Document Oop0O9R6b24ojk967GZ2vyXQ

\ `(.cndst^n \.xs .> erv.-nthiy new*.letter -vsijcd *.o uijustr'il .onC'fns r'TttJing r^eri:C'T?.i o ;n Mycisn "t>una.ltion. The Fsvutijtii-n .j 2 rf-scjrc^ and ;rvis inaw.-jt ga *o rro'.-^i :r.e `.^Cilth af v/o.*vcr* >n iiui^stry. 1 j I I J / O/ ;L f . / / .- 'r ' . S? / /-> J <f *?L&'tT'. / A > / y u j <./7 'tL^, -n c-% oo PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT -xtiFOK .*\ 1 October, 1941. Industrial Hygiene Foundation, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. DIGEST OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE Li t erature--N ews--Development s News Items 785 Control of Chlorinated Solvents. Acting upon advices from the Department of Agriculture to the effect that the nation's food supply was facing a serious threat as a result of shortages of certain chemicals used by farmers and food warehouses for fumigation purposes, Donald M. Nelson, Director of Priorities, has placed under rigid control all stocks of chlorinated solvents. These are defined in the order as: carbon tetrachloride, trichlorethylcne, parchlorethylene and ethylene dichloride. In cases of shortages of present materials, members are urged to consult with the Foundation before making substitutions. In this way, the use of hazardous materials may be avoided. 786 Priority Troubles. In recent months, management has found difficulty in obtaining necessary mater ials for the installation of industrial ventilation systems because of priori ties. The results of this difficulty on the health of defense workers is ob vious and the following procedure has been suggested by the U.S. Public Health Service. The management of plants in which priorities materials are required for control equipment should file an application with the Division of Priorities, Office of Production Management, Washington, D.C., on Fom PD-i. This form may be obtained from the offices of the Contract Distribution Division, Office of Production Management, which are located throughout the country in the various Federal Reserve Bank buildings. In addition, it would be helpful if the indus trial hygiene agency would prepare a written statement, on the importance of obtaining the required materials, which the plant management could attach to its application. 7S7 Recent Experience of a Large Defense Contractor. Defense plants speeding up production and working three shifts in 24 hours often find an unbalanced accident frequency pattern when comparing one shift with another. The following table is reproduced from a report of a large defense contractor and shows clearly the difference in accident frequency rates between the third shift and others. Shift 1 2 3 Hours Accident frequency rate 8 n.m.-4 p.ri................................................ 7.96 4 p.m.-midnight......................................... 6.82 Midnight-3 a.m............................................ 15.00 It will be noted in the above tabic that there is little difference in frequency rates for the shift working from 8 a.m. tc 4 p.m., and the one working from 4 p.m. tc midnight. From midnight to 8 a.aw the frequency rate shows a decided 004470 -9^4? CO Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 2. increase. Similar reports have also been made from time to time by field repre sentatives who find a variation in "third shift" not only affecting the frequen cy rate, but lowering production as well. Some of the more obvious factors which suggest themselves as perhaps causing this abnormal condition are: less skilled employees on the third shift; fatigue due to daytime activities, or in some cases, to a second occupation; loss effective supervision on the third shift. Labor Standards. U.S. Dept, of Labor, 4, 67, (July-August, 1941). 758 ASA Considers Defense Standard on Concentration of Cadmium. The first American Defense Emergency Staabrd for a tonic oust or gas has just been started through the emergency procedure of the American Standards Associa tion for approval. Tho emergency standard specifies the permissible concentra tion of cadmium which may be considered safe for workers. It is now being con sidered by the Safety Code Correlating Committee of the American Standards Association. If approved by the SCCC, the proposed standard will be submitted to the chairman of the Standards Council as provided in tho ASA Defense Emergen- - cy Procedure. The proposed emergency standard was developed by the U. 3. Public Health Service acting as an Emergency Technical Committee under the ASA Emergency Procedure. Industrial Standardization, 12, 225 (September, 1941). 739 California State Board cf Health to Prohibit Use of Mercury in Hatting Industry. At the July meeting of the California State Board of Health, a resolution was adopted prohibiting the use of mercurial carroting compounds in California hatters' fur cutting and fur felt hat manufacturing plants after December 1, 1941. This action is a direct result of the conference held on May 19, 1941 by the Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service at which proposed State regulations governing the use of hatters' mercurial carroting solutions were unanimously approved in principle by representatives of The Hat Institute, Inc., The Uatter3* Fur Cutters Association, and health and labor officials fron a number of States. Other States which have adopted similar regulations are Delaware, Rhode Island, Kentucky, Vcmout, Connecticut, and Michigan. Ind. Hyg., Hat*I. Inst, of Health. 1, 5 (September, 1941). 790 Test Toluene Drunkenness. Danger of defense industry workers getting toluene drunk from inhaling the fumes in their work and causing accidents costly both in manpower and materials may be prevented by a new test announced by Dr. Wolfgang F. VonOettingen, Dr. Paul A. Neal and Dr. Dennis D. Donahue, of the U. S. National Institute of Health, to the American Public Health Association. Toluene poisoning, like alcoholic intoxication, reduces a man's powers of coordination and reaction time and even gives an exhilaration similar to that felt after taking two or three cocktails on an empty stomach, and finally puts him to sleep. The early stages of incoor dination and slowed reaction time, which might be fatally dangerous for a nan working in a TNT factory, are not recognized by the victim of the poisoning. A chemical test which gives advance warning of the danger by showing how much toluene the worker is getting into his system has now been worked cut by the federal health scientists. It consists in determining tho amount of another chemical, Lippuric acid, which is c-xcreted. Along with this test the doctor can make a simple tost of tho worker's coordination, such as asking him to pick up and thread a needle. The victim of insidious toluene poisoning, though he may not appear to be an accident-prone worker, would have trouble even picking up the needle. Exposure for eight hours to as little as two hundred parts per million of toluene produces definite impairment of coordination and reaction tine, the federal scientists reported. Higher concentrations, such as may occur under defense-increased incustrial activities, may be damaging within three hours exposure. Science Nows Letter, October 25, 1941. Digest of Industr ial Hygiene - 3. ** ; * Notices of New Bocks 731 Accidental Injuries -- The Medico-Legal Aspects of Vvorknen* s Cor.per.suticr. end Public Liability. Henry H. Kessler, H.D. ,Ph.D. Geccnd edition, pp. -503. GIG.CO. Lea ct Rebiger, Philadelphia, 1941. This bock is net only written for physicians, but for lawyers, insurance com panies , employers, industrial accident boards and personnel managers. Because there have been no major changes in the principles underlying the administration of the medical aspects of workmen's compensation claims, the original arrange ment has beer, retained, and the basic factors 'which are the foundation of the evaluation of permanent disability have been emphasized. However, the entire bock has been completely revised and enlarged, while special attention has been given to the chapters on traumatic neuroses and rehabilitation. The book is based on the author's experience covering more than 100,000 cases examined at the New Jersey Rehabilitation Clinic and the New Jersey Workmen's Compensation Bureau. It concerns itself mainly with the physician's responsibility in the interpretation of problems such as the determination of the relationship between injury and disease, of the period of temporary disability and the evaluation of permanent disability. It is well printed on good paper and has extensive author and subject indexes. 792 The 1941 Year Book of Public Health. Edited by J.C. Geiger, M.D., Dr.P.K. up. 544. 03.00. The Year Book Publishers, Chicago. 1941. To one, part of whose job is to scour the literature on industrial hygiene, it seems that Dr. Geiger has presented an excellent summary of the year* s activi ties in the field in only 37 pages. Every article selected represents a defin ite contribution or activity in the problem of industrial hoalth conservation. Industrial hygiene is, of course, only one of the many fields of public health represented in this book, tut is probably the one of most interest to our readers. There are excellent subject and author indexes. 733 Trauma and Disease. Edited by Leopold Brahdy, M.D. and Samuel Kahn, M.D. Con tributions by Twenty-four Authorities. Second edition, pp. 655. 7.50. Lea <h Eebiger, Philadelphia, 1941. Certain chapters of the. first edition have been only slightly changed; others have been rewritten entirely, in order to incorporate additional data and the newer concepts of the relationship between an injury and an ensuing disease. To one who follows, the legal course of only the industrial aspects of trauma and disease, the growing importance'is daily becoming more apparent. This is espe cially true in the case of pulmonary tuberculosis where the relationship has not been clearly defined. Eardly a month passes, however, without a case being filed for compensation or damages for tuberculosis in which the alleged causa tive or aggravating factor is dust or noxicus fumes. This facet of the problem is discussed in Chapter IV of this bc^k. The book is well printed and bound and has extensive author and subject indexes. The contents fellow* Trauma in the Etiology of Disease -- Trauma and Heart Disease -- Trauma and Peripheral Vascular Disease -- Trauma and Pulmonary Tuberculosis -- Trauma and FuLmonsry Diseases -- Trauma and Disease of the Gastro-Intestinal Tract -- Trauma and Genito-urinary Diseases -- Trauma in delation to Obstetrical and Gynecological Conditions -- Trauma -nd Mental Dis orders -- Trauma and Neurosyphilis -- Trauma and Diseases of the Nervous System -- Trauma and Diseases of the Bones -- Trauma and Chronic Diseases of the Joints -- Trauma and Diseases of the Spine -- Trauma and Neoplasms-- Trauma and Diabetes -- Trauma and Diseases of the jhyroid Gland -- Trauma and Septicemia. 00447 ~ .aSsfoks Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 4. 794' Control of Welding Hazards in the Defense Industries, A nev: special bulletin issued by the Division of Labor Standards, United States Department of Labor, in Washington. This publication, which is the fifth in a series of special bulletins dealing with safety and health of defease workers, has been prepared by Prof. Philip Drinker, of the Department of Industrial Hygiene, Harvard School of Public Health. Typical health hazards associated with welding, according to the bulletin, are: 1. Eye injuries from the effect of the brilliant light of the arc. 2. Burns of the skin from the arc or burns from molten metal. 3. Burns from handling hot objects, such as wires, tools and rods. 4. Metal-fume fever and metal poisoning caused by lack of adequate ventilation in welding. The bulletin outlines briefly the various preventive measures which should be taken by employers and which should be used by workers in controlling the hazards mentioned. A portion of the bullptin deals with welding in confined spaces such as those found in ship construction and certain other types of oper ations. The need for adequate ventilation in such spaces is stressed, both from the standpoint of removing harmful gase9, fumes, and smoke, and also of provid ing adequate fresh air. In cases where local exhaust ventilation cannot be readily applied, the publication recommends the use of approved supplied-air res pirators in order to provide welders and cutters with an adequate supply of fresh air. The bulletin concludes -- If attention is not paid to such matters as ventilation, adequate eye protection, respiratory protective equipment, cr if welding and cutting operations are improperly screened such jobs may cause trouble. Intelligent precautions such as those outlined above give reasonable assurance that those jobs can be done safely. Both the employer and the worker have definite responsibilities which if observed will insure safety to those engaged in welding and cutting operations. For sale by Supt. of Documents, V/ashington, D. C. Price 10 cents. Legal Developments 795 Longshoremens and Harbor Workers1 Compensation Act. Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Contracting of Disease from Co-employee. Sufficiency of Evidence. The plaintiff, an employee for several years of the intervener, 7/m. Hahn & Com pany, contracted pulmonary tuberculosis and made claim for such as an injury occasioned by her employment under the provisions of the Employee's Compensa tion Act. The defendant, Commissioner, denied this claim. He determined that the plaintiff did not have direct or immediate contact with her co-employee, Myers, from whom it is alleged she contracted the disease. The plaintiff brings this action pursuant to The Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, which confers jurisdiction upon this Court to 3ot aside a compensation order not made in accordance with lav.'. The critical question involved is whether or not the plaintiff contracted pulmonary tuberculosis from Jerry Myers, a colored employee who had worked in the same store with the plaintiff during her period of employment, who was hospitalized for tuberculosis shortly after the plaintiff discovered that she was so afflicted, and who died shortly thereafter from such discaso. The determination of this question is necessarily grounded upon the extent of the contact between the two employees. While, under the evidence, the Commissioner might have come to a different conclusion from that which he did, it cannot be said that the conclusion which he did reach is not supported by substantial evidence. The motion to dismiss the complaint is granted. Dansky v. Cardillo. U.S. Dist. Ct., List, of Col. Decided August 11, 1941.(CCII) -----Annual Meeting --- Nov. 12 and 13-- :j Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 5, 796- Fun Operator in Draft. The widow of a tempering furnace operator applied for a death award, alleging that her husband's death was due to a severe cold contracted through exposure to a draft from an outside window v;hile he was perspiring from the heat of the furnace. The employer contended that the decedent had not been exposed to any hazard cf his employment and that has death v;as due to natural causes. The in vestigation of the claim brought out that the decadent had worked at the job for eight years and that the conditions surrounding his employment were about the same at all times, although claimant alleged that tho decedent had closed a win dow to shut off a cold draft and other employees had opened it. The medical department could see no relation between the death of tho decedent and any expo sure in the course of his employment. Affidavit of an employee who -worked on an adjoining machine was to the effect that the decedent complained about a severo cold but did not mention anything about tho draft bothering him. The Commission held that proof of an injury sustained in the course of aid arising out cf decedent's employment was lacking and' ordered that the claim be disallowed. Ohio Ind. Comm. Monitor. 14, 153 (October, 1941). 797 Rheumatic Fovor in let Sander. In this case the claimant was employed a3 a v/et sender on coach bodies and he asked compensation for liability due to an attack of rheumatic fever. His duties required him to work constantly with sand paper wetted in viator and then used to smooth enamel. Ho wore rubber boots and a rubber apron and his clothes did not ordinarily become wet, but he developed acute rheumatic fever, with arthritis involving both wrists and hands. The claims reviewer, basing his opinion on the medical report that claimant's condition could reasonably be due to exposure to water almost continuously in the course of his employment, thought tho claimant should have the benefit cf the doubt, especially since the employer agreed with this conclusion. The Cor,amission found that claimant suffered from a compensable occupational disease and ordered that the claim be allowed. Ohio Ind. Cenm. Monitor. 14, 153 (October, 1941). 79S Tcncsync.yitis in Soda Clerk. In This case the claimant was a young woman employed as a clerk at a soda foun tain. She based her application for compensation from the Occupational Disease Fund on the allegation that she was suffering from tenosynovitis, a compensable occupational disease. The investigation of the claim disclosed that the claimant had worked for throe months at the fountain and that she developed what she des cribed as a sprain of the tendons of one arm but which was diagnosed by the attending physician as tenosynovitis and which was due, tho medical report said, to the continuous dipping of ice cream. The claims reviewer was of the opinion that the claim should be allowed and tho Commission so ordered. Ohio Ind. Comm. Monitor. 14, 153 (October, 1941). 799 Bookkeeper1s Allergy. A feminine employee of a hardware company filed application for compensation for disability due to an eye condition v.-hich, she alleged, arose from tho conditions cf her employment. The investigation revealed that the claimant had worked as a bookkeeper for tho past thirteen years. She worked in a room 25 feet long and 8 feet wide, enclosed by glass windows and heated by a small, radiant typo gas heater. She had worked in this room from April 1, 1940 until September 22,I94C, when she developed an inflammation of the outor edge of tho right eye, being dis abled until November 7, 1940. The diagnosis of the attending physician was an allergy affecting the tissues, membranes end skin surrounding both eyes. The medical investigator to whom the claim v/aa referred considered it improbable that the conditions of claimant's employment or the fumes from a radiant hector G ` Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 6. could have caused the disability and the claims reviewer recommended disallow ance. The Commission held that proof v;as lacking that claimant's disability v/as due to a compensable occupational disease and ordered that the claim be denied. Chic Ind* Comm. Monitor. 14., 153 (October, 1941) . 800 Solar Retinitis. The claimant in this case, a fireman on a heat-treating furnace, had applied for compensation alleging injury to his eye as a result of intense light to which he was subjected in the performance of his duties. The claim v/as considered and denied but the claims referee suggested the possibility that the claimant might have contracted an occupational disease. AnO.B. claim v;as then filed but after investigation it v/as disallowed on the ground that claimant's disability could not be ascribed to an occupational disease. The claimant then exercised his statutory rights under Sec. l465-68d, Effective May 26, 1939, and applied for a review of his application by a Medical Board' of Review. The case v/as heard be fore a medical board at Cleveland and it found that "in the absence of known or proven etiology, from a physical standpoint one cannot deny the possibility of a solar retinitis, the result of exposure to intense light." The board recommend ed allowance of the claim and the Commission followed the board's finding, allow ing compensation for a total loss of vision of one eye. Ohio Ind. Comm. Monitor. 14, 153 (October, 1941). 801 Pneumonia in Sign Painter. Display sign painter for a department store who worked indoors v/as assigned to new quarters in another building. Consequently, one day in January, he moved his brushes and paints into the other building. In order to do this it was necessary for him to go through a tunnel connecting the two buildings and use an elevator to the third floor. The tunnel v/as heated but the elevator shaft v/as not heated. Said sign painter contracted a cold ?/hich developed into lobar pneumonia and resulted in death five days later. His widow filed a claim for death benefits alleging that her husband contracted the cold when moving and while riding up and down a number of times in the dr-nfty and cold elevator. Decision (1) that the evidence did not indicate that anything extraordinary or catastrophic occurrod to justify a finding of accident and (2) that the disease was not an occupational disease inasmuch as the pneumonia was not the natural uid unavoidable result of the conditions of the employment, upheld. Disallow ance affirmed. Westbrook v. Edwards & Sens. 262 App. Div. 785. N. Y. State Dept, of Labor Ind. Bull., 20, 213 (July, 1941). 802 Blisters and Callouses. A lottor directed by Chairman will T. Blake of the Ohio Industrial Commission to help John D. Goodrich, supervisor of the Claims Section, says: "The question of whether or not blisters and callouses caused by employment should be considered as injuries or occupational diseases has been presented to the Commission. It is the opinion of the Commission that if blisters and callouses can be attributed to one specific act they shc'.ild be considered as injuries. However, if callouses or blisters cannot bo attributed to one specific act but result from the work performed by the claimant, they should bo considered as occupational. Medical expense and compensation for diacility resulting from callouses and blisters, or the infection thereof, should be paid as in other claims." Chic Ind. Conan. Monitor. 14, 140 (September, 1941). ---Remember the Meeting, Nov. 12-13-- GO Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 7. 803 Silicosis as Cause of Hernia. In this case compensation has been allowed claimant for disability due to sili cosis contracted in the course cf his employment. The award was made for temporary total disability from August 3, 1940 to November 2, 1941. Under date of February 13, 1941, the claimant notified the Conaiission that he had developed a hernia as the result of a violent coughing spell and ashed that treatment for the condition bo included in his claim. The medical department reported that there could have been a direct relation between the hernia and the violent cough ing spell to which silicotics are sometimes subject, as it developed immediately after the attach. The claims referee considered the claim compensable and the Commission ordered that the hernia be recognized as a part of the claim. Ohio Ind. Comm* Monitor. 14, 157, (September, 1S41). 804 Review by Medical Board. This was an occupational disease claim which was heard by the Commission on January 3C, 1941, and disallowed on the ground that proof was lacking that the claimant's disability was the result of a compensable occupational disease con tracted in the course of his employment. Subsequently claimant exercised his statutory rights and filed an application for review of his claim by a Medical Beard of Review as provided for in Sec. 1465-63 D, effective May 26, 1939. The case was reviewed before a three-man board at Cleveland on April 25, 1941, which held that the claimant's disability was due to the aggravation of a pre-existing condition as the result of irritating fumes. Since the Commission, under the statute, is bound by tho decision of the Mcdicrl Board of Review on medical questions, the claim was ordered allowed. Ohio Ind. Comm. Monitor. 14_, 136, (September, 1941). --Annual Meeting - Nov. 12 and 13-- Fatigue an Accident Hazard.The father of the decedent filed the application, alleging that death was due to an injury sustained in the course of his employ ment. From the report of the investigation, it appears that the decedent had 'worked on shift ending at 4*56 A.M., and accepted the option of working another shift beginning at 7:00 A.M., spending the few hours intervening sleeping in a chair at home. As he concluded the second shift after sweeping up the shop, he was seen to spin around and fall to the cement floor. V/hen picked up he v/as bleeding at the mouth, his eyos were set and his head was jerking. The evidence indicated that nothing v/as likely to have caused him tc fall other than an attack of some kind, although one witness said there was a small spot of water on the floor near whore he fell. The claims reviewer theorized that since the decedent had worked 18 hours, his attack may have been due tc fatigue. Ho was of the opinion that this long stretch night be considered a hazard of his employment and recommended an award of $10C0 to the father as a prospective dependent. The Commission however, held that proof failed to show an injury sustained in the course of ardarising out of employment and ordered that the claim be denied. Chic Ind. Comm. Monitor. 14, 137, (September, 1941). 306 Death as a Result cf Silicosis Contracted in the Course of Employment. Applica tion for Modification of Award. Dismissal. Mandamus Proceeding. Constitution ality of Section 1465-63A. The Columbus Malleable Iron Company employed Lourin, the husband of the relator. From 1930 to 1937, while working for such company, in the course of his employ ment as a bench moluer, making molds from sand, Lourin v/as exposed to dust, which resulted in his contracting silicosis. Ho died in 1938 from silicosis. The commission made an order that the maximum amount of compensation payable heroin p. r\ * j i\ Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 6. according to the previsions cf Section 14S5-68a, General Code, is $551; and that the commission grants the maximum amount. In 1339, relator filed an explication for a modification to the effect that the compensation for the death claim should have been allowed and paid in accordance v.lth Section 1465-82, Subsection 2, General Code, instead of the latter portion of Section 1455-3a, General Code. The application was dismissed. It is alleged that that portion of Section 1465-cSa, General Code, which provides certain limitations on the award to the dependent of one dying from an occupational disease is unconstitu tional under Section 26, Article II of the Ohio Constitution, and of Section I, Article XTV, Amendments of the United States Constitution. Relator desires that mandamus issue requiring the commission to award her compensation as the widow of her ceceased husband, under Section 1465-82. Respondent, the Industrial Commission, demurs to the petition for a writ of mandamus on the ground that it does not state facts sufficient to show a cause of action entitling the relator to the remedy therein sought. Relator asserts that she is not accorded the same protection as is accorded to other persons of the same class, that is, claimants for compensation or benefits arising out of occupational diseases. For quite a period the Legislature neglected to exercise its power to provide compensation for occupational diseases, and the question v/as never raised that under the Constitution it was obliged to provide such relief or to fix the rate. Under the constitutional provisions, the Legislature has a right to pass such legislation as to provide such compensation and death benefits as may seem just. That portion of the section claimed to be unconstitutional is not violative cf the provisions of the Constitution. Demurrer sustained. State, ex rol. Lourin v. Industrial Commission of Ohio. Ohio Ct. of App. Decided January 28, 1541. (CCH). 807 Tuberculosis Contracted by Repairman for Electric Refrigerators. Sulphur Dioxide Gas. Sufficiency of Evidence. The appellee, Stribling, brought this action to recover damages for an injury suffered by him while a servant of defendants, and recovered judgment in the sum of $30,000. The evidence was conflicting to the extent that the jury would have been justified under the law in finding a verdict cither way. Strib ling testified, and he was substantially supported, that in repairing refriger ators which v/as his work, it was generally necessary to first purge them of the gas, make the repairs and then replace the gas; that if no protection therefrom was used the gas was highly inflammatory to the nose, throat and lungs; that the plaintiff was not aware of the dangers and the defendants did not warn him of them and furnish him protection against them, as they could have done at little cost; that the result was ho contracted tuberculosis causing him permanent disability. The position of the defendants is that they are not liable in dam ages for the injury to the plaintiff caused by tuberculosis because they had no notice either by experience or otherwise that the inhaling of the gas might reasonably result in that disease. However, plaintiff made out hi3 case by show ing that serious injury might result without his putting his finger on the par ticular serious harm. On the other hand, it was reversible error that a cousin cf one of plaintiff*s counsel v/as a juror. Reversed and remanded. Mississippi Power Co. et al. v. Stribling. Miss. Supreme Ct. Decided September 22, 1941. (CCH). 803 Dermatitis from Creosote Poisoning end Poison Ivy Proves Fatal. The deceased employee, a bridge worker, contracted poison ivy and creosote poi soning from handling timbers which v/ere treated with creosote and had been lying in poison ivy. A.dermatitis developed which proved fatal. The defendant claimed ---Foundations Sixth Annual Meeting: Pittsburgh, Nov 12-13----- n ii Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 9. that the employee did not die from the dermatitis, but that the death was due to arsenical poisoning which resulted from injections of nearsphenamine given to the employee in the mistaken belief that he was suffering from syphilis. The testimony showed the creosote poisoning and the poison ivy to be the chief fac tors, or at least the largest contributing factors to the fatal results. Since the poisoning sustained by the employee was "accidental," the death was held to be compensable. This was eo even though the injections administered to the employee may have contributed to the death. Woodward vs. Kansas City Bridge Co. (Louisiana) 1515 So. 2nd 221 (June, 1941). Occup. Hazards, 4, 33 (October, 1941). 309 Failure to Provide Modem Dust Control Scuinment Results in Silicosis Awards. Six cases involving disabilities, resulting from silicosis were heard, together, the facts in all of the cases being fundamentally the same. The claimants were miners employed in the company* s mine. Operations included blasting as well as drilling. The company had installed wet drilling apparatus, but nevertheless much dust was present and the claimants developed silicosis. Other than the wet drilling equipment the mining company had done little to improve conditions. Its failure to do so resulted in awards to the claimants. The Court stated that an injury caused by conditions 'which science and industry have learned to con trol and eliminate cannot be classed as an occupational disease. It stated that there is no cure for silicosis but that hope in stemming the disease lies in preventive measures. The company had failed to provide any mechanical ventila tion, had not installed exhaust pipes or filters, and had not supplied masks for the underground workers. The neglect to take these preventive measures resulted in a finding by the Court that the silicosis was not a non-coupensable occupa tional disease under the Compensation Act, but a compensable injury. Howard vs. Texas Owyhee Mining & Development Co. and fjvo other cases. (Idaho) 115 Hoc. 2nd 749 (July, 1S41). Occup. Hazards, 4_> 32 (October, 1941). 310 Ohio Silicosis Record. Since silicosis was made a compensable occupational disease in Ohio, 733 compen sation claims based on this disease had been filed with the Industrial Commission up to July 31, 1941. Out of the total of claims filed, 132 originated in foun dries, 70 in iron foundries, 32 in non-ferrous foundries and 30 in steel foun dries. The 95 cases charged to the ceramic industry arc distributed as follows: floor and wall tile, 24, tableware 30, glass house refractories 10, insulating brick and electric insulators 6 each, silica brick 5, silica sand and diatcmaceous earth 4, stoneware and enamels 3 each, glass, sanitary ware, fire brick and building brick and tile, 1 each. There wero 19 claims filed by cut stone workers, 14 being in monument work, 4 in building stone and 1 in quarries. Polishing, buffing and grinding iron and steel led to 5 claims, coal mining pro duced 2, and miscellaneous sources 2. A total of 255 claims have been allow ed, 352 denied and 131 are still pending. The July record was 20 claims allowed and 15 disallowed. L.M. Merritt, Ohio Ind. Comm. Monitor. 14, 126, (August, 1941). 311 Revised Occupational Disease Hating; in Ohio. The inclusion of silicosis and other disease has so increased the claim obliga tions that tho two cent flat occupational disease rate was producing inadequate premiums. In order to increase the disease premiums and also to provide an incentive for disease prevention in industries where disease hazard is prevalent, the lav: was emended, to provide for a general disease rate of at least two cents for all classifications and in addition higher disease rates in those classifica tions whore the disease hazard is prominent. Therefore occupational disease rates have been established varying from a minimum of two cents in classifica tions with little or no indicated disease hazard to fifty cents where exception ally high disease costshave devoloped. In order to indicate tho disease Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 10. portion included in the basic rate, a symbol specifying the amount of the dis ease portion is shown for those classifications where the disease rate is higher than two cents. For example: Oil distributors, coal mines (electrified), lime quarries, and bakeries, 10 cents extra; painting, coal mining (not otherwise classified), planing mills, 15 cent3 extra; brick manufacturing, structural steel erection, iron foundries, 20 cents extra. Ohio lad. Comm. Monitor. 14, 118, (August, 1941). Parers on Dust, Gases and General Industrial Hygiene 812 Educational Qualifications of Industrial Hygienists. C.D. Selby. Report of Sub-Committee. Am. J. Pub. Health, 31. 723-730 (July, 1941). The industrial hygienist should receive the general training for personnel in public health plus special courses to acquaint him with his particular field, such as instruction in industrial medicine, hygiene, and sanitation. A report dated March 1, 1941 indicated that there are 4981 physicians engaged or who have had experience in industrial practice. Less than 1000 of these are on a full time basis and more than 2000 ore cn a part-time basis. Of the 23,705 public health nur3cs, 3271 were listed as industrial. As of the midyear 1940 there were in the state and local health departments 37 trained medical industrial hygienists, 81 engineers, and 37 chemists. The Public Health Service had 51 trained industrial hygienists, of whom 15 were physicians. The committee does not feel it desirable to suggest an inflexible curriculum or even a basic out line of a course in industrial health at this time. 313 Historical Milestones in Occupational Medicine and Surgery. A.E. Whittaker. Ind. Med., 10, 351-353 (August, 1941). A continuation of the author's series, the first of which dealt with the first printed book dealing exclusively with occupational diseases. This discusses the writings of Isbrand de Dicmerbroeck, as published in 1696. The book deals only briefly with the pathology of occupational disease, but this brief des cription illustrates clearly the transition from anatomical repetition of the writers of many centuries to the writings of accurate clinical observation. This article quotes an interesting description of the autopsy of "Stone-Cutter's Asthma" done in 1649. 814 Industrial Health Service for the Small Plant in the Ceramic Industry. H. Williams and others. Bull. Amor. Cer. Soc., 2<3, 285-237 (August, 1941). An outline is given for securing and applying industrial hygiene service to the small plant in the ceramic industry. The use of engineering and medical princi ples to conserve and promote the health of the employees is also discussed. 815 Industrialization and Public Health with Special Reference to the Tuberculosis Problem in tho Philippines. W. Niedoriand. Acta.mod. Philippine, 2, 79 (July, September, 1940). There seems to be a relation between the mortality from tuberculosis and occupa tion for the beginning, of industrialization was associated with an increase in mortality from that disease. Much of this may be due to lowering of living standards for aftor a time the rate begins to improve. Tho author believes that the Philippines are in this early stage of industrialization and have the high tuberculosis rate associated with it. ---Annual Meeting - Nov. 12 and 13----- r. n Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 11 816 The Function of Public Health in Defense* T. Parran. J.A.M.A. 117, 186-188 (July IS, 1941). The importance of public health efforts is evidenced by the figure of 350 million man-aays lost last year owing to illness and accidents among workers -the equivalent of 1,000,000 men working a full year. This is a much greater loss than that caused by labor troubles. The author also discusses the problem of men rejected for military service because of correctable defects -- he urges government aid in rehabilitating these men fer use in industry. Nutrition prob lems, difficulties caused by the heavy influx cf new v/orkers to small communities, the supply of physicians, are other topics discussed. 817 Industrial Hygiene in the National Defense Program. J.J. Bloomfield. Annals of Int. Med., 15, 165-171 (August, 1941). Industrial mobilization in recent months has greatly augmented industrial health problems. New workers are being taken on in increasing numbers, many of them not as physically fit as those they are replacing, and unless the working envir onment is made safe for them, marked rises in accident and disease rate may be expected. The problem of fatigue v.lll appear as a result of the speed-up in production. Now and hazardous chemicals wall come into use. Recent research and organization find us better prepared to cope with these arising problems than ever before. A program has been outlined for the purpose of developing a nation wide effort in industrial hygiene in defense industries. The responsibility of the medical profession in this program is discussed. 818 Medical Plans for Industry. K. Roberts and M.V/. Brown. Advanced Management, p. 61. (Aprii-Juno, 1941). Absenteeism due to illness is costing industry more than $60 per employer per year. It is costing employees more. Strikes in 1940 resulted in a loss of about two houfs per worker per year; absenteeism due to illness, which never makes the headlines, resulted in a loss of approximately eight days per worker. The total of illness has been estimated at 400,000,000 mcn-days per year. This article discusses various means of reducing this high toll. Several plans are described and discussed in detail. The objectives of a proper program are threefold: (1) improved health of the working force; (2) security for the em ployee against the financial hazards of illness; (3) increased efficiency and raised production level* The Public Health Administrators Responsibility in the Field of Occupational Disease Legislation. J.J. Bloomfield and V/.M. Gafafer. Pub. Health Repts., 56, 033-2041 (October 17, 1941). This is an attempt to emphasize some of the responsibilities and opportunities confronting public health administrators in the development, enactment and ad ministration of occupational disease legislation. These aro discussed and an example of certain procedures given by citing the Utah Study. Here, the results helped materially to establish the nature and extent of the industrial health problem in that State, furnishing basic information to the Occupational Disease Commission on which to formulate a comprehensive compensation law for occupa tional diseases. The study also provided data on which to base a permanent industrial hygiene program, which is now in progress. 20 The Industrial Medical Department: Quarters and Equipment. Council on Indus trial Health. J.A.M.A. 117, 34-35 (July 5, 1941). Floor plans are presented for four rather elaborate industrial medical depart ments. For as little as 150, a smaller one can bo designed and equipped, but a more satisfactory result is obtained for $350. The general requirements are outlined and a check list of equipment shown. GO \ < 'f o ; I Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 12. S21 Pesrirctorv Infections -- Their Control in Industry. K.M. Hall. Ir.d.Med., 10_, 376-379 September, 1941). Respiratory diseases are tho first concern cf the industrial physician. They siay bo controlled not only through education, and early detection, through periodic physical examinations, but also through the employment of "routine epidemiologic procedures"; in other words, by encouraging the use cf singleservice paper cups and utensils, or of thoroughly sanitized glass and tableware, in all eating places patronized by workers, inside as v;cll as outside tho riant area, to block the route of travel of respiratory diseases. 822 The Industrial Medical Service of the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey ana Affiliated Companies. Anonymous. J.A.ia.A., 117, 542-543 (August 16, 1941; . The Standard Oil Company of New Jersey has maintained a medical service for its employees all over the world for 23 years. One hundred nine full time physicians arc employed, and, in the tropics, operates '22 hospitals with 1041 bods. The service renders care to 186,344 employees. Placement and periodic physical ex- aminations are emphasized; records arc kept shewing the causes for all disability lasting one or more days. Employees in this country average 6.31 days* disabil ity a year, significantly lower than that given for the country as a whole. Interesting differences are shown for U.S., European, and tropical employee groups. Sanitation and tropical diseases are being investigated, and a special study of 800 persons with hypertension is underway. 823 Industrial Health Marches On. C.D. Selby. J.A.M.A., 117, 159-151 (July 19, 1941Morbidity statistics from two large companies show that the greater part of lost time is caused by non-industrial accidents and diseases. In one company the ratio of non-industrial to industrial causes is 30C to 1. High on the list of causes of absence are appendicitis, non-occupational injuries, genito-urinary diseases, and influenza. Thus the role of the physician in treating workers falls into the field of preventive medicine and public health. 824 Iron Pneumoconiosis in Electric Welders. F. Koelsch. Arch. f. Gewerbepath., 10, 519-528 (1941). (German). Forty welders who worked with plain steel rods were examined. Eighteen showed no dust deposits in the lungs, IS showed light deposits, 3 had a more marked effect and one a very definite pneumoconiosis. This last men has been working for seven years. His chest x-ray shov/cd shadows up to the size of a lentil, of moderate density and with sharp borders. There is a tendency in this condition toward bronchitis and irritation of the upper respiratory tract. 825 j 325 Complicated Intrathoracic Lymuh Silicosis, A Compensable Disease According to the German Regulation. J. Hagen. Arch. f. Gewerbepath., 10., 502-518 (l941)T (C-crman). Five cases with more or less severe silicosis, in which complications, starting with silicotic lymph glands, proved fatal: divorticulum of the esophagus due to traction by the shrunken silicotic lymph glands vath a break in tho lower lobe of the lung, the mediastinum or tho main bronchus; perforation of a softened lymph node into the main bronchus; abscesses around the glands at the bifurca tion, with fistula to the esophagus. Cases in which the intrathoracic lymph node glands arc involved such as these are compensable without regard to any pulmonary changes. Pulmonary As'oostosis. P. Ellman. ' Prcc. Roy. Soc. Med., 24, 557 (July, 1941). This woman worked for a period of one year, thirty-one years ago sewing asbestos mattresses. Her sputum still contains asbestosis bodies. She has had dyspnea, lassitude, cough and loss of weight. There is impairment at the base of both lungs, crackling rales end diffuse basal fibrosis, with some mid-zone involvement. r r\ j a ' l ' 1 Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 13. a 27 Prilling Dust Problems and Their 'Solution. G. Kildick-Smith. I. Choir,. Metal. Min. See. So. Africa, 41_, 427-473 (May, 1941) . Results of a critical study of the factors involved in dustiness produced by jackhamer drills in nine work. The long piston machine was found to be more satisfactory. The standards necessary7 to ensure that a hammer machine drill cannot in operation produce dust in dangerous quantities (provided it is not doing so by atomization through the exhaust port) arc that not more than 5C0 cc./rain. of e.ir should pass down the borer and that the velocity through the exhaust port should not exceed 2000 f.p.m. 823 Effect of Silicic Acid on Phagocytosis. E. Zanetti and L. Piccioli. Med. del lavoro, 32, 19-23, 39-45 (1941). (Italian). Admixture of fine silica du3t in tiny doses to blood seems to first diminish and then augment phagocytosis. Dissolved in blood, it increases phagocytosis up to 130$. This increase is brought about by stimulation of the leucocytes which increases either the number of phagocytoses bacilli or the number of phagocytozing leucocytes. 829 Silicosis and Silicosis with Tuberculosis, H.K. Taylor and H. Alexander. Ind. Med. t 10, 365-373 ("September, 1941). A report of 16 cases of silicosis and silicosis associated with tuberculosis, together with two atypical cases. Of the 16, exposures ranged in length from two to 44 years with an average duration of 15. A number of industries were represented and a history of the use of a jackhamer, compressed air drill, dynamite or emery wheel was obtained in every instance. Four of the 16 had un complicated silicosis whereas the remainder had associated tuberculosis. The article is illustrated by x-rays of all the cases with a brief history. 830 Ultromicroscenic Examination of Asbestos Dust and Asbestotic Lungs. J, Kuhn. Arch, f, Oewerbepath.. 10 , 475-485 (194l[~. (German). Interesting pictures of different kinds of asbestos and asbestos dust from lung tissue arc presented. Magnifications are from 10,300 to 29,000 times. Very small needle-shaped particles up to 6 millimicrons in diameter and 400 milli microns in length have been found in the lungs. These particles seem to bo homeblenda -- serpentine seems to be dissolved. Filters of respirators do not exclude particles less than C.2 micron and hence cannot prevent these tiny par ticles from reaching the lungs. 831 Electrolytic Deposition of Lead from Biological Material. K. Bambach and J. Cholak. Ind. Eng. Chea., (Anal. Ed.), 13 , 504-505" (July 15. 1941). The solution of ashed material is electrolysed directly, without previous separ ation of the lead. The electrodes can bo washed and other metals can bo complexed, so that the lead deposit on the cathode is almost entirely free from other substances. The lead can then be deteimined by the use of ditbizone, the polarograph, or by other methods. 832 The Dropping Mercury Electrode for Load Analysis. E.C. Barnes and H.W. Speicher, lour. Ind. Hyg., 23, 397-407 (October, 1941)". The operation of the dropping mercury electrode is described. Necessary precau tions for the accurate determination of small quantities of materials end the use of the Fisher Electropodc for determination of lead are given. Good accuracy was attained in the analysis for lead of fumes from soldering operations. The time required for such analyses is quite small in comparison to other methods. ---Remember the Meeting, Nov. 12-13--- 00:1 'C : Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 14. 853 Foundry Dust Control. Part I. Mclainv. Anonymous. Foundry Safety, Liberty ilutual Insurr-nce Co., 1941. The dust exposure encountered in the molding operations of most foundries can be traced to the following sources: (a) Dust entering the area from adjoining departments. (b) Dust from operations other than molding being carried on in the melding area. {c} Dust from poorly kept floors and gangways which is stirred up by foot traffic or shop transportation. (d) Dust released by miscellaneous methods from air settled accumula tions on shop fixtures, storage, building structures, etc. (e) Duse arising from miscellaneous operations incidental to melding such as the use of blcv:-off hose, parting compound, etc. The major consideration to be kept- in mind when analyzing a molding exposure is that the actual operation of molding is not dusty and that the problem is so protect moldcrs from a dust condition resulting from the miscellaneous inciden tal or outside dust sources. Dust control, therefore, in the ordinary molding area can be summarized as follows: (1) Where practicable, the molding urea should bo physically separated from other departments in -which dust is produced end is not adequately controlled, (2) Holders* benches, work stations, etc., should be carefully arranged to minimise as much as possible unnecessary shop fixtures, shelves, racks, etc., vrhich -act as dust collectors on which air floated dust will settle only tc be throvn back into the air whenever objects on them are moved about or the dust otherv.lse disturbed. (3) Palling compound should be of the generally approved type, that is, containing loss than 5>j free silica. (4) The use of cciaprvBsscd air with blow-off guns or hose in ra-ony instances definitely adds to the lust Cur.toninatioa in molding depart ment. The air blast in addition tc picking up dust by its actual use also in "scouring" nearby accumulations sot s addi'Lionel dust free. Some relief can be obtained by reducing the pressure available by measuring discs in the individual hose lines cr by reduced pressure lines. Vaccum systems -are also a possibility in some instances where a relatively large amount of material is being handled, such as in cleaning of large dry sand molds before closing, etc. (5) Floors and gangways should be kept as free of dry, dusty coverings as pcssiblc. (a) Hard surfaced floors (concrete, wood block, etc.) should be cleaned frequently to prevent the building up of a dry coating which is easily "scuffed up." Swooping and. cleaning of floors should preferably be done outside of regular working hours. (b) Sand floors should be tempered frequently to reduce dryness of surface. Floors, gangways, etc., hov;evcr, may be sprinkled as required during working hours to maintain them in good condition. 834 Determination of Load in Biological iiaterid. A Uixcd Color Pithisono Method. F.L. Kozclka and F.F. Kluchecky. Ind.Eng.Chen., (Anal. Ed,) 15., 492-494 (July 15, 1941). This method eliminates the necessity of removing the excess dithizene or proper ing standard aithizone solutions. Consistent recoveries of 1 gamma of load ar obtainable. The material is acid ashed and treated with sulfurous acid, to re duce the iron and oxidize the tin which would otherwise cause interference. Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 15. 835 An Electrostatic Method for Collecting Bacteria fron Air. C.M. Berry. Pub. Healtu Rents., 03 2044-2051 (October 17, 1941). The electrostatic method has been applied to the Holiaender-DallaVaile "Funnel device" for the baeteriologic examination of air. Pertinent structural changes in the "funnel device" for the application of the electrostatic method are given in detail. A greater relative sampling efficiency is shown by the now arrange ment . In an appendix, the author makes suggestions for the adaptation of both current and suction in a portable form by utilizing the Mine Safety Appliances Company's electrostatic precipitator. 836 Leucopenia in ITepro workmen. 7AK. Forfc3S and others. Am.J.Mcd.Sci., 201, 407-412 (March, 1941). Leucopenia was shown by healthy Negro share croppers in Mississippi although white sharecroppers in the same district, living a similar life, showed normal values. The average number of leucocytes among the Negroes was 4830 per cu. mm., while that of the white men was 7600. The Negroes* red blood cell count and oxygen carrying capacity was slightly lower than normal. The two groups* diets wore nearly the same. A group of IS Negroes was split into three divisions having average leucocyte counts of 3440, 3300 and 3290 each. The first served as control, the second received iron, and the last iron and liver extract. By the fifth day of medication, the white cell count of the latter groups had in creased on an average of 63# and 39# and on the 16th cay, these percentages were practically the seme. One man in each group of six showed no rise. The authors find no explanation for the difference between the Negroes and whites: either low leucocyte counts are normal for these people or the iron made up for a deficiency in their diet. One Negro (with a 4000 leucocyte count) was token to Boston but showed no blood change there, despite change of climate, diet, etc. Two white persons in 3oston, having persistent low white cell counts showed no response to iron therapy. Of the Negroes studied, 75# had malaria; figures on this disease are not given for the white men examined. 837 Vital Capacity of the Lungs in Middle Age. Results of Periodical Examinations of Mon of Sedentary Occupation. J.K. Arnett. Arch. Int. Mod., J57, 1129-1131 (June, 1941). During annual physical examinations of men of sedentary occupation ranging in age from 31 to 60 at the first examination, vital capacity measurements were made. This group showed a greater standard deviation than did a group of college students. If a loss of 250 cc. is taken as a rough criterion to be expected in early tuberculosis, this test would bo reliable for only 54 of the 100 working men, contrastod with 63 of the IOC students. The older non averaged a loss of 33.7 cc., the students gained 66.9 cc. per yoar. The periodic tost is "a usoful diagnostic procedure, providing its potentialities and limitations are understood." 838 Comparative Value of Roentgen-Photoaranhic Methods. R.E. Plunkett and others. An. J. Pub. Health, 31, 772-776 (September, 1941). The results of this study show that by using 4xo in. film, 98.3 per cent of all cases of clinically significant tuberculosis would have been found while by using the 35 mm., only 91.8 per cent of the cases would have been diagnosed. In the case of minimal lesions, the 4x5 in. films were accurate in 96.9#, and the 35 law. in 82.6#. Both were 100 # accurate in diagnosing moderately advanced and far advanced cases. Stereoscopic 4x5 in. films should enhance tho value of small films for screening without appreciably increasing the cost. Technics to provide 35 mm. steroscopic films have also been developed. ---Foundation's Sixth Annual Meeting: Pittsburgh, Nov. 12-13-- * i 'y Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 16. S59 Prophylaxis Against Lethal Effect of High Altitude by Moans of a Digitalis Glycoside tGioalin:. E. Fischer, /an. Heart C-., 21_, 545-350 "["May, 1941 j . when mice v/ere given doses of Gitalin, 5 to 10 gamma per gram intraperitcneaiiy, a high, prophylactic effect v.*as noted against the severe, acute anoxemia produced by lev: acmespheric pressures corresponding to altitudes of 30,000 to 34,000 feet. The protection is at its height for a period of 16 to 30 hours after injection. The protection afforded increases vdth the altitude, and roaches nearly 90^ at 54,000 feet. 840 tteil's Disease, A P.eoort of 51 Cases Occurring in Puerto Rico and the United States. C.L. Larson. Pub.Health Hepts., 5_c, 1650-1656 (August 15, 13417! The occurrence of V;eil'3 disease is more common in this country than is supposed. A review of the literature shows only 27 fully described cases and 20 presump tive cases here. The author adds 51, of which 33 arebased on clinical and laboratory data and 7 on laboratory findings-only --- these seven were anicter ic -- the blood contained specific anti-bodies but there had bc-en no jaundice. 341 Epidemiology and Laboratory Diagnosis of Infections Jaundice (V/eil's Disease). J.G. Mclner and J.A. Kasper. Am.J.Pub.Health., 31, 945-950 (September, 134lj. A wet environment favors the propagation of Leptospira so that the incidence of leptospirosis is more prevalent among miners, borgamen, garbage workers, abattoir workers, soldiers in trenches, and rice field workers. Six cases, three of which proved fatal, were encountered among poultry workers. Laboratory proce dures to aid in the diagnosis of this disease are discussed in detail. 342 Ghic Occupational Disease Record. Ohio Ind. Comm. Monitor, 14, 119 (August,1941). A summary cf the occupational disease claims filed during the year 1940 shows an increase over the preceding year, the total number of claims filed being 1,976, making an increase of 263 claims. This increase seems to have been due largely to two causes, deimatitis and silicosis. It is also probable that many cf the new claims were filed because of the recent amendment to the lav; which became effective May 26, 1939, making all occupational diseases compensable. It should be noted, however, that these figures are based upon claims filed and not upon those actually found compensable after investigation and a hearing by the Ccmission. During the year, an analysis by Medical Investigator Dr. W.Z. Obetz shows, 1,210 claims were filed for some foma of skin disease; this was an increase of 149 claims over the previous year. When classified according to the probable cause as shown by the application, it is found that 36 were due to oils, 207 to cutting compounds, 446 to some fom of industrial dust, 439 to liquids, 2C to chemical fumos and vapors, 57 to chromium compounds, and the remaining 25 to miscellaneous causes. Skin diseases are prevalent throughout the year but seen to be most numerous after the month of May, continuing through the summer and fall seasons. As indicated above, most of these cases are due to contact with some irritating substance, such as plating solutions, chemicals, washing powders, scans, oils, cutting compounds etc. The prevention of skin irritation is best accomplished by protecting the skin in avoiding such contacts and proper cleansing to remove these irritating substances before skin inflammation develops. During the year, 71 cases of lead poisoning were reported, or a reduction of 11 claims over the preceding year. As usual, load poisoning seems to bo due largely to the inhalation of lead dust or vapors or the ingestion of lead with food or from the hands which have not been properly cleaned. Care should be taken tc avoid these lead hazards since it is known that exposure to excessive amounts of lead is almost certain to result in lead poisoning if continued ex posure persists. Tenosynovitis, -which is an inflammation of the tendons espe cially of the wrists and forcams was reported in 147 claims, and bursitis, commonly called "housemaid's knee" v:as reported in 49 claims. During the Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 17 year, 226 claims were filed fcr silicosis but it is possible that a number of claims v/hich were placed in other classifications, such as tuberculosis or bronchitis, nay have been found to be silicosis upon investigation. In addi tion to the above claims which constitute the classifications in which the larg est numbers wore filed, a group of 25 claims were found due to miscellaneous exposure as fellows: benzol or it3 derivatives 6; brass or zinc 2; volatile petroleum products 5; sulphur dioxide, potassium cyanide, carbon dioxide, mer cury, 1 each, with S claims attributed to contact with miscellaneous chemical compounds. From the standpoint of prolonged disability and fatalities sili cosis is by far the most important of all occupational diseases, Many claims now being filed are the result of years of exposure to dust hazards which exist ed prior to the enactment of the law making silicosis compensable. It is well known, however, that dust containing high percentages of silica is the chief cause of silicosis and for this reason every effort should be made to eliminate dust hazards, especially those with a high silica content. Curing the past year all claims in which silicosis is thought to exist have boon investigated. Many plants have been inspected and recommendations made for the installation of dust controlling equipment. It is believed that a continuation of these investiga tions together with the cooperation of employers in eliminating dust hazards will result in a marked reduction of the number of claims filed for silicosis thereby preventing much sickness and death from silicosis end tuberculosis. 843 Study of Absenteeism in a Kat Manufacturing Plant. L.G. Simon and C, Byington. Ilia. Med. , 10, 520-521 (August, I9411". A study of absences of three days or over and under 56 days in a group of 2200 employees of a hat manufacturing plant. The period studied was from May, 1940 to May, 1341. The total number cf workers absent v/as 820; of these, 497 were male and 323 female (no data as to population by sexes are given). The average nrnurT number of days lost per worker was 12.7. This is interesting in view of lower figures based on longer absences. 844 Frequency of Disabling Morbidity by Cause, and Duration, Among Male and Female Industrial Workers During 1940, and by Cause Among Males During the First Quarter of 1941. Vv.M. Gafafor. Pub. Health keptsT, 56, 1848-1352 (September 12, 1341). In a comparison of the frequencies for males during 1940 with the corresponding frequencies for 1935-1939 the follov.lng differences arc of interest: thu 21 per cent increase in bronchitis, the 38 per cent increase in pneumonia, and the 22 per cent increase in appendicitis. A comparison of the frequencies for females fcr the same time periods shows over a 50 per cent decrease for diseases of the stomach, except cancer. Although the total frequency for 1940, 1939, or 1935-39 is from 60 to 70 per cent greater among the females than among the males, there are certain causes and cause groups that show for each of the 3 time periods lower rates among the females; these are pneumonia, diseases of the stomach ex cept cancer, hernia, diseases of the heart, and rheumatism. The morbidity ex perience among males for the first quarter of 1941 compared v.lth the correspond ing period for 1940 and 1939 shows an increase of 30 per cent in 1941 for in fluenza and grippe, being sufficiently large to indicate .an epidemic. 845 Disabling Morbidity Among Industrial V/orkors, Second Quarter of 1941, V/jth a Note on the Occurrence of Pneumonia Among Iron and Steel Workers. W.M. Gafafor. Pub. Health Hcpts. ,"""56, 2052-2053 (October 17, 19ii). Y/hilo the frequencies for ail sickness show no sensible changes for the second quarter and first half cf 1941, there are several causes for v/hich increases in frequency arc notable. For the second quarter these causes arc bronchitis, dis eases of the pharynx and tonsils, pneumonia, and infections and parasitic dis eases, for the fifrst half the causes are influenza and grippe, reflecting the r A * i A ;' lU4 Digest oi' Industrial Hygiene - 13. epidemic of the first quarter of 1941, and pnemonia. The frequency of pneu monia pc-r 100C iron and steel workers for the second quarter has increased from 3.4 in 1939 to 3.3 in 1940, and to 5.7 in 1941, while the corresponding frequen cies for workers net engaged in this work show a tendency to decrease, as fellows, 3.1 to 3.0 to 2.9. Factors in these changes may be attributable to the large influx of rev; employees, the population change for the second quarter of 1940 and 1941 representing an increase of over oOfi in the iron and steel groups reporting; among workers not employed' in those industries, the corresponding population change represents a decrease of 4$. 846 German:,'. Regulation of the Minister of Labor Regarding Compensable Occupational Diseases. Kichsgesundheitsbi., 15, 494-505 (1940). (GeimanT"! Leaflets have boon prepared with the help of medical inspectors of factories giving the most important clinical symptoms and laboratory findings of occupa tional diseases in such a way as to be very useful to the practitioner. In addition to the usual poisonings, there are described compensable occupational diseases corresponding to the schedule law of December, 1956; carcinoma, derma titis, danger to bones and joints by use of pneumatic tools, pneumonia caused by Thomas slag, deafness caused by noise, etc. 847 The Necessity of Including; Silicosis in Compensable Occupational Diseases. 0. Pancheri. Mod. aei lavoro., Z2j 53- 62 (194JJ. (Italian). Emphasis is placed on the frequency of sil.icosis in Italy and the experience of other countries in making this discaso compensable. The author urges that it be included in the schedule of compensable diseases in Italy. 848 Frequency and Course of Miners* Nystagmus Observed Over a Long Period of Time. J. Ohm. Oraofes Arch." Opthal., 141, 604-620 (1940). (German). An attempt is made to draw physiological conclusions from tlie author's theories on miner's nystagmus. One important statement is made, namely, that recovery from nystagmus after ceasing all work for one-half year is complete in about two years. In serious cases, in which nystagmus has existed for 3 or more years, a retrogression finally begins, as evidenced by decreasing amplitude and increas ing frequency. 849 Harmful Substances Cause Disability in 2747 Cases in 1940. N.Y. State Dept, of Labor, Indust. Bull., 20, 167-168 (Juno, 1941). In New York State, compensation was paid for 972 accidental injuries and 1775 cases cf occupational disease amounting tc 859,342, an increase of 15$ over 1939. There were 320 cases of dermatitis; 386 cases of disability due to con tinuous rubbing, vibration or harmful position; 274 cases of systemic poisoning (injurious substances, etc.) and 295 cases of silicosis, contagious and infec tious diseases, hernia, etc. Two cases of radium poisoning cost $6225 each, and $1467 was the average paid for 16 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning, $1112 for 85 cases of lead poisoning, and $2085 for 64 cases of silicosis and other dust diseases. 850 Anthrax of the Kidney: Clinical Study. R. Ercole and A. Fort. Anal, de Cirugia. , 263-297 (September, 1S40J. Renal anthrax is more frequent than is believed. The diagnosis is boat arrived at by pyelography, which reveals the tumor or abnormalities in the renal pelvis and renal calices or displacement of the structures by compression. The treat ment consists of either partial or complete nephrectomy or enucleation of the tumor. NophrGctomy is indicated when the tumor occupies a considerable portion of the renal paronchyma or is situated centrally. -----Annual Meeting - Nov. 12 and 13-- j r> digest of Industrial Hygiene - 10* 351 Symposium on Anthrax* Cent, of Health, Com* cf Penna. pp. 45. {April, 1941), This bulletin contains papers v/hich were presented at a symposium on anthrax held on November 19, 1940 at the Philadelphia County Medical Society Building* Among the subjects presented were: An epidemiological Study of Anthrax in Philadelphia, by >Vm. B. Pulton and others. A Twenty Year Survey of Anthrax in the U. S. by Henry Field Synth. The Treatment of Anthrax. by Pascal F. Lucchosi and Nathaniel Gildcrsleevc. Anthrax in the Fur-Felt Inaustry. by Ivor Griffith. The Enforcement Problem, by Harry Intel. Discussion. by 0. F. Hcdley. 852 Caisson Disease, A Study Based on Three Hundred Cases Observed at the Q,ue Midtown Tunnel Project, 1958. I.J. Thorne. J.A.M.A., 117, 585-583 (Aug. 23,1941). Of those 3G0 cases, symptoms appeared in 95-/) within 2 hours. All but 6 of the 30 men who suffered vertigo had accompanying symptoms such as vomiting, nystag mus, tinnitis, etc. Cases presenting neurological symptoms are the most serious as poiaaaneut injury often ensues. Of 25 cases of nervous system involvement in this series, all recovered but one who was paralyzed in both legs. Differential diagnosis is simple if the worker is conscious and can describe his work or if he is wearing his identification tag. If these clues are absent, however, the condition may be difficult to differentiate from drunkenness, acute abdominal trouble, etc. Choice of men, prompt rccompression at the first sign of trouble, the use of oxygen or oxygen and helium and exercise are chief factors in pre vention. No fatal cases resulted from working on this project. 853 Influence on tho Circulation of Man of Breathing Through Gas Masks. H. Hofcr. Ca ologica, 331-360 (1940). A review of the literature and a discussion or. the effects of gas masks on res piration and the heart. The author reports on his own investigations on 4-2 men and S women, ranging in age from 16 to 55 years. Breathing through a gas mask involves a bodily overloading and the borderline of efficiency is reached more quickly. Changes of pulso rate, blood pressure make it possiblo fur latent in jury, such a3 coronary illness, to become manifest suddenly.. No spocific effect on the circulatory system could bo detected. S54 A Simple Optical Appliance for Use with Respirators. P. Kinmont. Brit. J. Ophth,, 25, 122-124 {March, 1941). A discussion of the difficulties experienced with the usual procedures for adapt ing spectacles to the ccnxion breathing mask. This article describes a fitting v/hich has been devised to wear outside the mask eyepiece. The advantages of the device are discussed. 855 Economical Air Velocities for Mechanical Air Filtration. F.B. Rowley and R.C. Iordan. Heating, Piping and Air Cond., 13, 324-529 (August, 1941), A discussion of the relationship between filter resistance and air velocity. The face air velocity chosen in the operation of a filter has a marked effect on the life and dust-holding capacity. Equations between the yearly cost factors ana air velocity. The method by which the optimum filter velocity is obtained is analyzed. r* r\ i! a <-> r, i '\ > Eldest of Industrial Hygiene - 20. 856 Defense V/ork of Industrial Kv*iene Engineering Unit. J.M. DallaVslle. N.Y, State Labor Dept., Ind, Bull., 20_, 227 (August, 1941). Many nev; problems have been created. A largo variety of new processes and oper ations have been introduced for which no information is available regarding cither the hazards associated with them, or possible methods for their control. It is necessary from time to time to study proposed control methods in experi mental form, end apply the knowledge thus gained to the problem at hand. The realization by defense industries that speed of production depends in part upon effective control of industrial health hazards will help considerably in making progress possible. 657 Ventilation of Plating Tanks. A.D. Brandt. Heating, Piping and Air Cond., 15. 454-438 (July, 1S41). A study of the velocities of a plating tank 6' x 2* showed that the velocity at the centerline varied as the width to tho 1/2 power. An equation for this is given. For double slot hoods, the velocity variation seems to be essentially the same, i.e., as the width to the 1/2 power. Also discussed is the control of extraneous air currents by the use of a double hood. 858 Correction of Malnutrition among Industrial Workers. V.P. Sydenstrickcr. Milbank Fund Annual Conference. Am.J.Pub.Health, 31^ 977-983 (September, 1941). The nutritive system is labile, reacting readily to numerous adverse factors. Of these, insufficient or improper diet is the commonest. In times of plenty, the national diet is not oxcmplary. During economic depression, it is much in ferior and presents a real problem. As the call goes out for the unemployed to return to the ranks of labor, many will shov/ the effects of prolonged dietary deprivation and periodic illness. It will be imperative that they bo returned to full efficiency as soon as possible. 859 The Effect of Trauma with Relation to Tuberculosis, Pneumonia, Pernicious Anemia, and P.elatcd Conditions.- A.H. Terry, Ind. Lied., 10, 334-337 (August, 1941). For tho purpose of illustration, trauma is overemphasized as a cause of those diseases -- at most, it is only tho initiating factor, the predisposing factors being hereditary, habits, etc.; the real cause, the pneumococcus, streptococcus and tubercle bacillus and company, plus the X or "P.A." factor in pernicious anemia -- but trauma can administer the coup do grace. 860 Iffacts of Crowded Housing TJucn Health. E.H. Britten. Lab. Inform. Bull I, 8_, 5-6 (July, 1941). The pneumonia frequency rate, among others, was found to bo 60# higher for re lief families with more than 1-1/2 persons per room /than for those with 1 person or less per room. Tho rate for low income, non-relief families in congested house was 45# greater than in less crowded hones. Influenza rates wore also definite ly higher in these homes and tuberculosis in children was 170# higher. Common childhood diseases struck earlier, aggravating the seriousness of tho disease. Homos without inside flush toilets showed more of certain diseases: typhoid fever was twice as common as it was in houses with modern toilet facilites. 861 Improved Vision in Machine Tool Operations by Color Contrast. A.A. Brainerd and U. Denning. Presented at Convention of Illunin. Sng. Soc., Atlanta, Ga., (September, 1941). A beginning study of an unexplored phase of tho problem of providing the best natural seeing conditions indoors. It appears that suitable attention to color contrasts and brightness is essential if the best results ore to bo obtained from any lighting system. Tho most significant feature v/hich was achieved by this investigation is the three-dimensional effect secured by controlled color con trasts. The work in machines so treated stands out in stereoscopic clearness that cannot be achiovcd by brightness contrasts alone. 0 Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 21 862 -Noise In Industry. C. Pharris. Conn. Health Bull., 55s 254-255 (September, 1S41 Noise is not the least important emong the various environmental conditions which do or may adversely affect the health of industrial v/orkers. Too often noise is looked upon as an indispensable nuisance which must be tolerated. It has been found, however, that certain noisy occupations are conducive to hearing impairment. The influence of noise on the proficiency of workers has been demonstrated very graphically. For example, as the result of a reduction in the noise level by 14.5 per cent in a large insurance office, the efficiency level v/as raised by 8.8 per cent and errors of typists and machine operators were re duced 29 por cent and 50 per cent respectively. Furthermore, as a result, employee turnover dropped 47 per cent and absenteeism 37.5 per cent. In another large office the output of workers v/as increased 12 per cent following a reduc tion of the noise level from 75 to 50 decibels. Preventive measures are dis cussed briefly. ' 863 Causes and Effects of Fatigue Among Interstate Truck Drivers. H.R. Sayers and others. Pub. Health Bull., No. 265 U.5. Pub. Health Service. For sale by Supt. of Documents, Washington, D. C. This report describes the results of a study into the problem of fatigue and hours of work of drivers of commercial vehicles operating in interstate commerce The principle purpose v/as to establish a basis for the regulation of the daily and weekly hours of drivers. In tests of seven functions, men who had not driven had the highest, men who had driven less than 10 hours the next highest, and men who had driven over ten hours had the lowest average efficiency. The conclusion is rather obvious -- "It appears that a reasonable limitation of hours of service of interstate truck drivers would reduce the number of drivers on the road with low functional efficiency." 864 Effort, Trauma, Occupation and Compensation in Heart Disease. A.M. Master. N.Y. Acad, of Medicine Bulletin 1J7^ 778^-795 (October, 1941). The relation of effort, occupation and trauma to heart disease frequently offers a difficult problem and each case must be carefully considered. Symptoms may be due to preexisting pathology and the effort or trauma coincidental. Yet they may oggravate -- effort does not damage a normal heart. The effort is signifi cant if it is unusual and not routine, and if symptoms arise immediately or soon after. The latter is also true of trauma. Those factors, however, play no part in coronary occlusion. Carbon monoxide poisoning occasionally results in damage to the heart, or aggravates a preexisting condition, but it does not lead to coronary occlusion. Most cases of cardiac involvement attributed to carbon monoxide are based on insufficient evidence. 865 Fatigue, Its Effects on Industrial Injuries. Anonymous. Penna. Lab. & Ind. Rev., p7_93-99 (July, 1941). Industrial accidents that occurred in 1940 in Pennsylvania are summarized. A rise in accidents with the number of hours worked is shown; the tables break it down by different industries. After 3 hours cf work, one peak is reached, another after seven hours, indicating a close relationship to fatigue. By dis covering the best time for rest periods for their particular kind of work, in dustries can profit in the attempt to.prevent accidents. 866 Evaluation of Circulatory Function in Extremities. M.B. Ferderber. Ini. Med., 10, 321-324 (August, 1941). A comparison was made of the most common methods of circulatory evaluation for peripheral vascular diseases. The absence of the dorsalis pedis or anterior tibial pulsation is not indicative of vascular disease, and the presence cf o -----Remember the Hooting, Nov. 12-13--- Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 22. pulsation does net rule out the existence of vascular pathology. The osciiloraetric index of the leg is not markedly altered in arteriosclerosis, and normal akin temperatures do not exclude the possibility of vacular disease. The arteriovenous anastomoses arc offered as an explanation for the variations that normally occur in skin temperatures. The colorimetric method of bleed flow determination after Stewart, indicates that the volume in patients with vascular disease averages about two-thirds of that in normal subjects. Moans of induc ing reflex heat by saturated air is offered as safe and flexible. Papers on Industrial Poisons, Cancer, Dermatitis, etc. 867 Hematological Changes in Aniline Poisoning. C. Seglini. Med. del lavoro. 32, 9-39 (1941). (Italian). An extensive review of the material on blood changes in aniline poisoning and a brief report of the author's experience on rabbits, showing that the acid base balance is of littlo if any importance in this type of poisoning. 8 68 Lato Damage to the Lcucopoetic Bene Marrow Function by Benzene and Pyranidon. R. Stodtmcistcr. Dtsch. mod. vVckaschr. 67, 263-266 (1941). (German). Blood disorders caused by benzene may occur several days to weeks after cessa tion of exposure. This reported case showed new exacerbation of the bone marrow one and one-half years after cessation of tho exposure. Another case is mention ed in which aplastic anemia developed 10 years after exposure stopped. 869 Low Concentrations of Carbon Tetrachloride Capable of Causing Mild Narcosis. H. Hcimann and C.3. Ford. II.Y. State Dept, of Labor Ind, Bull., 2Q_, 209-210, 226 (July-August, 1941). It is felt that exposure to carbon tetrachloride in the amounts indicated pro duced both mild narcosis and gastric irritation. It is ?JLso felt that the narcosis, as manifested by the feeling of fatigue and the gastric irritation, arc symptoms of toxicity due to the exposure to carbon tetrachloride in rela tively low concentrations, the average boihg 79 p.p.n. The examined men were required to live relatively abnormal lives due to their occupation. Mild narcosis is also a liability to the employer as workers so affected arc less efficient and liable to accidental injury. The authors believe the present permissible concentration of 100 p.p.n. too high. 870 Twenty-Four-Hour Output of Certain Urinary Constituents in Persons Exncscd to Load Arsenate Spray Residue. S.H. Wooster. Pub. Health Kept., 56. 1910-1919 (September 26, 1941). The averago 24-hour urine volume for 177 adults was nearly 1.3 liters. Large variations in those values v/cro found to occur both between individuals and in identical individuals during different days. Daily calcium and phosphate out puts for all the individuals studied v/crc within tho normal range. Lead and arsenic outputs were higher among the orchardists than for the other groups studied. A comparison cf urinary lead concentration values for different in dividuals when derived from fractional-day samplesgc.ve littlo information re garding relative daily outputs. Twenty-four-hour specimens gave more complete information regarding individual daily outputs. First morning specimens are satisfactory substitutes, whore it is impossible or impractical to obto.in 24-hour specimens. ---Foundation's Sixth Annual Meeting: Pittsburgh, Nov. 12-12----- i -* L;; Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 23. 971 Lead and Arsenic Ingestion and Excretion in Man. S.H. Y.ebster. Pub. Health Repts., 66., 1353-1363 (Inly 4, 1941), Report of an investigation to determine the maximal quantities of lead and arsenic ingested and excreted daily by orchardists eating apples that had been sprayed with lead arsenate. Analyses of the fruit showed a daily intake of 1-26 mg. lead and 0.34-6.3 mg. arsenic per person. Daily analyses of urine and feces showed an output of 22.3 mg. and 2.43 mg. load and arsenic respectively, per man, with wide variability in the"quantitics excreted by different individ uals. 872 Diurnal Variation of Urinary Load Excretion. S.H. Webster. Pub. Health Repts., 56. 1334-1648 (September 12, 1941). The occurrence of diurnal variation in urinary lead excretion is demonstrated -it appears to occur independent of previous exposure of the individual or the time of year. A wide daily variation is shown for urinary lead concentration measurements as well as for the rate of load excretion (in macrograms per hour) and for the total volume with all of the individuals studied. The total daily urinary outputs were, however, remarkably constant for any one individual. An increase in the rate of urine excretion was generally paralleled by on increase in the rate of lead excretion for those specimens whose specific gravity was greater than 1.010. Marked diuresis was found not to increase greatly the rate of lead excretion nor the total quantity. For a given individual an increase in the amount of urinary phosphorus per sample was usually accompanied by an in crease in the quantity of lead excreted. First morning specimens have been shown to be representative of the corresponding 24-hour specimens. Fractionalday samples give no measure of tho total daily outputs. Neither the urinary lead concentrations nor the rate of urinary lead excretion can be used as a moasure of lead absorption when they are based on short-time measurements. 873 Peripheral Circulatory Disturbances in Chronic Arsenic Poisoning. X.H. Butzengeiger. Klin. V.'chaschr. 19, 523-527 (1940) . (German). Among ISO cases of chronic arsenic poisoning seen in vineyard workers, there were 15 cases with objective circulatory disturbances in tho extremities. Gangrene developed in six. No objective signs were present in 27 other cases beyond sensations of cold in the hands or feet, permanent or temporary, or blanched or cyanotic fingers or toes, especially in winter. It seems conclusive that these circulatory disturbances are a consequence of chronic arsenic poison ing. 874 Contribution to the Problem of Lead Porphyrinuria (Investigation on the Urine of Herbivorous Animals). V/. Gabel. Arch. f. exp. Path. u. Pham., 195, 365-382 (1940). (German). The- author concludes that the symptom of porphyrinuria is of no value in herbi vorous animals. 875 Evaluation of Lead Content of the Liver (Investigations of Heroivorou3 Animals Injured by Load) . vi. Gabel. Arch.f. exp.Path. u.Pharm., 195, 383-33S (1940). (German). Tho average amount of lead in the liver increases in summer, decreases in autumn, rises sharply in November and falls during the winter. 876 The Deposition and Removal of Lead In the Soft Tissues. (Liver, Kidneys and Spleen). L.T.Fnirhail and J.'v'.'.Miller. Rub.Health Repts., 5G>, 1641-1650 , (August 15, 1941). Animals kept on a load and then lead-free diet showed decrease of 50$ lead in liver and kidneys but increase of 10$ in bone. Blood calcium values were higher in animals after rest from load diet. Examination showed rather severe damage Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 24. to the renal convoluted tubule cells but this was greatly repaired after a two week lead-free period. Regeneration of the spleen was shov;n. S77 A Study of the Relative Toxicity of the Molecular Components of Lead Arsenate. L.T. Fairhali and J.W. Miller. Pub. Health Repts., 5jS, 1610-1625 (August 3,1941). An investigation to determine whether the toxicity of lead arsenate v/as due to the lead radical, to the arsenate, or to both. The decreasing order of toxicity of the compounds studied v/as found to be calcium arsenate, lead arsenate, and lead carbonate. Lead compounds seem to damage the kidneys v.'hile blood destruc tion was greatest v.lth the calcium and lead arsenates. Using bone deposits as the index, it appears that the arsenate radical either decreases absorption or increases lead excretion. 87S "Surgical Glove" Dermatitis. J.5*. Burgess. Car.ad. Med. Assoc. J., 45, 222-223 (September, 1941). Three cases of skin disease were traced to rubber gloves. Positive results wore given by tests with the gloves, but the reactions were delayed for from 48-72 hours. The author considers the dermatitis to be different from that reported here previously, in which dopigmentation was seen. When latex gloves were sub stituted, no more trouble occurred. 879 Skin Hazards in Airplane Manufacture. L. Schwartz and J.P. Russell. Pub. Health F.epts., 56^ 1581-1593 (August 3, 1941). The process of airplane manufacturing and the skin hazards met in each operation aie described. Skin trouble was caused by an oil used for metal coating. Chrom ates, chromic acid and dichrcmates in the anodizing deportment were offenders. In degreasing with trichlorcthylcne, the vapors are another source of trouble. Dermatitis can be caused by the dopes and paints, welding fluxes, and cutting oils. Recommendations are given for protective equipment, methods and ointments. 880 Amyl Nitrite, A Method for Its Quantitative Determination and Some Observations on its Decomposition. R.G. Horsv/ell and L. Silverman. Ind. & Eng. Chen., (Anal. Ed.) 13, 555-558 (August 15, 1941). A method for the quantitative determination of amyl nitrite, adaptable for vapor- air and liquid analysis, is based on the fact that a color is produced when a compound containing an -- OKO radical is combined with phenol and copper sulfate in acid solution. The method will detect amyl nitrite in air within an average deviation of 10$. The advantage of this method is that the amyl nitrite vapor can be ebsorbed directly in the color-producing reagent. This eliminates the need for a separate solvent for amyl nitrite and simplifies the procedure because the reagent from the sampling vessel can be poured directly into a colorimeter tube and read; v/hon determining unknown concentrations, the development of a color in the sampling tube indicates that nitrite is present and gages the length of time required to collect an adequate sample; and although the test does not compare in sensitivity with many of those already described, it has certain advantages for sampling a large volume of vapor at a low concentration for long periods. Amyl nitrite has beer, determined at concentrations of 5, 10, 20 and 100 p.p.m. Amyl nitrite is stable in air and relatively stable when exposed to artificial light, but decomposes within 2 hrs. when exposed to direct sunlight. --Annual Meeting - Nov. 12 and 13--- 00 44 9'' Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 25. 631 Sensitivity of the Skin to Fluorescent Light. A.P.R. James. Arch. Derr*. & Syphil., 44, 256-257 (August, 3941). Two young women, one a brunette, developed skin disease on exposure to fluores cent light at their work. 'The dermatitis was most marked on the eyelids, but appeared also on other parts of the face. The other woman, a blond, was only able to resist the exposure by applying tannic acid solution to the exposed skin and by wearing Polaroid glasses. In view cf the increasing use of this new type of lighting, it is possible that new cases may be appearing soon. A new tube has been developed which emits additional rod rays. 882 Radiation Protection in Forty-Five Hospitals. L.A. Schocle and D.3. Coule* J.A.M.A. , ll7, 533-531 (August 23,~~194l) . Many of the hospitals visited showed inadequate protection from radiation. The radiologists v/ere frequently unaware of conditions in their own establishments. Compliance with the best methods of prevention permitted busy men to keep expo sure down to 0.02 r a day; carelessness led in some instances to exposure of many persons to more than the o.lr/day considered to be the safe limit. There was ignorance or carelessness in handling radium. Much of the equipment did not afford the protection quoted by tho manufacturer. Twenty per cent of the radiologists showed some effects of radiation. 833 Kthyleno Dichloride Poisoning. V/.D. McNally and G. Fostnedt. Ind. Med., 10, 373-374 (September, 1941). Report of two cases of chronic poisoning with ethylene dichloride. All previous ly reported were of acute poisoning, either from ingestion or a four-hour expo sure. Those individuals had been exposed to the vapors of ethylene dichloride for two and five month periods. They showed signs and symptoms of anorexia, nausea, vomiting, epigastric distress, drowsiness, tremors, nervousness and nystagmus. What is the role of employee health in industrial relations? Aro any new health hazards arising in this period of emergency production? What's new in the study of aluminum powder? What are the latest legal trends? What is tho audit of sick absenteeism showing? For the answer to these and scores of other pertinent questions in the field of employee health, plan to attend the Foundation's annual meeting Nov. 12-13. CO dA Air Sailing bacterial 335 Am.vl nitride determination 830 Aniline 367 Anthrax 850, 851 Arsenic poisoning 373 Asbegtosis 326, 330 Benzene 868 Book Notices 791,792,793,794 Caisson Disease Capacity, vital as index 837 Carbon Tetrachloride * 869 Dermatitis airplane manu facturing 879 fluorescent light 831 rubber 878 Disease, industrial compensable signs and symp toms 847 846 Disease, respiratory 821 Disease, vascular diagnosis 866 Dust control drilling foundry 327 333 INDEX October, 1941 Ethylene dichloride poisoning 833 Fatigue 363, 365 Filters, air velocity 855 Oas Masks effects on cir culation 853 Housing 860 Illumination 361 Industrial hygiene education 312 in defense 816, 817, 356 history 813 Iron Pneumoconiosis 324 Lead determination 831, 332,334 excretion 370 871,272,374,375,876 toxicity 377 Legislation occupational disease 819 Leuconenia 336 Medicine, Industrial 814,318,820,892,823 Noise 862 Nutrition 353 Nystagmus, miners 348 Pressure, abnormal 339 Radiation 882 Respirators optical fitting 354 Silicic Acid 823 Silicosis and tuberculosis intrethoracic 329 325 Statistics absenteeism 843 morbidity and mor- talitv 344, occupational 345 disease claims 842, 849 Trauma in heart disease 364 Tuberculosis 315 Ventilation plating tanks 357 Weil*s disease 340, 841 X-Ray comparison of methods 838