "Extremely large doses of ascorbic acid vrere without effect in the treatment of lead intoxication in a child aged 27 months." 393 Lead Poisoning In Roofers. H.J. Magnuson and B.O. Raulston. J.Am.Med.Assoc., 114. 1538-1530 (April 20, 1940). All of the patients involved hero gave a liistory of holding galvanized roofing nails in their mouths while working. Analysis of the coating of the nails show ed that they contained 3# lead. The explanation for this sudden outbreak is attributed to a change in typo of noils used. Although galvanized nails had boon advocated for the past ten years, it has only been since early in 1939 that Federal Housing Administration specifications stimulated their use. By study of the solubility of lead in saliva, it was found that significant amounts of the element wore dissolved. Although the men had not been told to put tho nails in their mouths, thoy contended that they could not work fast enough to earn an adequate wage unless they used this method. Tho authors feel that the spcctrographic determination of load in tho whole blood is of definite diagnostic value. 399 Determination of Small Amounts of Cadmium in Air. S.S. Gurvits. Zavodskaya Lab. 3, 424-427 (1939). (Russian). The lack of sensitivity of colorimetric methods for determining cadmium, in air is duo to tho colloid stabilisers, which decreases tho intensity of tho colora tion by 65-70#. To avoid this orror the cadjaium was determined colorimotrically with a solonium photocell in a 20# sodium sulfide solution without a stablizer. The reagent is sensitivo for 0.03-0,04 mg. of cadmium in 25 cc. solution. For the range 0.004-0.36 ng. of cadmium, tho error v/as from -1.4 to f9#. Small amounts of cadmium up to 0.3 ng. can thus bo determined in tho presence of 15-20 timor. as much zinc with an error up to 8,6#. -Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 17. i 400 Lead-Bearing Steels: Control of Possible Health Hazards During Fabrication. J.W. Kaliey end E.D. Martin. Motel Prog., s, 412-416 (April, 1940). Experimental work on leaded steel's Dhows that no lead is Given off by the solid steel, oven though touted. The 0.250? load is dispersed throughout tho motal in small particles and sinco lead is insoluble in iron it cannot migrate to the sur face. If the steel is turned to scale or melted, the lead in the metal so alter ed bccowo3 available and a certain proportion of it passos into the air. The proportion of lead relouscd undor various conditions has been determined, so that simple engineering calculations will show whether a hazard can develop under any particular circumstances. The amount of lead given off at any but the highest temperatures is so small that no calculations aro necessary. This investigation indicates that there is no health hazard in handling, machining, heat treating or in ordinary forging of lead-bearing stocl3. The most rapid rate of load release is caused by oxygen cutting and arc welding, raid in most cases calculations will show that an exhaust system is needed, or that the work should be done cut of doors. In practically all cases tho amount of air to be moved for satisfactory exhausting 13 snail, and inexpensive oquipnont will bo effective. 401 Basophilic Aggregation Test (For Lend Absorption and Lead P isoning). Ohio Dept, of Health*^ Adult i^g^ Div., 7 pp. (1940). A short booklet giving in concise fom tho technique and interpretation of re sults of the basophilic aggregation test. 402 Automatic Detection and Estimation of Dangerous Concontrations of Ammonia and Sulfur Dioxide in Air. B.A. Zaitsev. Zavodsiraya Lab. ,, 673-688 (1939) .(Russian) The detection and automatic estimation of dangerous amounts of ammonia and sulfur dioxide by various methods is described. A tentative method was developed in which the air and the absorbing liquid are passed through a special coil end then through a gas separator from which the liquid is separated and its changing pH mea3urod with an aut-.matic photoelectric colorimeter oquippod with optical or sound-signal devices. Tho absorbing fluids were 0.0005 N sulfuric acid for ammonia and 0.0005 N hydrogen perioxide for sulfur dioxide, with 4 mg./ liter of bromphenol blue indicator for both. Tho sensitivity of the apparatus can bo varied by changing the ratio cf air velocity to the velocity of the absorbing liquid. Diagrams of theapparatus aro included. 403 Colorimetric Determination cf Mercury in .Ur by Means of Dithizone. N.3. Kuzyatina. Z*voiskaya Lab., 8, 174-177 (1939). (Russian). Two absorption tubes containing 5 mg. of 0.1H potassium permanganate and 5 cc. of 100 sulfuric acid arc used for passing the air tiirough at the rate of 60-80 liters per hour. After tho absorption, an aliquot part of the potassium perman ganate solution is taken, the permanganate is reduced to masganoso by the addi tion of a slight excess of chromic acid at room temperature find the mercury con tent of tho solution dotenninod by shaking with 0.05-0.1 oc. portions of a solu tion of 1.2 mg. dithizone in 100 cc, of chloroform and comparing the resulting color with that of standards in a colorimeter. Dotails are given. 404 Determination of Lead in Air by Moans of Dithizone. V.M. Prikhnya. Zavodskaya Lab., , 85-286(1939)T (Russian). Modified Palmer tubes containing nitric acid a3 an absorbing agent wero used for tho determination of lead in air. Two tubes in parallel raid one control tube were used. At an air spool of 10 l.p.n. tho control tube was found to contain no lead. 405 Portable Ayaratua for Exact Analysis of Mine Gur.cs, Motor Exhaust, Etc. A. Schmidt. Uiuckauf, 75, 190-203 (1939). A description of a portable apparatus employing the manomctric method of analysis Givinc high accuracy with large measuring rango. A table for prossuro corrections duo to changes in tonporature during the analysis is given. 0 L u 1 ;> Direct of Industrial Hygiene - 18, 406 Pvrotnnnlc Acid Method for Determination of Carbon Monoxide In the Blood, H. Koiaatu. J. Oriental lle>L, 207 775-783 (English Abstr., 191) (1939). The 1055 error usually attributed to the Sayers method (cf. Chen. Abstr. 20, 60) can be reduced to 1$, if the standard is made op of blood of the some species. Carbon monoxide is first washed through potassium hydorxido solution, exactly the some concentration of pyrogallol as tannic acid is used in both, the samplo blood is diluted 1:20, and the standards are made up in 555 steps. 407 Methods for the Detection of Toxic Gases in Industry. Carbon ifonoxide. Leaflet i;-.), 7. Great Britain, Dept, of Scientific & Industrial Research, rl.lt. Stationery Office, London, 1940. T:iis is /mother of a serios on the detection of toxic gases in industry. A stan dard method has been devolopod for carbon monoxide which consists in drawing sam ples of sir through a known area of test paper, treated with palladium chloride, at a slow and constant rate, by means of a 5 liter aspirator* This method en ables interfering gases to be removed by allowing the sample to pass first through a tube of activated charcoal. Sampling is continued until a stain is obtained on the test paper which compares with the standard color chart (suppliod with the leaflet); the concentration present i3 then determined by comparing the time required to reach the necessary color with the tine given on the chart. In this way concentrations of 1 part in 500 can be detected in less than 2 minutes, and of 1 part in 10,000 in half-an-hour. Full instructions for preparing tho tost payors and for carrying out tho test are contained in the leaflet. 408 Estimation of Carbon Disulfide. A. Castigliosi. Ann. chin, applicate, 29, 196-198 (1939). (Italian). It has been shown that carbon disulfide vail form a precipitate with piperazine, with the composition C^KioNgCSg* The reaction is quantitative only in tho pre sence of a larger excess of piperazino. The reaction takes place best with 95yi ethyl alcohol as solvent. Tho precipitate is dried at 105, Determinations can bo mado within 0.1-0.255. For the determination of vaporous carbon disulfide, the air can be bubbled through a concentrated alcoholic solution of piperazine. 409 Starch-Iodide Method of Ozone Analysis. C.E. Thorp. Ind. ic Eng. Chcm., Anal. Ed., 12, 209 (April 15, 194oV.7 The use of a buffer solution was found to greatly increase the sensitivity of the potassium iodide reaction without introducing an error such as is caused by tho addition of free acid. This solution consists of 5 grams of aluminum chloride hexahydrato and 1 gram of ammonium chloride, made up tu 1 liter. Five cc. of thi3 solution arc added to each 100 cc. of potassium iodide test solution before the test is run. Tho solution should not be acidified during tho titration. Thl3 will give a minimum sensitivity of 0.00062 mg. of ozono per cc. of potassium iodido. Comcrcial ozonizers produce os high as ?5j4 impurities in tho form of oxide3 of hydrogen and nitrogen* Potassium iodide will liberato free iodine in tho prosonce of these gases also. An absorption bottle containing chromic acid and a tube containing potassium permanganate should bo provided to make suro that only pure ozono roaches tho tost bottlo. 410 Detoxication of Lend. E. Hesso. Klin. Wochschr., 19, 104 (1940). Abstr. from Squibb Abstr. Bull., 13, 496 (April 24, 1940}, Vihon rabbits were administered sodium 8-hydroxy-5-quinolincsulfonate, their tclorunco for basic lead carbonuto wr.s doubled. When liver extract (campolon) is given simultaneously, tho toxicity of the lead compound is reduced to onosevonth of its normal vr_luo. These two substances will also render rabbits lead fast, i*o., they will tolerate tho basic load carbonate as long as tho antidotos ere given simultaneously. OU 1? I Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 19. 411 Praoval of Nitrous Fumes from Mine Air. H.C. Dod, Chem. Eng. Mining Rev., 31, 494-195 Tl939) (Australian). The removal of HO* by ammonia vdth the formation of tho nitrate and ammonium nitruto is accomplished by "bullets" of chemical used with the explosive. 412 Hoalth Aspects of Oxyacetylono Procosse3. A.G. Cranch. Stool, 106, 73 (April 2i94oIt " Carbon monoxide is encountered so rarely in oxyacetylenc processes as not to be a health hazard. Zinc, cadmium and load fumos are a definito hazard, as are the fluxes containing fluorides. Ventilation is the best safeguard for these problems especially for working in confined spaces. 413 Mechanism of Development of Load Anemia. IV. The Fhysiochoraical Nature of tho Splenic and Livor Substances which Decrease Srythrocytoo. S. Kin.' J. Mod. Coll. Koijc, 101-107 (1939). (JapanesoT. After injection with load acetate, the spleen and liver seen to contain some specific chemical substances which are able to decrease the msuber of erythro cytes. The author attempted to determine the physiochemical nature of these sub stances which were obtained from the splenic and hepatic veins after injection of tho lead. Tho anemic action of the splenic substance disappeared after heat ing for an hour at 100. Tho substance was soluble in water, but did not dis solve in other end alcohol; it was adsorbed easily by rnUtnl charcoal or kaolin. Its action was also retained after ulta-violet radiation for three hours. 414 Rato cf Elimination of Carbon Monoxide from the Blood of Survivors. L. Breite- nockcr.-Bcitr. z. gor. Mod., 98-138 (1938). (Geraan) A study of tho sequelae of carbon monoxide poisoning in eight light cases with out unconsciousness and with quick recovery, seven serious cases with prolonged unconsciousness but recovery, six cases with unconsciousness lasting until death ensued. Unconsciousness develops when nearly half the hemoglobin is bound to the carbon monoxide. The gas is eliminated in frem 10 to 24 hours and this period has no rolution to the seriousness of the symptoms. If the poisoning occurs quickly, consciousness will be recovered at the level of 50# carboxyhemoglobin. .It persists longer if the poisoning came about slowly, in these casos it may last until death occurs, which may not take place for several days, although the carbon monoxide is entirely eliminated and there are no secondary disoanes. The duration of exposure seema more important than the percentage of carbon monoxide in the blood. These investigations show that the results of animal experiments may only bo applied to man very cautiously, as carbon monoxide never disappears frem human blood as quickly as is described in animals. 415 Skin Hazards in American Industry. Part III. L. Schwartz. U.S. Public Health Bulletin No. 249, 99 pp., 23 illustrations (1939). Tliis bocklot by the well-known authority on this subject contains a discussion of the skin hazards to be found in the following industries: citrus fruit; cigar; acid; pulp and pnpor; organic solvents; chromic acid and chromates; iron and steel; paints, varnishes and lacquers; glass; photographing, photoengraving, lithographing, printing, typewriting and hectographiag; and oxplosivo manufacture. There is a bibliography but no indox. Copies cro obtainable from tho Superin tendent of Documents, Washington, D.C., for 35 cents. 416 Rat Mite Dermatitis. L.F. Vobcr. I. Am,Med.Assoc., 114, 1442 (April 13, 1940). Bites and domntitis from scratching in several .department store wurkors led to tho discovery that it was duo to a rat mite (Liponyssus bccoti). Whenever rats arc driven from n building and bites appear on pooplo living or working thoro, tho prcsoncc of rat mites should bo investigated. AV A. U 1A _' Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 20* 417 Industrial Dermatitis from Gloves* W.D. Norwood end E.E. Frans. J.Am.Med. Assoc., 114, 1023-1523 {April 20, 1940). Studies of an eczcrcatcid type of industrial dermatitis of the hands appearing in workmen wearing leather glovos was shown to be causod by two factors: (1) tho traumatizing effect of the gloves, mid (2) allergic sensitization of the hands duo to the presence of dcimatophytosis elsewhere (usually on the foot). The authors believe that 3ince derroatophytosis of the feet is almost universal among industrial workers, "glove phytids" will be recognized with great frequency. A mothod of treatment was tisod which gave good results. % 418 Dermatitis from Orthodlchlorobenzene. J.G. Downing. J.Am.Med.Assoc., 112, 1457 '(1939)'. This is a report of the sensitivity of a glazier to a solution in which window cashes had been dipped. It was proven by observing tho reaction when the sub stance was dropped on tho aim. In a similar manner it was demonstrated that the guilty ingredient was orthodichlorobenzene, which has become industrially impor tant as a solvent and wood preservative. 419 Onychia Due to Handling Sugar. C.L. Cummer. Arch. Dexm. & Syohil. (Soc. Trans.) 41, 142-145 (January. 1940). A women working in a bakery, handling jams and jollies, had practically all her fingernails affected. Seme nails were stripped off, others wore split and lifted from tho bed. Granular tissue could be broken away when the nail plate was lifted. No mycelium or spores wore found on microscopic study. When the woman stopped her work and after treatment with x-rays and boric acid ointment and solutions, the condition cleared up. Thero is a photograph of tho damaged nails. 420 Factors Influencing Carcinogcnisis with Mothylchclanthrene. III. The Effect of Solvents. M.B. Shimkin snd H.B. Andervcnt. U.S. Public Health Reports, 55, 537-545 (March 29, 1940). Solvonts exert a dofinito effect upon the latent period and incidence of carcinogcrisis with methylcholanthrone injected subcutaneously in the dissolved stato into Inbred strains of nice. The latent poriod is very short when tricaprylin is used, and over twice as long when butyl phalate is tho solvent. Significant differences in tho production of tumors are observed with solvents of heterogen eous nature. Tricaprylin seems to be the most consistent and rapidly acting solvont for mothylcholanthreno of those tosted but has the disadvantage of pre sent high cost. 421 Gangrene of a Foot Following Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. J.A. Wilson and W.C. Carey. Ind. Mod., 197-198 (April, 1940). Description of a case of carbon monoxide poisoning in a nan 72 years of age with tho somewhat unusual sequel of gangrene of an oxtremity. 422 Chronic Arsine Poisoning Among Workers Employed in the Cyanide Extraction of Cold: A Report of 14 Cases. F.M.R. Bulccr, H.S. Rothv/ell, S.S* Polack end D.W. Stewart. J. Ind. Ilyg. & Toxicol., 22, 111-124 (April, 1940). A miner variation in procedure and gradual dccreaso in natural ventilation due to tho onsew of cold weather resulted in theso cases of chronic arsine poisoning. Blood findings, arsenic determinations of pubic hair and urino, blood chemistry, symptoms and physical findings, including electrocardiographic interpretations are presented and discussed. Workers with an unaccountable decrease in red blood cells and hemoglobin should be oxsminod carefully and removed from work. Markod stippling of the red. blood cell3 in tho absence of a lead exposure should also bo regarded with suspicion. In the treatment of theso casos wholo blood trans fusion and iron therapy wore of real value especially in men presenting marked blood impoverishment. Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 21* 423 Effects of Sulfur Dioxide on Plants and Animals* C. Settorstrom. Ind. & Eng. Chen., 32, 4V3-4V'J (April, 194o77 Apparatus was designed and constructed for the purpose of conducting a series of experiments testing the effects on plants and animals of exposure to low concen trations of sulfur dioxide. The present paper ia concerned particularly with the industrial end engineering aspects of the work. Precise control of the gas concentrations and at least partial control of other important factors such as temperature and humidity were achieved. Records kept over a period of two years of tho sulfur dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere showed an average of 0.034 p.p.m. ?aid a noxinum of 0.75 p.p.m. Factorial experiments were of use in inter preting tho recults of quantitative data and in obtaining the maximum amount of information from a given expenuiture of time and energy. This followed a logical end systematic contrasting of pairs (or groups) of plants, the members of each pair having boon given identical treatment except in respect to the factor under investigation. The experimental dataflow subjected to statistical study by the method of tho analysis of variance. Alfalfa was selected as tho principal test plant because it is sensitive to sulfur dioxide and is of considerable economic importance in several of tho largo agricultural aroas which ore subjected to sul fur dioxide. Under nono of the conditions studied (exposure to 0.10-0.20 p.p.m. of sulfur dioxide up to 25 days) was there docrcr.se of yield of alfalfa, under most of the conditions it had nj significant effect on yield, and under some of the conditions it brought about significant yiold increases. The data indicates that deficiencies in sulfur content of nutrient supply were undo up by absorption of sulfur dioxido fre-a tho air. Alfalfa grown with a deficient supply of water 3ecacu to respond more readily to the stimulating effect of the sulfur dioxide. In general, resistance to 3ulfur dioxide decreased with increase in relativo humidity thcuch differences of at least 20# appeared necessary to cause detect able degrees in susceptibility in the range above 40 per cont. Young plants were much core resistant to injury than older plants. Middle-aged leaves were the most susceptible* In tho animal studies guinea pigs, mice, grasshoppers and cockroaches were used as experimental materiel. No significant mortality or signs of distress occurred among healthy animals at concentrations of 33 p.p.m. * or below. A longer oxposure to the gas was necessary to cause mortality when the sulfur dioxide treatments were given in intermittent doses. Signs in living ex posed vertebrate animalsat the higher concentrations included lethargy, rhinitis, lachrynaticm, coughing, conjunctivitis, moderate dyspnea, distention of the ab domen, wealmo3s, end paralysis of the hind quarters. Tho results clearly in dicate that concentrations of sulfur dioxide such as prevail in city atmospheres have no direct effect on health. Tho -possibility of indirect effect cannot be evaluated fron tho data given in this paper. 424 Toxicity of Ammonia, Chlorine, Hydrogen Cyanide, Hydrogen Sulfide, and Sulfur Dioxido to Fungi* Croon Plants, and Animals. A Preliminary Report. Carl Cotterstron, Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, Inc., Yonkers, N. Y. This paper constitutes a preliminary report of the results of a rather comprehen sive study of tho toxicity of several industrial gases t: a number of organisms. Concentrations tested varied from 1.0 to 1000 p.p.m. in doso intervals of four. Organisms were exposed for periods ranging from f no minute to 16 hours. Organ isms tostod included eight plant fungi; two animal pathogens; rye and radish 3ced3; tomato, buckwhoat, and tobacco plants; flies, mice, and rats. Data are prosented shov.lng susceptibility of oach one of the organisms to each of tho casos over tho rungo of concentrations and exposure periods. Studios of tho effects of each 'f the gases on pH of soil, agar, end expressed plant juices arc summarised. Relative toxicity of the gases to tho organisms and rolativo suscep tibility of the organisms to tha g;sos uro n.tcd. Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 22 425 Benzene Poisoning# I. Gray, I. Greenfield and U. Loderer. J.Aa.Mcd.Assoc., 114, 1525-1330 (April 6, 1940). Chronic poisoning results from the inhalation of benzene in Industries whoro it is used as a solvent and evaporates into the air of the workroom. Hemopoiotic (blood-forming} insufficiency, varying from mild anemia to complete aplasia which is incompatible with life, may result from such an exposure. This is an account of a fatal case of chronic benzene poisoning in a pressman who had boon exposed to the Vapors from colored inks. Blood studios showed a very low white cell count -- dropping from 2,800 to 500 shortly after admission to the hospital. A diminution of the granular types of white cells was accompanied by a marked in crease in the lymphocytes. Prom the prognostic point of view, repeated blood studies seem of groatcr value than urinary sulfate determinations after the ex posure to bonzone has ceased. V.'hitc cell counts below 1000 giro a very grave prognosis. This patient also revealed the phenomenon of eutohemngglutination. 426 Functioning and Reacting Ability of the Blood Forming Organs in Chronic Benzene Inhalation: Experimental Investigations. M. Schmittnann, H. Linnig and P. Camerer. Arch. f. Gowcrbopath., 719-737 (1939). (German). Exposure to small concentrations of benzene in air seems tc result in a decrease in leucocytes with, q relative lymphocytosis but no symptoms. In vjorknen exposed thusly, minor infections produce a leucocytosis, especially of the monocytes which may be 90$ of all leucocytes. Normal experimental animals respond to irritating injections by leucocytic reactions -- a decrease .of granulocytos followed by a rise, Thero is also a leucocyte rise caused by an Increase of lymphocytes, a leucocytic reaction of the spleen and bone marrow. In animals which had previously inhaled benzene, there was an endotheial reaction: the granulocytes and lymphocytes fall only a little after equalization of the first ' rise. In the spleen there was marked phagocytosis of tho proliferated endothelium 427 Further Studies on the Absorption, Mobilization, and Excretion of Lead. S. L. Tompsctt, Brit, J. Exp. Path., 20, 512-516 (December, 1939). Animal experimentation shows that inclusion of hydrochloric acid in a lead-con taining diet increases absorption from tho alimentary tract. Ammonium chloride, potassium chloride, and sodium carbonate fed with both high and low calcium diet increased the blood mobilization of lead. After lead ingestion ceased, a large part is excreted within 14 days on low calcium diet, and a substantial amount even on high calcium diet. 428 The Metabolism of Nucleoprotain3 in Lead Poisoning. G. Nichotte and F. Molfino. Pass. mod. ind., 10, 562-582 (1939). (Italian). Original research on ten cases of load poisoning 3hows a pronounced tendency to uric acidemia becoming more acute as tho poisoning tends towards chrenicity, No relation was seen between tho degree of uric acidemia and kidney function, and no such connection is likely tc exist in cases of recont lead poisoning. 429 Vitai.iin C Treatment of Chr-nic Benzene Poisoning Among PhctocR/rravers. J. Hagen. Arch. f. Gowerbepath., 693-704 (1939). (German). Four photocngravcr3 had slight changes in tho blood picture. While still work ing, they were treated with vit.-rdn C .-.'nd the blood findings improved. The author rocowacndo that in the supervision of workers ascorbic acid in urine be deter mined as well, as making blood oxaminatims and that whore the concentration in tho uriao is low that vitnnin C bo given both propHylactically and therapeutical ly, along with other remedies, 430 Cadmium and Its C('r.!;;-.undg. Ohio Dopt. of Health, Adult Hyg. Div., 6 (1940). A short booklet giving in concise form general information, industrial use, seleetod abstracts and a list of references on this element nnd its compounds. INDEX Air filter 374, 376,377 Ammonia determination 402 effects 424 Apparatus dust feeding 372 Arsine chronic poisoning 422 Ascorbic acid 397 Benzene poisoning general *425,426 treatment 429 Book reviews 359 Cadmium determination 399 general 430 Carbon disulfide determination 408 Carbon monoxide determination 406,407 general 414 gangreno 421 Carclnogenisis 420 Chlorine effects 424 Conference, Labor Legislation563 Dermatitis gloves 417 orthodichlorobcnzcne 418 rat-mite 416 Dusts lint 374 mineral colors 366 (May, 1940) Dust control 375, 377, 378 Examinations prc-onplovnent 382 Fatigue 386 Oases, mino determination 405 Oases, nitrous 411 Hydrogen cyanide effects 424 Hydrogen sulfide effects 424 Industrial hygieno, general 381 Industrial medicine education 383 general 381, 396 Industrial sanitation 385 Pneumoconiosis 366 x-ray 370 Pneumonia 379 Radiant energy infra-rod 395 Respiratory protection approved devices 358 general 567 Rock dusting 371 Sick benefit association 364 Silicosis general 369 Skin hazards 415 Statistics morbidity and mortality 365,368 population 380 Load detamination 404 detoxication 410 Lead poisoning general 393,400,413,428 has-* gg test 401 treatment 597 Mercury determination `104 Nystagmus, minors 393 Onychia 419 Ozone determination 409 Stools, load bearing 400 Sulfur dioxide determination. 402 effects 423, 424 Syphilis ' 387',*383,389,390,391 392 Vision 384 ffoldicg 412 Workmans compensation 350,352,353,354,355, 356,360,361,362 04 i 8 Bulletin A special meeting of those members of Air Hygiene Foundation, interested in the Foundation's survey of "Sick Absenteeism in Industry," will be held at Mellon Institute, Pittsburgh, on Monday, May 27, at 10 A.M., (Eastern Dryllrht Time.) This is an "instruction" meeting for companies desiring to participate, or desiring more information about the survey, described in Medical Bulletin No. 4 which was sent to members recently. The specialists directing the work will give complete details on tho mechanics whoreby participating companies can chock up on their losses through sick absenteeism. Questions which companies may wish to ask will bo answered fully. Forms for recording absences will be explained, etc. Tho speakers are: Dr4 A.J. Lanza, Chairman, Foundation's Medical Committee Dr. H.H. Sayers, Representing Public Health Service and Association of Industrial Physicians and Surgeons Dr. C.D. Selby, Medical Consultant, General Motors Corporation Dr. W.M. Gafafcr,Senior Statistician, Public Health Service Mr. R.J. Vane, Statistician, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Dr. Lanza will outline the subject. Dr. Sayers will explain the collaboration of tho Public Health Service* Dr. Gnfafer and Mr. Vane will explain the technical details, the'do's and don'ts." Dr. Selby will speak from the experience of a company engaged in such a survey, amount of cler ical work, expense, etc. Thi3 survey is a kind of planned "inventory" which the Foundation offers its member companies as an opportunity for them to reduce their losses through sick absenteeism. If your company is interested please re turn tho enclosed foxm indicating whothor you will be represented. May 8, 1940 Air Hygiene Foundation 4400 Fifth Avenue Pittsburgh, Pa. 0 L -i 1 9 Tho will be represented (nrjae or .company, association, etc*) by (neno and title of representative) at the "instruction" meeting on "Sick Absenteeism in Industry" which will bo held by Air Hygiene Foundation at Mellon Institute, Pittsburgh, on Monday, May 27, 1940, at 10 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time. Signature: Title: __