Document VG812ggDzpEGQnJedpMDz238q

f*,w Aj i; .-.;.( l< <A n.'"i ISC__U v-l. 2 FACTS Audit Your Sick <*--- //jVr* .A V' ,vo / Vr-Vft- ad Aprils 18.40 , / S*</Tr, ; *> Absenteeism r.nd This n*<w*>lptt('r Is l.nuid innnthly io member eompnnles aiwi trade ns-soetatlnns ;imii.ttc<l with Air Ilvdiont Fetjnil.ltkin. its imnmse Is tit report Foumlutiun news and activities. Air Hyctene r'nundatlnn Is a partnership of Industry and science orsnnised to nrotect the health of the li million workmen In heavy industry. Cut Losses No. 4 Uer.bor companies are writing almost daily saying they will take part in the Four.t-.tion1s study of "Sick Absenteeism in Industry," a study v/bich promises to save t .rticlpating companies considerable suns of money. Company participation simply in volves the keeping of lost tine records. See the Foundation's recent absenteeism re ; . rt for details. Please return the coupon on the back page, if you haven't already ..-,r.e so. L!ore details later as to forms, procedures, etc. Incidentally, this study is receiving national attention in the daily and trade press. Two metropolitan news papers have written editorials commenting favorably on the undertaking. New York 7ir.es carried a half-column article. Ask Questions on Bnployee Health Remember, Air Hygiene Foundation is concerned with every aspect of industrial he .1 th, whether it be chemical hygiene, dust or skin diseases. This is shown by the * r\r. *o of literature covered in your attached copy of the monthly "Digest of Indus trial Hycieno." The chenical age has brought new volatile solvents into industry at : rapid rate. Still, there is yet to be found a material that can't be handled safe ly with proper precautions. A wealth of data and experience is being accumulated by the Foundation and rich facilities are available to the Foundation at its headquart ers in Kellon Institute. Ask us your questions on all phases of employee health. Monthly Index of Digest Inaugurated Starting with this issue of the monthly "Digest of Industrial Hygiene," the Foundation is including an index for each issue. This will be found on the last pare. At the end of the year a "master" index will be compiled covering the full y-.r. Meanwhile, as time permits, work is progressing on an index for past years, 1937-39. V.'e hope to have this completed by mid-simmer. The index accompanying each ninthly Digest, es well as the annual Indexes, vdll make the material more readily (iv.ailable and therefore core valuable to members. Do You Y.'ant the Digest Punched for Loose-Leaf Filing? An alert member writes: "We have been enjoying our copies... .Why not have this valuable data prepared in such form that there would be a left-hand margin punched with three holes so that the recipient could retain the pages in a permanent binder?" This men! or will receive the Digest In that fora. Any others desiring the punch holes r.ay htvo them by letting us know. Some companies clip up the abstracts for filing. Able Industrial Hygienist Available An Qble industrial hygienist, a Ph.D.. now associated with one of the Foundati r.'s lending companies, would consider changing bis connection. He has wide ex perience in this field, is in his early 30's and can be recommended without hesitati. n. Further information is available through the Foundation. ........ Pennies for prevention save dollars worth of cure......... *CUNpAHOS 44*00 rtr-Thl AVtNUC TJT77T) #*ITtooGh e*. April, 1940 Air Hygiene Foundation 4400 Fifth At., Pittsburgh, Pa DIGEST of industrial hygiene Literature--Nev/s--Developaenxs News Items 268. Lighting and Air-Conditioning Improve Draftsman's Efficiency. Occupational Hazards, , 31 iMarch, 1940). ' "" Last cummer, tho Detroit Edison Company, Detroit, Michigan, checked the output of its draftsmen and found they were getting out 8988 "work units" in 5008 man hours. Meanwhile, the draftsmen moved into a new windowlecs building complete ly oir-conditioned and illuminated electrically with 50 foot-candles at the drafting table top. This year, thanks to the conditioning and lighting, the draftsmen required only 3872 man-hours to do 10,474 work units -- a 51.4 por cent increase in efficiency. No longer does work become smudged by hot sticky fingersy no longer do the tired eyes of tired men bring about time-consuming errors, 269. All Ohio Safety Congress. The eleventh annual session of the All Ohio Safety Congress and Ihchibit will be held April 16, 17 and 18, 1940 at the Deshler Wallick Hotel, Columbus. Among tho many speakers listed on the tentative program will be: Dr, R.L. Johnson, Inland Itfg. Div., General Motors Corp., -- "Medical Department's Place in Industry." Miss Morion Page, R.N., Gardner Richardson Co., -- "Industrial Nursing." Dr. L.L. Pravor -- "Industrial Dermatoses as Related to the Oil Industry." E.I. Evans, Chief Actuary, Industrial Commission of Ohio -- "Employers' WorJoaen's Compensation Responsibility." . C.B. Young, Ohio State Dept, of Health -- "Occupational Health Hazards in the Printing Industry." ff.T. Cameron, U.S. Dept, of Labor -- "Dust Control in Foundries." C.A. Sfcrucker, Ohio Dept, of Health -- "Tonic Materials and their Uses in the Dry Cleaning Industry." Dr. K.D, S&ith -- "Occupational Diseases Occurring in Ohio." J.J. Bloomfield, U.S. Public Health Service -- "Control of Occupational Disease Hazards." 270. Annual Mooting of the American Ceramic Society, Toronto, Canada, April 7-15, 1940. The General Session on Toxicology will present a number of interesting speakers: T.C. Waters -- "Recent Legislation on Occupational Diseases." E. Poitovin -- "Undesirablo Visitors in the Human Lungs." L.T. Puirhall -- "Relative Toxicity of Loud and Some of Its Common . Compounds." M.F. Trice -- "Health of Brick and Tile Workers in North Carolina." A.D. Brunit -- "Engineering Control of Dust with Special Reference to Respirators." OL J?C .Pieest of Industrial/Hygiene -2. 271. American ?o\indrymonf s Association Annual Convention. ` There will be a Safety and Hygiene Section at the forty-fourth annual convention of the American Foundrymen's Association to bo hold in Chicago, May 6-10. Ono of tho speakers will bo Roger Bronson of Chicago who will discuss "Y/orkmen's Compensation and Occupational Disease Insurance.B Headquarters for the conven tion vrf.ll be in International Amphitheatre. . 272. 0`jcnpational Disease Clr-lm Held not Barred by Statute of Limitations. Occupa Tional Hazards Z, 14 (March, 1940). " Tho Workmen's Compensation Act of Missouri provides that a claim for compensa tion for an occupational disease must be filed within six months from tho time it became reasonably discoverable and apparent that tho compensable disease has been contracted. The disease in this caso was lead poisoning contracted through continued work handling scrap metals, including lend. Tho claimant went to .vorl: for the company in 1927 and continued in their employ until 1955, at which time ho was discharged after the plant physician reported that he had high blood pressure, and that the likelihood of an apoplectic stroke made him a hazard on the job. Within six months of his discharge the claimant filed a claim for com pensation. It was granted. The company claims the award wa3 erroneous, con tending that the claimant had known in 1932, four years before filing his claim, that ho was suffering from lead poisoning, and consequently his claim had not boon filed within the six months' limitation period. The Court rejected the Company's contention, stating: "An injury which starts the running of the sta- tuto of limitations provided for in V'crlmen* s Compensation Act, occurs in on occupational disease ca30 at the tine when the disease produces a compensable disability, and more fact that the employee has reason to know that he is suffer ing ill effects which, oven though attributable to natural incidents of employ- ` ment, have not progressed to the point of in anywi30 impairing his capacity for work is insufficient to start the running of the statute." Smith, vs Federated Metals Corporation ot al (Missouri) 133 S.W. 2nd 1112 (Dec. 1939). 273. .` Osteomyelitis Develops from Brass Particles in Clothes. Occupational Hazards 2, 15 (March, 1940)/ An aY.Tird in this case was granted to the claimant for temporary and pemanent disability resulting from the amputation of one log. Tho facts were: The claimant wus employed in a factory as a brass polisher. In the courso of his work small particles of brass became dislodged from the pieces being polished and settled on his skin and in his clothes, causing scratches on the skin. The claimant's right leg became swollen. He was forced to stop work and was token to a hospital. The physicians found a large number of healed scratches on the claimant's aims and legs. They also found his right leg swollen and infected with osteomyelitis (inflammation of tho bone-marrow) which had been caused by infection resulting from the scratches of tho brass particles. It was necessary to amputate the leg to chock the spread of infection. Mecca vs Phoenix Brass Fitting Corporation (N.J.) 10 Atl. 2nd 491 (Jan. 1940). 274. V.'orkr.f'n's Compensation Acts: Dementia Paralytica Attributed to Aggravation of Pre-existing Sypnllis by Heat Stroko. J. Am. Med. Assoc., 114, 1292 (March 30, 1940). ^ .` The employee in this case filed a claim for compensation alleging that during - the course of hi3 employment lie suffered a "nervous breakdown" owing to the hent to which ho wa3 subjected. The state industrial coimrission awarded com pensation und tho omployor appealed to the Supremo Court of Oklahoma. Tho em ployee had worked for two years in and around a boiler room exposing him to high temperatures and occasionally to intense huat. There was.evidence that he had suffered throe heat strokus. Ho bogan to show evidence of an abnormal con dition which alarmed bis relatives who had him committed to an asylum. The . 0U?7 ^Digest of. Industrial Hygiene - 3. diagnosis was general paresis of syphilitic origin. He responded favorably to treatment and was restored to competency by the court which had committed him. Shortly thereafter, ho filed his application for compensation. The Supreme Court hold that tho commission had before it competent evidence which, if be lieved, was sufficient to support a finding of accidental injury within the meaning of tho workmen* s compensation act. The av/ard of compensation was there fore affirmed. Oklahoma Gas and ELectric Company v. Maloney (Okla.J, 88 P. (2d) 363. 275. , Recent Commission Findings. Ohio Ind. Comm. Monitor, 13, 41-42 (March, 1940). An employee of a stool foundry applied for compensation, alleging permanent total disability as the result of silicosis, contracted in tho course of his employment. Ponding a decision on the claim, the claimant died and his widow applied for a loath award for tho benefit of herself cad six minor children. An investigation revealed that decedent worked in the foundry from May, 1922, to June, 1939, in the cleaning department whore his duties required him to remove hardened sand from castings by use of a pneumatic hammer. A dust count in the room where decedent was employed showed an exposure well below the accepted safe standard, but the dust contained approximately 20 per cent of free silica. The claims referee was of the opinion that the exposure to silica dust was well established and the claim was approved as compensable by the Silicosis Referees. Acting under the provisions of an amendment to the Occupational Disease Act effective May 26, 1939, the Commission granted an av/ard of $6,500 to tho widow and minor children, payable at the maximum rate of $18.75 per week. ****A painter employed by e general maintenance and engineering company died Jan. 17, 1938, and his widow applied for a death award for the benefit of herself and miner child. She alleged that the decedent died as the result of "Silicosis terminating in cancer." Investigation revealed that tho decedent had worked at tho painting trade ell his life, working on interior and exterior work with both spray and brush. When admitted to the hospital his case was diagnosed as one of acute gastric ulcer. The investigator pointed out that, while the claim was filed after the Occupational Disease Act amendment of May 26, 1939, became effective, the conditions giving rise to the claim originated at a time v/hen they come under the provisions of the old law, which did not include a lung can cer on the list of occupational diseases. It was also pointed out that there was no basis for the allegation of silicosis as a contributing cause and no evi dence was adduced to show that paints used contained harmful ingredients to bring about the condition causing death. The commission dismissed the applica tion. Notices of New Books 276, Pneumoconiosis (Slllco3is) Tho Story of Dusty Lunns. A Preliminary Report. L.G. Cole and V/.G. Colo, John B, Pierce Foundation, New York, 1940. 52 pp. with an appendix and index. **The objoct of thi3 report is to record briefly tho observations that have been made and tho conclusions that have been drawn during a further short but inten sive investigation of pneumoconiosis. Many of the conclusions heroin recorded concerning the scientific aspects of tho disease ~ its etiology, pathogenesis, pathology, and roentgenology -- as well as its soeial, economic and legal as pects, are not in accord with aocopted idoas.*1 The authors classify the dis ease into, four typos. Thoy are, in tho order fo severity: Type I, tho invasion of tho perivascular - peribronchial - lymphntic structures and tho hilus by du3t laden phagocytes and deposits of collagen; manifostod rocntgonologically by accentuated hilar and linear markings. Typo II, the nodular type, character ized by tho pre3once of whorl3 of collagen and manifested roontgenologicolly by 0LJ 78 Jt Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 4. ' white spots on a black background. Type III, the pockmarking type, character ized by air cysts in the parenchyma of the lung. In tho x-ray, air cysts appear oa black spots surrounded by white rings, or small black spots within areas of mas3iT collacenization. Typo IV, aeuto silicosis, manifested by an incom plete aeration or partial consolidation of the olvooli. A general hazo or dif fuse cloudiness of the film is tho outstanding roentgenological finding. The book also disoussos the social and economic aspects -- tho authors believing "that 90# of the types of pneumoconiosis now recognized as 'silicosis* are not compensable; that tho two typos hitherto unrecognizod or not accepted as sili cosis are by all moans compensable; and that on adequate clinical history, plus an expert roontgon examination with the cooperation of laborer and employer, are indispensable to any fair and proper solution of the problem." An appen dix contains reprints of two articles by the authors* Thexeis an adequate index. Papers on Air, Dust and General Industrial Hygiene 277. Silicosis. E.R. Eayhurst. Merck Report, 4^, 6 , 8 , 9 , 28, 30 , 32 (April, 1940). An excellent short review of the subject of silicosis. The author discusses the types (acute and chronic), occurrence, predisposing causes, pathology, symp toms and clinical findings, complications, course and prognosis, diagnosis, dif ferential diagnosis, and treatment (prevention). 278. Recent Dovclopnont3 in Relation to Silicosis. L.U. Gardner. Ind. Med., 9; 45-49 (February,1340). Experimental work in progress at the Saranac Laboratory seems to lead to the .conclusion that inhaled asbestos fibres are irritating not because they are silicates but because they ore stiff fibres which mechanically irritate the lungs. When asbestos is ground very finely so that few of the fibres are longer than 2 microns in length the irritating property of the asbestos is practically destroyed. Inhalation experiments with this fine asbestos in a concentration of 125 million particles per cubic foot over a period of three years has not produced fibrosis -- in previous experiments exposure to one third this concen tration of long fibres has produced well marked fibrosis in two years. This phenomenon is directly opposite to that found in silicosis, whore with decrease in particle size, reaction becomes more vigorous. Irritation, from the asbestos fibres seem to be more closely associated with the physical, rather than the chemical, composition as in the case of free silica. There are many experi ments whose results ere difficult to reconcile with the solubility hypothesis. In vivo, cellular reactions begin 15 to 30 minutos after injections; in vitro, traces of dissolved silica oro found by the most sensitive methods only after 12 to 24 hours. There is same experimental evidence that free silica has a specific toxicity. Fine silica injected into the veins or hearts of certain animals acts liko a strong poison. This has not been observed with particles of larger sizo or with suspensions of other minerals." These toxic effects can bo neutralized by the addition of different substances, for example, colloidal aluminum hydroxide and ferric hydroxide. More and moro experimental evidence seems to demonstrate tho physiological insignificance of partidos over 3 mi crons. Finally there is a discussion of tho similarity between tho silicotic and tuberculous.reactions in the lung. 279. Arrc3t of tho Toxic Action of Silica Dust on tho Conjunctive Tj3suo by Aluminum. A.P.-liaard and j'.Rollot. Couwt.rend.Soc.de Biol., 132, 190-192 (1959) .(French). A study of tho effects on tho cornea of quartz ulono and quartz with aluminum. Quartz produoo3 a soriou3 reaction, with .edema, cellular infiltration for some weeks and healing with opacities. Thoro is a very slight roaction with quartz and aluminum. . 0U79 Digest of Industrial Hygiene-5. ' 280. Wftrning Incidence of Silicosis on Rand. S. Africa Min. & Eng. X,, 50 , 675-5 (January 27, 1940(British). This la cn abstract of the report on the work of the Miners* Phthisis Medical Bureau for the three year period ending July 31, 1938. The rate of incidence of 3ilico3is has fallen to a now low record; however, there is a narked progres sive increase in incidence with incroaso in duration of service, also with the increase in the amount of time spent in machine drilling. A modification of tho system, of periodical examination is urged. 281. Detection of Silica-Containing Dust in Lung Tissues by Moans of Fluorescence Microscopy. M. Oberdalhoff. Arch. Gewerbepcth. & Gswerbehyg,, _9, 435-442 (1959).Abstracted in 3rit. Chca. & Physiol., p. 158 (February, 1940). Quartz and other mineral dusts show chnrcctorictic fluorescence colors under ultra-violet light when treated with fluorchrcmes, especially auramine, and then washed with water. Quartz dust can be detected similarly in silicotic lung tissues provided that the specimen is first troatod with alcohol-ether to remove the covering of fat on the quartz particles. 282. . An X-ray Study of tho Lungs of Workmen in the Asbestos Industry, Covering a Period of Ten Years. A.IV. George and R.D. Leonard. Radiology 33, 196-202 (1939V A discussion of the exposure to asbestos in tho manufacture of broke linings. In 1928 and 1929, 12 workers with symptoms of asbestosis wore retired on compen sation and wore followed for 7 years. In 1933, 800 employees from the 3smo plant were x-rayed end three found to have advanced asbestosis* -When the plant closed, 90 men sued for compensation and tho authors give a discussion of the trial of 30 cases. During the trial, the 12 men retired S or 9 years beforo .were produced. All but the vmen were performing laborious work, and no progress of tho lung condition was apparent. There is a description of the x-ray appear once of asbesto3is and the action of the dust on the lung. The authors consider that nthe fiber is innocent of producing any pathologic disturbance except an impedance to tho air in this region of the lung." Pleuritic changes are also seon -- adhesions and obliteration of the costcphrenic angles. Baphysema and changes In the heart contour are other signs. No casos complicates by tuberculosis ware found. X-ray will show asbestos in the lungs when there is enough to cause symptoms. 283. Tho Econtgcnolofdc Aspects of Bronchonycosis. H.P. Doub. Radiology, 34, 267-275 (March, 1940). The signs and symptoms of the bronchomycose3 ore similar to those of tuberculo sis and often they are at first thought to be tuberculous in origin. Whenever tho history or x-ray changes are atypical of tuberculosis, the sputum should be examined microscopically end also cultured reps&todly, so that these cases may not be troatod os tuberculous. In oarly stages, these patients appear to have a mild bronchitis with some oxpectoration; later they dovelop many of the signs and symptoms and even the complications of tuberculosis. The final diagnosis rests on the discovery and identification of tho offending organism. The roentgen changes are suggestive of a differential diagnosis in some instances but usually only suggest the prosenco of a fungous infection. The author des cribes somo of the moro prominent roentgen signs of tho various bronchomycoses. 284. Lungs Affected by Ochro Dust. H. Otto. Arch. Gewerbepath. & Geworbehyg., 9_, 487-495 (1939). (Genaon). Abstracted in Brit, C.hem. L Physiol,, p. 159 (February, 1940). The harmful constituents of ochre appear to bo iron oxidos and silica. X-ray findings in ochro-affoctod lungs and pathological onutomy of iron-affected lungs arc described. 0LJ80 Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 6. 85. Dust and Disease. H. X. Spector. Safety Engineering, 7^, 33 (March, 1940). Organic dusts do not produce disabling diseases of the lungs, says this author, basing his claim on autopsy studies of the lungs of 50 patients exposed for many years to organic du3ts. Regardless of how violent an effect inhaling in dustrial impurities might produce in the human system, tuberculous infection takes placo only in tho presence of disoase-producing bacilli. Possible remed ial measures for tho control of tuberculosis in industry might include: Control of industrial disease hazards, ample vrage standards, and periodic physical ex aminations, 286. Pulmonary Aspergillosis. H.S. Van Ostrand. Cleveland Clinic Quarterly, 7, 66-73 (January, 1940)7" " The classic instances of pulmonary aspergillosis in man are found in certain occupations wMck involve prolonged and intimate contact with grains or with birds. Farmers, food-mill workers and threshers ore prone to this infection. Certain dusts are important sources of infection, such as that produced by sponge-cleaners and wig-makors. The symptoms may be of acute or chronic nature. The acute form assumes clinically the picture of bronchitis or pneumonia. The course of chronic primary aspergillosis is similar to that of chronic pulmonary tuberculosis. The author describes the physical and roentgen findings. A case of aspergillosis fumigatus of the acute "bronchitic" typo is presented. 287. Experimental Investigation on the Capacity of the Human Noso to Retain Dust. J. Scbeidelcr. Arch. f. Okren-, base-, u. Kehlkopfheil., 146,.133-169 (1939). (German). Results of tho examination of 290 men in an effort to determine the capacity of tho human nose to retain dust. There were 10 measurements on each worker and variation was groat -- between 9.5 and 91.1$. Tho individual variation was at most 8.2y and averaged only 2.96/J. The author concludes that the capacity of the individual human nose remains constant as long as the rhinoscopic findings are the same. The capacity varies with tho construction of tho interior of the nose, since this formation determines the direction of the inhaled air stream. Obstacles in tho lower nasal duct and the concentration of the dust are without influence. The dust-retaining capacities of tho pharynx and larynx are unimpor tant compared to that of the nose. 288. What to Look for in Rospjrotors. .H. Lemberg. Safety Engineering* 79., 30 {January, 1940). Respiratory protective devices must measure up to certain standards and specifi cations to be fully efficient. They must be provided with a compact and highly efficient filter medium that will exclude dust and fumes, obstruction to breath ing must be sufficiently low to provide no discomfort during normal activity, they must fit all types of faces without leakage, they must be comfortable, they must not interfere with the wearing of safety goggles and they must be de signed compactly, with a wHivimnn of free space inside. 289. To Solve Silicosis. S.C. Blacktin. Chca. Ago., 42, 97-98 (February 17, 1940). {British). There is first a general historical discussion of the problem of breathing re sistance in respirators with the increase in dust-stoppage efficiency, Tho Quthor presents a now principle, "the Repulsor" based on tho repelling action on dust particles of a hooted wire diaphragm. It is proposod in the interests of economy where electric safety lamps ore used, to exploit tho provisions already offered, the air-cleaning unit thus forming a composite part of a new all-purposo lamp. Tho author fools that tho dofeat of tho attack on silicosis preven tion hns boon duo to this resistance of respirators and will now bo solved by this method of breathing case. 0 L j 81 Eitfcct oi' Industrial Hygiene - 7. 290. Dust Prevention by Use of Carbonate Minerals. H.C. Dod and J.B. Lewis. Chem. Eng. Min. Rev., 32, 57"7l933). The use of dolomite or a mixturo of magnesite and limostone as t/imping in drill holc3 proluces u cloud of basic dust particlos after firing which neutralize the charge on the silica particles and thereby produce flocculation, so that it is possible to effect' complete removal of the silica particles from the air fifteen minutes after firing. 291. Profits in Air: Dust Control. Part I. The Dust Problem, Employee- Examinations, Dust Surveys. F.F. Kravath. Heating & Ventilating, 37_, 33-41 (March, 1340). The author outlines a plan for employee examinations and plant surveys with suggwCt.jd forms for keeping records of employees' physical condition and results of surveys. Careful occupational histories will svmeximos obviate time-consum ing and expensive physical examination. Periodic examination may be easily brought about at regular intervals by moans of n snail "tickler" file, contain ing the employee* s name or number. A brief outline of the procedures for plant surveys is given. . 292. Keep it Clean. E.D. Mudd. Safety Engineering, 79^, 34-37 (March, 1940). Cleanliness in industry saves money, improves the product and promotes the health and working power of employees. Compensation for skin diseases of occu pational origin makes up as much as 7C$ of all occupational disease claims in some states. Cleanliness could x;revent many of these conditions. The writer outlines the steps which plant managers and the working force can cooperate in and thus achieve healthy working conditions. Every dollar put into equipment and services to promote cleanliness is bound to appear evontually on the right side of the balance sheet. ' 293. Mineral Technology and Output Per Man Studios: Rock Drilling. C.E. irishman and C.E. Kiessling. V.'.P.A. in cooperation with U.3. Bureau of Mines, Report Nc. E-ll pp. 158 (February, 1940). * Primarily a discussion of the kinds of technical changes introduced and the ; rates at v/hich they have been incorporated into industrial practico. In the extractive industries advances in the methods used in drilling operations have . boon an important feature of these changes. The development of drilling tech nology in the bituminous coal industry and in petroleum and natural-gas produc tion has been covered in other reports -- this one deals with rock drilling in other important mineral Industries. There is a short discussion on the subject of health and safety. The advent of mechanical drilling greatly increased the prevalence end seriousness of the respiratory diseases. It i3 estimated that roughly 1/5 to over 1/3 of the miners in typical hard-rock mining camps 20 years ago were afflicted with silicosis. This danger has now boen greatly lessened by the '.vide cooperation of mine operators in dust control programs inaugurated by the U.S. Bureau of Mines end the U.S. Public Health Sorvico. 294. Preliminary Report on Hygiene Studios of V.,olding. L.D. Case and V.J. Castrop. Ind. Med,, 9_, S2-D5 (February, 1940). Samples of sir taken at a distance Gf 3 inches from the electric arc show con centrations of nitrogen dioxide as high us 70 p.p.m. These ure not, however, average concentrations. The samples taken near ncotylene welding showed somew'hat Earlier results. Analyses were node of the welding rod coatings and par tial determinations of the metal fumes obtained in the breathing zones of the weldors. The latter seem to indicate that iron oxide is the principal ingredient of the funo3. There is some conjecture by the authors on the coatings of the metals being welded and a short discussion of the mutter of personal protection by vontialtion, respirators, etc. It is omphasizod that this is n preliminary report. ` 0 L.J Q 8 Digest.of Industrial Hygiene - 8, 295. Catoracta Slectrica Following Electric Shock. H. Skydsgaord. Acta Ophthoimo, loeica, 17, 4G0 (1940), (Scandinavian!'. Abstracted from J. Am.Med.Assoc., 114, 1122 (March 23, 1940). One of the most important of eye injuries in persons struck by lightning or who work with high tension currents is the delayed cataract which occasionally appears. The author reports tho case of a man who had roceivod a shock of 6000 volts and sir months later began to notice loss of vision in one eye. A catar act was finally discovered. Tho author is convinced that tho electrical trauma was the cause. He says that this type may present only features which are com mon to a large group of cataracts; however, they appear late and may be uni lateral or bi-lateral. He contends that lesions near the eye are not necessary for the development of the cataract and that the strength of current is not of decisive importance, but that it3 duration may be an essential factor. He enu merates the theories for the explanation of the cause of the cataract but be lieves that no one of them could alone produce the effect* 296. Tho Course of Disabling Morbidity among Industrial Workers, 1921-1935. W.M. Gafafer. Ind. Med., 9_, 55-61 (February, 1940). The material upon which this report is based is from the reported experience of the memberships of industrial sick benefit associations, primarily (435$) in iron and steel but also (2l) in public utilities and (30-$) miscellaneous. Tbe latter is composed of data from the chemical, plumbing fixture, electrical equipment, paper, timopiece3, hats, flour, and soap industries. A brief summary of a com prehensive illustrated analysis shovrs that all sickness is displaying a downward trend, more apparent in males, tho prime mover being the respiratory diseases. Non-industrial injuries incline upward for both sexos. A rising curve is evident for males in appendicitis, diseases of the heart and of the circulatory system. Normal rates of pneumonia and rheumatic diseases are relatively high for the iron and stoel industry while relatively low for all sickness, respiratory dis eases, respiratory tuberculosis end diseases of the circulatory system. 297. Annual Safety Equipment Issue. March, 1940* National Safety Nows. 210 pp. National Safety Council, Inc., 20 N. Wackor Drive, Chicago, Illinois. This large issue contains six chapters on: Personal Equipment, Mechanical Equipment, Firo and Plant Protection, First Aid and Medical Service, Sanitary Equipment end Supplies, end Miscellaneous Products and Services. Articles of interest to Foundation readers include: Industrial Ventilation, lighting for the Plant, Better Housekeeping, Fatigue, and Skin Infections from Cutting Oils. 298. List of American Standards. American Standards Association, 29 West 39th Street, Now York, N. Y., January 15, 1940. A list of the published standards in civil, mechanical, electrical, mining, chemical, safety, highway traffic and other engineering fields. They cover definitions of terns, specifications for metals and other materials, methods of tost for the finished product, dimensions, safety provisions for use of machin ery and methods of work, etc. Theso standards represent tho composite work of six lwndrod trade, technical, governmental and other groups. 299. Nov: Problem in tho Field of Industrial Hygiene. VI. Occupational Poisons, Heproductlon ;:nd Offspring. 0. Ehrlsmann. Doutsch. ned. Wchnschr., 65, 1802 1806 (1959). (Goman). This is a rojiort, based on the litoraturo, of injury to the rowers of reproduc tion and to tho offspring, causod by alcohol, nicotino, lead (a father's poison ing uupioscclly affects the children), magnesium, mercury, chromium, iodine, arsenic, carbon disulfide, benzene, phosphorus and thallium. Digest of Industrial Ifygiene - 9. .. 300. 301. Physiologic Observations on Caisson Workers. W. Marquort and J. Rietz. Ztsckr. f. d. gos. exp. lied., 106, 59V-775 (November 3, 1939). Abstracted from J. Am. Med. Assoc., 114, 1028lMarch 16, 1940.) No increase in basal metabolism was found in caisson workers exposed to 3.75 atmospheres. There is increasod respiratory volumo with a simultaneous decrease in frequency but no increase in vital capacity. The pulse showed a decrease in frequency in s-.ito of tho hard physical labor. There is a decrease in erthyrocytos but this quickly returns to normal. Compressed Air Illness (with special Reference to the middle ear). W.H. Requ'.rtli and R.E. 3onson. Inu. Ued., 9_, 115-121 (Harch, 1940). The etiology, pathology, symptoms and treatment of compressed air sickness in pressures over 15 pounds arc presented. Tho most efficient treatment is stage decompression. In general, the lav/s of this country pertaining to work in com- prosred air recommend a combinod stage and uniform decompression which is not equal to tho method of stage decompression as practiced in other countries, notably England, Wcrkors in increased atmospheric pressure up to 12 pounds present certain symptoms referable to tho middle ear and Eustachian tube. Usually considered miner, those complaints assume major proportions when viewed from the standpoint of workmen's compensation insurance. The only adoquate treatment of theso middle ear complaints is prophylactic. This is best carried out by a well-planned medical program consisting essentially in a careful, intensive edu cation of men in the use of preventive measures and tho selection of employees on the basis of critical examination of the respiratory tracts, -- Author's summary. 302. Antiseptics and Their Action. R.ll, Freeman. Ind. Med., 9, 87-88 (February, 1540). The author discusses briefly the general subject of antiseptics -- their advan tages and disadvantages -- and concludes that azochloremid is a valuable and safe member of this group. It is used in 1/500 solution in triacetin. 303. The Inguinal Ligament. C.M, Hillenbrand. Ind.Ued., 9_, 83-85 (February, 1940). In a study of 500 cases, of which 300 had inguinal hernias, it was concluded that: (1) individuals with an inguinal ligament of less than 11 cm. have little tendoncy to formation of inguinal hernia; (2) casos measuring 11 to 15 cm. who developheroias always have an indirect type; (3) a3 the length of the inguinal ligement increases from 15 to 19 cm. the hernias are of the direct type. This will be of interest to industrial physicians who need a practical aid in deter mining whether tho so-called borderline cases with large rings, loose rings, etc., should be hired. Its use in job placement is at once obvious. 304. 305. The Anti-Syphilis Campaign. P.J. Ochsncr. Ind.Med., 9_, 77-79 (February, 1940). Through its contact with half of the population, industrial medicine has a won derful opportunity to act as a caso finder for syphilis. A sixty-day survey revealed that the number of individuals under treatment represented only onesixth of the potential treatment load. Industrial physicians can be of great acsist.ince in seeing that patients receive their required courses of continuous therapy, of prime importance in the treatment of syphilis. Only two types of syphilis are liablo to produce accidents, the cardiovascular and tabetic or paretic. If those are excluded, there is no available evidence to show that syphilitics aro more accident-prone than non-syphilitics. Tho typo of syphilis oncountorea in industrial practice is usually non-infectious and they may be permitted to continue work provided they undergo continued treatment. A Practical Approach to Supervision of Mental Health In Industry. F.S. Parncy. In... hour, 9_, 72-VV (February, 1540). In the author's opinion, the successful ti'catmont of psychoneurosis lies not in the man or his Job, nor oven in Ms immediate difficulty, but in the doctor's capacity to lead the patient to a recognition of Ms fundamental problem and the nocoosity of facing up to it. , Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 10 306. Women in Industry. M.E. Pidgeon. U.S. Dept, of Labor, Women's Bureau, Bulle tin No. 164, pp. 85 (1938). This i3 an outline for group study of the subject of the employment of women in industry end the general conditions under which they wort. Ton aspects of tho subject have been considered separately. Of moot interest here is Chapter V -- "Health Standards for Women's Work" which has been divided into four parts -- (1) Service facilities and sanitary conditions in the workplace, (2) special health needs, (3) industrial hazards - injuries, and (4) industrial hazards - diseaso. ` 307. Study of the Factors of Eta-playability. G.A. Paul. Ind. Med., 79-82 (February, 1940). A survoy of a particular industrial organization which showed that many of the workers have major physical disabilities and that the proportion of these dis abilities increaso as the workers become older. Unwise legislation may throw obstacles in tho way of the physically handicapped by increasing the scope of compensation in cases of aggravation of pre-existing illness. 308. The Doctor's Part in the Personnel Program. G.A. Coburn. Ind. Med,, 9^, 64-66 (February, 1940 The plant doctor plays an important part in a number of activities: in employ ment, by assisting the employer to secure the most satisfactory type of person nel; in transfers, by over-seeing tho proper replacements of employees; in safety by acting in an advisory capacity to the safety department; in collective bar gaining, many of tho grievances or complaints have to do with' matters in tho med ical territory; in maintaining satisfactory employer-employee relationship, by his numerous contacts with largo numbers of employees which by careful handling can form the foundation of sound relations; in maintaining satisfactory public relationship, by his outside contacts with the local medical profession, hospi tals, health agencies end organizations. 309* Relationship of Industrial Modicine to Private Practice. S.J. Seeger. Ind. Med., 9_, 66-69 (February, 1940). "Tho foremost objectives of industrial medicine........ : (1) to fit every person to types and quantities of work according to his ability to perform such work continually without unduo impairment, without injury to himself or his fallow workmen, and with profit to himself and Ms employer; (2) to procure and main tain fitness for work through efforts applied to tho worker as on individual; (3) to educate tho worker to a comprehension of the value and significance of physical and mental well-being and, in particular, of porsonol hygiene and acci dent prevention; (4) to reduce all loos of time, absenteeism and short work 3pans in industry, the eauso of which may be related in anyway to health." Tho author also discusses the probloms which have orison between the practice of private medicine and the establishment of modern industrial medical departments in largo industries. 310. Small Plant Hired Hur3e -- Saves. M.G. Eblstine. Factory Man. & Main., pp, 63 69 (March, 1940). Lost time duo to injuries or sicknesa totaled 23 weoks in the yoar previous to the installation of this regular first-aid department. TMs was roducod to a little over two wooks in tho first year under the resident nurso set-up. There is also the improved employee health and comfort, as well as compensation sav ings and increased wagos for workors who are not off because of illness. 311. The Industrial Nurso. H.M. Jamo3. Ind.Med,, 9^, 61-64 (February, 1940). The quail fictitious of the industrial nurso may bo listed under physical, person al end professional headings. Theso ore of particular importance in tho nurse who works alone in a small organization as 3he is ofton tho solo reprosontativo Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 11. * of industrial medicine. In industries where it is possible to use visiting service, oxperionce has proved this function of the nurse to be a most valuable one. ''The industrial nurse has certainly loft her 'finger wrapping* and has advanced into a highly important role in industry." 312. X-r;:y In Industry. II.?/. Clift. Ind. Med., 9_, 51-52 (February, 1940). It has been demonstrated that tho initial cost of x-ray equipment is an extreme ly small factor in the economics of a medical deportment. The author's exper ience is that the entire capital investment has not only boon liquidated but has also shown a dividend. Tho greatest dividend, hovrevor, has come from the salvaging of individuals Y/orking in factories and by appreciating their physical needs, placing then buck in industry in positions they can adequately fill. As an agent in reducing expense by decreasing labor turnover, x-ray equipment is a definite economic measure. 313. A Plan for the Control of Tuberculosis in Industry. tl.R, Burnell. Ind.Med., 9_, 49-51 (February, 1940). I. Pre-Euployncnt Physical Examination. This is done for the purpose of placing the individual where he is bost physically as well as mentally fitted. This givos the examining physician the best opportunity to detect pulnc-nary tubercu losis and is not considered complete without en x-ray of tho chest. II. Per iodic Examinations for Old Employees. There ere amorous occasions on which these exeminatiwns 3hould bo made, such as. after illness or layoff, but in any case should be made at least once a year. Cooperation with the family physician is of paramount importance. III. Control of Tuberculosis Within the Plant. The industrial physician is the health officer of the plant -- "it is his duty to locate, identify and determine the importance of all occupational and envirenmcntal sources of disease or health impairment and to sea that they are corrected, 314. Priceless Possessions. L. Greenburg, National Safety Nows 41, 26-27 (January, 1940). - : There were 1843 cases of compensated eye injuries in New York State in 1938 end the cost wa3 1,165,000, Eighty per cent of these arc caused by foreign matter entoring the eye and could be avoided by the simple end cheap method of wearing goggles. Ventilation controls axe needed for eye hazards of toxic dusts and fumes and in the past year, the Division of Industrial Hygiene has passed and approved 2000 sets of plans for such control in factories. Special goggles ere needed for protection against radiant energy, and fatigue of the eyes con bo lessened or eliminated by proper illumination. Tho author discusses these sight-saving means end methods for promoting their adoption. 315. Tho Ophthalmologist and tho Workmen's Compensation Law. J.H. Delaney. Pcnna. Mod. J., 43, 645-647 (February, 1940). This is a pion for Pennsylvania (and 22 other 3tatos) for uniform, standards end methods of evaluating visual efficiency and visual loss. Of the 47 state com missions, only 23 have a recognized method and of those, 7 had different stan dards in use -- so that thcro wore 18 different mothods of calculating the esmo problem. This condition exists in spite of tho excellent method advanced by the Committee on Eyo Injuries of the American Medical. Association dovised aftor a 6 year study. To date only 11 states have adopted the committoe' 3 recommenda tions. These constitute a threefold method of evaluating vision -- due consid eration cl* central visual acuity for near and for, the vroighed factor for con sideration of muscle balance, and visual fields, TI10 author foels that in testimony tho acuity at 1*1 inches i3 twice as important as that ftt 20 foot since the law intends to conponsato a man for reduced earning pov;or and in most occu pations this of necessity involvoa the eyes for near work. ' os/jpe \ Utmost of Industrial Hygiene - 12. ' 316. The Use of Mr Telocity Meters. G.L. Tuve, D.K. Wright, Jr., and L.J. Siegel. Boating, Piping and Air Cond., 11, 703-709 (November, 1939). The results of an investigation of methods for instrument calibration and study of the practice! use of instruments for measuring air stream characteristics and air quantities. Tho authors claim that the roteting-vene anemometer to be the best average instrument; tho Velomotor (bridled-vune anemometer), tho most convenient for spot readings; tho heated thermometer, tho widest velocity range; the heated thermocouple, bc3t adapted for distant reading; and the kata thermometer, the least expensive. The three measuring standards used were a thin plate orifice, an electric-thermal meter and the pitot tube. 317. Seme Applications of tho Rayleigh Interferometer. E.C. Craven. Indus. Chemist, 15, 354-357 (1939). A description of some applications of the Rayleigh interferometer in industrial practice, for example, in determining carbon dioxide end consumed oxygen, ex plosive gas concentrations, hydrocarbons in crudo hydrogen and the strength of acetic anhydride by means of the liquid cell* The Instrument vised, a home-made SO cm. type, is described briefly. Instead of a compensating optical method for aligning tho bands, pressure Is applied and tho manometer reading is proportion al to the gas concentration. 318. Hydrogen Sulfide Detector. F.B. Behrens. Oil and Gas Jour., 30, 36 (March 28, 1940). A regenerative scrubbing process for vapors before processing in a non-selective polymer plant entailed tho handling of hydrogen sulfide in a comparatively pure state. The hazards involved necessitated the use of a detector. As the usual devices are quito costly, a compact and efficient detoctor was built at reason- . able cost by this company. The sampler was designed to handle a volume of 20 cu. ft. of air per minute from 15 different stations. Tho precipitation of load sulfide on moist lead-acetate-treated tape cuts off a source of light thus affecting a photoelectric cell which oporatos the claim system. It may also be used to operate blowers if necessary. The detector has also boon used for the detection of hydrocarbon leaks where hydrogen sulfide is present in the vapors. The electrical measurements ore sufficiently sensitive and accurate so that percentages well below tho danger point con be detected. Illustrations of tho device demounted and in a transits housing ore shown. 319. Photocolorimotric Dotorigination of Hydrogen Sulfide In Air, as Copper Sulfide. E.P. Kustner. J. Aupl. Chom, Russ., 12_, 1097 (1939). Air is passed through a solution containing coppor sulfate, gum arable, EtOH, and acetate buffer, and tho increaoo in absorption of light by the solution is measured with tho aid of a photo electric cell. The hydrogen sulfide of tho air is then read from a curve. 320. Determination of Small Amounts of Aromatic Nitro-Compounds in Air. I.S. Schcreschevskaja. From. Org. Chem., jj, 592-594 (1939) . Known colorimotric or nephelometric methods of determining Intermediates and by-products of manufacture of 2:5-dichloro-7-nethoxyacridino are enumerated. 321. Absorption of Gnse3 in Liquids as Used in Industrial Air Analyses. S.Moskowitz, J. Siv.cl ana iV.J. Burke. Nov; York Stato Dept, of Labor, Industrial Bulletin, 19, 33-35 (February, 1940). A description of apparatus for the collection of air-borne materials which are host abj. >rbed in liquids. In cno typo, a sintorod glass dick is fused to the end of the gas entrance tubo to sid in the absorption of tho material to be tested. Another typo usos an Aloxito 3tono. By tlioso methods, mixturos of toxic gasos mny bo ootimated separately -- complete directions being given for Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 13. . simultaneous testing for hydrogen 3Ulfido and carbon disulfide. The method for the determination of formaldehyde in air is also given. Variations of the appa ratus will permit the tosting for acid vapors and mists, ammonia, methanol and other alcohol*, other aldehydes, and phenols. 322. Workmen's Compensation and Occupational Disease Laws in the Commonwealth of Por.noylvr.nia. H. Bohrend, Ponna. lied. J., 43, 18-20 (October, 1939). This is a discussion of the History of the Workmen's Compensation Act since its , first enactment in 1913 up to tho act of 1939. The author spooks of the con troversy between the physician and the insurance company as to the right of the injured man to choose hia physician. Ho advocates a ''universal" workmen's compensation law for tho injured which ho feel3 should be accomplished through a Federal Act. Although thorc aro 672,000 employees exposed to industrial dis ease hazards in Pennsylvania, lees than 20 caso3 havo boon posted with the com pensation board. This is in part due to the ignorance of the laborers and also to the fact that the adoption of claims for occupational diseases is optional with the companies. Papers on Industrial Poisons, Cancer, Dermatitis, etc. 323. Report of the Committeo on Volatllo Solvents to tho Industrial Hygiene Section of the American Public Health Association. H.F. Smyth, Jr., Secretary (October 17, 1939) This exhaustive report includes 398 articles on the subject of "Volatile Sol vents" und yot only covers the period 1937-1938! This gives evidence of tho exceedingly rapid growth of tho literature on this subject. Botter than half of tho articles abstracted were on tho aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons. Of 227 papers reporting original experiments or clinical observations, 149 dis cussed these substances. Duo to the inclusion of a report on trichlorethylene covering 20 years, this hazard leads the solvents in rolativc toxicity as judged by cases and deaths reported. If the weight of this paper is discounted, ben . zeno and homologs are in first place. No important new diagnostic or control methods, aro reported. There aro suggested revisions or new safe limits for .benzene, carbon disulfide, chlorinated naphthalenes and diphenyls, methyl "Cellosolve," and tetrachlorothylene. There is a short discussion of the pro blem of precautionary labeling. There arc numerous tabulations, a general discussion of the literature and a discussion of some of tho more important solvents. There is an author index and the lengthy list of references with annotations. 324. Research upon tho Toxicity of Benzeno. R. Charlior, Arch, intern, pharmaco dynamic . 61. 121 (1939). (French). Commercially pure bonzone liko chemically pure benzene possesses a paralyzing action upen the peripheral vasomotor system of the animal by direct action upon tho musclo fibers of the vessels and may be clearly toxic upon the myocardium. Tho commercially pure product is nevertheless possessed of a groater toxicity than that of the chemically pure. The major toxicity is not duo to the presence of tliioprano in tho commercial product, but to tho prosonce of other compounds which distill between 80.4 and 81.2. Tho 3tudy from tho phaimaco-dynmaic viow will be a subsequent undertaking. 325. Comparative Action of Pure and of Crystallizablo Ccimorcial Benzene on the Heart Volume of Dogs. J. Barzin and R. Charlicr. Corapt. rend. S^c. de Biol., 132. 296-297 (1939). (French). ' Commercial crystall!zablo benzene, porhaps because of tho impurities, is more toxic than tho puro. Each, howover, affcct3 tho myocardium seriouoly. Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 14. 1 . 326. Sulnhemoglobinanoraii from Poisoning by Nitrobenzol in Industry. E.C. Viglinni and G. Donuti, Kass. Med. Induct.7 10. 534-51 (1939). (Italian). This man was engaged in dipping metal gauze impregnated with rubbor in a steel vessel filled with nitrobenzol. Ho worked without glove3 and his hands, arms, and clothing would bo saturated. The workroom was unvcntilutcd, After the first day he felt a sort of deafness with hcadacho, malaise, irritation of the throat, giddiness and mental obtuscncss. His skin became blue and blood examin ation showed the spectrum of sulphcnoglobin. The production of this condition is ascribed to the combined action of nitrobenzol and hydrogen sulfide formed by hydrolysis of the organic sulfur compounds in the vulcanized rubber. Though this condition is thought to bo very rare, the authors foel that they are quito frequent but go unrecognized. 327. Diseases in Agricultural Workers Caused by Calcium Cyrnanido. H. Gartner. Munch, mcd. Wchnschr. 86. 1745-1748 (1939). (Gorman). "* Comercial calcium cyanamide usually contains only 60# calcium cyanide. In 75 cases of injury from this substance, the greatest number showed damage to the skin and eyes, but the author reports also on 8 cases where lntomal injury was present. There were general complaints such as nausea, weakness, numbness and later a hyperemia, limited to the head and upper port of the trunk, and bronchi tis. In a fatal case there was bronchopneumonia and glomerulonephritis. In one, the effect of alcohol was increased by the raw product; in several others, the alcohol aggravated tho effect of the raw calcium cyanamide. 328. 'Chloroform Liver Injury. L.L. Hiller and G.H. Vfhipple. Aa.J.BIod.Sci., 199. . 204-216 (February, 1940). Liver injury due to chloroform increases in extent os the protein body stores are depleted. In a protein-depleted dog 15 to 20 minutes of chloroform anesthe sia is frequently fatal with extensive hyaline liver necrosis and the typical picture of chloroform poisoning. Twelve minutes of chloroform anesthesia in a protein-deploted dog will cause moderately severe liver injury. Protein deple tion is effected by low protein diets alone or combined with bleeding or plasnapheresis. Control experiments in dogs without protein depiction indicate that * 90 minutes of chloroform anesthesia can be tolerated with but little liver in jury. ' . 329. . Studios on tho Mechanism of the Protective Action of Xanthine Against Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning. J.C. Porbes and E.L. Outhouse. J. Phwm. k Exp. Thernp., 83, 185-193 (1940). The injection of xanthine India ink, tri-calcium phosphate and sodium ricinoleato, all materials which protect tho livers of rats from injury due to carbon totrachlorlde or chloroform, were shuwn to cause a fall in sorun ostomse con centration. The marked rise in serum cstorase concentration that occurs in rats poisoned with carbon tetrachloride or chloroform is inhibited by the previous administration of xanthine. It is 3uggosted that the maintenance of normal scrum-octerasc values end the increased resistance of hepatic tissue to poison ing with carbon tetrachlorido and chloroform are both associated with a repair proce33 occurring in the tissues at tho site of injection of the protective sub stance. 330. Pararhonylonodiamino. J.Am.Med.Assoc. (Q.uories and Minor Notes) 114, 274 (Jenuory 20, 1940). Exposure in tills i.ian (evidently a photographer) resulted in c constrictive chest pain which disappeared when the toxic substanco was withdrawn.. The industrial use of paraphenylenodicmine is outlihod, especially its use in tho fur and rubbor trades. It can apparently be absorbed through tho intact skin, or bo inhnlod in vapor or dust form. It may cuu3Q dermatitis, urticaria, edema and asthma. It should oither bo eliminated or rubbor gloves and ventilation should bo provided. i o( Digest of Industrial hygiene - 15. 331. Urinary Excretion of Porphyrins by Chemical Workers. (J. Riaington and M.W. Goldblatt. Lancet, pp. *73-75 (January 13. 1940 (British). In workmen exposed to nitro and amino bodies, cyanosis is frequent, due to methomoglobinotitt. Toxic symptoms seldom occur. Those bodies, of which aniline is on example, increcse the urinary oxcrction of porphyrins. This excretion was studied in workers without exposure, with slight exposure and with great expo sure. The porphyrins in micrograms par 1500 of urine nvoraged 38 for the first group, 70 for the -second and 117 for the third. No worker was cyanosed or in anyway clinically abnormal when the specimens were collected, Whether the health is ultimately effected following this great increase in excretion has not been determined. It is suggested that this examination of the excreted porphy rins might prove of vclue in detecting those hypersensitive to aromatic nitro and amino bodies. 332. Health Hazards in the Rubber Industry. A.H. Currie. Trans. Inst. Rubber Ind., 15, 137-151 (1939). The risks and regulations ore surveyed with especial reference to the use of lead compounds, silica, chlorinated naphthalenes, Ousts, benzene, carbon, disul fide, carbon tetrachloride and trichlorethylene. The industry, says the author, is remarkably free from troubles arising from these sources. 333. Industrial Health Series. U.S. Dept, of Labor, Div. of Labor Standards. May bo obtained from Sup*t of Documents, YJashington, D.C., for 5 cents each. No, 10 -- Wood Alcohol Poisoning. 4 pp, . No. H -- Chlorinated Solvents. 4 pp. No. 18 -- Injury from Acids and Aklalies. 5 pp. Each bocklot contains data on the industrial sources of the hazard, how the poisoning or injury occurs, signs and symptoms, treatment and care, and methods of protection and prevention. . 334. Bionicroscopic Studies of the Effect of Cobalt Dusts (Smaltito and Cobaltito) on the Cornea, a. Policard and J. Rollot. Compt. rend. Soc. do Biol., 132, 192-193 11939), (French). A considerable time after exposure, smaltite, Co(As)g, creates serious reactions. Sulfarsenide of cobalt (cobeltite) causes only a slight reaction. .335. Comparative Toxic!ties of Cobalt and Nickel. F. Caujclle. J. phaim. chimie., 29. 410-415 (1959). (French). 1 In animals cobalt is always loss toxic than nickel, the latter causing the appoaronce of definite symptoms of intoxication much sooner. The fatal doses in dogs is 10-20 mg. per Kg., for nickol, and 50 mg. per Kg. for cobalt. These doses were determined by intravenous injection of solutions of the chlorides into anesthetized animals. The histologic lesions of the liver and kidneys arc more pronounced aftor administration of nickel than after equivalent quantities of cobalt. In equal dosc3, cobalt chloride activates the salivary and pancreatic amylases to a greater extent than does nickel chloride. 336. 337. Toxicology of Nickel. F, Caujolle and G. Canal. J.phoim.chimie., 29, 391-405 (1939). (French). ' The respiratory and cardiac norvo centers are affected. Nickel is removed by all evacuating moans, but as the action of the metal is intensified the elimin ation is slovnjr ond biliary elimination is almost blockod. Those ore the re sults of intravenous injections in dogs. Tho Effect of Yonst on tho Incidence of Cirrhosis Produced by Lead Arsenato. M.C. Von UliLip. anu F.&. l<'linn, Am.J,Path., 1.", 771-Vul (19d9). In n series of rabbits given lead arsenato huT yea3t, tho frequency of the areas of hepatic nocn>si3 and tho incidence of cirrhosis woro considerably reduced ccmpnrou to tho30 not given yonst. There serins to bo no connection between hojatic glyoogon content und tho incidence of cirrhosis. n 'on -i$ Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 16. ( 338. Manganese Poisoning in the Steel Industry: A Case of Msnganlsm in a Ferro-Manganese V.'orker. H. Voss. Arch.f.Gewerbcpath. u. Gewcrbehyg., _9_, 453-463 (1939). (German). This is a more complete abstract of Item No. 342, November, 1939. Since there have been only 230 cases of manganese poisoning reported since 1837, the author concludes that it is relatively a rarity considering the extensive use of manganese and its compounds. This is duo, he feels, to the fact that few people have tho constitution for the development of a chronic mangenisaa, that apparently not all compounds of manganese can produce chronic poisoning, and that the chronic conditions can only arise where manganese or its compounds are inhaled or swallowed in dust or fume for e sufficiently long period of time in sufficient amount. Damage to the central nervous system has been observed in extraction, sorting, and loading of ores, working up of pyrolusite (HnOg), and in processes involving the evolution of metallic fumes, for instance, in welders using electrodes containing thi3 motel. The most serious esses, however, have occurred in men engaged in smelting zinc ores which contained large amounts of manganese. This patient worked in a poorly ventilated room in which ferro manganese and forro-silieon were milled and sieved. His job was to transport open vessels of ferro-manganese to the mills, to empty thorn and shovel the metal into the funnel of tho mill. At a later stage he had to put the finely milled metal through an electrically shaken sieve. Doth operations produces vast amounts of dust. His first symptoms were weakness of the left leg and a stony stare. Speech was low and indistinct. He had to quit work and finally became so weak and clumsy that he could not stand. His speech became increasingly un intelligible and he drooled. There were fits of involuntary weeping and laugh ing, He was relatively impotent but evidently not sterilo. The author summar izes the neurological findings and differentiates the condition from paralysis agitans, pseudo-sclerosis, Wilson's disease, post-encophalitic Parkinsonism, multiple sclerosis, etc. That his fellow-workers did not develop the syndrome is evidence of predisposition. 339. Tetraethyl Lead Poisoning end its Treatment. Experimental Investigations. W. Lane's. Deutsch. mod. Wchnschr.. 65, 1746-1748 (1959). (German). When animals which had boon injected with tetraethyl lead were given "Glyconom" {containing the vitamin B complex), their symptoms were diminished very much or lives were prolonged. This effoct, however, was not obtained If the lead was inhaled. Experiments on the brains of animals killed by intraperitoneal injec tion of tetraethyl lead were performed with the Warburg respirometer. In the author* s opinion there was a significant decrease of carbon monoxide. He be lieves that the effect of lead tetraethyl (or of lead) depends partly on injur ing the vitamin B -- nicotinic acid amide complex. 340. Lead Content of Homan Blood. J.lf. Chalmers. Lancet 238. 447-450 (March 9, 1940), (British). . . Raised concentrations of load in the blood indicate, in the seme way as do stippled cells in blood films, an increased absorption of lead but by no means constitute definite evidence of plumbism. They provide a useful estimate of the degroe of oxposure to load. There is no close correlation betvraon tho duration of exposure to lead and the blood lead vulua. In 70 pooplo with no known industrial exposure to lead, the rango of blood-lead valuoswas 30-89 microgrcms per 100 cc. with a mean of 57. In 44 load workers, who had no symptoms of lead poisoning) the blood-load values wore 60-192 nicrogrom3 per 100 cc. with a mean of 104. Thcro was some slight degroe. of stifspling in the blood films of 34 of those load workors. 0LJ91 Digest of Industrial Hygiene - 17. 341. They Get the Pu3t Before it Gets Then. B.F. Morris. Factory Man. & Main., (Main. Services) pp, 82-83 (March, 1940). This is a dosovlption of the results of a plan to control a lead poisoning hazard. Through the uso of mechanical dust controls supplemented by an intell igent industrial health program, not a case resulted in five years in this bat tery plant. Economies resulting from this plan have offset the cost of install ing end operating a highly efficient, yet simple, control method. Where poss ible, dust was controlled at its source, but in addition, respirators aro used on particularly dusty operations. Periodic physical examinations, blood tests, and rotation of crows were other steps in the control program. Plant surveys were made at monthly intervals as a check on oil mechanical safeguards. 342. Effect of Bismuth Therapy on Latont Plunbisn. E. Epstein. Arch. Dora. Syphil., 41, 38-41 (January. 194prl The cases of a pointer and a smelter workor are presented. Signa and symptoms of lead poisoning in both patients followed the administration of bismuth in the treatment of a syphilitic infoction. It is suggested that bismuth may re place the lead stored in the bcne3 and bring on the mobilization of lead, with tne development of such symptoms as cramps and a lead lino. Prophylactic treat ment of lead poisoning in those exposed tw the influence of the metal nay de crease the incidence of untoward reactions following bisiuth therapy. 343. Lead Poisoning. Part I. Penna. Dept, of Labor St Industry, Safe Practice Bulletin #52, February, 1940. Edited by R. L. Hcutz. Depending upon the rate of absorption of load in the body, its storage in the .tissue, its mobilization and elimination from the body there are produced the clinical pictures known as acute, latent and chronic plrabism. The severity of the resulting toxicity depends on the lead present in the blood stream (not the total lead but the serum or pathological load); the degree of acidosis (pH); and such pathological conditions which interfere with its elimination from the body. The degree of severity of the symptoms, rather than the kind, indioates the type of plunbism. This is the bulletin which should precode the Part II which was abstracted as No. 228 in the March digest, - ' - 344. The Effect of Vitamin C on Load Poisoning. H.N. Holmes, K. Campbell and E.J. Ambcrg. J. Lab. Clin. Med., 24, 1119-1127 (1939). A study of the effects of vitamin A, D and C, calcium gluconate, lactate and diphosphate and ascorbic acid on men suffering from lead poisoning. The latter substance was suggested by the resemblance between chronic lead poisoning end subcllnical scurty. Tbs authors believe that whereas calcium gluconate and lactate cause land phosphate deposit in the bones, necessitating cautious de leading, vltdkin C causos formation of a soluble but unionized lead ascorbic salt or complex, which is preferentially absorbed in the livor and, with tho aid of the bile, excreted in the feces. Included ia a list of foods providing known quantities of vitamin C. 345. Toxicity of Carbon Monoxide at High Altitudes. J.Vf. Heim. J. Aviation Med., 10. 211 (December. 1959). Abstracted from J.Am.Mcd.Assoc.. 114, 1113 (March 23, 1940). Studios show that a concentration of 0.01^ of carbon monoxide in the air at 10,000 feot roduccs th3 oxygen-carrying capacity of the hemoglobin by 10.5$, tliorcby bringing the blood into a stato of anoxemia. It is thu3 apparent that a concentration of carbon nonoxido which is innocuous at sea level becomes dan gerous at this altitude. It is therefore imperative that not a trace of carbon mcnoxido should bo permittod to exist in airplano comportments at oven nodorato altitudes. Digest *>f Industrial Hygiono - 18. 346. Treatment Carbon. il-.n>-xldc Poisoning. L. Bluet. Pressc mcd. pp, 1500-1501 (1939). (Fronik). tfhcn expcsod to illuainating gas passed thr-ugh .in aquoriun, goldfish die, although they arc net affected by pure carbcr. n n.jxide. The gas also contains prussic rcid ia the *airuat of 0.1 mg./liter. Sodium hyp,,.sulfito added to the v.'ater will 4.rovido protecticn. Experiments with isolated lungs sh.wed that breathing pure oxygon causod carbon runoxide to disappear faster than when only 'dr is inhaled. Additional acceleration vies obtained by adding methylene blue (0.005 mg./450 cc.) to the blood strecninc through the lung. 347. Carbon Ilon-.xide Poiseeing. tf.D. IIcNally. J. Ilichigoa State ,'Ied. Soc., 38. 871 (1939). Abnormalities of the spinal function result fran severe gassing, and anatomical changes occur chiefly in the central nervous system. A psychosis, usually temporary in character, is the symptom commonly noted after carbon nonoxide poisoning* Confusion and bewilderment is followed by loss of memory. Amnesia in some form is the most regular feature of the psychosis, and usually consists in defects of memory. Nervous sequelae vary from slightly Increased deep re flexes to well advanced Parkinsonism, Sensory disturbances consist In skin anesthesia and peripheral motor neuritides, t/hile all the cases will improve, the final result depends upon the initial damage. liyocardial involvement - following carbon monoxide poisoning is more common than is generally supposed. Coronary lesions due to this gas have been often reported. 348. Prevention of Industrial Dermatitis. J.7. Klauder, E.R. Cross and H. Brown. Arch. Derm. & Syphil., 41, 331 (February, 1940). In the authors* opinion much of the industrial skin disease is caused by the methods of cleaning the skin. They discuss their studies of skin cleansing, methods and materials used and the use of protective applications, of which they give eight formulae. Substitutes for mechanic abrasive soap ore given. There is a discussion of various kinds of soaps, end detergents such as tri ethanolamine soap, naphthenic add soap end sulfonated oils. In the authors' opinion the detergent properties of the vegetable meals is not sufficiently appreciated. 349. Allergic Occupational Dermatoses. L. Schwarts. J. Allergy, 11, 318-322 iSarch, 1940). ^ In n compilation of about 10,000 cases of occupational dermatoses, it was found that the large majority are caused by primary irritants. It Is in the groups listed under plants, dyes, dye intermediates, rubber and its compounds, and vegetable oils, frits end waxes that will be found the jsasos of allergic occupa tional dermatoses. These cou;rise less than 18*5 of the 10,000 cases. In allergic occupational dermatitis there is always a period of Incubation, usually 8 to 21 days, although it may bo longer. This definite period of incubation is a very important medicolegal point because a worker may justly claim he develop ed an occupational dermatitis three weeks after leaving his last job. Desen- sitizetion as well us sensitization occurs in industry. Workers who do not develop such on immunity should be transferred to other occupations. If dif ficulties are encountered using the patch tc3t, the passive transfer should be tried. There is a list of chemicals given which have .roduced allergic occu pational dormatitis. Antiseptics 302 Asbestos!s 282 Aspernillosis 286 Benzene 324-325 Book reviers 276 Bronchonycosis 283 Caisson v.'orkers 300-301 Calcium cyananide 327 Carbon nonoxide 345-346-347 Carbon tetrachloride 329 Cataract, electric 295 Chloroform 328 Cobalt 334-335 Dermatitis 348-349 Dust control 290-291-292-293 Dusts cobalt 334 ochre 284 organic .285 ` silica 280-281 INDEX (Ajril, 1940} anployabllity 307 Eye, general 295-314-315 Gas analysis 317-318-319-320-321 Hernia 303 Industrial health publications 333 Industrial hygiene, general 299 Industrial medicine 305-309 Lead 340-341-342-343-344 Lead arsenate 337 Lead tetraethyl 339 Legal decisions 272-273-274-275 Kanganose 338 ileetings 269-270-271 Kasai filter 287 Nickel 335-336 ' Hltro-benzol 326 Nurse, industrial 310-311 . Personnel employability 307 medical factors 308 Paraphenylenediamine 330 Porphyrins, excretion 331 Respirators 288 Rubber industry 332 Silicosis, General 277-278-279-289 Solvents, volatile 323 Standards 298 Statistics, morbidity and mortality Tuberculosis 313 Ventilation 316 Syphilis 304 Welding 294 Women, in Industry 306 Workmen*s compensation 322 X-ray 312