Document LKkgmZnGv5vp3NrJYnR28Gk9w

FILE NAME: Refractories (REF) DATE: 1934 July DOC#: REF004 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Article from The Refractories Journal - Silicosis-The Sericite Theory S u b s c r ip t io n tO /6 P er S ingle C opies ONE SHILLING. Post Free. A nnum Edited by J. E. Roberts. London Office: 151 Fleet Stre et, E .C .4 . (M r. A . T . Pantlln) T el. : Central 8594. S H E F F IE L D P U B LISH IN G C O ., L T D . Managing Director: Francis L. Neep. Silicosis--the Sericite Theory. EEN interest has been taken in our report of the recent Discussion on the subject of Silicosis and Asbestosis" (which appeared in our May and June issues), and it would appear from what Dr. W. R. Jones tells us, that Silicosis is not due to free silica, but to a mineral called Sericite, in particular, and to any other form of fibrous finely divided mineral in general. John Taylor & Sons, London-- the available material was submitted to Dr. L. G. Irwin, Chairman of the Miners' Phthisis Medical Bureau, South Africa, for opinion. Dr. Irwin, after a careful examination of the material supplied, has come to the conclusion that the pathological and radio-graphic evidence "appears to create a prima facie case that instances of silicosis do occur among the underground workers in In a letter to The British Medical Journal the Kolar Gold Fields." recently, however, S. Subba'Rao, Senior Surgeon to the Mysore Government, Bangalore, contests this theory. The Committee is, however, of opinion that the incidence of the disease in the Kolar Gold Fields is much smaller, and that it takes a much longer time He remarks that recently the Mysore Government to develop signs and symptoms than in South Africa. appointed a special committee, consisting of the This is evidently due to the fact that the percentage Chief Medical Officer of the Mining Board Kolar of free silica contained in Kolar rock is 5 to 20, as Gold Fields, the local Medical Officer of the Mysore compared with the much larger percentage of 43 to Government, and the physician of the Krishnara- 98 obtaining in South African samples. jendra Hospital, Mysore, to investigate the question of the prevalence of Silicosis among the miners in Further investigation is in progress. the Kolar Gold Field area. (Our readers may recollect that Dr. P. Heffernan advised those concerned to take any evidence, coming from Indian sources regarding the absence of silicosis amongst Indians employed in the Kolar quartz mines, with some reserve.) The writer goes on to say that under the circum stances, he feels it necessary to contradict the state ment that "in the Kolar Gold Field, India, where the rock contains a large amount of Quartz, and Sericite is absent, Silicosis has hitherto inexplicably been unknown." The committee, according \ to the writer in The \ British Medical Journal," conducted a preliminary 'investigation, and unani mously arrived at the con- nsion that Silicosis does ur among the under bid workers. Through ' courtesy of the 'ing Agents-- Messrs. Thought for the Month. Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark. -- (Philippians Hi, 13-14). An open mind is, of course, desirable on such an important subject. It would be interesting to hear what other investi gators, have to say, in the light of Dr. Jones' contention, regarding the remarks recently made by S. Subba Rao.