Document KdDzxvnamDGOezeXrnzg82do

r'1 r-'n r* -- ----------- n n n t-. V^/L.lJu U ujJ Slitelatute Gbshacts MEDICAL ENGINEERING LEGAL - - - decisions and trends tfndushial Health 7leivs iiiuni By INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE FOUNDATION 4400 FIFTH AVENUE PITTSBURGH, PA. i CC39S L.L U ACTS r>,iino.ition P.icts is .1 monthly ncws-lcttcr 1:. in-jo to i n i i 1 r 1.11 ronf i'-o'. lidding mmi !'>....... . huiur.iri.-.l Hycnenc Kounii.ition. The fO'hi -m-. is n comhined pese.trth .tod service- in'.;..!:'.: n to protect the iie.iitli of workers in imi-.i.-.ti-y. A.*vnnco rotes on Annual . air n + - 1 ..rtinc conference-----v.lil be held at Mellon Institute, Pittsburgh, . I., \ i'O' c :.i *111 stress practical how-to-co-it date, on coving erc- ;;jv: loot through riel: absences. It is planned to devote a morning or .;.,iun .exclusively to the reduction cf si cl: absences in industry. Other program highlights will include: r'-r'unrding of non-averare v.'orhers -- v/omen, older men, etc.; . v- v.i of industrial chin disc's-:::; 't!i on the use of &rinding v/h-e-ls, silicates, magnesium; ; 11.-jLit^s from the Foundation's medical and engineering researches; ; 1 ecvolcpmeuts and trends respecting occupational disease. :! ..unary pro.;rnns vail bo sent to members in the near future. Meanwhile, y- r pro? rcr. suggestions and any industrial health Questions you may 1 \t the annual meeting. i-Irv. Medical Bulletin Issued -i'h.un^-.tion is not: issuing another new bulletin (number 6) in its Mod- lhie is the result of studies supported at the Saranac Laboratory under L, ncr. The new bulletin deals v.-ith "Effects of Daily Exposures to i' '.-.: e aid Gases Upon formal and Tuberculous Animals," A preliminary 1* this study v.us given at the Sixth Annual meeting in 1941. Item -- Mr. S. C. Kothmann, formerly Chief Engineer of the Vfcst V.:**w:iu VA.rcicc's Compensation Silicosis Fund, has entered the Army and is serving ' t-:in in the Sanitary Corps under Lt.Col. A.J. Lanaa, Office of the Surgocu I, har Department, Washington, D. C. -- Oh-A Lct^dLlur.yy said recently.... "the probability of i- - i:, aft .a i..:u>red by many technical men. This may be aue to faulty v.vii as V: the concentration of industrial hygiene literature in journals : y rev. by eh.-acal oa`invars employed in industry." (Here is another point :.i.ti..nr o I:n.-;::triul iiv-icno Digest wf Die literature v.'hich is issued i :if t i or 'UNi'ATlON 4400 FIPTM AVtNUC Q -> niTTMIUl'C/M. PA. 'o.-tomber, 1942* .,-L. VI. Industrial Hygiene Foundation, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pc. INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE DIC-E3T Literature and News News Items 811 New Managing Director for National Safety Council. Dr. Med K. Dearborn of Mew York City has been appointed executive vice president and managing director of the National Safety Council. Dr. Dearborn had been Doan of the Division of General Education of New York University, since 1934. He will actively direct the greatly expanded wartime program now being conducted by the National Safety Council as a result of a proclamation by President Roosevelt. Dr. Dearborn succeeds Mr. V/, H. Cameron who has retired after almost 30 years a3 managing director of the Council. 312 Manitoba Industrial Hygiene Director. George 5. Baldry, formerly connected with the Harvard School of Public Health, has been appointed director of the Division of Industrial Hygiene for the Province of Manitoba. He will be located with the Department of Health and Pub lic Welfare, Division of Industrial Hygiene, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 813 Increase in Occupational Disease. The August, 1942 issue of the Ohio Industrial Commission Monitor summarizes occupational disease claims filed in Ohio, during 1941. The total was 3,413, which was 1,437 more than in 1940. The greatest increase was for dermatitis but silicosis, plianbism and benzene poisoning else were more prevalent. The data presented are based on the number of claims filed rather than the number compen sated. The time lost from work by the claimants shows a total of 654,474 days. 814 0ccunation3& Diseases The Connecttteut Health Bulletin summaries of occupational disease experience for June and July, 1942 show these results: Dermatitis (fill classes) - June 86 cases, July - 151 cases; Silicosis, pneumoconiosis and tuberculosis - Juno 4 cases, July - 12 cases; Poisoning - Juno - 3 cases, July - 2 cases. Hours and Nork Conditions. Inc August 4 issue of Victory magazine summarizes a four-part program recommend ed by eight government agencies for war contractors; (l) The eight hour day and 43 hour wol: approximate the best working schedule for sustained efficiency in maat ir/iustrifii operations. (2) One scheduled day of rest out of every seven for individual should bo a universal and invariable rule. (3) A 30 minute maul !' riaa ia desirable. (4) Vacations are conducive to sustained production. They s.ionld bo staggered over the longest possible period. 'r.catrial Hygiene Direct - wo wic Tuberculosis in Industry* An editorial on tuberculosis in industry is included on page 1377 of the /.ug'.ist 15, 1C42 issue of the Jo'irv.al of the American Medical Association. Caution is advised in the assumption of a causal relationship bctv;oen employment and tuber culosis especially v:non scientific data is absent. The Saranac symposiums arc commanded as the proper method for the establishment of facts relating to occu pational conditions which arc predisposing cr activating factors in tuberculosis. The tendency to assume that pneuno coin,osi3 and silicosis are synenomeus is suite widespread and it must he combatted. 317 Course in Industrial Medicine. The Tele School of Idodisinc has announced that a postgraduate course in Indus trial Medicine has coen planned for physicians on Wednesday afternoons from October to December inclusive. The sessions would run from 2:30 to 5:59P.M. A registration fee of .10.00 will be charged but the course is dependent upon the response from the medical profession. An excellent program has been prepared. 818 Industrial Safety and Hygiene Courses. A course entitled "Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases" will be given next February at the Washington Square Center of New York University. The tui tion fee vail be ylC.OO. Throe other special courses on safety and first aid are planned, two of which will be offered beginning October 5 and 14 respectively. 819 War Neuroses. The Science News Letter for August 29, 1942 describes the severe mental effects of the war on fighting men. Commander Uno H. Helgosson, IT. S. Navy psychiatrist, has said, "We are all convinced of the importance of sulfa drugs for infections. Let*s not forget that prompt psychiatric treatment for emotional breakdowns is equally vital." The gruesome "refinements" of modem warfare which, have produc ed Dunkirks, Pearl Harbors and Bataans, can push human indurance to the breaking point. Even a previously healthy soldier if pushed too far, may suddenly go into a catagonic-like trance that would ordinarily be diagnosed as schizophrenia. Commander Helgesson said further, "Unless this soldier can bo made to remember his frightful experience and to re-live it, he is in immediate danger of develop ing permanent symptoms." Hypnosis or one of the hypnotic drugs, such as sodirn amytal, are recommended to induce memory. Cure is dependent upon the skill of the psychiatrist in guiding his patient, once the patient begins to talk. Shock treatment such as insulin or metrazol are contra-indicated. Book Revievys 320 Medical Clinics of North America -- Symposium on Industrial Medicine July, 1942. V/.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, Pa. 549 pr. Price - Paper ^12.00 - Cloth vl6.00 per clinic year. This collection of papers on the various phases of industrial medicine represents a current, authoritative and practical program of postgraduate study for the physician. The general practitioner who has bean drafted for part-time or fulltime industrial work will find tnat the bock furbishes a hey to the many ucv; problems v.nich ho will face. Those who have been engaged in industrial practice for years will find the Look to bo an excellent refresher course. There arc 28 illustrations accompanying the papers most of which have good bibliographies. JUHOC" ; .--.-..-trial Hygiene Digest - 3. The subjects discussed include, the physician in industry, the organization end r./'-uent of' an industrial nodical service, physical examinations in industry* ..orkmai* s compensation and medicine, tuberculosis, nutrition, psychiatry, pneu moconiosis, fatigue, dermatitis and numerous occupational poisonings. 1 Carried Clinics of North America -- Symposium. on Industrial Surgery. Vv. 5. launders Co., Philadelphia, id*., 299 pp. Price - rapor - ->12.00 - Cloth tflC.CO Cor clinic year. Vhj.s sister book to the volume on medical clinics is composed of 16 papers on in;uulriol surgery. The list of contributors is an impressive one end the sub jects discussed offer a comprehensive coverage of the greater part of the field c-f surgery in modem medicine. The skill of the industrial surgeon is preserv ing many valuable manhours for industrial production. The techniques and exper ience of many acknowledged experts in the field is made available to those men v;ho vail be adding industrial obligations to those of their private practice be cause of the demands of our war effort. There are 81 illustrations and many of the articles include bibliographies. The Toxicity and Potential Dangers of Toluene, with Special Reference tc its Minimal Pemaissablo Concentration. V;.?. VcnOettingen and others. U.3. Pub. Health Service, Pub. ilealtiTBull., No.279 (1942). Price 10g. With regard to the maximal peimissable concentration of toluene in air, their experiments show that toluene lias essentially narcotic properties and that con tinued exposure to a concentration even as high as 5,0CC p.p.m. is not liable to cause definite injury of the blood forming organs, the liver or any other organs. Toluene is therefore less toxic with regard to the blood and blood form ing organs than benzene, and with regard to the liver less toxic than carbon tetrachloride, the maximal peimissable concentration for both cf those being considered as 100 p.p.m. Since exposure of human subjects for eight hours tc 200 p.p.m. was found to produce slight but definite changes in muscular coordin ation, this concentration may render individuals more prone tc accidents. Accord ing to their findings the repeated exposure of animals and humans to such con centrations causes no discernable untoward effects on their health. It appears, therefore, as far as toxicity is concerned, that the maximal peimissable concen tration for toluene in air for eight hours* exposure daily is 200 p.p.m. In operations which offer, specific accident hazards this concentration may prove to be too high* -- Prom Authors' summary. 823 Reducing Absenteeism -- Studios in Personnel Policy, No.46. National Industrial Conferenco-Soard, Inc., New York. (1942). The long fait need for the reduction of absenteeism is graphically presented along with methods for combatting the hugo losses involved. The magnitude of tic problem warrants re-emphasis time and again until the answer is found. Ab senteeism curing 1941 was responsible for the loss of the time of nearly l,rs',ooo persons every day during the year. The logical approach by the collec tion of statistics showing why these absences occur can be made through a com bined national effort. This excellent study provides data on absence recording mu analysis md illustrates the methods used by representative companies, both Tg^ o and small together with measures for solving specific problems in absen- 003954 Ir.durtriol fVcieae Digest - 4. Loyol Developments j 2 4 Death from Cancer.__ Ir.jurv^ to -roi_n rs Alleed_ Cause. 11*0 trial court withdraw tr.o evidence from the jury and entered a judj.a:it in favor of the defendant. The action v/as persecuted by the wife of a deceased workmen, v;kc, it is claimed, died as the proximate result of an accidental in jury. The deceased dropped a tool, ani in recovering it, felt a snap in his groin, which culminated in cancer. There is evidence to the effect that this injury preximateiy caused his death. The evidence docs not shew that the deceased sustained an accidental injury within the purview of the worisnen* s com pensation lav.-. The judgment is affirmed. Lindquist v. Goodyear Tire & Author Co., Ohio Ct. of App. 9th Dist. Decided June 3, 1942, "(CCK). 825 Death of Foundry worker Duo to Heat Prostration Compensable.__Injury Arising Out of ana in Course of xhinloyment. Meaning of "Compensable Injury." When an In jury is Accidental. Heat Prostration as Traumatic Injury. Causal Connection. Dependency of Decedent1s Mother* hulcne v/as employed as a foundry pouror. One witness testified that the temper ature where Malone worked approximated 113 degrees when the temperature outside approximated only 90 degrees. Malone collapsed. Ho was attended by a physician v.dio diagnosed his condition as acute indigestion complicating heat prostration. He died. Lucy Malone, nether of the decedent, filed a death claim. The claim was denied. On appeal to the Common Pleas Court, a verdict v/as rendered in favor of the claimant, and judgment entered on the verdict. The question is whether heat prostration is a compensable injury. The Y.crknenT s Compensation Act provides compensation for only such injuries as "arose out of the employ ment." That is, the injury must be such as is suffered through and because of the employment. There must be a causal connection between the employment and the injury. A compensable injury must be accidental and traumatic in origin, and arise out cf the employment. By statute, injury includes any injury receiv ed in the course of, and arising out of, the injured employee's employment. The term "injury" comprehends a physical or traumatic injury, accidental in its origin and cause; the result of a sudden happening occurring by chance, unex pectedly, and not in the usual course of events, at a particular time. Scores of compensable accidental injuries result where no accidental circumstance pre cedes or causes them. An injury may be suffered in the course of voluntary action and still be accidentally caused. YVhcn, in connection with an intention al act on the part of a workman which precedes an injury to him, something un foreseen, unexpected, and unusual occurs which produces the injury, or from which the Injury results, it is accidental in character and result, Vifcile the decedent voluntarily worked in a superheated atmosphere, his death was not the usual and expected result but the unusual and unexpected result of such employ ment, and was, therefore, accidental. A traumatic injury is one produced by any sudden violent attack upon tlic tissues or organs of a living body producing a wound, tear cr an abnomarl condition thereon or therein. The attack nay re sult from contact with deleterious gosos, destructive temperatures or forces of untune, float stroke cr heat exhaustion is a traumatic compensable injury. The decedent carried no1ten metal.which had a temperature of 2,600 degrees. The j`.u*y v/as justified in finding that the decedent suffered rui accidental injury i;- ` w- course of and arisiny out of his orwlcymont, compensable under the Y. -ri:- 'AnaatioTi Act. when an employee, by reason of the activities, ccr.li- :.s and requirements of his employment, is subjected to a greater haunrd than ' 'v tho *.sabers of the general public, end he is accidentally injured thereby, C039 Industrial Hygiene Digest - 5. a causal connect!on between the employment end the injury is established. fqq oil ant also contends that the plaintiff, as mother of the decedent, was net the latter's dependent. Tho decedent was living at the heme of his mother at the tine cf his death. Dependency was therefore presumed. There was also credible evidence cf actual dependency. Judgment affirmed. Malone v. Indus trial Ccrvisci^n of Ohio. Ohio .Supreme Ct. Decided July 22, 1212. (CCii). :iil com, hid Dust Before end After July 1, 1953. Statute of Limita- t ions. Constitutional! c* Two motions /. re before the Court. One is by the defendant for a summary judg ment. The ether is by the plaintiff for leave to amend his complaint. This is an action to recover denupos for personal injuries allegedly caused by harm ful dust and vipers. It is aliened that the injuries were not accidental in nature and were not such injuries or diseases as were at the time of the happen ing thereof within the purview of the horior.cn' s Compensation Act of Dow Yorh. Prior to Sept. 1, 1935, sufferers from silicosis and other dust diseases had only their ccimr.cn lav; remedy. Subsequent to Sept. 1, 1935, the V.'orkmen's Com pensation Law provided for compensation, except in cases where the last injur ious exposure occurred prior to that date, thus in these latter cases preserving the common law remedy. Ey amendment to Section 66, by Chapter 548 of the Laws of 1940, the. time to commence those common lav: actions was limited tc ninety days from April 16, 1940. Since plaintiff alleges that subsequent tc Sept. 1, 1235, effective means of removal of harmful dust end vapors were employed by defendant and not that the generation of the dusts ana vapors was eliminated, he, in effect, pleads that the hazard is still present, and Ms proposed amend ment, "that plaintiff was exposed tc no hazard after July, 1935," is contradic tory and of no effect. Plaintiff's injuries, if any, resulted from "occupation al disease" as distinguished from accidental injury. The amendment to Sec tion 66 of Chapter 548 is constitutional. Plaintiff was not thereby deprived of any common law right of action. It is claimed there was no exposure subse quent to Sept. 1, 1955, end the allegation that the tort was continuous to 1941 is, in effect, an allegation that there vies injurious exposure after Sept. 1, 1235. Upon this theory plaintiff was entitled to relief under the V/orfemon* s Compensation Law only. The obvious purpose of the amendment was to bring to speedy disposition any rights to bring common law actions which arose before 1935, because the Workmen's Compensation Lav; has provided for relief for silico sis and dust diseases. The motion to amend the complaint with respect to "partial disability" is granted. The motion for summary jud^nent is granted. Ljgiecki v. E.I. duPont dellemours & CompanyT Inc. U. S. Dist. Ct., 'West. List, of D.Y. Decided July 7, 1942. (CCH). 827 Silicosis. Claim Must be Piled Within Six Months After Death. The single question is whether the rclatrixos filed their claims before the In dustrial Commission within the period required by Section 1465-CSa, General Code, which reads in part as follows: "Claims for compensation on account of silicosis shall bo forever barred unless ap-.lication shall have been made to the Enduetrial Commission within one year after total disability began or within six months after death." The decedent became totally disabled November 17,1229, and died Kerch 16, 1940. Kero than seven months later on October 22, 1940, one rclntrix filed her claim. The claim of the ether was not filed until April 12, 1941, nearly thirteen months after the decedent's death. With reference to a J'-ath claim the: a 1 ovate clearly seems to provide that it must be made within si:; v.nths ihorinfs:r. '.'.'id: c oiui clarity that port of the st itutc relatin'; to a ui,. ability claim seems to require it tc bo filed within one year. The Gu..erol Tsrcmbly h-s provided a separate and distinct limitation for each of two deprr- uto and distinct types cf claim. The respondent's aemurrer to the petition vast be sustained; the action dismissed, and the writ of mandamus denied. Ju-'-.g- vi.t l'or respnr.dent. ft.--.to, ex w.;1. Ivyr. o.d ot al. v. Industrial Commission of V-.ir.. OM a Snmvnrm C.t. . Decided Julv 8. 1942. (CCH). ^AA A Industrial Hygiene Digest - 6. Industrial Koclth Hazards ana Their Streets j':3 Industrial Illness Dug to Totryl. L.J. Y/itkewski, C.N. Fischer and HD. Hurdcck. J.AA..A., il9, 1401> {August 22, 1242;. Totryl or trial trcuhenylr.othylnitrair.ine {used in explosives) has caused dermati tis and other toxic symptoms in 1253 (22 per cent) of o. group of more than 5000 people employed wusro the compound is processed. 75 por cent of the affected v/orkors had a definite tetryl dermatitis. Neither sex nor age v:as found to nc a predisposing factor. 40 per cent of the operators who were in direct contact v.lth tetryl developed some form of illness. 20 per cent of the workers vhio had no direct .contact with the tetryl developed tetryl illness proving that direct contact is not the only disposing factor. One per cent of the workers developed symptoms during the second or third week of exposure. The maximum is reached during the fifth or sixth week with five per cent being affected. A decrease to about three per cent then occurs and is maintained indefinitely. This would indicate a degree of tolerance is developed. Prophylactic measures include, the rotation of employees, the use of smell open rooms, a program of cleanliness, ventilation and temperature control, dietary measures and the use of protective creams. 329 Combating Chronic Poisoning in Chemical Operations. V/.H. Pierce. Chem. & Met. Eng., 80 (August, 1242). In many plants the chemical engineer is called upon to pass judgment on the hazards which may result from the use of a certain chemical. These opinions ere generally sound insofar as corrosion, explosions, contamination of product or acute poisoning are concerned. However, the probability of chronic poisoning is often ignored by many technical men. This may be due to faulty training as well as to the concentration of industrial hygiene literature in journals not widely read by chemical engineers employed in industry. The portals of entry cf poisonous substances and the difficulties encountered through variation in individual susceptibility to poisons are discussed. A summary of the means for preventing chronic poisoning is also given. This is the first of a series cf articles by the author to appear in Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering. 830 Study of Dust Problems in the Ceramic Industry. L. Greenburg and T. Hatch. The Industrial Bulletin (N.T.), 21_, 187, 233 (May & June, 1942). The dust dofteontration data reported are of great significance from two points of view. First, the data show that without effective dust control, excessive dust concentrations may build up in practically every manufacturing department of c ceramic plant. The seriousness of the health hazard resulting from the dust expoeuro, however, is not necessarily the same in all plants or in all depart ments cf the seme plant since the free silica content of the parent material and of the air-borne dust varies. Second, effective dust control measures have been developed and are in practical use in some departments of several plants and it is believed tiiat such measures are generally applicable throughout the ceramic industry. In certain cases, however, it may be necessary to make chan ges in the manner of handling nasari-As or in the manufacturing processes in orucr to aAAcvo the desired results. It ir shewn for example, that in r-atorir. s handling, boot re suits arc obtained with mechanized equipment since ventilation can be applied to such equipment v.lth mere positive results than to manual hand ling operaiions. Segregation cf dusty from nen-dusty operations is also an essential measure . Plant construction end layout must be of a form that will CO ^ r> ^ OJO wtrini Hygiene Digest - 7. r.'-.'.'.c it possible to maintain ,/ood housckeooinr;. Overcrowding of operations in a single room must bo avoided. A summary of the measures recommended by tho L'. 6. Public iiealth Service for controlling dust in ceramic plants is given. A t^se of Pnounoconioais Due to the Inn.J.-.ticn of Fuller's 'irth. A. H. Campbell an. 1.?.. Gloyno. 1. Path. C& Pact., 44, 75-60 Tdanuury, 1942). i. miller of fuller's earth for 33 years, area 56, complained of dyspnoea, some cough and expectoration. X-ray shoved a "miliary distribution of small ncd'ilor areas denser in the mid zones," but involving all parts of both lung fields. {.Ithough not mentioned in the test, emphysema is suggested by lighter zones in the ccsto-phrcnic regions of a reproduced chest roentgenogram.) Kales over both lungs, sputum negative for tubercle bacilli, pulse and temperature normal. The mm. died suddenly of causes not stated. At autopsy the heart shcv:ed no lesion. The lungs revealed soft adhesions of recent pleurisy with no silicotic nodules. Scattered throughout both lungs were "irregular, rounded, black, fibretic patches 1/4 to 3/4 inches in diameter," with a tendency to confluence in the upper lobes. They were not as hard as silicotic nodules, and were not raised above the cut surface. About them were areas of compensatory emphysema and large bullae were found in one apex. 'There v/as a terminal bronchopneumonia but evidence of tuberculosis was lacking. The tracheobronchial nodes were small, contracted and pigmented. Histologically the dust reaction is described as a "reticular fibrosis" within the air spaces together with perivascular and peri bronchiolar fibrosis* ITo micro photograph is included. Hineralogical analysis of the fuller's earth from the pits Vvhcre the subject had worked showed that 85 to 90fj of the material was montmorillonite mixed with beidellite, with less than 1% of quartz. .Subcutaneous injection of this material into 2 guinea pigs caused localized nodules vith a central zone of necrosis, surrounded by a cap sule of connective tissue. The roentgenogram has the appearance of a severe pneumoconiosis. The gross description of the lung is not too informative as tho same words would describe reaction to many inert dusts. One also wishes that the histology had been illustrated by mi c ro p ho tograph as the statement that "the air spaces -were filled vith" (ovoid particles cf dust, "surrounded by strands of collagenous fibrosis" does not preclude an organized bronchopneumonia. The animal injections hardly constitute proof cf the capacity of fuller's earth to provoke fibrosis for two photomicrographs show a type of change regularly pro duced on introducing large amounts of many other silicates. The reviewer would interpret the thin peripheral zone of connective tissue as a capsule formed about a mass of foreign bodies and net a specific response to a chemical irritant. The fact that the picture was the same 8 and 20 months after injection also suggests a non-specific foreigp. body reaction. The uniformity of the shadows seen in the roentgenogram, on the other hand, strongly favors a specific pneumoconiosis. If infection were even partially responsible for the lesion, such an even distribu tion would hardly be expected. 832 Pneumoconiosis. R.3. Sayers, Chairman of A.P.H.A. Committee. An. Pub. Health ;.oaoc. Year Book. 117-124. (1041-1942). f-'c aoiu-.ictco poses the following questions: (1) "Can dusts other than silica --dec fibrosis (2) ,r.vhct about protective ducts?", (3) "Xhy is the progressive process in silicosis very slow in some people, and very rapid in others?", (i) "hky do not men with comparable exposures exhibit comparable pathology?'-, (c) "...difficulties of diagnosis." Recent literature covering these questions is reviewed critically. It is felt that there is no longer any :ueati'n about tho specific h..rmi'ulnoss of free silica and cf asbestos. Tho awsion ;Y nrotoetivo dusts is important ana is under study by several iuberu- t n s. Tho last 3 'uacstiens are tho meat perplexing and no final answers .ro citsr.rtod. The conclusions stress the; fact that it has been shown clc-'.rly that s'.lio.jzis can be controlled, and even entirely prevented, by a combination cf .-u.gv.t. procedures v/hich physicians, orgincors, and plant managers can carry throurii cornof^tively, P- r\ ^ n ^ r lit* , S M r* Inchistrial Hygiene Digest - o. 033 Rhysiolo^ical Studies Pertaining to Deep Sea Divinr: end Aviation, Especially in Relation to tho j nt Content ana Composition oi the Body. A.u. Behnke, Jr., 3uil'.":f.Y. AC&; :.:oc\., is, ea (>eptrabcr7 1V4II'. An outline is'presented of the physiologic factors that enable divers and avia tors to work in a pressure environment of 16 atmospheres or in a rarefied medium of 0.20 of an atmosphere respectively. Of especial interest arc the quantita tive studies pertaining to the absorption cr elimination of gaseous nitrogen v;hich in turn have permitted estimates of fat content and composition of the body of the healthy, adult male. On the basis of determinations of specific gravity, values near 1.090 indicate no excess fat and the body contains only about 10 per cent by v;cight of lipid matter that is regarded as essential. A reading for specific gravity of i.030 is indicative of approximately 10 per cent excess fat. A figure of 1.062 indicates that there is 20 per cent excess fat, while a value of 1.056 denotes that 33.3 per cent of the body weight consists of excess fat. 834 Chrysotile Asbestos as an Indicator of Subtile Differences in Animal Tissues. L.U. Gardner. An. Rev. of Tubcrc., 43, 762 (June, 19427". In the course of experiments upon the action of asbestos fibres upon living tissue it has been observed that this irritant is not like finely divided quartz, v;hich provokes specific cellular responses in any organ of all species of animals investigated (tadpoles, fish, chickens, mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, cats, dogs, monxeys and man). Asbestos fibres are acted upon to produce the "bodies," described by Cocke, only in the lungs of a few species like man, guinea pigs and white mice. They do not form in other organs of these species nor have they been observed in the lungs of white rats or dogs; in rabbits* and cats* lungs there are occasional atypical ones, Fibrous tissue reaction is also limited to the lungs, but none at all has developed in those of mice and dogs. The subtile differences in tissues responsible for such variation have not been identified but they may be of significance to the general problem of most resistance to other irritants like tubercle bacilli. -- Author*s summary. 835 Industrial Hygiene Regulations (Regulations 1-3) - September 13, 1941. Colorado State Beard of Health Bull., 5, 4-6 (November, I94lT.~ No process, material or method of working, known to have an adverse effect on health, shall be used unless arrangements have been made to maintain the occu pational environment in such a manner that injury to health will not result. Exposure to dust, fumes, etc. shall be kept below concentration limits, as es tablished in a table of suggested, maximum permissible concentrations. This table includes 8 dusts, among them cement (15 million particle per cubic foot), organic dust (50 million), talc (15 million), 45 gases and vapors (benzol 100 p.p.m., toluol 100 p.p.m., methanol 100 p.p.m.), 9 metallic dusts and fumes* There is added a table of lower explosive limits of 46 inflammable vapors. 856 Pneumoconiosis of Coal Workers. Anonymous. Lancet, 6197, 689 (June 6, 1942). This is a brief article discussing the Medical Research Council* s report on chronic pulmonary disease in South Wales coal minors. See Abstract No.496, June, 1942 Digest. 837 Dust Diseases in Russia. Anonymous. Lancet, 6177, 85 (January 17, 1942). A short summary of status of dust diseases in Russia, in particular for the Donets Coal lining industry, is givon. The vrork in the Donets* area has been wiped out by the war. 833 Rliod.,,.r.n. Recent Research on the Xr,ration, of Firedamp ro.a on its Movement ir. Air. ii.F. Coward. Trnns. Inst. Min. Lngrs., 10i, 229 (April, 1942H Recently there have boon gas ignitions apparently by sheathed explosives. An investigation hus shown that the firedamp contains from five to nine per cent o, n o n .c m .tri.il Hygiene Digest - 9 of a higher hydrocarbon, probably ethane. Experiment^il difficulties have pre vented the identification of any other gases if they are present. Evidence lias born obtained v:Lich shows that when firedamp is ignited by friction between a; n '.stone reeks or Metal tools and sandstone, the ignition results fro in the Jv'ated surfaces rather than from a spark. Frictic-n. sparks from ironstone, pyrites, aiuminun painted rusty iron, and static sparks from belts and compress ed sir lines have each been studied cxpcriF.cntuily, Eleven cases of gas explo sions where sheathed (safety) explosives were used show that no explosive is safe under all conditions. The flow of firedamp in galleries or roadways has boon the subject of experiment. A pocket apparatus consisting of a smoke indi cator for gaseous movements was used during the study. Dkoatliod Explosives. H.C. Grimshew* Trans. Institution Min. Engrs., London. 171, 113 (February* 19<sE). wince 1934 the consumption of sheathed explosives in the coal mines of Great Britain has increased. In 1938 about one-third of the total permitted explosives wore sheathed, and in certain areas the sheathed amounted to two-thirds of the total. The experimental evidence that increased safety would be conferred by the sheath was justified by early experience. There v/as no instance of a sheathed explosive being involved in an ignition of firedamp underground until April,1938, but since then there have been a few, Summarized accounts of seme of those occurrences are given. Test conditions for sheathed explosives are detailed and recent experimental work is described. The conditions under which explosives are used underground may vary widely, and the chance that they will ignite fire damp is greatly influenced by external conditions. Since the mode by 'which ex plosives effect ignition is little understood, it is impossible to define one set of conditions which are more dangerous than any others. The alternative is to . choose a series of tost conditions which together embody as far as possible all the known underground conditions that influence the ignition of firedamp. Vvhen a new test, now being devised, is added to the two already developed, it is heped that all the critical conditions will be satisfactorily represented. Sheathed explosives are new, on all experimental evidence, safer than unsheath ed explosives. But the limitations of even sheathed explosives should be known and respected. Cause of Explosions in a Brown-Coal Dust Loading Plant. E. Muller. Braunkohle, 40, 1-6, 13-19, (194lTI Among possible causes of explosions is the formation of explosive gas mixtures and their ignition by static electric sparks; the explosions which occurred, however, wore shown not to be due to this cause. Experiments siioved that moving dust in presence of atmospheric oxygen bursts into flame and that this phenomenon was the cause of explosions* Measures for preventing self-ignition of dust and explosions are described. No need was found for the use of a safety gas in the plant* Dv.latol Sclerosis in Chronic Sodii -nonce roiscninm F.C. Hodges and other; J ,...:i*A., 117, 193c, (December 6, 1341], Exposure to fl^iorino in industry, e.g., of those engaged in crushing rock con taining sodium fluoride, or in the cryolite industry, is known to lead to osteo sclerosis, while drinking water containing 1 p.p.m. or more loads, to the produc tion cf mottled enamel of the tooth. Till recently it was held that the drink- in; -f flu*riia-cc r.t.-.inii:e. water did not load to bone changes, but wit!i the last f-a years .lou.-ru Oracle bony Hu:n^c?c have been reported where tne only ascribabic e".'.a;a was thu drinking wator, Tka authors hove carried cut two investigations '-r. a small r.mber cf persons: 31 at Xcmptcn, 111., of ages reaping from 7.'.- years to Vi years who for periods up to 61 years have boon drinking water containing on 3 i trial Hygiene Digest - 10. 1 ,'i to 3 p.p.m. of fluoride; in another t roup were 31, ranging in age from 18 to Y:> years, with from 18 to 58 years' use of drinking rater containing about 0.5 a.*!.ru In JBpno of either group could they determine by x-rays any generalised skeletal sclerosis, but all cf both groups who hau been exposed to ohe drinking v.aier in childhood allowed evidence cf mottled enamel* Further research is needed. The Tr--a^mont of Acute Mercury Polsoning with Sodium Formaldehyde Sulfoxylate .:ith ~::.viow of Twenty Cases. H. `..'oi pa and h*. Alpcrs* J. Lab. & Clin, lied i IV, 1337 (August, 1542). j\ method of treatment for acute mercury poisoning utilizing sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate and based on the work of Rosenthal is outlined. It consists of: (1) Immediate gastric lavage with sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate. (2) Intra venous injection of sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate. (3) High colonic irriga tions with the same drug twice a day. (4) Gastric lavage twice daily for two days. (5) Daily intravenous glucose in saline. ( C) Mouthwash with dodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate for stomatitis. (7} Supportive measures as needed. (3} Fluids and soft diet. Four fatal cases are presented and the causes cf death are analysed. The significance of early treatment, physiological suppor tive measures, high colonic irrigations, and individual management are stressed. The method is not considered to be ideal, but it is felt that it should be used in all cases of acute mercury poisoning until a more efficient routine is dis covered. -- Authors* summary. 843 A Case of Industrial Phosgene Gas Poisoning. R.E. Shaw. Univ. of Leeds Med. Magazine. 11_, 147-148 (October, 1941). A labourer, aged 31 years, in a chemical works, when removing the cap from a cylinder of phosgene gas received a blast of the gas. During the next 20 minutes ho coughed and vomited repeatedly; he then felt well enough to continue his vxrk. Nearly 3 hours later he cycled 6 miles to his heme and arrived "feeling quite well." He had a meal and went for a walk. Four hours after the first exposure symptoms returned. Such a latent interval is v/ell known after exposure to phos gene gas, but it is thought that the severity of these later symptoms may be ascribable to the exertions of the patient during the interval. He complained of tightness in the chest, and suffered from increasing dyspnoea, persistent cough with thin yellow expectoration and a return of the vomiting. On admission to hospital the following day, 24 hours after the accident, his temperature vns 97.8?., pulse rate 132, weak and thready, respirations 45 per minute; he was grey and cyanosed, and rhonchi and moist rales were heard. He was propped up in a sitting position and oxygen administered, at first through nasal catheters later by the B.L.B. mask; corsmine was given in doses of 1 cc. hourly. Nert morning he was better, but respirations were still 48 and breathing distressed. The same afternoon he relapsed and became very cyanoced; a pint cf blood vras withdrawn and improvement was practically immediate and maintained till recovery. In view of possible bronchopneumonia he was given sniphapyridine, 1 gra. 4-hourly for 3 days. Twenty-four days after admission he left hospital, returned tc heavy work and has kept well. Thu fall in temperature following the use of this drug may, suggests the euthor, moan that an incipient bronchopneumonia was aborted, and consequently he advocates its use prcphylactically in cases of phosgene gas poisoning. 844 Phos.;vr.c Poisoning: Report cn Two Cases. J.P. Steel. Lancet, CIS5, 316 (March 1-1, 1942). or of accidental 'sg .c pcisj'iing arc reported, one severe and t Lid. Both patients be me rapidly delirious, with fever and rapid <3 ' :w: inspirations, and a painful cow?;h, soon after exposure. In the severe cuso, :*y odeinv. developed 24 hours aftor exposure; the other showed only acute b:\mohitis. Treatment was by rest, oxygen, general heat with poultices to tne r> a ^ v ; Industrial Hygiene Digest - II client, free fluids, sedative cough mixtures and strict measures to prevent secondary infection. Botlx the patients improved rapidly after the first 46 ho'irs, and ^there were nc symptoms or abnormal physical signs at tne tine cf their discharge fror. the hospital. -- Author's summary. .'15 A Coat of Cadmium Poisoning. G. Taylor and J.H. liuifience. Analyst. 67, 12 1 1242). As nuch as 0.01,',; cadmium v;as found in lemcnece preperou in a cacl/aiem-plated vessel; as little as 15 p.p.n. of cadmium produces mildly tonic symptoms. ?.-.di-:n Poisoning. E.K. Stevens. Radiology, 39, 30 (lily, 1942). This is a case history of u prtiunt vlth radium poisoning and constitutes one cf the few cases in the literature where adequate data on the amount of radium involved was known, as well as the amount retained after a period of manyyears. The patient had an incurable malady, Hodgkin* s disease, and was treated v.itn an intravenous injection of 20 micrograms of radium chloride in 1925. A total cf 44C nicrograms of radium chloride were administered during a five year period. The fractional retention amounts to 11.4.micrograms or 2.5 per cent of the total administration. The treatment has preserved the man's life and there has been no evidence of Hodgkin's disease throughout the last eighteen years. Many in teresting speculations ore drawn from this case history. 047 Titanium Salts and the Public Health. 1. Deribere. Ann. a'Hyg. Pub., Iadust. et Sccinle. 1, 133-137 {May-dune, 1941). The author describes the various salts cf titanium and their chemical qualities in relation to solubility, acidity and neutrality, and action on the shin. A great many titanium compounds are mentioned and advocated but no special selec tion is made. The therapeutic conditions for which their use is advocated are various skin conditions where the skin is particularly irritable. The citrate is advocated in various conditions affecting the teeth, such as gingivitis and it is valuable in dentifrices* Ho particulars are given as to the actual results obtained in any scries of cases* 846 Chronic Toxicity cf Cadmium* O.G. Fitzhugh and F.H. Meiller* ' 72, 15 (1941)* The toxicity of cadmium is increased by a lov7-prctain diet. 1* Pharmacol., 849 The Hazard cf Cadmium-Containing Solder. M. Richnow. Tech. Blatter, 50 , 281 (1940"n - Tin in solders is often replaced by cadmium. It should be noted that the boiling pcint of cadmium (765) is approximately 1/3 cf the boiling point cf tin. Fur thermore cadmium commences to vaporize just above its melting point (321). C-ad- niua vapor is a strong heart poison. In using cadmiua the greatest precautions must be tokea* a50 Eolation of the Sulfur /mino_ Acids to the Toxicity cf Cobalt and Nickel in the A-.t. V.'.H. Griffith and others. 3. Nutrition, 22, 602-12, (1942). The marked iruiibition of growth cf young rats due to 0.12 C0SO4 in an ISA casein diet is largely prevented by supplements of methionine, cystine or cysteine, especially the latter. The high mortality due to either the oral or intraparitoncal odiTiinistratior. of very toxic levels of either Co or Hi is prevent ed by the simultaneous and separate administretion of cysteine. The complc?: cf A. : r.d cysteine ferried in vitro is relatively non-toxic. Co poisoning may he cue ti.- the fixation, and loss of rulfk/dryl compounds in tissues v.dth resulting interference v:ich oxidative mechanisms. C 0 a 0 7 o O' w w v I ;trial Hygiene Digest - 12. ?;>f> "ffcct ffif Calcium Cyammidc Poisoning on ^hqJStute^of, Iro.nmity of the Body. 'i,i ebOZ*t .p_ Jio'C il I -OS: .t , 1 -O j O'. 0--4 r ( 1V 2 j V.x*:. crimcntul studios on rabbits ucdo to inhale tbo pondered compound for 3-4: hours shcv;od a drop in phagocytosis, and ir. bactericidal power of the serum. Absolute 2tOE, 3 g. per kg. body v;eirht given in 20r- solution, intensified the latter effect, am hod little influence on tile former. Conclusion: Calcium c/anuraide inhalation lowers the body1 s state of immunity. Clinical Cor.siderations.of Poisonings, by Some of the Chlorinated Hydrocarbons. r 1' '.-.-tii . .- . W. T-T v ca... x . 7 -i o V',9i* 0 M Q - ` A I-- t* O wC A* i-iO-A J W , Iv/ I w* , i Iv'lll/ . A lecture on dichlorcethylene, trichloroethylene, totrachlcroethylcne, methyl cllcrido, ethyl chloride, methylene dichloride, ethylene dichloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, tetrachlorotkaae and pentachlorethane from the standpoint of industrial poisoning. A Contribution to the Toricclogy of Sodium Nitroprusside. I.. The Decomposition end Determination cf Soaium ITitror-russide. H.2. hill, Australian Chem. Inst. J. IPrcc., 9_, 39-93 (194*}. After a fatal case of poisoning by sodium nitroprusside, the determination cf sodium nitroprusside in animal tissues was studied. Sodium nitroprusside decom poses in the animal system v.uth liberation of hydrocyanic acid. Only slight liberation of hydrocyanic acid occurs during steam distillation v.lth dilute sul furic or tartaric acid. Animal tissue and blood decomposes sodium nitroprusside at room temperature forming hydrocyanic acid vliich is recovered by steam distil lation from acid solution. In the presence of blood the liberation of hydro cyanic acid is quantitative (23.3# maximum recovery). r04 A Contribution to the Toxicology of Sodium Nitroprusside. II* To:d city of Sodium Nitrcprusside for Guinea Pigs. L.VA Mahaffey. Australian Chem. Inst. J. 3c i'rcc., 9,'"c9ly"3 (1942') . The toxicity of sodium nitroprusside for guinea pigs is close tc that of potassium cyanide. The symptoms are similar but are developed more slowly. Luad Poisoning in Animals. Gabel. Deut. tierarztl. frochschr., 491 6-9 (1941). Increase cf the porphyrin excretion in the urine is not a sufficient indication of lead poisoning. The frequency of lead damage increases in summer, decreases a little in autumn, increases again in November and decreases greatly during the '.-.inter. The average lead content in the liver is greater in summer and is small er in autumn. MOO Poisoning by Tellurium. V. Haring. Deut. mod. Viochschr., JV7, 930 (1241). Tellurium poisoning of an assistant in bacteriology is described, 7*ith typical clinical appearance and course. A'.a. - Thallium Alcrjecia. Hidev/o 3ba. Japan. J. Dermatol. Urol., 46, * vC (lab.,'). '.'l.-.Uiiii alopecia is probably the result of direct thallium injury to the shin ' l'uuctiorru disturbance of the gland* cf internal secretion. ijn of Totrachi>roothyloao. w Gunov.nrdcne. J. Ceylon branch Brit. ''* hh.> i'7-C i.-1 i/OAX'. -- f- 'aid in bottles of totraoilerGctkylene exposed to light but not in -vd in a refrigerator cr ailcucd to 'stand in the dark. Since phos. one '''"'us lung irritant, the tost for its presence by smell should be pre- ^"V:ing uoep breath and then tooting by u gentle sniff; if phosgene - uniraticn should bo quid: and cimplete. iviirtrial hygiene Digest - 13. 369 Ethylene Bichloride. Industrial Data Sheet D-Chen. 41. Nat. Safety News, 49, C2 (August*- 1942). Ethylene dichloriclo biirni' with difficulty but it has a closed cup flash point of CCF. The explosive Units arc from 6.2 to 15.9 per cent by volume in air. Its autoignition temperature is 77bF. and the vaper density is 3.42 (air 1). Chronic exposure data have net yet been completed but it is knowt. that its effects arc, in general, similar to carbon tetrachloride, trichlorethyiene and chloroform. The immediate effects of inhalation are narcosis, nausea, dizziness, weakness and irritation cf the eyes and respiratory tract. It has been noted that one severe exposure to ethylene dichloride will increase a persons suscep tibility to the compound. At least tv:o states, California and Massachusetts, have suggested as a maximum allcv/able concentration in air IOC parts of ethylene diciclc-ride per million ports of air (by volume). Skin affections caused by ethylene dichloride, resemble those caused by most fat solvents but if sensitiza tion occurs a severe generalized deimatitis may occur. 8SO The Toxicity of Benzoic Acid for White Hats. G.P. Hoger, C.V,\ Chapman and 2.3. Starkey. J.A. Pham. Assoc., 31_, 253~TAugust, 1942). The toxicity of benzoic acid when administered as the sodium salt intravenously to -white rats corresponds closely to that reported for other animals. The value cf the L.E50 found in this investigation is 1.714 t 0.124 gm/Kg. (P = 0.95). -- Authors* summary. 861 Chlorinated Naphthalene Poisoning. IT.G.E. HcLetchie and D. Robertson. Brit. j., 4248, 691 (June 6, 1942). A case of fatal liver necrosis due to poisoning by chloronaphthalene is described. This substance is now extensively used in industry for insulating vd.ro ana elec trical apparatus, and there is risk of its being absorbed by the skin or by in halation of fumes. There is evidence from cases described abroad, that the onset of the disease may be insidious; slight jaundice may appear unaccompanied by more clamant symptoms which would induce the individual to cease work. In the present instance the subject had been at risk of exposure for six months before the onset cf any illness, but, though the first symptoms were very mild, death occurred eight weeks later. The case was complicated by the existence of rheumatic cardiac disease. -- Authors* summary. 0G2 Death from Bhenothiazine Poisoning. D.F.. Humphries. Lancet, 6202, 39 (Julv 11, 1942). A case history of a fatality occurring in a six year old school girl is recorded. The phenothiasine was prescribed in 2 gram daily doses for the treatment of threauvtoim infestation. 0 63 Pharmacological and Toxicological Studies on Cetylnyridiniua Chloride, a New Germicide. K.R. 'Aarren, T.j . Becker, D.C-. Harsh and R.S. Shelton. J. Pli-am. 1 Ax:'. Therapeutics. 75, 401 {April, 1942). The minimum lethal dose ex' cctylpyridiniua chloride in rabbits following intra venous administration was 20 milligrams per Kilogram. By the way of oral admin istration, tins compound in an amount of 4C0 milligrams per kilogram killed one 'f six rabbits. It was found that the compound v/as most toxic following intre- P'U'ixoneol adminictration. In. many cases death was delayed for from three wo. 'i:-: -lays. C'.ir aic toxicity studios j.r.di eu. i1Ov ./Iwm. by rub cits for V.l_ that a daily oral intake cf 10 m.~ cried cf four weeks docs not nrcau; -urnificunt harmful ofihct;:. The irritant notion on intact skin was dc*;or- aiaca, Cotylppridinium chloride exerted a "curnre-likoM action. It produesu a C'-utr.-il stimulation and a peripheral paralysis. r a m r\ n Industrial Hygiene Digest - 14. 04- Perr:hyrinrria ir Tri.i.i tr^to? none Poise mar. A.M. Kennedy and J. Ingham. Brit, tied. J., 1942, I, 400-2. A desci-iptioa of the chemical findings, especially those obtained by urinalysis are crcsei 3C5 Coty11rindtiiyl..unmonium Premia.-: (CTAD): A New Disinfectant and Cleaning Agent. JBarnes. Dcncot, 019 Bdl (Kay 2, 1942.7. racpv.rin.ants v.ith solutions of CTAB, a cationic determent, have shown it to bo capable of materially reducing the umber of bacteria on normal skin, and of completely sterilizing; dirty and greasy bowls end baths. Clinical uses for this substance are suggested, since its application to normal skin and wounds seems to be without danger. -- Author's summary. SCO Toxic affects of Bitter-Tasting Phenylthiocarbamide. C.P. Eichter and K.II. Clisby. Arch, lath., 35, 46-57 (1942]. Phenylthiocarbamide, in doses of 1.0-2.0 mg. kills rats in a few hours with respiratory collapse and a very lov; body temperature before death. Edema of the lungs was found on pest mortem examination. Increased tolerance for the drug cculd be established in rats, up to 10-12 mg. R3ts killed after chronic poisoning with the drug shoved markedly hypertrophied thyroids. 6C7 Volatile solvents. II.E. Smyth, Jr., Chairman of A.P.H.A. Committee. Am. Pub. health Assoc. Year Book, 142 (1941-1942). Most American committee reports, at least in the general field of science, are a model of polite restraint and dull understatement. This report -- it is a little over 200 words -- is directed against the use of nitrocellulose lacquer solvent, which the inventors claim is non-toxic, although it contains 60$ benzol. The committee states that the claim is not proved. It would be a blessing if we had more such reports, ana less of the others. 8G6 Poisoning Due to Methyl Salicylate (Oil of Winterrrcen). A Report of a Case with Autopsy. 1.3. Epstein and J.L. Work. Ohio State lied. J.T 38. 325-6 (1942). A 4-year old hoy died 19 hours after the ingestion of approximately 20 cc. of an oil of v.lntorgreen rubbing compound. Death in methyl salicylate poisoning is usually the result of acidosis and respiratory depression; the autopsy findings arc those of asphyxia rather than cf any specific effect of the drug. It is em phasised tint all preparations sold to the public as counterirritents should be properly labeled. 869 Blood Findings in Cyclotron Workers. Shields Warren. Eadiology, 39_, 194 (August, 1942). The blood .counts and hemoglobin levels of 85 persons more or less exposed to slight radiation from cyclotrons and temporarily radioactive isotopes have been followed for periods varying from throe to 30 months. Most persons under these conditions show no significant changes that are not explained by intercurrent disease. Fc-\r showed minor variation in the vdiitc cell count. As with exposure to x-ray or radium radiation, transient depression in white cell count la foilov?ed by elevation. This change occurs mere rapidly in lymphocytes than granulocyte; Seme persons have an unstable bone marrow as shown by marked fluctuations in white ceil counts when subjected to only minor radiation. Such persons should not work where the/ are exposed to radiation. The precautions for the safety cf those two groups of cyclotron workers appear adequate. -- Author's summary. _ affect of high Voltage "coat :f-n Hays on the He art of Adult Pats. I. Lcae h and K. Jugiura. Am. J. Aaentgcpclegy,- 48, 31 Uuly, 1947.). Adu} t male ana fample rats received varyir~ amounts of high voltage rront ;-t. raui ation to the heart in single doses. There v,as no demonstrable effect '-'ii the C A U V Ir.iustrial Hygiene digest - IS. heart two to fourteen months after it had been irradiated vrirh 1 and inciting 7,500 roentgens. There were no late changes ob.~-. rvi.j : of the animals that received radiation to tho lungs or n-.: -i , infection, when present, did not cause any demonstrable chan,*-: these animals. The fluid flow theory of Fr.illa has been n-:;.iie relative resistance of the myocardium to roentgen irradiation. to rt rt of in the c7i ho mholord, cal Aspects of Experimental Actinic and Arsenic Card com-! r in the Shin of hats. V;.C. Jasper. Cancer Research, 2, 551 (August, 1910). The evidence presented is proof that the epideimis of the rat is can* Me rf pro ducing under proper stimulation (ultraviolet rays or arsenic) as a v* riety of carcinomas as that seen in the human skin. The carcinomas obtained in the shin of the rat following an exposure to ultraviolet rays are even mere complex than those occurring in man, as they are not infrequently associated with :.y?cr- plastic or sarcomatous proliferations of tho mesenchymatous elements cf the cutis. The average life span of the rat is apparently shorter in general than the latent period of experimental arsenic carcinoma. -- Author*s summary. 872 Mechanism of Tumor Production by Chemical. Agents. Felix Bersnann. Cancer Re search, Zy 660 (September, 1942). The following principles for tumor production by chemical agents are apathetical ly established: 1. The form and size of a carcinogenic hydrocarbon and cf its related heterocyclic compounds determine its activity. Every substance winch imitates more or less closely a given parent structure resembles it also in its bl astomato gonic action. 2. In tho living cell, the carcinogens are adsorbed by an acceptor possessing a definite adsorption area. This sets an upper limit for the dimensions of the active compounds. A lower limit is given by a decrease in adsorbability with decreasing size cf the molecule. 3. All carcinogens are conceived as parts of an T*ideal carcinogenic structure." 4. A carcinogen can be inactivated by additions which prevent its proper adsorption. The mechanism of this hindering effect is discussed. -- Author's summary. 673 Anemia in X-Ray Workers. Anonymous. Brit. Med. J., 4256, 137 {August 1, 1942). Periodic blood studies of x-ray workers have been made in many institutions for a long period of years. In none of these institutions has a single case of aplastic anemia occurred and there is no record in the literature except v.i.cn contact with radium was also involved. A few cases of secondary ar.::..ia arc found from time to time which are apparently due to conditions of er.sloynont other than exposure to x-rays. Very rare cases of white cell reduction have occurred but they return to normal rapidly when exposure is stopped. If a leucopenia should reoccur upon re-exposure, a change of occupation is aavisable. Periodic blood examinations at intervals of six or twelve months arc advisable in order that the occasional person who may develop a severe whito coll anemia may bo discovered. The term x-ray anemia "has no particular ir.c-.ni:. -.ni c.suld be avoided." Effect of Fluoroscory on Eyes. Queries & Miner Notes. J.A.M.A., IL-L> {August ~15," 1942). It is generally understood that the delicate and highly spocirlinoe^ ti.*.* a-a of the eye are not mere sensitive to x-rays than the external f` But fev; cases of iritis have developed in x-ray workers. ' ~ hewover, involves eyestrain in the common sense. On i-.ov. cf scattered radiation present in the cheat fluoroscopy, I sirens have not been generally discarded, A dental film <" ' y *' 1 ...........' ' rocket for a week tells whether a particular worker is ur.eui; < * Industrial Hygiene Direct - 10. 375 Photographic Industry and Catci-ccos. 'Queries <1 Minor Motes. J.A.M.A., 119 1408 (Augus^ 22, 19421 . The literature dose not record any ccsos of cateraccs which have boon produced by exposure:to chemicals used in the processing of notion picture films. There arc three ways in which a chemical substance could be absorbed to produce cataractous changes in the lens: (1) Through the respiratory passages, (2) Through the alimentary tr^ct end (3) T-irough the shin. The first tv:o methods would rot apply in the developing of film. The third method is possible, but, as far as is known, none of the chemicals used in this industry will produce changes in the crystalino lens. <376 Turk Annotation and Miners1 _ Myotamue. J. Campbell. Brit. Ued. I., 4220, 726(1941). It has been recognised for more than 100 years that miners ore likely to have both nightblindness and nystayaus. One of the first symptoms of nystagmus is deficient vision at twilight.' The chief factor in miners1 nystagmus is long continued deficient illumination. As a result macular vision is restricted and the rods of the retinal periphery are chiefly concerned, thus increasing the demand of visual purple and hence requiring an adequate blood supply of vitamin A. A group of 10 miners was studied (average age 38 years) v;ho had worked under ground an average of 25 years and had marked nystagmus. Dark adaptation showed that these men were deficient in vitamin A and could be relieved by intensive vitamin A treatment. The study has not been continued long enough to report the effects on nystagmus but the need for vitamin A therapy for- all miners is indi cated. 877 The Presence of Calcium Crystals in the Cornea after Erosion with Calcium. K. Lisch. Graefe's Arch., 142 , 503-505 (1940)". A 27-year old mason scratched his right cornea with lime, and after 4 years suffered loss of vision. It was found upon examination that he could just dis tinguish fingers. The ccrnea showed many fine opacities in the superficial subepithelial layers and there was a grayish-win.te opacity in the deepest parenchymal layers of the corneal center. With the slitlamp many chalk-v;hite granules and star-shaped crystals could be seen in the superficial and middle corneal layers. The other eye was normal. The author thinks that the crystals and granules were probably calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since very few persons with corneal injuries from calcium develop such opacities, the author concludes that there must hav,e been a disturbance of calcium resorption in this patient, the slight increase of calcium introduced into the cornea at the time o injury causing precipitation of the crystals. 878 Scarring and Shrinking of the Conjunctiva as an Industrial Injury in Dyers. R, Bruckner, Ophthalmologica, 102, 221 (October, 1941). In two elderly dyers the author observed bilateral shrinkage of the conjunctiva with scarring, which he ascribed to the effect of exposure to chemical varf'-c. Individual peculiarities of metabolism and involutional changes may havo played a part. The possibility of direct injury was denied by the patients. 379 Fluorosis in the Incisor1 Tooth of the Rat. Jcso Grinctein. Scnana Hod. I Buenos Aires), 1941, II , 16-28. The ohuracscristic ohany es caused by chronic intoxication of rats wits scci n fluoride arc loss of woi oht ..nd delayed development and changes in the s::-1.: color and histological a tructuro cf the incisor tooth. Most charectensoc: the increase in length, decrease in density,'irregularity of the surface a: white rrd grayish spots. Photomicrographs of the various structural "`i'-- are presented. rn ^ n7 " U L* a ! t Industrial Hygiene digest - 17. 360 Visible Light end Skin Timers Induced -;,lth Benzopyrene in Mice. J.1. Morton and ethers. Cancer Research, 2, 0?C-cO (13^2/. In the Cb7 black Bar Harbor strain of mice, chin tumors v:ore induced with 3, 4-'.:onsopyrenc by pointing. Tv:o groups of mice v;ere used; one group was leapt throughout the experiment in visible light for 12 hours daily, the ether group in complete darkness. There v;as a delay in the appearance of carcinomas, and a diminution in the number of animals which developed tumors in the groups exposed to light. In addition, a narked dermatitis developed in the group exposed to light. No dermatitis vras seen in unpainted controls. The first carcinoma appeared at 105 days in the dork and at 140 days in the light. The total number of both papillomas and of carcinomas v;as higher in the group deprived of light, and also there was a higher percentage of both in black than in white nice. Gen eral nutrition was not a factor in painted mice nor in unpainted controls. 061 Gliomas Produced with Carcinogens. H.M. Zimmerman and II. Arnold. Trans. Am. Neurol. Assoc., _67, 161-4 (1941)7 V/hen nethylchoianthrone which was purified by chromatic adsorption on AI2O3 so that the carcinogen had a corrected melting point of 179.8-180.4 was implanted in pellet form intrscerebrully, it led to production of gliomas in approximately 25$ of strain C5H mice, IO70 of strains ABC and Bngg albino mice, and none ox" strain dba nice. In addition to the 29 gliomas produced (in the C3H mice) there were 9 tumors which were in part sarcomatous and in part gliogenous. The aver age length of the experimental period for the gliomas was 270 days, as against 195 days for the intracranial sarcomas. 7/hen r.onpurified met hyl c hoi anthrene was similarly implanted,there was a high percentage of intracranial neoplasms, but these were nearly all of a sarcomatous nature, and gliomas were very rarely produced. Implantation of 5,4-benzopyrene undiluted in pellet form, intracerebrally into the CgH mice led to gliomas comparable to those produced by the (purified) nethylchoianthrone. Previous attempts to produce gliomas with 3,4-benzopyrene were unsuccessful, probably because of the use of lard or chclcstorol-dilg. agents which stimulated granuloma fomation as opposed to neoplasia. 882 Asthma of Bakers and Millers. P. Vallory-Radct and F. Blcmoutier. Presse lied., 49, 1245-1246 (November, 1941). Asthma arising from exposure to the dust of flour among bakers, and of grain among millers, does not differ from other asthma of occupational origin. It may bo spasmodic coryza, or bronchitic asthma, or the two combined, associated with conjunctivitis. It occurs after a varying period of exposure, while at work, to the sensitizing dust; the period may be a few months, but in one case 19 years elapsed. Seventeen cases among bakers and seven among millers were carefully followed up. A feature of the cases is that, so long as the occupation is not interrupted, all is well but after a break, maybe for military service, or for holiday, or for other work, on return tc the original process, the asthma develop All the bakers gave positive skin reactions to an extract of wheat flour, with a tendency to exhibit a polysensitivity. Hereditary sensitivity to flour v/as noted in some cases; on ethers, eczema in childhood; and, in one, hay fever. But the particular interest lies in a treatment discovered by accident; an affected b;d-:or was end;iriny a prolonged attack of severe asthma, when he cut his hands badly with a considerable loss of blood; immediately the attack ceased. A test for shin reaction precipitated a further attack; whereupon bleeding was tried with entire success. This remedy v.uj then employed in ether cases; always beneficially, 'i'hu procedure developed is to withdraw 80 to ICO cc. of blood., repeating the process if the attacks recur. Gradually the attacks become loss and loss frequent, and less and loss severe. (Ikio treatment might b j worth, a trial in other instances of occupational asthma, c.g., cotton-strippers1 astlma. ) nn va7< Industrial Scions Digest - IS. 885 Mechanism of Action of Ordinary "-'ar Gases. C.D. Leake end L.F. Marsh. Science, 9 5, 194 (August 0, 1942). In general intensity oi` biologic;:! action of any chemical is determined by (1) the dosage in toms of mr.es of chemical per mass of living material, (2) the retio cf the rate of absorption and distribution of a drug to its rata of excre tion or destruction, (3) the physico-chemical properties of the drug such as polarity, energy organisation, etc., and (4) the peculiarities of the partierdar type of living tissue involved, such as age, metabolic and allergic states and enzyme balance. The irritative action of v;ar gases is discussed from their chem ical relationship to common aliphatic irritants such as ethyl alcohol, chloroform and diethyl ether. The v:ar gases owe their increased irritative action to aggressive factors associated with altered halogenation and polarity. Tests with mustard gas have shown that kerosene, gasoline, acetone, etc. should not be used to remove the mustard from the skin. The solvents produce a more serious burn than would occur from the untreated exposure. Soap lather or throe per cent hypochlorite solution are effective first aid remedies which vail minimize the results of the contact with the blister gas 884 Is Management Responsible for Mishaps of New Workers. Anonymous. Buildings & Building Management, 42, 1? (September, 1042H The liability of management for proper supervision of workers doing building maintenance work is discussed. A number of instances illustrating accidents and health injuries that could have been avoided by instruction and supervision are cited. 885 Comparative Toxicities of 2-chloro-2-butene, 1,2,5-trichlorobutane, and 1,2dj chloro ethane. 2. L. McCawley. Univ. Calif .Pub.Pharmacol., 2_, 89-97 (1942) ." CHgCICEgCl killed mice within 30 minutes when inhaled continuously in a vapor concentration of 0.25 millinol./liter of air (less than 0.1 of the vapor satura tion at room temperature). In seme animals, death occurred without preliminary anesthesia. Single sublethal exposures produced liver and kidney damage to such an extent that death was produced by a second or third exposure on subsequent days. 2-chloro-2-butene vns dangerous to mice on 30-minute inhalation in a con centration of 2.0 millinols./liter in air; anesthesia occurred in 2-3 minutes; mice exposed to sublethal concentrations could be re-exposed daily for at least 10 days without production of death. Inhalation of vapors of 1,2,3-trichlorobutane produced symptoms of toxicity only after several repeated exposures to an atmosphere saturated at room temperature; when placed in direct contact with the skin, this compound produced local irritation more readily than the others. Eleven references. 885 Physiological Properties of Some Common Casos at High Pressures. J.B.8. Hclde no. Chem. Products, 4, 83-4 (1941). Carbon monoxide is not inodorous but has a garlic-like odor which does not i;i appear on passing the gas over activated charcoal in a tube immersed in Xir-.i air. The threshold concentration at which it can first bo smelled is probr.sl well over 1#. The inhalation of oxygen at 6 atmospheres produces a very con rate taste, both sweet and sour. Nitrogen is not physiologically inert. Air at 1 0 atmospheres is a mild intoxicant causing mental confusion; this is not the r\ with a mixture cf 93# hydrogen and 2# oxygen. The latter mixture is sot X sive anu at 10 atmospheres it has a partial pressure of oxygen apiroxir.'.huy equal to tint in air .at atmospheric pressure; it therefore supports life-, done concludes that it is accessary to define the pressure at which a . ' breathed when the gis is described as odorlcsr, tasteless or physiologic* 11 v irert. P n T r. ? * ;trial Hygiene Digest - 19. Tlrr-or?rental Acute Gastric Ulcers Produced in Animals by Exposure to Sulfur Dioxide Gas. F.R. '."codon* N. 1. Stats J. Men., 42, 62C-3 (1942). A description is given oi* the occurrence and nature cf gastric ulcers in mice and guinea pigs exposed to concentrations of sulfur dioxide representing approximately 10, 25, 55, 65, 100, 150, 300 and 1000 parts per million parts of air. No effects on the stomach wore observed below 65 p.p.m, At 65 p.p.m. onethird of the animals showed acute distention of the stomach on the 9th day, and at IOC p.p.m. half the animals showed distention on about the 4th day, while 2 perforations of the stomach occurred. At 3C0 p.p.m. most animals shov/ed disten tion and multiple hemorrhagic ulcers on the 3rd day. Perforations were frequent. At 1000 p.p.m. the ulcers were less frequent and of smaller size, but the life span v/as shorter, The gross and microscopic appearance of the lesions is doscrihed. SCd Fluoride Domestic Water end Dental Caries Experience. il.T. Dean, F.A. Arnold, and E. Elvove. Pub. Health Repts., 57_, 1155 (August 7, 1942). A correlation betv/een the dental caries experience rates and the mean fluoride content of the public water supply of 21 cities studied is presented. A general inverse correlation between the fluoride content and dental caries was observed. 889 New Products Bring Nevr Health Hazards. P.A. Brebm. Nat. Safety News, 46, 34 (.august, ls42/. Many substances which arc knovm to be very toxic are being used extensively. The necessity of allocating many chemicals to their most vital point of use has re sulted in the increased consumption of toxic substitutes. Benzol for toluol, lead for tin, and cadmium for chromium are examples of this condition. Many new chemicals of unknov/n toxicity are also being developed. The importance of nenoceupational absenteeism is illustrated by two charts showing the frequency and severity experience in V.'isconsin. 890 Toxic Effects of Some Basic Proteins. L. Reiner, E.J. DeBeer and M. Green. Proc. Soc. Exptl. Biol. Med., 50, 70-4 (1342). Globin has no appreciable toxicity v/hen injected into animals or tested on tissues and on monocellular organisms in vitro. Protamine and histone are high ly toxic to trypanosomes, and have seme inhibitory action on tissue respiration in vitro. When injected intraperitoneally into mice the median lethal dose of monoprotamine sulfate is 94 mg./kg. and that of histone sulfate 255 mg./kg. Factors v/hich may influence the toxicity are discussed. 891 The Health Hazard of Refrigerants. F.W. Hutchinson. Heat. & Vent., 39, 21 (June, 1942). The health hazards are considered under four headings: (l) fire; (2) explosion; (3) escape, and (4) decomposition. Ammonia, carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, the fluorine derivatives and the halogen compounds are discussed briefly. It is pointed out that water is the only completely non-toxic refrigerants. o92 Acrjrr.ti.on of Petrol. C.L. Cope. Lancet, 6150 . 4 69 (April 18, 1942). A won-fatal case of aspiration of petrol into the lungs by a man of 28 is re ported. He lost consciousness for a few moments at the time and aftcrv.ards developed a right pleural effusion with patches of pulmonary consolidation. A review of the literature is given from which it is shown that the immediate effects of petrol aspiration are the signs of irritating fluid in the bronchial ttvo (cough, cyanosis, asphyxia) or stomach (pain, vomiting, diarrhoea); collapse w y severe or the pnlicut die from asphyxia. General ci'A.cts are tro:.;:i- exhilaration, drowsiness, cyanosis, unconsciousness and upon recovery nausea, -iwwincas ;nd headache. Delayed effect's reported arc wandering pneumonia, hemorrhagic pneumonia, pneumonitis and pleural effusion. 0 fL)' 0 oo Industrial Hygiene Digest - 20. 803 Fires and Explosions. L. Greenburg. N. Y. State Ind. Bull., 1_, 118 (Mar.1942) . The waste by industrial fire and explosions in terms of personal injury to work ers as well ns property loss -- particularly at a time when industry is being geared for production in the interests of the war effort -- has caused the Divisioa-'of Industrial Hygiene to carefully review the caso histories of fires and explosions of obscure or unknown origin which had occurred in New York State and had been previously investigated, with a view to developing some gener al concepts as to causative factors and some of the more important principles underlying prevention. The seriousness of these dangers to life and property may be realized when ono considers that the 0. S. Government reports of dust ex plosions alone in the U, S. in the past 19 years show that these explosions caus ed the death of 308 persons; injury to 680 others and property damage of over 54 million dollars. Fires and explosions from inflammable gases, vapors and liquids are understood to have been even greater in number than those due to dusts, though exact figures are not available at the present time, A total of 46 such fires and explosions were studied and the whole literature of the subject carefully reviewed. Ignition sources were found to fall into 4 principal cate gories as follows: 1. Flames in connection with open light; matches and cigarette lighters; fires in boilers, water heaters; burning materials; incinerators; cutting and welding torches. 2. Sparks from static electricity, friction from the presence of metal or other foreign material in grinding, mixing and conveying equipment; electric shorts; sparks from tools, motors, snap-type switches and chimneys. 3. Heated materials such as glovdng metals, cinders, and filament of electric lights; unprotected and portable electric lights; glowing embers of cigarette, cigar or pipe; overheated bearing on line shaft or mill; hot aimature of motor. 4. Spontaneous ignition resulting from the reaction of sodium or potassium in water, turpentine and ammonia in the presence of chlorine, and hydrogen and chlorine in the presence of light; oxidation of finely divided metals such as nagnesitaa and aluminum; oxidation of powdered charcoal and coal; bacteriological action on damp grain and hay; oxidation of oils and fats on wiping rags. 894 Polyneuritis in a Watchmaker. Queries & Minor Notes. J.A.M.A., 1181 1526 (April 25, 1942). The question was asked as to whether a watchmaker, aged 28, who died following an acute illness, could have contracted infectious polyneuritis as a result of his occupation. The man came in contact with a solution of dilute cyanide, cream of tartar, alcohol and acetic acid, nickel chloride and nickel sulfate, copper cyanide, gold cyanide, silver chloride and silver cyanide. Several diagnoses were made, and the postmortem diagnosis was infectious polyneuritis. It was con sidered almost impossible for the occupation itself to have caused this disease, and no occurrences of a fatal polyneuritis are found in the authentic literature to have been caused by these plating materials. Cyanides are toxic, but do not induce the manifestations described in the acute episode above. Gold, silver, nickel and copper are not recognized as likely sources of systemic diseases after industrial exposures. 895 A Study of the Synthesis of Hippuric Acid in the Rat After Liver Injury from Carbon Tetrachloride. G. Montes, R.S. Teague and C.E. Nelson. I. of Pham* a Exp. Thorapoutics., 75 , 260 (July, 1942). Kippuric acid excretion following benzoate administration in the rat takes place at a slower rate than has been found by Griffith for the rabbit. After acute or chronic hepatic injury produced by carbon tetrachloride, rats arc able to synthesize and excrete hippuric acid from administered benzoate at a nomad rate in an eight hour period. Species differences in this detoxication mechanism must be taken into consideration in interpreting results. - Authors' conclusions. Industrial Hygiene Digest - 21 95 Duration of Carbon Monoxide In the Blood, Queries & Minor Notes. J.A.M.A., 1/sG, 15o (Jeptembor 12, l*4ls). The rate of carbon monoxide elimination is distinctly influenced by a number of factors, so that the duration of the retention of appreciable quantities of this gas varies jproutly. Under conditions of adequate respiratory stimulation the rate of dissociation roughly may drop one half every hour. Thus if the blood saturation at the tine of removal from the dangerous gas was 0 per cent, under suitable treatment this might approximate 30 per cent at tho end of one hour, 15 per cent at the end of two hours, etc. The last ten per cent of tho gas dis sociates itself much less freely than is true for a given 10 per cent in the higher brackets. The finding of low percentages of blood saturation from carbon monoxide is not extraordinary 16 hours after removal. Conversely the absence of carbon monoxide at the end cf that period or a shorter one is not remark*. Laboratory results from carbon monoxide estimations are not sc accurate that con centrations from two to four per cent are indisputable. 897 Bums by Phosphorus. Queries & Minor Notes. J.A.M.A., 118, 1421 (April 18,1942). Information was asked concerning bums by white phosphorus {P4) end phosphorus trichloride (PCI3) The answer was that white phosphorus ignites spontaneously in the air and bums gradually from the surface. It may give rise to serious bums, since even when embedded in the flesh it will continue to burn as long as air can reach it. According to Voider (The Medical Aspects of Chemical arc, Baltimore, Williams & Wilkins, 1925, p. 194) first aid treatment is directed to ward stopping the phosphorus from burning and toward removal of any cf the sub stances remaining in the wound. Tho port is immersed in water or is irrigated, and any remaining phosphorus is washed out or is wiped off with a wet gauze sponge held with forceps. The later treatment is the same as that for any other bum. Phosphorus trichloride is a liquid at ordinary temperatures, is r.-.n-in- flommable and gives off a toxic vapor. In the presence of moisture it is ex tremely hygroscopic and hydrolyzes rapidly, with the formation of hydrochloric acid. Its effect on the skin is not that of a true bum and is not specific for .phosphorus, but is that of the caustic or the corrosive action of a strong acid. The substance should be removed or neutralized by washing of the affected part with dilute alkali and the wound treated by measures appropriate to any other injury of like severity. 898 The Problem of Cleaning the Skin Without Irritation. W. Brand. Deutsche Chemiker-Leitung., 60, 397-400 (1941). The living skin is protected by an "acid mantle." The PH of the normal skin is about 5.0, This mantle is believed to be responsible for the protection of tho skin against bacteria. A non-irritating substance, cleaning the skin, must r.ot raise it, deprive if of its fat and its acid mantle, or make the skin so ked. There are.many ways of soiling the skin, and cleaning methods have -a varying effect, and should be different according to the kind of soiling. Most nr the cleaning methods in use today do not meet the necessary demands. Much work should bo done to find suitable methods. 899 Use of Solvents for Hand Cleansers. P.I. Smith. Am. Perfumer, 44, Solvents such as cyclohexanoi, muthyicyclohexanol, butyl cellosolvo, ` alcohol, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethar.c, ethylene, dichiorohydrin, monochlorobonseno, tetralin, decalin, and xylene, which may or may not be toxic when used in cleansing \-"- v are powerful solvents of tho skin fatty substances and by remevir.,* ; tho liraids they reduce the resistance of tho skin to heat, ccla, '`*bo absorbed in tho blood stream. V.'it-h hot soap solutions contaita. there may bo solvent inhalation; in many cases clearly defined are produced by initiation of vapors. Emulsions ana pastas pr-f- :! not contain more than 10',j of these special solvents. t -u * - I o': us trial Hygiene Direct - 22. OOC Dermatitis Occurring Among Operators of Air Conditioning. Equipment. L. Schwartz end J.L. Dunn. Xnd. lied., 11, 375 T .august, 1942JU Of tho 90 workmen who state that they have had more or loss cutaneous exposure to chromates* approximately 14 per cent have or have had dermatitis attributed to this cause. The patch tests performed, however, indicate that probably not more than five per cent of the workmen have cutaneous hypersensitivity to chromates* The incidence of elermatephytosis, clinically, among the workmen ex amined was approximately S3 per cent. Dermatophytids of the hands were found in seven (S.7 per cent) of the workmen, some of those eruptions being comrlicatcd by irritation from substances encountered during the work. Sixteen per cent of the workmen chawed dryness, fiesuring, and thickening of the skin of the hands which was thought to be caused by the use of strong hand cleansers and solvents. The majority of tho skin diseases found were not of occupational origin. Fungus infections cf the feet and donnatophytids of tho hands were responsible for most of these, with a few cases of other non-occupational skin diseases making up the rest* The occupational skin diseases, including those caused by solvents and skin cleaners and those resulting from exposure to chromates, represented about 20 per cent of the skin diseases found. -- Authors' conclusions* 901 Respirator Dermatitis, R.L. Sutton. British Med. J., 4254, 82 (July 18, 1942). Cases of contact dermatitis have been attributed to tho anti-oxidant in the rubber face piece of a respirator. Medication with 1 to 3000 potassium perman ganate solution in cool, moist compresses, frequently refreshed or sodium perbor ate five to ten per cent in a greaseles3 ointment base or hydrous woo! fat are recommended. The rubber appliance can frequently be rendered inoccuous by soak ing overnight in four per-cent sodium hydroxide solution. Care must be taken to thoroughly rinse the appliance before use, to remove tho hydroxide. 902 Absorption of Narcotics by the Skin* E.D. Vorozhtsova. Akusherstvo i Gineccl., 1939, No.l, 95-5* A bandage soaked in a 50# alcoholic solution of chloral hydrate (equivalent to 2 g. per kg. body weight) placed on a shaved portion cf rabbit skin produced a long (18-24 hours) sleep frequently loading to death. The state of narcosis came on only after 4-7 hours. Chloroform applied to the skin in the same manner (one or two 10-g. doses) penetrated the skin in 2-4 hours and induced sleep of 30-90 minutes in 41.6# of animals* No effect was obtained when 1.0-2.0 gram doses of aqueous solutions of evipan-Na and alcohol solutions of barbital and phenobarbital wore used. 903 Possible Dermatitis from Ear Phones. Queries & Minor Notes. J.A.M.A. 119, 1388 (August 15, 19421". " A few cases of ear dematitis due to ear phones have been reported in the medical literature^- Kissmoyer (Arch. f. Dermat. u. Syph., 140, 357 (1922) and Stein (Y/ien. kiln. Wchnschr., 37, 1069 (1924), believed that tho cause might be in the type of varnish which at that time was used on some telephones. Eller (Arch. Dorrnnt. s Syph., 22, 268 (August, 1930), suggested a localized skin sensitiveness as the basis of a case which he reported. The small number of cases reported, as compared with tho thousands of constant users of ear phenes in radio and telephono communications, would suggest no direct occupational hazard. All the predisposing and contributory factors in dermatitis, such as uncloanliness, pre vious or present cutaneous diseases end allergic or hypersensitive conditions in seme persons, must be taken into consideration. 904 Dermatitis from Imitation Le '.then. S.J. V.'hite* Arch.Dcxm.o: Syph., 45, 1164 (v une, 1-42.). A case of an acute vosiculobulfcous dermatitis, caused by contact with an imita tion leather, is reported. Patch tests with the imitation leather were positive on the patient but negative on four normal controls. AaaO a Industrial Hygiene digest - 23, ;-s Postures and Dermatitis* Queries & Minor Notes. J.A.M.A., li9, 1235 (August 3, 1942). In reply to Ten inquiry regarding the possibility of acetone being a factor in a ciso of dermatitis occurring in a dental laboratory assistant the following opinion v/as given. Acetone causes comparatively little in the way of eruptions of the shin. The compounds from which the dentures are made would in all probability prove to be a greater source of irritation. Patch tests by a compe tent dermatologist are recommended using the ingredients of the denture and the acetone. 906 Enidomic of Boils in a Group of Tunnel Workers. J.Q. Gant, H,1. Owens and L, Schwarts. Pubi Health Ropts,, 5, 612-617 {April 24, 1942). An epidemic of boils among the workers of the Carlton Tunnel, Cripple Creek, Colo., is described. The study revealed the cause as a combination of factors which bring about a lowering of skin resistance to pyogenic bacteria. The humid atmosphere, the perspiration, the warm tunnel water, the friction from the clothes, together with the unhygienic conditions of the tunnel, and the insani tary and dirty condition of the working clothes, are the causes of the outbreak. There follows a list of ten recommendations for the prevention of boils among tunnel workers, all of them being methods of maintaining personal cleanliness. SC7 Dermatitis Duo to a Transparent Adhesive Tape. H. Keil and E.S. Bereston. Arch. Derm. &. Syph., 45, 1052 (Juno, 1942). It is believed that this po.pdr records the first case of trushypersensitivity to one of the ingredients in a transparent form of adhesive tape. Fractional patch testing is recommended as invaluable in studying this type of dermatitis. An ester gum (glycerinated wood rosin) is believed to be the cause of the contact eczema, but the possibility of some other fraction being the causative agent v/as not excluded. 90S Dermatitis from Creosote-Treated Wooden Floors. L. Schwarts. Ind. Med., 11_, 387 (August, 1942). Recent studies of skin hazards in new factories having floors of creosote treated wooden blocks has disclosed three cases of allergic dermatitis. The symptoms were identical in all three cases and appeared after one or two weeks of exposure. The ankles above the shoe tops itch and later an erythematous, papular and vesicular eruption appears extending approximately four or five inches up the leg. Patch tests with floor scrapings were not performed as pre vious experience with creosoted wood had shown it to be a primary skin irritant as well as a sensitizer. Photosensitization was absent probably because the creosote vapors did not reach the eyes in sufficient concentration to photosen sitize. An ointment consisting of 70 parts of anhydrous lanolin and 50 parts of castor oil was recommended as a preventive measure. As the floors become older and the excess creosote evaporates and is worn away, no further cases will develop. 9C9 Dermatitis bv V.Tar Oil. F. Asbeck. Demat. Wchnschr., 112, 391-392 (1941). Ac in 'world 7,'ar I, cases of oil dermatitis are more frequent now in Germany than in peace tine. Microscopic examination of the oil which had been used for lubri cating, was cleaned and used again, and showed 200-300 minute particles up to 0,3 micron. The particles wore sharp and pointed, and consisted of iron or tool. The author believes rightly that those particles are not the ciroct cause 4 the illness, as it occurs else if clear, oil is used. But in numerous r.ir.cr icsiens, caused by these snail particles, especially in the excretory ducts cf t!\' rlandj of the hair follicles, the oil particles are retained, end provoke the follicular infl'.snnation. n a a ^ U D 2 O Industrial Hygiene Digest - 24. 10 IM I Polish Deinutitis in a Mon. V.'iliiam Garbe. Arch. Derm. & Syph., 46, 141 TJufy, 1942). This is a report of a case of nail polish dermatitis in a male patient. A signi ficant increase in the number of such cases during the pest year is believed to indicate that seme rev; product or products are being used in the manufacture of nail polishes. 911 Mosouito flood Dermatitis. E.C. Fox. Arch. Dermat. & Syph., 44, 1098-1100 ("December, 1941). Another case of dermatitis from contact with mesquite wood (Prosopis juliflora) sawdust is recorded. A man of 2S years complained of a generalized eczematous dermatitis which occurred only in the winter months. It strongly resembled the contact deimatitis seen among farmers in spring and summer, and due to weeds or other plants. In this patient attacks occurred at a time when frosts had killed the plants. Investigation traced exacerbations to days on which the patient saw ed mesquite wood for heating the cooking stove, and patch tests proved positive. Installation of an oil stove and thus avoiding the sawing up and use of the wood 7/as followed immediately by improvement and recovery. Methods of Detection and Determination 912 Improved X-Ray Tube for Diffraction Analysis. R.R. Machlctt. J. Applied Phys._, 15, 598-401 (1942). The windows in the metal tube wall are of malleable beryllium. The x-ray beam is purer and more intense than in previous tubes. A shockproof form of the new tube is also described. 913 A Glass Vacuum Konimoter. J. van Liemnt and J. van Uden. Chem. fteekblad, 37, 691 (19401". A konimeter was constructed completely of glass following the principles of Zeiss (P. Kohler and C. Sorgenfrei, Z. gcs. Therapie, 44, 9 (1939). Air is suck ed by a vacuum tap through a conical, drawn-out capillary which is sealed into a wider glass tube having a suction side aim. The bottom opening of the glass tube is closed by a ground-glass stopper on which a microscope cover glass rests a short distance under the capillary tube. A small gas receiver is used to measure the volume of air handled by the instrument, 914 A Portable;X-Ray Unit for Field Studies in Tuberculosis. I.D. Aronson and R.M, Saylor. Am. Rev. of Tuberc., 46, 352 (September, 1942). A mobile x-ray unit which is compact, relatively light in weight, dependable, economical _nd independent cf a source cf electricity is described. The total cost cf the car, motor generator, x-ray unit, cassettes, dark room, cable ana tanks in 1939 was between $2500 and $,3000. 915 Mars Radioscopy in Factories. A.S. Kail. Lancet, 6130, 161 (February 7, 1942). X-ray screening of the chest was offered to the work people in two factories, the nr.n-igcment allowing this to bo done during working hours. In the first factory 60 per cent and in the second factory 97 per cent were examined. Of 575 peop-lo surveyed in the first factory 3 wore found to be tuberculous. Of 705 examined in the second factory, two wcr*s known to have phthisis and two other active cases of disease were found. Ir.curtrial Kyciene Digest - 25. :ic / Photoelectric Timing Mechanism for the Automatic Control of Roentrgncrrr.ohic euro. A.H. .Morgan. Am. J. of Rocnt., 4!3, 230 (August, 1942). A photoelectric timing mechanism capable of controlling automatically the length of rocntgcaographic exposure time is described. The theory, design, installa tion and o{feration of the instrument arc discussed in detail. Regardless of the anatomical structure under examination, the device insures consistently correct exposure of roentgenogruphic films; calculations of exposure techniques, use of mechanical or motor-driven timing mechanisms and critical adjustments of roent gen tube potentials are eliminated entirely. 917 A Revise for Infecting Animals by Inhalation. J.L. Blaisdell and A. Ilamblcton. As:. Rov. of Tuberc., 46, 205 (august, 1942). The essential feature is a glass tube, 5.8 cm in diameter and 17.5 cm long, which is flared at one end; over this end is a rubber diaphragm, in the center of which is a hole 2,5 cm in diameter. The animal, rabbit or guinea pig, is placed in an animal box and its snout, wet with disinfectant, is pressed into the hole in the rubber diaphragn, which forms a seal to minimize the escape of the bacterial spray. A side arm of the glass tube, plugged with cotton wool, prevents excessive air pressure as the spray is blown in from a DeVilbiss No.48 nebulizer. Another side arm allows an air current to sweep the residual spray out of the tube, through wash bottles of disinfectant, on completing the exper iment. While infecting animals, the cabinet containing the equipment may bo completely closed. The cabinet should have good upward draft. -- Author's summary. 918 Colorimetric Deteinination cf Phenothiazinc with Palladous Chloride. L. G, Cverholser and J.H. Ybe. Ind. & Eng. Chem., Ana2~.~~2d. 14^ 646 (August 15,1942). A method dependent upon the formation of a blue to purple solution when phono- . thiazine is added to palladous chloride is presented. The color results from a complex having the formula PdEC^s HgNSjg Clg, 919 .A Nov; Simple Method for the Quantitative Determination of Glycerol. Hogai Ka* J. Agric. Chem. Soc. Japan, 1, 90 (1940). The Dcniges color reaction of glycerol and codein was investigated with respect to conditions that would permit its quantitative application. After a 25 minute oxidation period, the blue color became constant in intensity. The time at which the excess bromine was expelled from the solution had no effect on the color value. The Hue color was constant 20 minutes after wanning when the codcin and sulphuric acid had been added. Glycerol can. be determined directly from saponified fats and oils as impurities are generally insignificant. If much impurity is present treatment vdth lime will usually remove it. 920 Tho Detenainntion of Ethyl Alcohol with the Photoelectric Colorimeter. H. Newman and M. Abramson. J. Pharm. & Exp.. Therapeutics., 75. 369 (April, 1942). Tho concentration of alcohol in solutions may be accurately determined by vacuum distillation of the sample off of anhydrous sodium sulphate at a temperature of CO to 55 degrees centigrade into a solution of potassium dichromate in strong sulphuric acid ami the determination of tho amount of dichromate reduced by photo electric colorimetry. 901 Sabotage. F.7.'. Hutchinson. Heat. 3c Vent., 39^, 47 (July, 1942). 'h-.T.ever tho .Mr conditioning engineer is called on to establish "safe" atmes- : Aerie coalitions, ho must consider the less evident as well us the more obvious u - x v One of the most widespread mi soricus rigors to uu'us- * ) -- 1 .4thU a- nd efficiency is the hazard presented by carbon monoxide. Wherever ivnbusticn processes uro used, cere should bo exorcised by the ventilation spe- clMist to insure a minimum concentration of carbon monoxide in the air of the ' >rh:vom. -- Author's conclusion. rn ^eor L L* 0 C J Incuatrial Hygiene Digest *. 26. 922 Ihn grcotrophotoroetric Detormir-aticn of Phosphorus and Cholesterol. II. Kauchor, V"T"Lutton and H. '.'.'illians. J.Lab. a, Ciin.Mod., 2.7, 1540 (July, 1942). The- gasomoti^e phosphorus and the colorimetric cholesterol digitonide methods hove been adapted successfully to use with thd spectrophotometer without sacri ficing original features of microtechnique, specificity and accuracy. Phosphor us may be determined vdthin the range 0.006 to 0,3 mg., quantities similar to tho gccomexric method. For cholesterol it has been possible to enlarge the quan tities (0.C4 to 0.7 ng.) determined vlthout loss cf accuracy. As a result of those adaptations the above micromethods should find a wider application. -- Authors* summary. 923 Tho Determination of Mercury in Foods and Biological Materials. E.P, Laug and S,VJ. Nelson. J. Assoc. Official Agr. Chem., 25, 399-403 (1942). A method has been devised (technique described in detail) in which the sample is prepared by partial digestion of the organic matter with sulfuric acid and nitric acid under reflux, mercury is extracted with excess dithizone (5.5 mg, per 1. of chloroform), copper (practically the only serious interfering metal) and mercury arc separated by the use of potassium bromide (v/hich foims an acid-soluble com plex with mercury dithizonate), and the mercury is finally determined by a photometric, mixed-color, dithizone extraction method at pH 6 at which the mer cury is freed from its potassium bromide complex and can again combine with the dithi2one. The recoveries of mercury added to foods and to biological materials that contained no appreciable amounts of mercury varied from 92 to 103%. 924 The Determination of Fluorine in Foods. P.A. Clifford. J. Assoc. Official Agr. Chem., 25, 394-8 (1942). A collaborative study was made of the various factors studied in the previous report. The detailed technique is net given, as changes and refinements have subsequently been introduced. The back-titration procedure when applied to a solution of pure sodium fluoride gave practically quantitative results (99,2% recovery), which indicates that the general principle of the back-titration pro cedure is sound and that the modification whereby the bulk of the standard sodium fluoride solution used is added to the blark tube before the Th is added is an improvement. When distillation was applied to solutions of known fluorine con tent, the results were presumably correspondingly low, but on the whole they showed good agreement among themselves. A rapid procedure for the determination of spray residue fluorine has been developed. It utilizes the acid filtrate from the strip solution of apples and pears when prepared with hydrochloric acid rinse and acidification. An aliquot of this filtrate is oxidized colorless with potassium permanganate, the solution is reduced with hydroxylaaine and a backtitration. procedure is conducted upon a subaliquot in Nessler tubes, zirconium nitrate feting used with purpurin (1,2,-4-trihydroxyanthraquinone) as indicator. Provision-is made for the removal of interfering anions, and the high acidity employed in the titration minimizes interference of metals that would othervlso lake with the indicator. The method is based in general on tho work of Koltkcff and Stansby. 925 The Determination of Arsenic in Foods. A.K. Klein. J. Assoc. Official Agr. Chcm., 25, 376-52 (1942). It is shoan that the lov; results previously obtained in the collaborative study of tho Cassil-Viishaann method wore duo to tho inability of the absorbing solu tion to "hold" the arsine quantitatively. The duplication by ;dass manufacturers of tho criminal apparatus used by tho originators of the method may not be prac ticable, and a 2-rcsurvoir system may bo required. The xmthnto molybdenum blue method (Klein and Vorhoc) is specific for arsenic and capable of yielding dis criminating results. It gave 92.37' recoveries on solutions containing 0.3 end 0.6 mg, arsenious oxide in presence of largo quantities of copper, tin, nitrate, antimony, phosphorus pentoxide, silica and iron. C.\<j^ J 'J O T ; .. trial Hygiene Digest - 27. r. ::r; lotc'Tnlr-ation _of Csloniigs J.n_rocd_s A.K. Klein. J. Assoc. Official Agr. 23, 403-10 (1042). iho tentative'A.0.A.C. method, as modified the previous year, was studied coliabcnatively oirsonie specially selected sclcniferous whole dried eggs, and on o-;J.caiura-frc0'.-/irapei'ruit rind containing a known amount of added selenium. The results wore quite satisfactory, particularly in view that only 4 of the 1C collaborators had had any previous experience with a micro selenium method of any hind, .question was raised by one collaborator regarding the acidity of the hydrobromic acid solution just before precipitation of the selenium. Subsequent experiments indicated a need for limiting the volume prior to precipitating the sjleniua to a maximum of 100 cc. and tha acidity to a minimum corresponding to .'..S M; these conditions for the quantitative precipitation of selenium at this limiting volume and acidity ere somewhat critical. A detailed description is given of a revised technique of the modified tentative method, emphasizing cer tain important features of the procedure. Air Blew Measurement by the Dilution Method. Theodore Hatch and R.H. Yrralpolo,Jr., Hoat. St Vent,, 9, 24 (Tune, 1942). Sec our Abstract Nc.768, August, 1942 Digest. Control Methods 927 Kotos cn Dust Suppression and Collection. 1. Smellie. Trans. Inst. Min. Dngrs., 1C1, 237 (April, 1942). The author concludes that stone dusting for the prevention of dust explosions should be regarded as a last resort, when all other methods of dust reduction and collection have proved ineffective or insufficient. The essential features of a successful dust collector for undeiground use are: (1) simplicity and reliability; (2) small space occupied consistent v.ith tho air quantity being handled; (3) interchangeability -- suitable for both fixed and moving loading points; (4) high air cleaning efficiency at all dust concentrations, and (5) collection of the dust should be absolute and require no further treatment. Sim ple sprays, suction devices, filters and cyclone separators are all considered from the view of the requirements of underground operations. 528 Industrial--Hygiene Study of Dust Problems Found in the Ceramic Industry. L. Grecnburg and Theodore Hatch. N.Y. State lad. Bull., !_, 147-150 (April, 1942). This article is based upon a general survey of 21 ceramic.plants in Ne-.v York State and a detailed study of dust control in 9 plants. Vitreous enamel, pottery, electric porcelain, glass and abrasives and refractories plants are included. A aoccription of the various processes is included. Each cf the several groups vhilo having much in common in regard to manufacturing, have widely differing composition mixes, hence different degrees of dust hazard. The chief hazards arc those of free silica dust and lead from glazes and manufacture. Dust ex po cures in handling raw materials under various conditions arc tabulated. This tabic includes some values from previous publications on ceramic studies. in \.'Su"o I,'*-no in Elbows in 7-Inch 2-ouorc Vcntii iv r. ,ra, C.Y, 7.a t, mid ...C. Heberts, Heat.,lip., Air Ccr.u., (Hv-ptombcr, 1942). ir.vestig:uion has been made of r 7 x 7 inch square elbow v.ith round and square i(ia ana outside corners: and various radius ratios. The data roportcu show a t\on of pressure los:. In elbows by the use of vanes ana splitters. Visual b.y.7., .t:.m shown usinp a sehlioron apparatus.- Author's si-"vary. Industrial Hygiene Digest - 28. 930 Fan'Laws -- Thoir Derivation and Use, tf. Goodman. Heat., Pip. & Air ConcL., 14, 487 (August, 1S43I. A thorough understanding cf fun lav:s can be of great value to the user of fans. The fun laws can be of help in selecting fans so that they operate at their most officiant point end in determining the effect of changes in fan speed. Im portant in many cases is the effect of changes in the density of the air that the fan is handling. All funs are rated in terms of standard air, the density of which is 0.075 lb. per cubic foot. Frequently the fan laws which deal with changes in density are misapplied. This is the first article of a series which rill appear in this journal. 931 Fire ar.d Explosion Hazards from Flammable Oases, Valors, Liquids and Dusts. L'm. J. Burke. N. Y. State Ind. Bull., 21, 259 (July, 1942). Bad housekeeping is the leading cause of fires and explosions with carelessness and ignorance contributing tc 90 per cent of the disasters. The full meaning of the term good housekeeping is discussed. Before a substance can burn or ex plode, it must first be ignited. Four general classes of ignition sources, namely flame, spark, heat and spontaneous combustion are considered with special attention being given to static electricity. The New York State Industrial Codes which apply tc flammable liquids are mentioned. Explosion hazards from gases and vapors and from dusts are described. An excellent set of rules for the pre vention of fires and explosions is included as are summaries of means and methods for the control of dust and for minimizing the effects of fires and explosions. 932 Fire 'Protection Methods for Process Plants. Anonymous. Chem. & Met. Eng., 98 (August, 1942). So much has been published in recent months on the special fire hazards of war-', time that it seems possible that the ordinary peace time fire hazards of the chemical process industries nay not be receiving a.uite the attention that they deserve. On that account this report has been prepared, both to discuss the noimal hazards, and to show how fires may be fought. In addition the report goes briefly into the organization and training of the plant fire brigade, and into sources of information on industrial fire hazards, fire prevention and pro tection. The report is the result of the cooperative effort of the National Fire Protection Association, the Factory Mutual Fire Insurance Companies* Inspection Department and the Editors of CHEMICAL &. METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING. 933 Air Conditioning of Blackout Plants. W.A, Grant. Heat., Pip. & Air Cond., 14, 509 (August, 1942). The huge expansion of industrial plants, due to the war, has introduced air con ditioning Jjt more kinds of plants and in more different processes than ever be fore. Outside of the problems arising from the enormous size of the buildings, the engineering design methods follow well established application practices. With speed the paramount factor in the armament program, air conditioning has been classed as an essential industry for reducing product rejects; maintaining spoilage to a minimum and keeping every man and machine at the peak of production efficiency. -- Author*s summary. 934 Motor Room Ventilation in Steel Mills. T.J. Ess. Heat. &Vent., 39^ 25 (August, 1942). The motors furnishing the drive for modern steel mills have such large power con sumption uni undergo such severe service under extraordinarily dirty air that careful ventilation for dissipating the heat with oversized air cleaning equip ment is necessary. The article presents data for the proper handling of such a problem. 003939 trini Hygiene Digest - 29. -l .v. < 1.4. v. ;UT m-.k.--ii fi; - Power Con to Cut by Low Velocity Systems. tt'.B. Harris. ;.t. C~ V OUt , Cl, 42 (July, 1942). v increasing the sizes of slots and ducts, resistances are cut to a point that *v.:n ,,rougfc:tre air is handled, power consumption is sharply decreased. A 60 cent reduction is shown in an illustrated ease. With low pressures prevail\:lov; pressure fans and smaller motors can be used. This is u savings in tho i.'.i'.ial cost of the equipment. It is unlikely that slot stoppage will occur if *,V: sines arc stifficiently largo. The lev.- velocity system has the following <_i ^advantages: (1) It is a characteristic of lov/ pressure fans that efficiency fells sharply on either side of the designed load. This requires careful selec tion for the job. (2) Maintenance is of especial importance to insure that effi'i.n.ey will be obtained. (3) V/hon long ducts are required, the increased size itr the low pressure system will tend to offset any gain in the lower price of fan and motor. 0.1C The Use of Concentrated Calcium Chlorido Solution for the Prevention of Dust. I. Galonbos. Nopegeszegugy (Budapest), 1077 (January 9, 1941). The following is a translation of a German abstract of the paper dealt! .nth; Oil being unobtainable, tho Division of Chemistry of the State Institute of Hygiene recommended experiments with a 50# solution of calcium chloride. The solution was spread on the floor with the help of new brooms. 100 gm. of calcium chicride were needed per square metre. Wooden floors absorb the solution in Z days and there is no dust for a period of 4-6 week3, after which the floor has to be inpregnated again. The procedure is cheaper than the use of oil. 937 A Stable Hydrogen Peroxide Aerosol. H.A. Abramson. Science. 96^ 238 (September 4, 1942). A method for the nebulization of hydrogen peroxide for the decontamination of uir is described. The nebulization was found to be 3afe and practical. No irritation was experienced from repeated breathing of dense mists of the concen tration of peroxide used, 0.1 and 3.0 per cent. An investigation of additional biological and chemical properties of these stable hydrogen peroxide areosols is in progress. 930 Protection of Mice Against Infection with Air-Borne Influenza Virus by Means of Propylene Glycol Vapor. O.H. Robertson and others. Science, 94_, 612-613 (1941). Mice were placed in a chamber into which propylene glycol vapor was introduced in concentrations of 1 g. to 2-3 million cc. of air. Then 0.2-1.0 cc. of a 10"2 dilution, of virus was sprayed into the chamber and the mice exposed for periods of 15 minutes to 1 hour. All these animals remained well, whereas the control mi,ee died within 4-10 days. 939 A Motel Safety and Glare Goggle. Edward Stieren. J.A.M.A., 120. 26 (September 5, 1942). A design for a safety goggle for industrial use in which aluminum discs replace the conventional glass is presented. In tho center of the shield is a horizontal Droning 1 mm. in width and 40 mm. long. A vertical opening of the same width and 10 mm. long bisects the horizontal opening 10 mm. from the nasal end. In addition a 20 mm. long opening is added at an axis 15 degrees off horizontal for vision in the lower field. It is claimed to eliminate the hazard from glass breakage and to reduce glare so that it can be worn comfortably in bright light. r; riPiooti.-n , f Air and Gazes. J.J. Stordy. MLV. Chemist, 12. 156-8 (1941). vie;. of the types of filter plants used for dealing vatu duct, fumes and '.'.in ia industrial atmospheres. The aonstruction and advantages of the froth fivt'iion filter are discussed. c n u 0 c* Cl o ' ; Industrial Hygiene Digest - 30 941 Bactericidal Action of Propylene Glycol Vapor on Micro-Organisms Suspended in Air. 0,K. iiobcrtcon and others. J# Bxptl. _75, 693-610 (1942) . Propyiono y^ycol vapor dispersed in the air of an enclosed space produces a marked and rapid bactericidal effect on micro-organisms introduced into such an atmosphere in droplet fora. Concentrations of 1 g. of propylene glycol in 2-4 million cc. of air produced immediate and complete sterilization of air into which pneumococci, streptococci, staphylococci, li. influenzae and other micro organisms as v/oll as influenza virus hac. boon sprayed. With lessor concentra tions of propylene glycol, rapid and marked reduction in the number of airborne bacteria occurred, but complete sterilization of the air required a certain in terval of time. Pronounced effects on both pneumococci end hemolytic streptococci were observed v;hen concentrations as low as 1 g, of propylene glycol to 50 mil- 1 lion cc. of air wore employed. Numerous control tests shov/ed that failure of the propylene glycol-treated micro-organisms to grow on the agar plates was due to actual death of the bacteria. The means by which propylene glycol vapor pro duces its effect on droplet-borne bacteria is discussed and data relating to the bactericidal properties of propylene glycol in vitro to the lethal action of its vapors are presented. Atmospheres containing propylene glycol vapor are invis ible, odorless and non-irritating. Propylene glycol is essentially non-toxic when given orally and intravenously; at high concentrations the air has a faint ly sweetish taste. 942 Good Housekeeping. P.3, Plant. Factory Man. & Main., 107, (June, 1942). A case study in plant clean-up at the B.F. Goodrich Company is presented. Their continued crusade ha3 paid off in tons of salvaged materials, acres of recovered floor spuce and in the prevention of scores of accidents. 943 The Question of Injury to the Neighborhood by Exhaust Fumes and Gases of Indus trial Establishments. KAY. Jotteu. Arch. Kyg. Bakt., 125, 259-72 (1941). Analysis of air taken in such areas is reported for carbon dioxide, carbon mon oxide, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, other sulfur compounds, hydro cyanic acid, nitric acid and hydrocarbons. Blood findings arc given for rabbits made to breathe such sir samples. In most cases dilution with surrounding air reduced concentrations of toxic substances well below dangerous levels, even though the atmospheres might still be malodorous. 944 Safety with Explosives. R.H. Summer. Mines Mag., (Colo. School of Mines), 32, 299-30, 254-5 "(1942). The selection of proper explosives and accessories, primary transportation and storage, secondary transportation and storage, making up of primers, loading of bore holes,,- firing of shots, handling misfires and selection and education of men handling oxplosives are discussed. Industrial Medical Practice 945 Nutrition and the Nation at War. J.3. McLcstcr. Bull. N.Y. Acad, of Med., 18_, 497 (August, 1942). V.o ere engaged in a v:ur that may be 1 eng end exhausting one that will be wen or loot in this nation's i.i'ustrini plants. If we arc to .ut in the field and on the sous armed forces of vigor and stamina; if wo ere to provide those forces with armament, ships and airplanes; if v/e are to emerge victorious, then there are many things that must be done. Not the least important among those is the elevation of the nutritive status of the American people. ft ft 3 a a i .trial Hygiene Digest - 31* O-'O Treatment of Poison Gns Barns of the Lye. Queries & Minor Hates* J.A.M.A., U2, 1467 (J!S$ftust ZZ9 1942). .ill local aaffsthevics inhibit the respiration of tho coroneal epithelium end de lay its re^^erataon. Therefore it is unwise to use them excessively in the treatment of nustard gas injuries of tho eyes. If necessary for examination or treatment of the patient, an instillation of 2 per cent aqueous solution of butyri, a 1:500 aqueous solution of nupcrcain or a 1 per cent aqueous solutior.of holocrine may be used. Tho use of hydrogen peroxide or potassium permanganate solutions is no longer recommended for the treatment of nustard gas or lev;isite burns of the cyo. One instillation of tv,o drops of either 0.5 per cent hydrogen r.roxidc or 0.5 per cent potassium pcrmanca.natc will not damage the eye but tl.osc concentrations are ineffective in the treatment of occular burns with these vesicants. A two per cent solution of hydrogen peroxide can seriously in jure the eye if it is abraded or if irrigations are continued for more than one minute. At present the most effective emergency treatment of mustard and icv.lsite burns of the eye consists in the immediate copious lavage with vrater, 1.5 per cent sodium bicarbonate, 0.9 per cent saline solution or 2 per cent boric acid solution. 947 Tr-ir.ont of head Poisoning. I. Gray and I. Greenfield. N.Y. State I. Hod., 58. 1513-19 "(1930*). " A diet rich in calcium, phosphorus and vitamins increased the excretion of load and decreased the concentration of lead in the blood. 943 Treatment of Epithelioma with Ointments. H. Truttwin. Dermatol. Wochschr., 112, 394-5 (19417: Former agents for treatment of epithelioma had only a chemical cauterizing effect modem agents tend to produce pain alleviation, deodcrization, disinfection, removal of necrotic remnants and epitholization. Amphoteric behavior and both reducing and oxidizing power are required. Malignant tumors develop in alkaline environment and increase of alkalinity is observed in necrosis; hence ointments should be acid in character, but they should not be caustic. 949 A Dental Program for Industry. R.M. Y/allis. Personnel, 19_, 408 (July, 1942). This is an abstract of Dr. Wallis' paper presented at the fourth annual Congress on Industrial Health. A practical plan for the inclusion of dental services in the industrial health program is provided. The cost of an adequate service and methods of financing it arc described. The dentist can detect injuries from load, mercury, acids, radioactive materials etc. and his services are needed as a part of tbft well rounded medical program. ,, fe Report of a fontal Program. H.H, Leedke. Ind. Med., 11, 400 (August, 1942). An effective program designed to correct previously detemined dental defects, described. The program has been in operation from February, 1941 through January, 1942 and was based on education ana persuasion rather than coercion or Cs ryulsion. The success of the program is attributed to (l) The support of management prior to its inauguration, (2) Tho cooperation of local dentists, (3) The administration of the program by physicians and dentists, and (4) The o location of the employees to secure their willing cooperation. * _yordlnr V/oricer Health. T. Lyle Hazlett. Factory Man. & Main., 76, ( : -9, m i*.* i\philosophy of tho health activities at the V'estinghouse Electric ::\uv:turing Company is that no program for the protection of health is tec i"-'; or cifficult if its undertaking will contribute to the maintenance and v< :\.nt of health. A summary of the thorough and effective program v/hich j How is ( ive'n. n n'HO ? strisi Hygiene Digest - 32. I: ri-^r.cG of Components cf tho Vitamin B Complex on Recovery from Fatirue. E.2. YJltz, A.C. Ivy and C.J. Barbcrka. 3. Lab. Cc. Clin. Mod., 27_, *1396 I August,1942). Thiamine, oocerboxylaso, riboflavin end parenteral vitardn B complex riven intravenously hove no immediate influence on recovery from voluntary muscular I'r.i.rc in subjects receiving "adequate" nutrition. The double work period method of ctaiyinc fatigue enables the investigator to determine whether his cubj.;jta '.re actually working to a designated end point of fatigue. The per cent recovery is less variable than the first period work output, the second period v:arl: output, or the total work period output in initially untrained subjects. -- Auvhers* suinmary. hnrco-Analysis in Treatment of V/ar Neuroses. J.F. Wilde. Brit. Med. J., 4252. ^ Uiuy 4, 1942). The morbidity and mortality in a series of 50 cases v.-as nil. The group was uncoiected. Of the- patients 35 has shewn predisposition to neurosis prior to the war; 31 had suffered actual war trauma. 33 of the treated patients wore render ed fit for duty and 17 were invalided. About half of those invalided vrere fit to return to civilian posts. It is believed that the factor of returning- to a secure civilian post may have reacted against successful removal'of the neurotic symptom. Fr.otsrs Influencing the Increased Incidence of Phthisis in Glasgow. S.Laidlow and D. MncFarlane. Brit. Mod. I,, 4254, 53 (July 13, 1942). Tuberculosis has increased in the under 15 age groups cf both sexes and in the over 45 groups of males. Home contacts are believed responsible for the cases in children. Overwork and long hours are playing a major part in the increased number of cases as shown by tabular data. X-Ray Examinations for Tuberculosis. L. Banczky. Industrial Welfare, 24, 19 (February, 1942). By screening, many persons can be examined in a short time at low cost. The error due to reliance on fluoroscopy can be greatly reduced if every suspected lung affection found by screening were investigated further by radiograph. In the author*s works the combined method of fluoroscopy and radiography is applied as part of the general medical examination, and is obligatory cn all applicants for work. If screening shows any suspicious shadov/ on the lungs a radiographic picture is taken. If the suspicion of active tuberculosis is supported by the picture, sedimentation-rate estimation, complete blood count, and sputum test follow. If then a diagnosis of active tuberculosis is established the patient is referred to his own doctor with a request that ho should be sent to a hospital for a second opinion. All cases so sent are promised re-engagement after treat ment, if no positive sputum is found on their return. Doubtful cases are kept under obsexvation. Of 11,500 industrial applications examined, 161 had active tuberculosis of the lungs. ic Health Examinations -- Important Findings Among Garment Workers, cc. Ini. Men., 11^, 369 (August, 1942). mco 1913 the- garment workers have gradually evolved a health program giving members an opportunity to receive good medical care. The cost of this 1 caro is so distributed among the vrorker and tho local union and the .aticnal organization that the cost burden is cased for the workers. By the vie vclopncnt of various sickness insurance plans much free service is r.r-do v U- bio. 2ickr.ess insurance is the influencing factor in preventive health : .'I'.'crod the vorkers, who else receive cash benefits during ueriadi of ii-y. Tuc health programs permit many of the 3.ocal unions to take a/.van- ass health surveys and those seem to be tho most promising method of :.a investigation of the workers* health. The lew incidence of tuborcu is is eviuonce of a prolonged program of medical supervision. C 0 3 3 3 5 In.ristriol Hyjdene Digest - 33. ''7 ' r.rrrdous Occupation:-' for Young Vfcrkcrs. Anonymous. J.A.M.A., 119, 1373 {A;ril 10, 104?i). The Fair Libor Standards Act of 1923 established a 1C year minimum age for employ ment in plants. manufacturing goods for shipment to interstate commerce, and also provided fat*-the establishment of an 18 ycer minimum age in any occupation found and by order declared to be particularly hazardous for the employment of minors, by the chief of the Children1 3 Bureau of the U.3, Department of Labor. Reports and orders already issued by this bureau have dealt with the manufacture of ex plosives, driving of motor vehicles or serving as helper, coal mining, logging and sav.milling and the operation of wood working machines. Recently a sixth in this series of reports on occupations hazardous to young workers has been issued or. radioactive substances, under the guidance of a distinguished list of medical ar.-i technical auvisers. 'The recent review is concerned mainly with exposures and working conditions in plants preparing or applying self-luminous dial paint which is crystalline zinc sulfide activated by radium, or in plants manufactur ing incandescent mantles which are made from rayon mesh fabric dipped in "light ing fluid,"- a 25 to 50$ solution of 99 parts of thorium and 1 part of cerium nitrates. Surveys have demonstrated that unsafe practices persist, although the tragic custom of lip pointing brushes used in dial painting is no longer observ ed. Investigation in a plant regarded as representative showed concentrations of radioactive gas up to 4 times the most liberal recommended maximum permiss ible limit. Every one with substantial knowledge of these industrial processes, including the employers, concurs in the opinion that minors under 18 years of age should not be engaged in work of this description. They are not so likely to possess the qualities of carefulness, neatness, fcre-thought and attention to personal hygiene essential to the observation of safe practice. Hearings vail no doubt corroborate the findings of this report; an order will then be issued which will have the effect of eliminating exposure of this kind, at least as far as minors under 18 years of age are concerned. 953 Predisposition to Occupational Skin Disease. I.N, Gallivan. Ind. Med., IT, 597 (August, 1942). A classification which has been found to be useful in pre-employment examinations in the aircraft industry is presented. A definite policy is given on the employ ment of individuals with skin diseases with regard to their subsequent exposure to work which could aggravate their conditions. The suggestions are specific and should be most useful to any industry having similar exposures. Thirty-nine conditions and skin types are considered with regard to contact with heat, chem icals, etc. Thin Sensitivity as a Factor in Job Placement. I.H. Biram. Ind. Med., 11, 585 (August, 1942). ' A study oN3to lost time caused by skin disorders has led to a classification of the conditions into five groups. Group one contains the cases of oil folliculi tis. Primary irritant types of dexmatitis are placed in group two. In the ' :ri group arc the true sensitivities to chemicals. Group four contains the a nan-occupational skin diseases such as psoriasis etc. The fifth group rved for cases which were very resistant to treatment and included cases ' ' 'mutoid dermatitis, denaaphytid etc. From this classification a policy on -.rang of workers was developed. By taking precautions in the hiring of new - ;-* -s to eliminate the more susceptible workers from hazardous exposures it "0 }~'-ible to reduce tho percentage of skin disorders by about 30 per -.licy o* placement cf sensitive workmen in jobs free from hazardous Iso boon ivnopteu. Dr. Eiram has also proposed that when and if a f.'wr.od by tho government, industry should be allowed to trade skin whors for others resistant to particular exposures. This excellent not only our war effort but would assure steady work for ir- ' ^thorwico might lose much time from skin disease. 003991 In-^trial Hygiene Digest - 34. 9,;o Tho Effect of Exercise in Hot Atmospheres Upon the Salt-Water Balance of Human - aa/i'ets. D.H*iv. L03 and others. Med. J. Australia. 2., 49-238 (Sept., 19diT. subjects were-introduced into a room in which the desired hot atmosphere had boon produced and wore kept there for 7 hours, during which time marching or lifting exorcise v,ras performed. Two atmospheres were used: "hot wet" (dry bulb, 37.5F., wot bulb 83.5F.) with n relative humidity cf 87/c, and an effec tive temperature of 53F.; and "hot dry" (dry bulb 101F., wet bulb 79F.) with a relative humidity of 33fj and an effective temperature of 34.5F. Three differ ent levels of water intake v:ere tried, and water administration was also compar ed with the intake of saline solution. Frequent administration was compared v.ith the consumption of the same total amount at longer intervals. The subjects were weighed to the nearest half gramme immediately upon entering the room and again at suitable intervals thereafter. The quantities of fluid administered, the weight of food eaten and the volume of urine voided was recorded. From these figures the amount of moisture lost as sweat could be calculated. The sodium chloride content of the urine was estimated by electrometric titration and this method was alsoused to determine the chloride loss in the sweat. In all cases the general bodily hydration fell to a lower level in the hot dry atmosphere than in the hot wet atmosphere. The serum protein concentration showed a correspond ing rise, but one which in some cases was not so pronounced. A hot wet atmos- phere imposed much less strain upon the salt-water balance of a person than did a hot dry atmosphere of the same effective temperature. While this does not negative the usefulness of the effective temperature scheme in the assessment of hot climates, the authors suggest that it does provide an important exception to . its application. Much more provision must be made against the loss of salt and water from persons living in hot dry climates. The experiments described in the paper were carried out on Queensland subjects and it was found that the chloride concentration in their sweat was much lower than that in English sub jects previously studied. This was checked by putting 2 Australian subjects under exactly the same conditions as the English subjects and estimating the chloride loss in exactly the sane way. It was reduced by (a) an increase in the rate of water administration, and (b) the administration of saline solution in stead of water in the hot dry atmosphere. It was increased (a) by the substitu tion of a hot dry atmosphere for a hot wet atmosphere of the some effective tem perature, and (b) in the afternoon. It was not consistently affected by acclima tization, by the frequency of fluid administration or by the rate of sweating. The rate of chloride loss in the sweat was noticeably increased in the after noon as compared with the morning of a working day, and by the substitution of a hot dry atmosphere for a hot wet one of the same effective temperature. It was noticeably decreased by the administration of saline solution instead of water but it was not consistently affected by other factors. The continuous main tenance of bodily hydration by frequent small drinks is not of much consequence in a hot wot atmosphere, but both the degree cf replacement and its frequency are of importance in a hot dry atmosphere. The best results were obtained by quarter-hourly libations of at least sufficient quantity to replace the total water loss. While definite effects of acclimatization were net established in the course cf these experiments, the low concentration of chloride found in the sweat of the Queensland subjects, as compared with the London subjects, sug gested that an important long-term acclimatization had already occurred. That such a reduction does occur with acclimatization has been suggested by other workers. It might bo of importance to examine newcomers to the tropics seme ti...c after their arrival, ir. order to determine whether such an acclimatization had cccurrod, especially if personnel is'being selected for a long period of arduous work in a hot dry atmosphere with poor supply facilities. Industrial Hygiene Digest - 35. jgl'' The Health Worker and Production. T.O.Garland. Lcncet, 6203, 76 (July 18,1942). The .job of the health worker in maintaining production is outlined. A warning that heaithjJK^rkers should mend their own fences is given, so that it can be said truly'Sjpifc they practice what they preach. 962 Planning Irpfbstrial Recreation. G.H. Duggins and F.R. Eastwood. Personnel, 19, 393 (July, 1942). Longer hour3 and the quickened tempo of war production have mode employee recrea tional activities more important than ever before. The effects of increased tension on employee health and morale may be counteracted by an intelligently planned program of recreation. The authors of this article have surveyed success ful recreation programs in a number of companies and from their study have drawn up a model plan for such a program. They explain how to organize a recreation association, how activities should be planned, and how a program may be financed for as little as 14 cents per employee per week. 963 The Problems Inherent in the Protection of Flying Personnel Against the Tempera ture Extremes Encountered in Flight. E.A. Pinson and 0.0. Benson, Jr. Aviation Med., 13, 43-52 (March, 1942). The authors discuss the possibilities of providing adequate warmth for the fly ing personnel (a) by the use of extra heavy clothing, (b) by electrically heated suits and (c) by heating the cabin of the plane. Without presenting any data the authors conclude that the ultimate solution to the problem of maintaining body heat balance may lie in cabin heating, with some effective means of defrost ing cabin windows. In the meantime, electrically heated suits in conjunction with insulated clothing will help alleviate discomfort in extremely cold temper atures. 964 Provisions for the Extension of Yforking Time During the War. Internat. Lab. Rev. 45, 454, 455, 456, 457 (1942). The Swiss Federal Office of Industry, Arts, Crafts and Labor may issue permits concerning hours of work involving exceptions of the Federal Factories Act, wherever it may be necessary for national defense, the maintenance of supplies, the creation of employment or the equilibrium of the labor market (Orders Septem ber 4 end November 15, 1941). But the single shift shall not exceed 48, and a maximum of 52 hours per week, except for special and decisive reasons. The Finnish Council of State authorized (by orders June 19, 20 and July 51, 1941), exceptions to the legal provisions concerning hours of work; overtime ut> to about double of the extent permitted and reducing the overtime rate of pay. Restrictions on night work are suspended, weekly rest reduced to an average of 24 hour3 and reduction of the annual holidays. The British Minister of Labour allowed Sunday work in the building and civil engineering industries until February 1*-'1942. 965 Treatment of Heat Pyrexia by Lumbar Puncture. J.F. Corr. Brit. Med. J.. 4250. 761 (June 20, 1942). Immediate raid permanent response was obtained in the treatment of a case of heat pyrexia by ether anesthesia and a lumbar puncture as adjuvants to the usual cooling therapy. 566 Trichloretlivlene ns a General Anesthetic. K.G. Lloyd-Williams and D. Hewspear. Emit. Med. J., 4257, 170 (August 8, 1942). A case of fibrillation which occurred during the use of trichlorethylene for general anesthesia is described. The trichiorothylene (trilene) was discontinu ed i:.:v.ediaxoly -r-.nd anesthesia was produced by nitrous oxide. The heart had re turned to normal when the operation was completed. An electrocardiogram taken five days later showed no organic change except some loss of ventricular tone. Industrial Ey/'icne Digest - 36. 967 The Eighth National Conference on Labour Legislation in the U. S. Internet. Lab. Lev., 4, 426-429 (April, 1942). The confcreigi* November 9-14, 1941, held in Washington, was attended by represcntativooJE&risting mainly of labor commissioners and leaders of organized labor sent H^-the governors of 39 states, from Alaska and the District cf Colum bia. The'-'-Conference made the following recommendations.* (a) That the sever al States be urged to fortify and expand their factory inspection facilities with provision for adequate staffs of well-trained, adequately paid inspectors, selected on the basis of competency, and protected as to security of office. (b) That the safety promotion programme set in motion by the Secretary of Labor under the auspices of the National Committee for the Conservation of Manpower in Defense Industries be continued for the duration of the emergency, as a potent instrument in combating accident losses, and that Congress be urged to give necessary financial support for the effective operation of the programme. Recognising that the State labor departments are responsible for the super vision of workplaces and for the enforcement of laws and regulations relating to industrial safety and health, and considering that industrial hygiene is essen tially an engineering rather than a medical problem, the Conference strongly recommends the establishment of industrial hygiene units in the labor departments and declared itself in favor of Federal aid being allotted for this purpose. 968 Chances of Resuscitation after an Overdose of Ether, Divinyl Ether and Chloroform. VLB. Draper and R.W. Y.hitehead. Lancet, 6189, 442 [April 11, 1942]~I Data from 600 animal cases were as follows: After 250 respiratory arrests pro duced by ethyl ether there were 2 (0.85a) failures to resuscitate; after 137 arrests with divinyl ether there were 4 (2.9$) failures; after 213 arrests with chloroform there were 22 (10.55&) failures. Resuscitation after a respiratory arrest is made possible by the fact that respiratory arrest develops before cir culatory failure. Analeptics in general arc uncertain stimulants of the paralyz ed respiratory center and in fact may do harm. The most important method of treating respiratory arrest is prompt artificial respiration, supplemented by oxygen. 9 69 Isopropyl Alcohol for Sterilization of Metal Instruments. Queries & Minor Notes. J.A.M.A., 119, 1387 (August 15, 1942). Isopropyl alcohol is a somewhat stronger germicide against vegetative forms than is ethyl alcohol. In addition it has advantages of lower surface tension and greater fat solvent action. The maximum bactericidal concentration of isopropanol is full strength, as compared with a maximum bactericidal concentration of 70 per cent weight for ethanol. The best grades of commercial isopropyl alcohol are said 98 to 99 per cent. The small water cohtcnt of these solutions renders thafeless corrosive for metal instruments than the 70 per cent ethyl alcohol safpt^on. Unfortunately, however, neither ethyl nor isopropyl alcohol can be depended upon to kill spores. Brewer (J.A.M.A., 2009 (Hay 20, 1939) has shown that scalpels are frequently contaminated with sporulating pathogenic micro-organisms. That is probably also true of needle, scissors and ether in struments which come into contact with the skin. Immersion in isopropyl alcohol for several hours, or even several days, is not a trustworthy method of steriliz ing such instruments. Isopropyl alcohol is sold at present in unadulterated form, which is not irritating to the operator's hands or patient's skin. 970 The Inaortar.ee of Nlrht Vision Teste. F.2. Brcston. Brit. Med. J., 4251, 300 TTunc 27, 19-?:-;). It is reccir.icnuod that night vision touts be made a part of the eye examinations which are given to applicants for driver's liconscs. Statistics show that twi light yields an abnon-ially high yorcontugc of automobile accidents which may bo checked by the exclusion of individuals who are accident-prone because of faulty night vision. n no a q 7 trial Hygiene Digest - 37. cn Trichlorethyleno Anesthesia. H.F. Griffiths* Lancet* 3.91, 502 ....rii --o, L*". re:, art An-.jpt administration of trilonc (trichlorethyleno purified and contoin- in.j a small fe;uat of stabilizer) to fifty patients, ranging from 5 to 68 years vi` ago it PiSS* At the outset, a for eases of slot; and grossly irregular pulse r-j noted which was attributed"!*) ancx.-mia. The use of a considerably greater : ..-rsontage of oxygen than is inquired with ethyl ether corrected this fault, lost-operative complicationsvnre Anver than when ether vac used. .*r. sthjqia VIThe Anesthetic Action of Cycloproyyl Vinyl Sthor. J.C. Krantz, pVT, '...I, Evans, j'r., S.E. Forman and K.E. V.'ollenv.ebcr. J. Phaisu c. Exp. Thcra- -utics, 75, 30 (Uay, 1942). The union of the molecule of cyclopropane through an ether linkage with the vinyl radical results in the formation of a volatile liquid, cyprethylone ether, having anesthetic properties v;hen inhaled. The potency of cyprethylene ether approximates that of chloroform, while its anesthetic index is more than twice that cf ethyl ether* No functional liver damage was found in nonkeys and the mouse, rat, dog and monkey did not develop any significant histopathological changes in the important viscera from cyprethylene anesthesia. The monkey's heart under surgical anesthesia, as a rule, showed no abnormalities. Some irregularities occurred during the induction stage. The explosive range of cyprethylene ether with oxygen is approximately the same as that of ethyl ether. The oil/w&ter coefficient of cyprethylene ether is approximately 16 times great er that that of ethyl ether. Anesthetic concentrations in the blood are about one-fifth of those found with ethyl ether. The boiling point of cyprethylene ' other is 67C. It has been used for 20 human anesthesias without any untoward reactions. 973 Massive Repairs of Bums with Thick Split-Skin Grafts* I. B. Brown and F. McDowell, Ann. Surg., 115, 658-674 (April, 1942)^ The frequent occurrence of severe burns in industry makes the problem of ade quate treatment to reduce suffering and minimise deformity an important factor in morale. The treatment of such cases offers considerable opportunity for im provement at the present time. The care of open wounds, especially from bums, in preparation for skin grafting is considered, and the technique discuss ed in some detail. The method of obtaining thick-skin grafts, and their use, and the care of the donor site, is outlined completely. The use of horaografts (skin grafts from another individual), as a life-saving emergency "dressing" for open wounds in the debilitated or desperately injured patient is urged. Additional News Item .u` "rial Physicians Exempted. rm.-iirament end Assignment Service, War Manpower Commission, SeptemberlO instructed its State chairmen to retain in their present positions full-time aid ; vt-timo physicians considered essential in industrial practice. Mr. McNutt id in -i statement to the State chairman: "A serious situation is developing n s.c states because physieinnsuider 45 years of aye who are essential in 1 X1* ; recant positions as key men in industrial practice arc being declared - v i'' t * .to chairmen or are bcinr. approached directly by recruiting boards cr.n-ti-. no to apply for a eoianission in the Army Medical Corps. "The -iv. -vice system and the Surgeons General of the Army and Navy arc co- *'*'* ith ua to keep at their posts the physicians declared to be essential : ' - -bate committees." f) n O n n r. Ab.-cntccism re-u-iiou of -3sr 823 My nr.nl:,-sis t i konimeter 913 x-ray diffraction 912 Mr jc-rne infection control of 938 Air conditioning bl-ckcut plants 933 Anesthesia overdose in 968 Asbestos effect on animal tissues 834 Atmospheric pollution industrial 943 Aviation medicine extreme tcmperature9 63 Basic proteins toxicity 890 Benzoic acid toxicity 860 Burns treatment 973 Cadmium chronic toxicity 848 hazard 849 poisoning 845 Calcium cvannm*ide's " poisoning 851 '::.cer cncmical agents 872 C*-rb.--n monoxide r--vx'ntion 896 ' -'h u. t<..trichloride - iv. r injury in rn ts -- 5 iriDEX (September, 1942) Carci r*ona actinic and arsenic 671 sj CO Carcinogenic arents 380- Ceramic industry dust control 850--928 Cctyloyridjrua chloride toxicity 863 Engineering control dusts, fumes & gase s 940 Epithelioma treatment 948 Ethyl alcohol colorimetric analysis 920 Cetyltrimethvlaznmcnium bromide Ethylene dichlorido 853 865 Explosions 893 Chlorinated hydrocarbons dust 840 toxicity 852--885 Explosives Chlorinated naphthalene safe handling of 944 poisoning ea sheathed 839 Cornea in.iury 877 Eye protection metal goggle 939 Cyclopropyl vinyl ether 972 Fatigue Cyclotron workers salt water balance 960 blood findings in 869 vitamin B complex 9 52 Dematitis Fire and Explosion adhesive tape 907 hazards 931 air conditioning workcrs900 creosote 908 Fire protection 932 dentures 905 ear phone 903 Fires 893 from a respirator 901 imitation leather 904 Fluoride nail polish 910 poisoning 841 oil 909 tooth decay 888 wood 911 Fluorine Disinfection action on teeth 879 hydrogen peroxide 937 Fluoroscocv Dust effect on eyes 8 74 control 936 coal mines 927 Gasoline flour & grain asthma 882 in the lungs 892 Dust diseases Russia Glycerol 837 analysis 919 Dvcinr industry 3 78 Hand cleansers solvents 899 003990  " .; - c mi rations : 839 '' : ` r-r*ts 891 '* ','>r-r!i end pro- . . n 961 evrcxia t -.t-V: .it 965 ,,.f Iwhor 964 " keening geod practice 942 Irdistrinl Code Colorado 835 T-. ^ict^ial dentistry - . j-~ ~) ^0 Infection device for infecting animals 017 Iconrcnvl alcohol r..- a germicide 969 Li'*5i ooisoning in mimals 855 treatment of 947 Labour legislation 967 'Mntrn^nce hazards 384 .'t'dical control 951 '-Vrcury poisoning treatment *V 842 nnr.lycis in food# 923 i -.iLioa in air 838 t!:**l salicylate f-ironing 368 rr' nvrtnOTis 376 . ' n = e vt-lt 350 ' i-r t.-sts 370 2 - - Nutrition war workers 945 Periodic extinctions garment v;orkcrs 956 Phcnotl.iozine determination 918 poisoning 862 Ph envl t.hi oca rba r.i d e toxicity 866 Phosgene ooisoning 843--844 Phosphorus burns 897 determination 922 Photographic industry cataract 875 Physiology of eases 886 Pneumoconiosis APHA report (1941-42)832 coal miners 836 fuller's earth 831 Poisons, eeneral 829 Polyneuritis 894 Pressures, abnormal physiological studies833 Proovlene glvcol bactericidal action 941 Radium ooisonine 846 Roentgen ray exposure timing device 916 Roenteen ravs effect on heart 870 Selenium dialysis in foods 926 Skin absorption 902 cleansing 893 diso-scs employment policy 358 sensitivity :e job placement 959 Sodium cyanide toxicology 853-054 Sulfur dioxide gastric ulcers 887 Tellurium poisoning 856 Tetrachloroethvlene decomposition 858 Tetrvl illness 828 Thallium alopecia 657 Titanium 847 Toluene, toxicity 822 Trichlorethvlene as an anesthetic 966 anesthesia 971 Trinitrotoluene 864 Tuberculosis case finding 915 in Scotland 954 portable x-ray unit 914 x-ray 955 Tunnel workers boils 906 Ventilation 921-934 cost reduction 935 fan laws 930 reduc. press, loss 929 Vesicants in the eyes treatment 946 Volatile solvents APHA report (1941-42)867 War gases mechanism of action 833 War neuroses treatment 953 Welfare recreation 962 X-ray workers anemia 873 00 n U .U. ^