Document XVJV7OnaNO9rVKb1DDzKqa1J

Air Hygiene Foundation, 4400 jfifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. February 24, 1939. NOTE TO MEMBERS; Enclosed is another bulletin in the series prepared by the Preventive Engineering Committee of Air Hygiene Foundation. The new bulletin deals with "Routine Sampling for Control o Atmospheric Impurities" and gives methods for determining some 40 substances mare or less cocxonly found in industrial atmospheres. Extra copies, in addition to the regular membership allotment, are available at fifty cents each. i.'H H. B. Meller Managing Diroctor 0D43S8 ) PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT w-rotate Air Hygiene Foundation of America, Inc. 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. February 23, 1939. REFERENCES TO RECENT LITERATURE ON INDUSTRIAL DISEASES (A) News Items 84 BOOK REVIEW -- DESIGN OF INDUSTRIAL EXHAUST VENTILATION. John L. Alden. Published by Industrial Press, 148 Lafayette St., New York, N.Y. 220 pp. $3,00. This book, published recently, includes the articles in Heating and Ventilating and which have boon abstracted in this Bulletin. No reprints of the articles have been available to date. It is well known that the literature on exhaust ventilation has been scanty and the author attempts to dispel tha mystery sur rounding the subject and to describe it in straightforward engineering terras. The book covers the following subjects: flow of fluids; hood forms; air flow through hoods; pipe resistance; piping design; dust separators; low pressure conveyors; centrifugal exhaust fans; structural details and system planning; end field measurements and their interpretation. One purpose of the book is to toll the plant engineer how to design or how to buy an exhaust system that will adequately and economically operate. 85 TEE KNUESIN AWARD. Ind. Med. 8, 44, (January 1939). The Knudscn Award, open to members of the American Association of Industrial Physicians and Surgeons, is awarded annually for "the most outstanding con tribution to industrial medicine". Members desiring to bo considered should notify the committee by March 1, 1939. The award is made on the basis of tho best original contribution to medicine as it applies to industry. 86 FOR MORE LIBERAL COMPENSATION. Labor Standards, U. S. Dept. Labor, , 6, (January 1939). Another attempt will be made in New York State to liberalise the restricted schedule of compensation for silicosis and to terminate the restrictions entire ly ct the end of a 5-yoar poriod. Tho 1936 law provided medical benefits for 90 days only end compensation for total disability not to exceed $500 in the first month after the bill became effective, the amount increasing $50 a month until a maximum of $3000 was reached. Tho proposed amendment would remove the limitation on medical benofits, would step up the rato of monthly increases and would remove the ultimate maximum of $3000. A similar bill introduced last yocr, passed both houses, but was reconsidered and killed in the assembly, 87 LABOR LAWS OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN AND ORDERS OF THE HIDUSTRIAL COMMISSION. Industrial Commission of Wisconsin, Madison. 222 pp. (1938). In this volume ore published all the labor lav/s of the State. Under "Safety and Sanitation" are listed rules for the control of dust, fumes, vapors and gasos, spray coatings, mines end caisson work. Other divisions include in juries end compensation, employment of children, hours and wages, labor rela tions and special lav/s for women in Industry. 004359 References to Recent Literature - 2. 88 C0UPEN5ASLS OCCUPATIONAL DISEASS CASES SETTLED IN WISCONSIN IN 1937. Industrial Commission of Wisconsin, Madison. Decenber 3, 1938. A total of 753 claims were settled in the State for $272,503. Of this total, 707 were for temporary disability, 20 were permanent-partial and 26 were for total disability or death. Twenty-eight typo3 of disease are listed, the more prominent among them being: dexmatitis, 236 cases; plant poisoning, 180; carbon monoxide, 48; lead poisoning, 12; silicosis, 22; heat prostration, 56; freezing, 26; `synovitis and teno-synovitis, 55; and tuberculosis, 6. The most noticeable disease on the list is silicosis, which, although it comprised only 3 per cent of the cases, accounted for 60 per cent of tho indemnity paid. Eightoen of the 22 silicosis cases were for total disability. Next in line aro heat prostration, about 10 per cent of tho total indemnity, tuberculosis, about 8 por cent. Tho silicosis cases occurred in tho following industries: iron mining, 6; stone cutting and polishing, 3; iron foundries, 9; steel foundrios, 1; foundry and mach ine shop products, 2; and agate and cnamol ware, 1. 89 MASSACHUSETTS OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE COVERAGE PROPOSALS, Labor Standards, U. S. Dept, of Labor, 2, 6, (January 1939). Labor Standards is a monthly publication, . for sale by SuptT of Documents, Washington, D.C., 10 cents per copy, 75 cents per year. _ Several plans have been presented to tho special Massachusetts legislative re cess comaission studying problems of silicosis and other pulmonary disease cover ages under the workmen'3 compensation act. One provides for a compulsory pool to toko care of silicosis and dust casos, with provision for assignment of risks rojacted by three insurance companion at rates approved by tho commissioner of insurance; provision for apportionment of risks among compensation carriers; and a provision permitting carriers to pool their excess losses from assigned risks. ' Another plan would set up a State fund, in the custody of the State treasurer, for extra hazardous employments. This fund would bo established and maintained by contributions from nil insurance carriers, and from it carriers of assigned risks would be repaid the losses in oxeess of 70 per cent of the premiums of such risks. Still another plan legalizes self-insurance under certain circumstances. A fourth plan separates occupational disease and accident claims, and limits oc cupational disoase claims to total disability. 90 NOMOGRAMS FOR THE COMPUTATION OF DATA OF FREQUENT OCCURRENCE IN INDUSTRIAL EUGENE. J.M. Dalla Valle. Div. Ind. Hyg., U.S. Public Health Service, Washington, D. C. A useful set of nomograms covering (1) dilution of implnger samples, (2) compu tation of dust concentration, (3) conversion of mg. per liter to parts per Billion, (4) rate of particle foil by Stokos' lav/, (5) computation of relative humidity, (6) friction loss in round pipes, (7} computation of airflow from pitot readings, (3) velocity exterior of an opening under suction, (9) height, ago, and wolght relationship of adult men and women. 91 REDESIGN OF 1SDHEING BOOTHS TO REDUCE DOST COUNTS. Cer. Ind., 32 , 60, (Jan.1939), A redesigning of the working booths in tho porcelain department of the General Electric Company has produced coma surprisingly low dust counts in these booths whore unfirod v/oro is trimmed on lathes. A stroam of air is made to pass down ward in front of the operator, not striking him uiroctly, and then out through openings in two steggorod bafflo plates in the roar of the booth. Dust counts in the operators exposure zone wore approximately tho sane as tho general plant 004360 References to Recent Literature - 3. II 92 LABOR PROTECTION AS LECTURE MATERIAL FOR TECHNICAL SCHOOL DIRECTORS. St. Folkhard. Airbeitsschuts, pp. 201-3 (1938) (German) The author advocates the establishment of courses in the technical schools for instruction in labor laws, applied physiology, labor psychology and labor pro tection. Short courses could be arranged for safety engineers. (E) Panors on Dust, Dust Diseases end General Industrial Evriese. 93 PKESrOLOCXTOR EJCMZZRS. H. W. Haggard. Mech. Eng., 61, 8-12, (Jan. 1939). Robert Henry Thurston Lecture at Annual Meeting Am. Soc. Mech. Engrs. Dec. 1938. Physiology for engineers is a much more important subject than is apparent on first consideration. Numerous engineering achievements in the past have greatly changod human environment end the resultant offects on human physiology should be known end appreciated. Dr. Haggard does not attempt to give a course in physiology, but merely stresses the importance of this clement in the engineer's problems. The study of the body i3 a complicated subject. It is emphasize that the body acts as a v/holo unit and that a disturbance in the operations of ono part will affect to some extont tho whole unit. To illustrate, two examples of engineering progress ere cited: modem ortifical lighting and air conditioning. It is possible that, becauso of the lack of proper light and tho attendant eye- strain, a fair proportion of men and women suffer physiological disturbances tha' interfere v/ith their work, their digestion or their disposition. Likewise, other abnormal conditions may cause similar disturbances in a normal operation of the unit.' An almost opposite picture is presented in air conditioning. The human body responds only to stimulation and in tho perfectly controlled atmospheres .of air conditioned rooms is the possibility that the temperature regulating mech anism of the body nay become sluggish and stagnate, to precipitate other func tional disturbances. These numerous physiological factors should be given con sideration by engineers in problems of which nan is a part. 94 DO GOOD EOHHNG CONDITIONS PAT? Victor G. Hoiser. National Assoc. Manufacturers, Report of Committee on Healthful Y/orking Conditions. December 1938. Obtainable from Division of Publications, National Association of Manufacturers, 19 W. 44 Street, New York City, at 5 cents a copy -- free to Association members. This, publication includes a preliminary report of the Committee together with the address of Dr. Heiscr, Chairman, at the Congress of American Industry. Dr. Hoiser points out 3ome of the reasons why healthful working conditions are de sirable in a factory and how every manufacturer can compare conditions in his own factory with that in others of similar nature. Emphasis is being placed by the Committee on the smaller companies. More support should bo given to exist ing industrial,medical and ungincaring rosearch laboratories for further in vestigation and assistance on the problems that exist. 95 TEE EFFECTS 0? OCCUPATION AND OF ITS AXCOMPAlTilHG HWIBD1IENT ON MORTALITY. P. Stocks. J. Roy Statistical Soc. 101. 669-96 (1938) (British). Some occupations have given tho statistical impression of being intrinsically unhealthy, whereas thoir unfavorable mortality might arise from their particu lar localization, whereby the workers and their families sharo the higher deathrates which predominate in that locality. Tills fact may bo a factor in certain industries only carried on in larger cities, and, though well distributed over tho country, high mortality may be duo, not entirely to the industry itself, but to the urban conditions. Cases oro cited in England, whore, if these facts are overlooked, certain erroneous conclusions might be drawn. Conclusions drawn from a ssrrey of tho goneral population show that higher death rates can be cor related with higher latitudes, housing facilitios and ratio of unskilled work ers. A ratioj of the standardized mortality of moles to that of married women has been used to indicate whother a high mortality among employed men represents a truo occupational risk or is one inherent in tho environment. 004361 References to Recent Literature - 4. 96 EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF TEE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH BOARD TO JUNE 30, 1938. H.M. Stationery Office, London, 1938. Obtainable from the British Library of Information, 270 Madison Avc., Hew York, N.Y. Price Is. Part I of this Report contains a summary of the work in the past 20 years. Much of the earlier studies v/crc devoted to hours of labor, fatigue, efficiency and other general subjects. Part II deals with the work of the past year dur ing which tine the studies on illumination have been given nuch attention. The toxicity of industrial solvents has bocn investigated and it is intended later, if possible, to chock the toxic effects of all solvents before they are issued commercially. No extensive discussion is given of dust and pulmonary disease, as the comprehensive survey of silicosis in the South Yfelos Coalfields is still uncompleted. ... 97 SIXTEENTH ANKOIIREPORT OF THE SAFETY IN MINES RESEARCH BOARD, 1937. H.M. Stationery Office, London, (1933) (British). A large part of the report is devoted to progress reports on the studios of coal dust and firedamp explosions, flamoproofing of electrical mining machinery, mine lighting, explosives, safety lamps, and other miscellaneous safety factors. Considerable work is being done on those subjects. A group of re-ports classed as health researches includes the study of mino temperatures, silicosis, and protection against dust. One set of experiments showed no ill effects of ex posure to en air velocity of 1,000 f.p.m. of dry air at a temperature above that of the body, a temperature which was found in one of the nines. It was conclud ed, in studies of the excrotion of silica in urine, that this' type of test can not be used as n reliable method in the diagnosis of silicosis. Dust inhalation experiments are still being carried out in South Y/clos and it is hoped that guinea-pig lung pictures will he obtained corresponding to: (1) anthracite dust alone; (2) anthracite dust, stone dust, and varying quantities of nitrous fuses; and (3) stone dust with nitrous fumes. Certain other tests havo shown that the employment of a plant embodying the "Hay" mist projector principle reduces dust \ by 90 per cent. 98 PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES AND INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE. D. Stewart. Public Health, 51, 165-8, (March 1938) (3ritish). The criticism is made that the public health official does not appear to be aware of the industrial community as an entity or to consider administrative problems in their boaring on industrial workers. The author mokes a plea for full cooperation between these public health officials and those concerned now with industrial hygiene matters. The bulk of the present day services in in dustrial hygiene is done by the more enlightened companies and by full coopera tion those services could be given wider application. 99 THE THEE) OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE LEGISLATION. H. D. Sayer. Text of address at the National Safety Congress, Chicago, October, 1938. Reprints obtainable from the Association of Casualty and Surety Executives, 60 John St. New York City Compensation for occupational disease and accidental injury i3 similar basical ly end logically, but their causes and effects are so dissimilar that they re quire almost entirely different treatment. Accidents occur at a specific moment, in point of time, but this is not true of most occupational diseases, and it mokes difficult the fixing of liability. Another problem is in the terms of coverage as prescribed by lav;. Some statos have "all inclusive" statutes which make the coverage indefinite and impossible to keep within the bounds original ly intended. No new legislation of this typo has been enacted within the pest threo years. The trend has boon towards specific schedules of compensable dis eases, which limit the liability of tho employer, reduce litigation, and make the administration much simpler. A brief description is givon of the "graduat ed" method of compensation of silicosis cases which have accrued in the past, but which have only recently boon made compensable. Liability starts at only a 004362. References to Recent Literaturo - 5 nominal amount (some are $500) end Increases monthly to a maximum in two or three years. It is not ideal, but prevents tho employer from having to pay, out of current income, for liability accrued during past years. 100 SICKNESS ABSENTEEISM. M. L. Dobbie-Bateman. Ind. Welfare, 20, 405-8, (October 1938) (British) The author is full-time physician to a large store having about 6000 employees. Attendances at the clinic are os voluntary as possible, but are obligatory for (1) preliminary examination for appointment, (2) reporting accidents incurred at work, and (3) before return to duty after illness. In over 3000 preliminary examinations in 3 years, 80.5 per cent were classed as fit, 14.5 per cent as partially fit, and 5 per cent as unfit. From sickness records it appears that women take more timo off than men and that those engoged in selling have higher sickness rates than others. Sickness is higher in winter months, particularly in latter part of the season. About 45 to 50 per cent of time lost was due to respiratory diseases. Digestive diseases accounted for about 10 per cent. 101 ALUUINUL! AND SILICOSIS. R. C. Boons and Carl Fries. American Mineralogist,23, 654-60, (October 1938). In the study of "protector" dusts, Denny, Robson and Irwin (Abstract No. 39, 1937, this Bulletin) contended that the action of aluaina v/as to reduce the amount of silica in solution; that the toxic action of silica depended on the . amount in solution. The authors agree that alumina is a protector dust but dis agree on the explanation of its action. First they state that it is tho par ticulate (undissolved) silica which is held to be the causo of fibrosis and not tho dissolved silica which is easily transported by the blood and excreted. The action of the alumina is to hydrolyze to the insoluble hydroxide which floccu lates the smaller silica particles not yet in solution into masses large enough to be removed by phagocytosis. In beaker experiments where the pH of the water was kept below 5.0 to prevent tho ni mH tw from hydrolysing to tho hydroxide, there was no flocculation or reduction of the amount of particulate silica in suspension. In alkaline solutions, however, largo reductions of suspended silica were noted. Other substances such as carbon black, iron oxide (hematite) and the alkaline earth carbonates produce the same reactions that are well known in. clarification in water treatment. 102 ^INFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS BETWEEN THE PNEUMOCONIOSES (PARTICULARLY SILICOSIS) A&D TUBERCULOSIS. E. Gonzales Ancira. Arch.des malad. profes., 1, 579-88, (Noyember 1938) (French) ." The differential diagnosis of tuberculosis and the pneumoconioses i3 not diffi cult if the following points are given consideration: (1) exposure to dust and its composition, (2) complete laboratory examination, and (3) correct use of tho x-ray. Under (1), the details cannot be too exact. Under (2), certain laboratory tests may bo carried out, which, if done correctly, will help dif ferentiate between the two. Characteristics of x-rays are described, which, if followod through in detail, will further aid in tho diagnosis. By the use of the combined signs end symptoms covered under these threo main considerations a correct diagnosis should not be difficult. 103 FIGHT AGAINST SILICOSIS IN THE METAL INDUSTRY. Anon. Oberflackentech., 15, 189-1, (1938). Silicosis develops in men sandblasting or grinding metals more rapidly than in - minors. Means for preventing inhalation of the fine dust, adequate equipment and clinical aspects arc briefly discussed. Grinding wheels of artificial stone, as carborundum, are more sanitary, as tho dust uoos not contain any free silica which is tho causo of silicosis. Wherever possible artificial stones should bo usod. 004363 References to Recent Literature - 6 104 SILICOSIS AHOHG GRINDERS. J.L.A. Grout. Brit. Jour. Radiol. 11, 366-70, (Juno 1938). Tie author gives an interesting report of the work of Sheffield grinders in sharpening knives, forks and needles and their working conditions during the 18th and 19 centuries. The grinding was all done with sandstone wheels, the grinding of knives being done wot and that of forks dry. Fork grinders seldom lived beyond the ago of 32, while the knife grinders occasionally lived to 50 years. In 1833, out of 2500 grinders, not 35 had lived to be 50; of 80 fork grinders, exclusive of boys, not a single worker of 36 years was alive. Although scan attempts were made to alleviate these conditions, thay remained such the sane for generations, until recently. In 1334 a dust control progran, nuch the sane as those in effect today, was proposed but was apparently never enforced. During nore recent years the-replacement of the sandstones by artificial ab rasives has almost eliminated silicosis from this industry. 105 nfigssaaagog or acid beolusle hatter nr the sputa of ancones, a. civm, I. A. Schreier, S. liartello and J.D. Eardy. ' J. Ini. Hyg it Toxicol., 21, 1-4, (January 1939). The determination of ninsral residue in the sputum of silicotics is a compara tively recent study, end no thorough investigation of the subject has os yet been made. Burke (see Abstract No. 873, Dec. 1938) node a microscopic study of tho sputum of silicotics and non-silicotics, but the technic available nade it difficult to distinguish particles accurately. In the present study the authors determined the weight of the total acid-insoluble solids in 10C cc of sputum. Their method is completely described in tho paper. The average free silica con tent of the solid natter, determined with hydrofluoric acid after ignition, was 71 per cent. They found some solid matter in the lungs of all examined, but noted that the sputum of provod silicotics showed distinctively higher values than that of non-silicotics. Tho sputum of 83 non-silicotics contained from 0.2 , to 2.5 mg. residue per IOC cc while 84 per cent of 32 silicotic cases contained over 2.5 mg. per 100 cc, and some values were as high as 20 mg. Many silicotics gave high results even after years of absence from a dusty trade. It is suggest ed that these determinations nay prove to be of value in the diagnosis of silicas: 106 YAHnUG A1IAT02HC HZHK7I03 OF THE RIGHT HEART IK 5E7EHE SILICOSIS. H. Letterer, Verhnndl. d. deutsch Gesell. f. Xreislauf. 11th session, pp. 400-5, (1938) (German! Of 13 cases of severe simple silicosis the author found that 11 had hypertrophy of the right heart with a 6-10 cm. thick wall of the ccnus pulmomali. s. Of 22 casas with severe silicosis complicated by tcberuulosis there care only S cases with this condition. It seems possible therefore that tuberculosis hinders the development of hypertrophy of the right heart and can perhaps even bring about a diminution of it. 107 TEE DANGER Of1 SILICOSIS AND PRACTICAL SAFETY* EEASCEES. Dcrdack. Zbl.f .Gewarbebjy;. 25, 167-70 (1933) (Gorman). The author discusses the dust produced in the manufacture of fireproof bricks end deals briefly with naans for preventing its dissemination. 108 THE EEFEsBENTAL REPRODUCTION OF THE SO-CALLED SILICOTIC NODDLE. A. Policard. Bull. Histel. appl. physiol, path. tech, microscop. 15, G7-76 (1938) (French). Histologic and histo-chenical studios were made of pathologic tissue from the lungs of guinea pigs, rats and rabbits which had inhaled quarts or chalcedony dust for 6-25 months. The fibrous changes produced in the lungs of these animals differed markedly from the fihro-hyalin nodules found in human silicosis pat ients. Conclusion: the origin of human silicotic nodules cannot as yet be de finitely ascribed to silica itself. Note: See abstracts Nos. 15 and 16 in January, 1939, Bulletin. 004364 deferences to Recent Literature - 7 109 A22EST0SIS. J. V. Sp-arks. Brit. J. F.udiol. 11, 371-7, (June 1933) (British) The pnpor de.scribes the clinical end radiological signs of asbectosis. The chief compli!e:tions ore (1) purulent bronchitis, (2) broncho-pneumonia, (3) pulmonary tuberculosis, and (4) carcinoma. no THE ABSORPTION! EFFECTS OF VARIOUS BUSTS ON DILUTEB "OLD"TUBERCULIN. S.L. Cumins .and E.H. Williams. J. fyg., 38 , 638-46 (19C8). The adsorption power of various types of finely-divided dusts for the active part of tuborcuAi'n was studied by shaking 1 gran samples of such dusts with 10 Hi. of c 0.1 per cent solution of tuberculin for 5 minutos, incubating et 37 for 30 ainutes and keeping them overnight at room temperature. The cloar liquid was removed, ccntri.fuged, sterilised and tested. It was found that the odserptio; power increased in 'the invorsed ratio of particle size, that anthracite and fusion dust of conparablo particle size havo the sarao adsorption power, and that sandstone -iron deferent locations and shale .dust, sericite, chalcedony and quarts 'dust also adsorb the active principle of tuberculin to different extents, j-t is suggested that tko relatively lov: morbidity, toxicity and mortality from tuberculosis noted in coal miners exposed to siliceous dust are due to the ad sorption of tuberculous toxin by finely-divided coal dust inhaled with the dust free hard stone. 111 TIE PHYSIOLOGIC RESPONSE OF PLEURAL SURFACES TO BIFLANTED BUSTS. U.P.. Bradley and M.W. First.' J. Lab. and Clin. Hod., 24 , 44-52, (1938). Forty rabbits were subjected to intra-plcural implantation of dust and, with 10 additional rabbits as controls, wore autopsied after 15 , 30 , 45 , 60, and 90 deys. Typically inert, absorptive and proliferative reactions wero produced by the pleura in response to various dusts. These responses wore essentially the same as those produced in serous cavities elsewhere in tho body by other workers. Th3 injection of dusts into the pleural cavities, especially becauso of its proxi mity to lung tissue, was found to be suitable in both results and economy. 112 RADIOLOGICAL D2J0NSTRATICN OF PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES INDUCED FY CERTAIN INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES. J.?. Brailsford Brit. J. Radiol., 11, 393-400 (1933) (British)The author summarizes Rohclm's study of fluorine intoxication contracted by those handling cryolite. Eighty-four per coat of the workers examined had bone changes -- a diffuse osteosclerosis, which was on the whole proportional to the period of employment. Half of tho workers shewed radiograpMc evidencos of pulnonary fibrosis similar to that scon in silicosis but more innocent in nature, but it was undecided as to whether the fluorine or the associated quartz had caused the fibrosis. Against this, an examination of 49 workers in Scotland ex posed to alumina and cryolite dusts failed to establish the existence of osteo sclerosis or of pulmonary fibrosis in spite of long exposuro. Other examples of tha radiograph as a diagnostic tool are cited. 113 TESTS OF RESPIRATORY EFFICIENCY AND TiEI?. CORRELATION KITE RADIOLOGICAL APPEARANCES IN HIE LONGS. E.E. Killick. Brit. J. Radiol., 11, 401-4, (June 1938 (British) The tosts of respiratory efficiency used were: (1) vital capacity of the lungs; (2) ventilation equivalent for oxygen (vol. of air breathed per 100 cc, cxygen absorbed); (3) volume of dead space; and (4) exerciso tolorsnce tests. Seven mon whose pulmonary lesions had been diagnosed os silicosis or asbostosis, all show ed well-defined functional impairment on the basis of one or more of the above tests. Eleven arc welders were examined and five of tho numberj having signs of early pneumoconiosis, gave, on the v/holc, poorer performances than the other six. It is concluded that tests of respiratory efficiency should help to distinguish between onrly fibrosis and tho deposition of dust in tho luflgs without marked fibrous tissue reaction. 00436a Roforenccs to Recent Litorature - 8. 114 raZEMONIA. IN INDUSTRY. George F. Obrien. Ind. lied., 8, 39*42, (January 1939). Industry has mada great strides in reducing mortality from injuries, but much time is lost and many deaths still occur from respirator/ diseases. Industry furnishes many of the predisposing factors in pnevaaonia and should interest itsolf in the problem and in spreading the modern concepts of pneumonia and its treatment. The symptoms of pneumonia arise from infection and anoxia; serum therapy is directed against the infection, and oxygen therapy against the anoxia, and control of the two factors will control pncizaonia. 115 OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES OF TEE LUNGS IN AGRICULTURAL WORKERS. R. Fawcitt. Brit. J. Radiol., 11., 378-92, (June 1938) (British). Agricultural workers are liable to infection by organic matter, micro-fungi, bacteria and parasites from vegetable matter end animal excreta. Various types of mycotic infection of the lungs are described, and the radiological appoorancos Illustrated. The author is of the opinion that the common micro-fungi, though usually innocuous, may become pathogenic under certain conditions and that the incidence of harmful infaction is more comon and widespread than is general ly realised. Certain types of bacterial and parasitic pulmonary disease are also described. 116 SYPHILIS CONTROL IN INDUSTRY. R.R. Sayers. Supp. No. 140, Public Health Reports (1938). More than 1 million years of. life expectancy ero lost every year by syphilitic deaths in this country, and in institutional care the disease costs us between 40 and 50 million dollars annually. As a purely economic problem, industry should be interested in rdping out tho disease, but comparatively few companies havo done much on the problem. Tho question of whether or sot industry should hire a syphilitic is discussed. Except as food handlers, barbers, etc., it is stated that they should bo kept at their jobs and given close medical supervision. A doctor of one large company advocates a certain amount of medical care by indus try and at least cooperation with Stato officials who can supply free anti syphilitic drugs and offer consultation on problems of control. ' 117 STATE LABOR LAWS FOR WOIOI. PART 1, SUMMARY. Part 2, ANALYSIS OF HOUR LANS FOR WOJdl WORKERS. F.P. Smith. U.S. Dept. Labor, Women's Bureau. Bull. No. 156, Parts 1 and 2, (1938). Those bulletins summarize tho State laws regarding work hours, meal time, rest periods, night work, sooting, and other items. All but 4 States have some sort of law regulating the hours women may work, 16 States having a maximum of 8 hours u day. It is significant that 17 States prohibit women working in mines, and other States prohibit them in coke ovens and quorrios. Only 17 have laws governing home work, and only 22 havo minimum wage laws. Part 2 of the bulle tin is dovoted entirely to presenting in tabular foxm the points covered by various State laws for women as of March 31, 1938. 118 FORWARDING HEALTH AND SAFETY IN COAL MINING BY USE OF WATERING METHODS. D. Harrington & J.J. Forbes. U.S. Bur. Minos Inf. Clrc. No 7041,11 pp.(Dec. 1938). It is well known that coal dust, even in absence of gas, is explosive and can initiate or propagate on explosion in a mine. It is also believed by many per sons that all atmospheric dusts nay be harmful if breathed in largo quantities fo: long periods of tine. For these reasons the authors stress tho importance of dust control in coal nines. This paper enumerates tho principal sources of dust and doscribes practical methods of employing water as one of the most effective of the known methods to alloy dust in coal mines. Most oust in mines originates at tho face and the amount of wotor necessary, if applied efficiently, is not excessive. In some minos tho water is supplied by special tanks on mining 0043B6 References to Recent Literature - 9. machines, but most mines now using 7.*ater for dust control have installed con. plote pipe line systems. Several typical installations are described in the circular together with pictures which illustrate the methods now in use. 119 EXAMPLE OP AN INSTAIIA110N FOR THE CONTROL OF THE HYGIENEC EXPOSURE ARISING FROM THE APPLICATION OF POTTERY GLAZES. S. C. P.othnann. Ind. Med., 3, 8-12, (January 1939). The author describes some of the problems in connection with the dust and lead hazards in tho glazing department of a "dinner-ware" pottery plant. The lead hazard is probably the most important, although in recent years tho increased use of "fritted" glares has reduced the hazard because of tho formation of insolublo load compounds by pre-fusing. Hand dipping of ware is not in itself dangerous; most dust is causod by stirring up of accumulated drl-cd glaze on 'floors, boards, tubs and clothing. An automatic spray glazing machine and the necessary exhaust booth in connection with it arc described. 120 ELECTRICAL DUST PRECIPITATION. J. V/uychons. Mem. univ. Bruxelles, 95 pp. (1937)(Belgian). Details are given of a laboratory investigation relating to the electric pre cipitation of dust from a stream of. air. The apparatus consisted in: a device for making regular and uniform the distribution of tho dust in the air stream, a small Cottrell type of precipitator and an oil filter for removing dust from the effluent stream of air. Among the factors studied wore: effect of dust concentration on efficiency; effect of electromotive force employed within the rango 7300-12000 volts; effect of tho velocity of the air stream and tho rela tion between eloetronotive force and current in the discharge. A high degree of purification is more readily obtained by a reduction of velocity of the stream than by an increase of electromotive force. Tho scale effect controll ing the possibility of applying laboratory results to large-scale plants is discussed. . 121 FRICTION LOSS IN PIPING. E. A. Windham. Heating, Piping, and Air Cond. 11, 6-8, (January 1939). The author has developed in the course of his work two cherts of friction loss in pipes which ere reproduced. Most empirical foxmulao apply over only a limited range of temperatures and it is froquently necessary, particularly in air duct work, to compute friction losses when the temperature varies consider ably from the standard conditions. The author has made use of the Fanning equa tion, and has simplified its application for general use. (C) Papers on Industrial Poisons. Cancer, Dermatitis, etc. '' 122 HEALTH HAZARDS AND THEIR CONTROL IN THE ELECTROPLATING INDUSTRY. H.G. Dyktor end John Buxell. Bulletin, Dept. Public Welfare, Industrial Hygiene Dlv., City of St. Louis, Mo., 33 pp. (1938). In a study of the electroplating industry in St. Louis, the authors found no health hazard which necessitated drastic action. Most plants were provided with moans of controlling the hazards encountered and present control methods could bo perfected with only minor changes or by proper maintenance of present equip ment. In tho cases where deficiencies occurred, they woro due to lack of prop er information or to the use of erroneous information, and this Bulletin is published to fill that lack. It covers the hazards of dusts, acid mists end vapors, trickierethylcno end carbon tetrachloride, chromium, lacquers, skin diseases and othor miscellaneous items of personal hygiene, sanitation and gunorel safoty. No ono subjhet is covered completely, but tho Bulletin is a valu able guide to those operating electroplating plants. 004367 References to Recent Literature - 10. 123 A CURVET OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE CONDITIONS 117 TKS JEWELRY INHJ3TRY OF REDDS ISLAND. J. Vfurcftic and C.V. Eickey. Div. of Indust. Hyc., State Dept, of Public Health, Providence (1938). The Jewelry industry in Rhode Island comprises 289 plants employing 10,315 workers, about one-half of whom arc women. More than half of the plants em ploy less than 10 workers. It was found that 8912 or 88 per cent of the number wore not exposed to any hazardous material or process in any manner and the percentage of those exposed to any degree at all was very small (0.28 per cent). A few (436 or 4.8 per cent) wore engaged in electroplating work end the soriousness of their exposure is questioned pending furthor investigation. 124 SEVERAL TOUC VOLATILE INDUSTRIAL SOLVENTS. D. Gilbert. 2ruxelles-Med., 18, 1189 (July 19, 1938) (Belgian). Because physicians are likely to encounter some of the growing number of toxic industrial solvents, the author discussos a'few of them in this paper and lists others which ore cither not discussod at length or ure otherwise generally well known. Attention is espocially called to tho chlorinated hydrocarbon group. He stresses particularly that the solvents as used oro rarely pure and that this fact should be taken into consideration along with other factors such as the origin of the solvent, its instability, and the particular conditions of its uso in the plants. 125 SOLVENTS AND THEE DANGERS. Y/enzcl. Zcntr.Gev/orbehyg.Unfall., 25, 217-24, (1935) (German). Industrial solvents are classified as to their general use, o.g., viscosity changers, plasticizers, azeotropic mixtures, extractants, degroasers, solvents for solids, impregnators, pharmaceuticals, and carriers for other materials. Many examples are given. Tho flammability, physiological action, origin and in dustrial use of many solvents are discussed. Special attention is given to spray booth design and exhaust, paints and lacquers, and solvents used in tho rubber and textile industries. The most important phase of worker protection is adoquatc education as to tho dangor and proper handling of the solvent in question. 126 EVALUATION OF THE ODOR NUISANCE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF KRAFT PARER. J.H. DallaVallo and H.C. Dudley. U.S. Pub. Health Reports, 54 . 35-45, (Jan. 13, 1939). Kraft paper is the brovm paper used in retail stores for wrapping packages; heavier grades aro usod in shipping carton and containers. The authors outline the method used in evaluating tho odor nuisance generated in tho manufacture of this type of paper by the sodium sulfide - sodium hydroxide process. Tho odors of hydrogen sulfide, organic sulfur compounds, carbon gases and a chemical smoke containing large quantities of sodium sulfate and sodium sulfide are given off during nearly all processes and pass out through the stacks to be classed as a nuisance in the neighborhood. The human nose is remarkably sensitive to minute traces of these substances in tho ataosphero, oven in those concentra tions that oro well below tho toxic limit. It is concluded that in the neigh borhood of the plants the concentrations of toxic gases are of no consequence. The major contributing factor in the obnoxious conditions is duo to the large amounts of solid chemical materials, mostly sodium sulfete, which are blown out through the stacks and soon settle to tho ground. Tho possibility of electrical precipitation for prevention and economical recovery is strossed. 004368 References to Recent Literature - 11 127 THE DANGERS OF ARC WELDING. W. Pozzi. Arch, des moled. profes., 1_, 399-414, (November 1933) (French). " The author reviews the neterials entering into the arc as well as the metals usually welded. He considers the dangers as duo to (1) burns, (2) glare, and its effects on tho eyo and (3) fuses. The injur;'' in tho case of glare any be due to both ultraviolet or infrared rays. The effect of the fuaes, if the ex posure is severe, is to produco an acute broncho-pneunonin of which the prog nosis is unfavorable. If the exposure is moderate but prolonged, symptoms of pnomoconiosis develop: a feeling of constriction of the chest, dyspnea, and persistent cough. Occasionally metal fume fever occurs but more often a gen eral nalaiso combined with severe headaches and insomnia. No mention is cade of possible nitrous fumes in the gases from the arc. Measures of protection ore: weldor*s goggles, partitioning off of the welling spaces to protect other workers from tho glare, removal of fumes by local exhausts, and good general ventilation. 128 ST/IIDARDISATION OF GAS MASKS AND RESPIRATORY APPARATUS.' K. Quasebart. U.D.I. Ztschr., 82, 147-3, (1938) (German). To enable interchange of parts and apparatus of respiratory equipment, regard less of make, manufacturers and officials havo cooperated in establishing codes of standardisation of such equipment. Ten codes arc planned. It is also pro posed to define uniform names for all apparatus snd part3. 129 THE ABSORPTION OF IRRITANT GASES IN THE RESPIRATORY TRACT. 1.3. Gadaskina J. Physiol. (U.S.3.R.) 23, 7G2-90, (1937) (Russian). Tho inhalation of irritant gasca by rabbits end tho analysis of the exhaled gasos shevied that nearly all was absorbed in the upper respiratory passages. A non-irritating gas, like nitrogen dioxide, is absorbed largely in the lower respiratory tract, none in tho upper. 130 TEE REACTION OF THE CLOTHED HUMAN BODY TO VARIATIONS IN ATMOSPHERIC HUMIDITY. C.-E.A. Winslow, L.P. Herrington end A.P. Gaggc. An. J. Physiol., 124, 692-703, (December 1938). Below 25C (77F), the zone of body cooling, relative humidity has no appreci able influence on physiological reactions. Above this temperature the rela tive humidity begins to take offect and with higher temperatures and high humidities the nude body adjusts itself much better than the clothed body. With highor temporaturo3 and low humidity the clothed subject can tolerate a slight ly higher operative temperature. During summer months tho mechanism of sweat secretion is in better working order and consequently the response to higher temperatures is better during those months. 131 THE VENTILATION OF FLUZLESS ROOMS. NOTE FROM THE BUILDING RESEARCH STATION. J. Instn. Heat. & Vent. Engrs. (London) _6, 428-34, (October 1938) (British). Observations were made in on experimental house to determine the ventilation provided by an open ventilator in a room not provided with a flue or chimney. It was found that in on average room over a wide range of temperature differ ences and wind velocities, the.ventilator provided approximately the snno ven tilation as did an unheated flue of normal typo. It was observed that in a hoated fluclcss room, with an ordinary wall type ventilator, the air-chango may fall as low as 0.5 por hour or less. 004369 References to Recent Literature - 1 * 132 . FIR3T CHANCES OF THE T^TTE BLOOD IN PERSONS DIOSED TO LEAD. A.H. Muller. Klin. Kchnschr. 17, 1193-6, (1938) (German). Tlio author reports on results of periodic examinations (over a 1 year period) of street car and bus lncquorcrs. He notes that with erect regularity ho found hiQh lymphocyte counts, without other signs of lead absorption or lead injury. It is considered that this lymphocytosis can justify an especially careful nodical supervision in the absence of other siens of load poisoning. 133 LEAD AID HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. G.W. Gunther. Deutsch. med. Wchnschr. 64, 1146-7, (1938) (Geraan). Description is given of tho illness of a 45-year old linotype setter who died of a cardiac infarct' and coronary thrombosis. For nany years he had had hir blood pressure, and in recent years was employed only occasionally as a type setter. Examination of tho organs showed 0.115 per cent lead in the livor and spleen and 0.58 per cent in the bono. Since there was no familial disposition to premature high blood pressuro and in view of the long exposure to lead, a causal relationship botween industrial load injury and high blood pressure was assmed. The recent lack of exposure was taken into consideration. * 134 NSW SOURCES OF LEAD POISONING. Mornac. Ann. d'hyg. pp. 362-4, (1938) (French). Tho author describes tho use of groat quantities of load arsenic in insecti cides used by farmers end the complotc carelessness in the handling of it. He found- cases of load poisoning by users of tho insecticide and recommends the substitution of alrainum arsenates. 135 LEAD POISONING? L. Schwarts. Sana. v. Vcrgiftungsf. 9_, 41-6, (1938) (German). A 31-year old cable layer fell ill with ocular motor paralysis. Since tho load hazard to cable layers seemed slight, end no other signs of load poisoning could bo proven with certainty, tho referee on the case rejected the possibil ity of lead poisoning, suggested observation in a hospital. At tho clinic, small quantities of lead were found in tho blood, urino and foccs, but the quantities were within normal limits. , 136 A METHOD FOR THE CUAIDITAmE SPECT2D-CHEMICAL .'21ALYSIS OF VERT SAALL AMOUNTS OF BIOLOGIC;!. MATERIALS FOP. SODIUM, POTASSIUM, CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM AND LEAD. O.S. Duffendack, K.3. Thomson, VT.C. Loo, and O.G. Zoppius. J. Biol. Chem. 126, 1-7, (1938). A dotailed description is given for tho method used. Lead was determined in urino end by tho muthod described, it Is possible with extreme caution to measure accurately 0.1 mg. load per liter. .137 DETECTION OF LEAD IN ETHEL LEAD AID OBSERVATIONS ON THE VOLATILm* OITtETEaI ETUXL LEAD. H. Siobonock. Chem-Ztg., 62^, 183-189, (1938) (Geraan). This question was studied in connection with the detection of load in the wusto liquor from ethylizing apparatus. The uso of dithizono was shown to be not altogether trustworthy for lead detection, as lead-free benzine gave color reactions. Tho use of a 1 per cent uimcrcaptol-thiodiazol solution is recoomcndod. Experiments showed that tetraethyl lead is volatilo in normal temp eratures when mixed with hydrocarbons. 138 JUDGING HEART MUSCLE INJURIES AFTER CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. H. Synanski. Aorztl. Sachverstandig.-Ztg., 44, 183-204, (1938) (Gorman). The author discusses first, on the basis of tho literature, tho possibility and occurrence of cardiac muscle injuries in acuta one chronic carbon monoxide poisoning. Ha then presonts oight detailed and instructive cases of heart trouble which had cuno beforo him *s a reforoe. Tho question to be decided *.7cs whothcr tho disease was caused by carbon monoxide or hastened by it. In semo, this question was affirmed, in sumo denied. Roferancos to Recent Litorature - 15 139 CARBON MONOXIDE AND EPILEPSY. H. Symanski. Sera. v. Vergiftungsf., 9, 23-40, (1938) (Geman). " A blacksmith in a gas works was exposed occasionally to carbon monoxide end at the age of 35 he fell ill with epileptiform attacks s The expert (in a court caso) considered this as gonuine epilepsy, denying any relationship to carbon monoxido inhalation, since the signs were not present. 140 LATE EPILEPSY III THE COURSE OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. 0. Schiersmann. Ztsch. ges. Neurol, u. Psychiat., 163, 656-69, (October 1938) (German). True epileptic seizures occurred in a war veteran, 60 years old, 14 years after carbon monoxide poisoning from exhaust gases of a benzol engine during the war. The seizures, which developed rapidly, were characterized by convulsions, torsolike and athetoid movements, loss of tko reaction of pupils to light, and un consciousness. Hinor seizures had occurred six months after exposuro and at infrequent intervals following. Mentally, the patient showed disturbed sleep, apathy, emotional flattening, lack of initiative, vjcakness of memory, hysteri cal trends and generally denented behavior. 141 TESTIS AND HYPOPHYSIS IN GASSED MALE RATS. C.A. Patterson, E. Smith, and A.D. Pickett. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med., 33, 455-60 (1938) (British), lisle rats were exposed for I hour daily for 50 or more days to an atmosphere containing 0.34 per cent carbon monoxide. The testis and epididymus weight vras roducod by 50 per cent and their spermatozoa were roduced in number and motil ity. The hypophysis became basophilic, with many vacuolated, cells, but the gonadotropic homono content was increased. 142 CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. Howard A. Martin. ' Ohio State Med. J., 34, 1251-3 (1938). The author reviews tho literature on carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms of both acute and chronic poisonings arc described and the important ones especial ly noted. He reviews the various items in tho treatment of both types of poisonings and the paper should be of interest to all physicians. 143 TIE E3L0GZLIATED HYDROCARBONS OF THE FATTY SERIES AS SOLVENTS AND THEIR SIGNIFI CANCE TO THE MEDICAL PRACTICE. TT. Gueffroy and T?. Ehrhardt. Zentr. Gerorbctyg. Unfall., 25, 224-30, (1938) (Gorman). These solvents as a class aro toxic, capable of producing acute poisonings and occasionally blood changes. While the lungs aro tho chief portal of entry into the body, skin absorption is also possible. The specific properties of some of the compounds aro dlscussod in dotail, and they should all bo regarded as activo toxic egonts. No specific medical prophylaxis for chronic poisonings of this class is known. 144 CARBON TETRACHLORIDE POISONING. T.M. Perry. Arch. Path. 26, 923-41 (Nov. 1938). A description is given of hepatic (liver) damage and re?^l`? in man based on three caso3 of accidental poisoning studied clinically and at autopsy. Three negroes had ingested a roach poison, a mixture of carbon tctrachlorido and ethy lene di chloride, which they had mistaken for an intoxicant. Two of the men died too early (6*to 11 hours and 65-70 hours) for evidences of regeneration, but the third who died in 150 hours showed definite tondoncios along those lines. There is a complete account of the clinical findings and a good review of the literature. 004371 References to Recent Literature - if). 150 BENZENE AND EENZINE. L. Teloky. Med. du trav., 10, 125-137 (1933) (French) The author consents on the need for moro sharp differentiation betrecn these two entirely different substances. The characteristic symptoms of poisoning by each is described: in benzene poisoning severe blood changes occur, while neuritis is especially prominent in benzine poisoning. French and Italian compensation laws arc unsuited to cover theso poisonings adequately. 151 A STUDY, CLINICAL AND ffilEBTOLOGICAL, OF NINE CASES OF OCCUPATIONAL BENZOL POISONING. M. Lacy, P. KiSsol, ',nti L. Pierquin. Bull, et Nan. Soc. lied* Eopit. Paris, pp. 1116-27, (June 27, 1938) (French). Full details arc given of nine cases of benzol poisoning among employees of a shoe factory where benzol was used us a rubber solvent. Four of the cases were fatal. In the severe cr.sos true nedullary ,-vplasia v:as present, and purpura was present in all. Tho cost valuable treatment was blood transfusion together with injections of liver extract, and the results wure good except in the most severe cases. 152 TOXICOLOGICAL DETECTION OF THALLIUM. IL Eluge. Z, Unters. Lebemsa 76, 165-9, (1938) (German) The method is based on the solubility of thallium chloride in ether and the insolubility of thallium iodide in water and alcohol. Larger amounts are de termined by weighing the iodide, smaller amounts by colorimetric determination of tho iodine liborated thorefrom. 153 THE COMPOSITION 0 F HUMAN BONE IN CHRONIC FLUORINE POISONING. V/.A. UoLff and E.G. Kerr. Am. J. Med. Sci., 195, 493-7, (1938). . A man, 48 years old, had been exposed for 18 years -to finely ground phosphate roclc dust containing 3.83 per cent fluorine. The present paper deals only with the distribution of bone fluorlno, as the x-ray, clinical end autopsy findings have been reported earlier. Normal amounts of ash, calcium, phosphorus, and carbon dioxide wore found in tho bones, but the fluorine content of some bones was 20 times the normal values. Its distribution was uneven, the greatest amounts being found in the vertebra, the least in the long bones. 154 ACUTE METHTL ALCOHOL POISONING. F.R. Menne. Arch. Path., 26, 77-92, (1938). In 22 coses of fatal poisoning from pure methanol the pathological changes con sisted of marked edema, hyperemia, and necrosis of the stomach, intestine, liver, brain and retina. Clinically tho victims showed intenso nerve excita bility, evidenced by abdominal pain, muscle twltchings, rapid pulse and respira tion with final paralysis and death from respiratory failure. Although these addicts had token snail quantitlos of methanol over a long period of time, there wore no gross chronic pethological changes present- 155 THE SPECIAL HAZARDS IN TEE V.'OHKING OF MAGNESIUM ALLOYS AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES. H. Ruhe. Arbeitsschutz, pp. 195-210, (1938) (German). Magnesium alloys ore being used more and moro because of tbsir low specific gravity and their tensile strength. Undor certain conditions, howover, mag nesium has a groat tondency to .unito with oxygen, and in fine particles it cen explode. V.'ot magnesium dust tends toward spontaneous combustion. In the pre sence of heat, magnesium can reduce oxides, portly by cxplosivo mechanisms. Water is disintegrated by fino mngnosium dust with the formation of hydrogen. To guard against these dangers, the Reich'Minister of Labor has issued codes and safety directions. 004373 References to Rocont Literature - '16 156 THE AUTOMATIC ESTIMATION OF SULFUR DIOXIDE IN INOT5TEI/1 OASES. W. Francis, M.C.Morley and E.W.F. Gillhnm. I. Soc. Chen. Ind., 57, 419-24, (December 1938) (British). A description is given of a method end apparatus for estimating the amount of sulfur, as sulfur dioxide or trioxide, in washed flue gases of a powor plant. The gas is scrubbed in a neutral solution of hydrogen peroxide which oxidizes the 3ulfur gases to sulfuric acid, decreasing the electrical resistance of the solution. The change is measured on a recording nilliamotcr and indicates the * total emount of sulfur over a period or at any moment. The method, except for minor differences, is similar to that developed in this country by Thomas (Ind. & Eng. Chen. 1_, 14-17, Jan. 1929). It is possible, by changes in rate of air flow, voltage of current, volume of absorbing liquid and othor factors, to measure accurately almost any concentration of sulfur gases in the atmosphere. 157 DAGGERS OF GRAIN SILOS. H. Tiege. Zb.f. Oewerbehyg., 25, 170-1, (1933) (German) Two men were killed climbing up a silo that contained 2 tons of com. Exsmination of the air later showed 3 por cent carbon dioxldo and 13.6 per cent oxygen, and at the time of accident tho carbon dioxide was probably still higher. Autopsies showed death was from suffocation. 158 TUMORS AID PRECANCEROUS LESIONS OF THE BLADDER DUE TO AMINES OR NITRODERIVATTVES. (ANILINE DYE TUMORS.) G. di liaio. Arch. ital. di. urol., 14, 283-385 (1937) (Italian) This paper contains an analysis of the precancerous and neoplastic changes that may occur in the bladder in aniline dye workors. Anonc 86 workers examined, 26 bad changes that were considered es precancerous, 7 had benign tumors, and 4 had malignant growths. The changes wore revealed by crystoscopic examination rather than by specific methods. Duration of employment varied from 2 to 6 years for the prccencer croup, 3 to 9 years for the papilloma group, and 6 to 15 years in tho cancer cases. The dyes occurring most frequently were benzi dine, betonaphthol amino, and aniline. Thoso substances are absorbed through tho respiratory tract and the skin, and cro eliminated in tho urin unchanged or with a modified chemical structure. Treatment consists primarily of measures to impede the absorption of tho dyes. 159 ARSINE POISONING: REPORT OF TWO CASES. K.D. Smith and T.E. Rardin. Ohio State Med. J. 35, 157-9, February 1939. Arsine end arsine poisoning ore discussed and a description is given of the processes where the poisoning nay be encountered. Arsonic is an impurity in many motels end arsine, hydrogen arsenide, the most poisonous of the inorganic arsenic compounds, is given off whenever these metals arc acted upon by acids. Tho stripping of galvanizing with hydrochloric acid is a common procedure and it was in this manner that the two eases reported by the authors occurred. Com plete descriptions are given of tho two cases. Tho euthors stress the import ance of occupational histories, in addition to past illnesses and family history, as on aid in the diagnosis of voguo or unknown cases. 160 A RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE REFER IN IRRITATION OF THE KASAI MUCOSA DURING TI3 INEALATION OF ACETONE. PNEUMOGRAPKIC CHANGES IK EXPERIMENTAL ACETONE NARCOSIS. L. Prisco. Folia med., 24, 669-77, (1938) (Italian) Because of the Increasing industrial use of acetone, the author studied its action on rabbits. He found in them a nasal reflex which consists of a temp orary cessation of breathing and also a lung reflex in the form of a polypnea when acetone vapor is introducod intratracheally. 004374 <-r.'SHrr* r References to Recent Literature - '17.. 161 DIAZOMETE'iNE POISONING, FIRST CLINICAL CASE REPORT. F.W. Sundemaann, R.Connor find K. Fields. Am. J. Med. Scl.. 195, 469-73, (1938). A chemistry studon undertook to prepare trimethylbarbituric acid by allowing diasonotbanc to react with barbituric acid. Ho did not work under a hood and whilo stirring the mixture, suddenly began to choko, become dyspncic and had a violent cough. A description is given of the symptoms which persistod for three weeks, whon he was roloased from tho hospital. Tho gas appoars to have a direct irritant action. 162 THE TOXICOLOGY OF CYANIDE. A.O. Gettler end J.O. Baine. An. J. Med. Sci., 195, 102-98 (1938). The authors give their analytical methods in detail and discuss the hydrogen cyanide content of normal organs and the distribution of it in body tissues after fatal poisonings, both experimental and human. Tho sensitivity of the analytical method is 0.005 mg. per 100 ga. tissue and by this test no hydrogen cyanide v/as found in normal tissues. The minimum lethal dose seems to be about 1.4 mg. per kilogram of body weight. Treatment v/ith nethylono blue seems to prolong life for an hour or more; it should be supplemented with stomach lavage, artificial respiration, stimulants, and a second injection if necessary. 163 LIP30A IN ECPEEHlEirr/i CARBON DISULFIDE POISONING. E. Bialiehi. Mod. del lavoro, 29, 213-20, (1933) (Italian). Acute end chronic carbon disulfide poisonings wore produced in rabbits and the content of blood In fats and phosphorus was studied. There was found in both typos of poisoning an increase of the phosphate end cholesteric ether. Free cholostorin decreased in ecuto poisoning, increased in chronic. 164 PHYSIOLOGIC STUDIES OF EELIULI. A. R. Behnkc end 0. D. Yarbrough. U.S. Naval Med. Bull., 36, 542-58 (1938). Tho solubility coefficients of helium in water and in olive oil compared with tho coefficients for nitrogen aro in tho ratio 2:3 for wator and 1:4.5 for oil. Therefore, tho helium content of tho body should bo about 45 per cent as high as the nitrogen content whon tho soao tension of each gas is broathed. The time of elimination of helium from body tissues after absorption is about onohalf that of nitrogen. It is for thoso reasons that helium-oxygon mixtures are being used in placo of tho normal nitzegeu-oxycen mixtures in doep soa diving. 004375