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-a Air Hygiene Foundation of America, Inc., 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. January 24, 1959. REFERENCES TO RECEIPT LITERATURE ON INDUSTRIAL DISEASES (A) News Items 1 ST.-JiDARDS FOR >NaLYZING DUST CONCENTRATION. Labor Standards, U.S. Dept, of Labor 1, S (November 1938). Tht; American Standards Association has recently authorized its committee on stan dards of permissible atmospheric contamination in work places to develop standards for safe limits of concentration for toxic dusts and gases. This technical com mittee, comprising eminent toxicologists, pathologists and industrial engineers, and set up at the request of the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions, is to review the work of other organizations, to set up specific standards on toxic materials and to furnish physicians and engineers in terested with information on injurious exposure. Dr. Roy R. Jones of the U. S. Public Health Service, is to act as technical secretary of the committee. 2 COUNCIL ON INDUSTRIAL HEALTH. J. Am, Med. Assoc. 111. 2128 (December 3, 1938). The first Annual Congress on Industrial Health sponsored by the American Medical Association '.'.'as held January 9 and 10, 1939 at the Palmer House in Chicago* On the program were articles and papers which will be of interest and which will be abstracted in this Bulletin as they are published. 3 NOMENCLATURE IN INDUSTRIAL HEALTH. J. Am. Med. Assoc, m, 117-8 (December 3, 1938). The language of industrial health is at present incapable of full expression with in the strict confines of scientific terminology. Variations in source and deriv ation of the usages and idioms has resulted in wide confusion and there is a need, according to the Council on Industrial Health of the American Medical Association, for a definition of the terms used. To this end the Council proposes to publish a compendium which will define and explain the various terms now in use. 4 SILICOSIS PRIOR TO OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE CT. Labor Standards, U.S. Dept, of Labor 1, 6 (Sept.-Oct. 1938). Affirming a decision in 'the circuit court, the Supreme Court of Michigan recently dismissed a damage suit for deaths from silicosis prior to October 29, 1937, when the State occupational disease law went into effect. The suit, involving eight cases of death from silicosis, claimed negligence on the part of the employer in failing to provide proper ventilation and exhaust systems to remove the silica dust. Both plaintiffs and the defendant wore under the State compensation act at the tine the silicosis was contracted* 5 ENFORCING THE SILICA DUST CODE. Labor Standards, U.S. Dept, of Labor, 1, 13 (December 1938). A procedure designed to expedite enforcement of the code for control of silica dust in rock drilling has been authorized by the New York State Industrial Com missioner. Contractors will be allowed 10 days to comply with the first order to HWBB-0009775 >-s ^ References to Recent Literature - 2 provide anu use dust control equipment. If the contractor fails to comply and to continue compliance <lth the order, the Labor Department will take a sample of the dust at drilling as evidence, and will prohibit further use of the drills in volved, identifying then with a red tag and will begin prosecution. Where drill ing contracts are of short duration, arrangements are made for prompt analysis of dust samples. For further details on this code see Abstract No. 19, this bulletin. (B) P?j>cjgLOE_Dust. Dust Diseases and General Inaustrial Hygiene 6 INDUSTRI.X MEDICINE aND THE M/vNUFaCTURER. D.M. Schafer. Ind. Med. 662-4 (November 1935). In this short article, the author outlines the work being done by the Cormnittee on Healthful '/forking Conditions of the National Association of Manufacturers. Their object is to prorr.exe better health measures not only in the larger companies where much has already been done but also to disseminate this information to the smaller industries which do not in many cases have access to it. Their plan is one of coordination in which they will gather the essential facts from the scientific side of industrial hygiene and prepare them so that the industrialist can see what they moan and v/hat they c-ar. dc fer his factory, 7 DEVELOPMENT OFINDUoTRIaL HTGIENE IN THE UNITED STATES. J.J. Bloomfield. Am.J. Pub. Health, 28, 1388-97 (December 1938). Industrial hygiene activities have increased tremendously in the past two or three years and there are now 26 states having industrial hygiene department*, with 6 others making surveys to determine their needs. The health of industrial employees, however, is not entirely one of industrial exposure but is closely b'.und up with a comprehensive program of general adult health. The author sug gests as a health program a strong industrial hygiene department which can guide and coordinate existing public health activities along adult hygiene lisas. 8 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF INSPECTOR OF FACTORIES hKD WORKSHOPS FOR THE TEAR 1937. H.M. Stationery Office, London (1938), (British). The contents of this report, particularly of the chapter on "Health," should be of special interest. Under a new act, the hours of employment cf young persons is further restricted and it is considered that more frequent periodic physical examinations should be made of the younger employees. The number of cases of load poisoning was the lowest since the disease became notifiable but five cases of mercurial poisoning were recorded and the symptoms arc mentioned in the report because of their dissimilarity from classical signs. There was an increase in th number of cases of cpitheliomatous ulceration particularly in tar distilling and cotton mule spinning. In the section dealing with dust, it is noted that the sub stitution cf non-siliceous abrasive for sand continues to increase. In the steel industry, because of recently increased production, there was an increased risk cf silicosis to men who break down and rebuild Siemen's furnaces. In some plants permanent gangs of men do such work, where exhaust ventilation is difficult to apply, and, because of the heat, respirators are inconvenient to wear. It would appear that the only applicable preventive measure would be in tho substitution of some harmless material for the silica. 9 REDUCING COST CF WORKMEN1S COMPENSATION IN INDUSTRY. D. Harrington. U.8. Bur. Mines, Inf. Circ, Ho, 7020 (June 1938). Obtainable from Supt. of Documents, Wash ington, D, C. In many states the cost of workmen's compensation has risen during the pest year and proposals to increase benefits to employees are before the legislatures of many states, which will cause further sharp rises. Also, occupational disease HBBB-0009776 'w- SLr. a B yrn References to Recent Literature - 3 compensation win probably soon be accorded practically as wide recognition as accident compensation. Industry, therefore, is confronted v/ith the problem of materially higher compensation rates than those of the poet or present. Although present day compensation laws are not ideal from the standpoint of all concerned, the relation between employer and injured employee is far more satisfactory than in the past. The- only feasible method open to industrialists to combat this trend appear? to be a rigorous program of accident control. Differential rates favoring employers with low accident records arc endorsed as is an administration of the lav/s to enable employees to receive practically all of the premiums paid. 10 MECHANIZED SaFeTY. S. Walton-Brcvm. Trans. Instn, Min. Engrs. (London) 95, 202 (June 1938). The progress of machine mining during the periods 1924-29, 1950-34 and 1935-36 is shown by the percentages of coal cut by machine during those periods (23,59, and 53 per cent respectively) and by the percentages conveyed during those periods 26 and 45 per cent respectively). Based on tons of coal mined, there has been a reduction of accidents from 1924-29 to 1935-36, but based on man-shifts the figures show an increase of accident rate. More coal is mined with less men, but the accident rate is higher. 11 WORKING IN THE DaRK, Warren A. Cook. Nat. Safety News 59, 24-5 (January 1939). Toxic concentrations of nearly all hazardous gases, dusts and vapors are unde tectable without the use of some specific method of determination. A brief out line is giver, of the latest methods in use on the determination of the various impurities of the atmosphere which are hazardous and it is urged, in cases of doubt as to the concentration, that accurate methods be used to measure them. 12 PROCEDURE IN MAKING A SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION OF DUST INJURY. L. Teleky. Folia med. 2,3, 23-4 (1937). (Italian), The investigation must always be taken up from the clinical and industrial hygier: point cf view. In dust studies it is necessary to, examine thoroughly all the employees, including x-rays where possible. There are a number of methods of detecting quarts in lung tissue and also for the analysis of dusts for free sili ca. Dust counts should be made with the recognized instruments. In allergic dust studies it is necessary to list the materials used and the conditions of their application. 13 AIR CONDITIONING AND INDUSTRIAL HEALTH., L.D, Bristol, J.An.Med. Assoc. 110. 2142-3 (1938). In a comparison of collected data on diagnosed illnesses, lasting seven days or more, among 1000 women working in air conditioned rooms, it was found that the average monthly incidence was slightly higher than that in a control group work ing in mechanically ventilated rooms. The average days' duration per case was also slightly higher in the air conditioned rooms. . 14 DISABLING SICKNESS hMONG HALE INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYEES DURING THE SECOND QUARTER AND THE FIRST HALF OF 1938. W.M, Gafafer and E.S. Frasier. U.S. Public Health Re ports 53, 1910-11 (October 20, 1938). Reports from sick-benefit organizations including 168,233 male employees showed that rates for illnesses lasting more than a week -were 28% lower in the first half cf 1938 than in the same period of 1937 and 13% below the same periods of the years 19So-7. Non-industrial injuries remained about the some. All respir atory disease rates were far lower except that new cases cf tuberculosis showed a slight gain. HHBB-0009777 m V' 1 m -z< References to Recent Literature - 4 15 REGARDING THE BOOK "LUNG FIBROSIS OF MINERS" BY L. CROZIER, E. MARTIN AND A. POLIOARD. Magnin. Med, du travail 10, 97-118 (1938), (French). The three authors who collaborated on the book belong to a group of French phy sicians who hold that silicosis can be diagnosed roentgenologically only with great difficulty and that it can only develop on a preexistent tuberculosis. In France it has still not been included as a compensable disease. Magnin, in an open letter, criticizes the book and says it only serves to strengthen the views of experts in all other countries. It is stated that the authors have done vio lence to thc-ir own facts to strengthen their own views, and it is emphasized how beneficially the recognition of silicosis as. an industrial disease in other coun tries has effected prevention itself as is shown by the record in the South African mines. 16 SILICOSISj THE PATIENTS. M. Conrozicr and I, Magnin. Med. du travail, 10, 173-248 (1938). (French). The authors h_ve observed IT7 patients, of whom they have 300 x-rays. They pub lish numerous case histories and only a few in the group have been complicated by tuberculosis. They present very exact reports -and excellent descriptions, all to prove that silicosis is a separate disease entity caused by dust, which is not necessarily complicated with tuberculosis. Such .an argument is necessary in Franco, whore certain physicians (see preceeding abstract) oppose this view which is accepted elsewhere throughout the world. 17 THE SILICOSIS RISK IN THE POTTERY INDUSTRY. D.F.K. Bishop. Ceramic Age 146-7 (November 1958). (Reprinted from an article in a British publication.) The author umpha.sizos tue importance of the silicosis risk in the pottery indus try and says that although it has only recently been made a compensable disease (England, 1929) it has bc-^n well known in the past as "potter's asthma" and "potter's rot." He discusses the results of trials in the chinaware section in replacing flint by alumina as a beading material, and reports that one firm found definite advantages. It has been shown that workers exposed to alumina dust, in some cases for as long as 39 years, experienced no lung changes. The author re views ten items to be stressed in maintaining good dust control and makes a plea for observance of the rules in spirit as well as in the letter. 18 SILICOSIS IN THE MONUMENT MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IN VIRGINIA. Bureau of Indus trial Hygiene, Virginia State Department of Health Bulletin, 23 pp. (1938). Following a preliminary survey of dusty trades in Virginia, a more detailed stud? of the monument industry v/as conducted. This industry in Virginia consists in a small number of plants which process granite monuments, mostly in open-air plant* The survey included the determination of dust concentrations and the examination cf about one-half of the workers by X-ray. The dust concentrations found dis pelled the idea that out-of-doors work involved no hazard, as they were well above the limits in nearly all cass. The total dust exposures of the workers ./as difficult to estimate however, because of the irregularity of their duties and variability of the types of work. The X-ray examinations disclosed that about 25 per cent of the 45 workers examined had involvement of the lungs from the silica dust* 8 of the men were diagnosed as having silicosis and 3 as having silicosis complicated with infection. On the basis of these findings, recommen dations (which art.- listed in the bulletin) wore made to the industry on control measures to reduce the dust concentrations to safe limits. 19 SILICA DUST EXFOSURE OF ROCK DRILLERS IN NEW YORK QUARRIES. L.Greenburg, C.B. Ford, rV.J. Burke and B.H. Dolin. Ind. Dull. 17, 575-7 (December 1958), Under the New York rock drilling codes, the rock formations are divided into two classes with regulations as follows: Class I--rock with less than 10% free sili ca, and Class II--rock with mere than 10% free silica. Maximum allowable dust HK8B-0009778 r=1 References to Recent Literature - 5 concentrations ares Class I--up to 100 million particles per cu. ft.; Class II-- 10 million particles per cu. ft. Because vf wide variation in limits for the two classes, careful representative sampling cf the rock must bo made by the Department. In numerous dust counts mode in the industry in both Class I and Class II rocks, the average dust concentrations found were below 100 trillion par ticles per cu. ft, and above 10 million. From this it is concluded that dust control methods are unnecessary in Class I rock, but are required, according to the code, in Class II rock formations, 20 SILICOSIS II- A NORWEGIAN STEEL FOUNDRY. K. Evang. Hord. Mod. Tid. 16, 1085-92 (1933), (Norwegian). The author examined 29 employees who had worked in a small foundry for more than three years. Of them, 15 showed definite radiological evidence cf silicosis and in two others it 'was suspected. The cases were distributed throughout the foun dry in all of the occupations. The author points cut that the results are in deed alarming and v/arrant studies in other similar foundries, 21 FINDINGS OF A MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF A GROUP OF FETTLERS. J.Chalmagne. Arch. Med. See. et Hyg. 1, 527-32 (1938), (Belgian), Fettlers are those who use pneumatic tools to clean sand from castings before they are sent tc the sandblast. Fifty-one of these men from four foundries were examined. The results are not reported clearly, and although x-rays were taken on 12, no reports are given of them. Most prominent symptoms found were dyspnea on exertion, cough, and pulmonary trouble which were more noticeable in the old er men. 22 THE RESPIRATORY .,ND CIRCULATORY ADAPTATION TO aCUTE ANOXIA IN SILICOSIS AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE. M.H. Seevers, Norbert En2er, and T.J. Becker. J.Icd. Ilyg, h Toxicol 20, 595-654 (December 1938). In spite of advuac.s made in the- past in reducing exposures to dust concentra tions which rapidly produce the disabling pulmonary lesions, most workers will, over long periods of time, inhale enough dust to produce a detectable dogreo of pulmonary fibrosis. It is important then to know whether these minimal fibronic changes cause any appreciable or measurable pulmonary disfunction. That the changes can cause a disfunction in terms of maximum capacity is granted but the important question is to know whether they can reduce his capacity to perform ordinary daily tasks. At the present time, no satisfactory methods are availabl which can rate the individual's ability or capacity to perform a given task and therefore rate his degree cf disability. All depend on his cooperation which in many cases is unreliable. In the tests here reported the authors examined patients subjected to atmospheres of reduced oxygen content to study their re actions. Comparatively little has been done on this type of experiment, partic ularly in the older age groups, and many more tests are necessary in order to correlate results. Although the experiments serve as a method of studying the sensitivity of these mechanisms (heart, circulatory system, etc.) that componsat , for the stress of reduced oxygen, it was found that there was no evidence of latent cardiac incompetence, over and above that occurring with age, in individ uals with varying degrees of pulmonary fibrosis until the fibrosis was quite far advanced. THE HEART IN PNEUMOCONIOSIS. C.B. Coggin, D.E. Griggs and W.L, Stilson. Am, Heart J. 16, 411 (1938), The basis for this work is the study of 205 cases of pneumoconiosis over a per iod of 20 years. Of these cases 102 came to post mortem while 103 provided only clinical studies; 146 were classified as third stage and 55 as second stage pneumoconiosis. Cardiac enlargement was detected by clinical examination in HW8B-0009779 0 5) c.> es References tv Recent Literature - 6 23.8!?. Accentuation of the pulmonic second sound and the presence of marked cyanosis suggest cardiac involvement in pneumoconiosis. In 43 cases examined by electro-cardiograms, 37.2 per cent showed right axis deviation which paralleled the autopsy evidence of right ventricular hypertrophy. Ccnjestive heart failure was a ccmr.cn cause of death in third stage silicotics, more common in this series cf cases than tuberculosis, and thv findings are in disagreement with the popular concept. 24 SILICOSIS AND SILICO-TUBERCULOSIS. F. Dcmenici. Folia med. 4, 289-305 (1938). (Italian). The author presents tho clinical picture ana autopsy findings of a powder factory worker wno died of silicc-tuberculosis. On the basis cf the literature he con cludes that silicosis and tuberculosis arc separate diseases but that they appear together quite frequently. 25 THE ENVIRONMENT FACTOR IN RELATION TO HIGH NEGRO TUBERCULOSIS RATES. R.E. Roth. Am. Kev. Tuberc. 38, 137-204 (August 1938). The author reviews the difference in mortality rates between whites and negroes and discusses the views of several authors on the explanation. It is held by some that environment and mental attitude are the determinative factors while others have the opposite view that negroes are more susceptible to the disease* In this discussion, the author presents a study of groups of negroes and whites living in comparable conditions in American enlisted forces. He believes that the environmental factors are minimized because most of the whites come from the lower economic brackets and the medical entrance examinations are the sane* A great disparity in rates was found: 0.24 per 1000 for whites and 0*99 per 1000 for negroes or about 1 to 4, which he says, could not be explained except by differences in susceptibility. At the same time, he does not wish to minimize the environmental factor, 26 INCIDENCE OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS IN MINERS* J, Am. Med. Assoc. (Paris Letter111, 1482 (1938). Two doctors report on a study of tuberculosis among coal miners from 1923-37* Among patients in a coal mine company-owned hospital, often one-half of the patients were suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis. In the years 1923-37, 23.6 per cent of the hospital deaths were caused by this disease compared to 16*5 per cent for a group of controls of tho same age. The 1936 mortality rate for the same district for all non-mining males was 2,4 per 1000 and for coal miners was 3,4 per 1000, 27 TUBERCULOSIS IN RELATION TO THE PNEUMOCONIOSES, J.V. Sparks. J. Roy, Inst, Publ. Health & Hyg, 1, 790-7 (October 1938),. (British). The paper discusses the radiological aspects of the subject. It is nearly im possible to recognize with certainty the ante-primary stage of silicosis without the aid of the preliminary film of the same patient. It is difficult to express an opinion on the question of superimposed tuberculosis in the pneumoconioses fre radiologic studies. The new method of tomography may yield further help to the clinician in defining the presence and extent of nodulation in silicosis, 28 THE CONTROL AND CALIBRATION OF ROENTGENOGRAPHIC APPARATUS. Charles ffeyl, S. Rei._ Warren, Jr., and D.B. O'Neill. Am. J, Roentg. & Rad, Thor. 741-58 (November 1938). The problem of standardizing roontgenographic technique involves the accurate specification and reproduction of technique. Methods for the fulfillment of these requirements arc: (1) Precise control of apparatus and procedure, (2) accurate calibration of technical factors, and (3) use of an aluminum ladder to HMBS-80897S6 x!I HW8B-0009781 rzzf) 0 References to Recent Literature - 7 obtain exact reproduction of density and contrast, and all arc described in this paper in some detail* ' 9 BASIC FACTORS IN INDUSTRIAL RESPIRATORY PROTECTION. L. Teleky. Uitteil. Volksg-asundheitsant. Nos. 1-3, pp. 3-7, 0-4, 7-34 (1938). (Austrian). The author thinks of industrial respiratory protection.as including ir.crc than simply exhaust systems ana respirators. Often the most effective means of pro tection is provided by abandoning the use of dangerous substances or by changing the process and methods to eliminate a hazardous gas or dust. In preventive werk a prompt recognition of the danger is imperative. Dust preventive measures are described, such as enclosure of dusty processes, wet methods, etc., together with their effects and limitations. 30 RESPIRATOR FOR USE IN DUST-LaDEN ATMOSPHERES. THE MARK 17 DUST RESPIRATOR. S.A. Sadu, K.L. Green, G. Davies, U.S* Nicholson, A.S.G. Hill and H.H. Watson. Chem. & Ind. 57, 781-91 (August 0, 1958), (British). The requirements for a duct respirator are stated and the development of a new respirator is given in detail. The filter material of the latter is made of 20 per cent by weight cf chrysotile asbestos fibers and 80 per cent merino wool and they ire hold in place much the same as in several American models. Most of the teste for filtration efficiency were made Tdth carbonaceous smoke cf 0.16 micron size, althougli some tests were made with a fine flint dust. The authors feel that its efficiency oxceeds that required by the U.S. Bureau of Mines, whose methods of tasting are somewhat different, 31 GRANITE WORKERS' NASAL RESISTANCE IN BREATHING. E.C.J. Urban. J, Ind. Hyg. & Toxicol. 20, 635-40 (December 1938). The filtering or protective action of the- nose is considered important enough by some to justify selection of workers on the basis of nasal condition and by others as net of sufficient magnitude to act as an efficient filter. The author describes a scries of tests on 139 Vermont granite workers, selected at random, in which the- nasal resistance was measured with a special type of apparatus that pulled varying amounts of air outward through the nose. The results showed that nasr.l resistances do vary for different individuals but that the variation is slight, and would be apparent only over a period of years. At best, it is only one of the factors in silicosis and because of the possible tuberculous infec tion, other factors as personal habits, physical condition, and infection con tacts, are more important. 32 DUST: ITS HAZARD, CONTROL, AND COLLECTION WITH ESPECIAL REFERENCE TO SURFACE PLANTS. G.E. Lynch. Min. & Metall. 516-20 (December 1958). The author summarizes the dust hazard from the plant engineers' standpoint and discusses in some detail certain principles of dust control. Dangerous dusts arr thostf almost invisible particles below 10 microns in size, as particles above that size rarely reach the lungs; it is the particles below 10 microns which do net settle out of the etmosphere rapidly according to the laws of free settling. After particles cf these small sizes are dispersed into the air it is almost im possible tv collect or control then, so it is obvious that control oust be applif at the source of the dispersion. A discussion is then given of the principal methods cf control and collection which are available to engineers in their pro blems. The costs are described as being comparatively low and there is a possibl salvage value in collected dusts, in addition to the other benefits. S' V^L -- --'i s<C[? References tc Recent Literature - 8 33 THE COMPARATIVE RESISTANCE TO VENTILATION OF MINE ROADWAYS, INCLUDING THE WORKING FACE. R, Clive. Trans. Instn. Min. Engrs. (London) 95, 325-33 (July 1938), (British), The coefficient of friction for a straight and uniform arched-girder roadway, lined with brickwork to the springline of the arch, is low and z^yrozchvs that for a srjcoth-lined airway. A slight variation from the straight app reciably in creases resistance, as doe3 variation in cross-sectional area. The resistance caused by tubs (cr cars) is considerable and: nay increase the coefficient for a particular roadway by as much as 100 per cent. The resistance along the working face is very high compared with that for a normal roadway. 54 SOME NOTES ON NATURAL VENTILATION. B.R. Lawton, J. Che'-. Metal. Min. Soc. Sc. Africa 34, 61--i (August 1958). Some interesting observations were made on the seasonal variation of natural ven tilation in a cine about 2,200 ft. deep at the pit bottoms and approximately 3,500 ft. deep at the workings. Airflow by gravity varied from a maximum of 150,000 c.f.m, in February, when the surface air temperature was 31F, to a minimum of 77,000 c.f.m. in August with a surface temperature of 57. This in herent variability of airflow, and the difficulty in ventilating new development ends are held to be a drawback to general adoption of natural ventilation. Never theless, every effort should be made in planning out workings so as to take full advantage of the gravity effect. THE DETERMINATION OF THE SPECIFIC SURFACE OF POWDERS. P.C. Carman. Jour. Soc. Chen. Ind. 57, 225-34 (July 1938). (British), n new method is suggested for obtaining the specific surface of sands and of fine powders, Eriefly the procedure is to measure the permeability of a small sample tc a liquid of known viscosity and, from this, to calculate the specific surface, using an equation given in the paper. The equation has been tested over a wide range of conditions and results are accurate even if the particle size distribu tion is irregular, so the new method night well have application in an industrial laboratory. (C) Pancra-on.Industrial Poisons, Cancer._Dermatitis, etc. 36 Hazards FROM G.-.SES IN METAL MINES AND PROTECTIONS AGAINST rasa. E.H. Denny. Mining Tech. Tech. Paper No, 984, 10 pp. (November 1938). In the pass few years a number of men have been asphyxiated in mines, tunnels anwells where those occurrences might have boon prevented by a few relatively sim ple precautions. The author gives typical examples taken from the files of the Bureau of Mines. Probably most accidents occur in oxygen deficient atmospheres, in locations vrhere ventilation is poor and where nitrogon and carbon dioxide gases issue from the rock formations. A common mistake is to forget that gas masks cannot make up oxygen deficiency and that special oxygen-breathing appar atus is necessary. Other causes of asphyxiation are nitrogen fumes from dyna mite; the highly poisonous hydrogen sulfide gases which are present in many undo ground operations, chiefly tunnel and caisson work; and carbon monoxide. Good ventilation is the best precaution and should be supplemented with the proper respiratory equipment properly used, 37 FLUE Gn.Sb LAUNDERED TO PREVENT AIR POLLUTION, R,V. Kleinschmitt. Power Plant Eng, 42, 393-6 (1938). A scrubber is described that combines atomized spray with centrifugal separation and removes oust as well as sulfur dioxide gases. It is thought that gas elimin ation as well as dust removal should be considered in air conditioning. HWBB-0009782 (,Q)w@:ii.i NifBB-0009783 References to Recent Literature - 9 58 CAISSON DISL.-iSE -- CLINICAL *.ND STATISTICS STUDY. G. Pnncheri. Med. del. Lavoro i9, 193-212 (1938). (Italian). The author reports on a series of cases of caisson disease. In the first of two series recorded there were 45 cases during 70,500 work hours and in the second series, during which there was more stringent regulation of the tine of decom pression, there wore 35 cases in 153,000 v/ork hours. This value is still quite high for \7oll regulated diving operations and was due possibly tc the fact that there was no safety apparatus which enforced longer decompression periods. 39 CUTANEOUS H-E.iRDS IN THE FUR INDUSTRY. O.L. Levin and H.T, Behrman. Ind. Med. ']_> 673-'; (November 1935). The health h.aearis in the fur industry together with a brief description of the processes one materials used are presented. 3y far the most common hazard is 0 dermatitis although `.taoz- diseases that arc encountered are anthrax, catarrh and isthma. Th~ dise.soo arc caused by contact with the skins themselves, with the acids and othe.- chemic :1s used, ana with the numerous synthetic and organic dyes. The action cf of t...: substances is a purely chemical one butin many cases it is an-.cayl -ctoid, hero the individual is 'allergic tc the material. Prevention is b-st accomplished by personal cleanliness and by good sanitary measures with- ing the plant. 40 EUiiNS FROM .iCETYLZME WELDING. J. /an. Med. Assoc. (Queries and minor notes) 111, 463 (1938). A doctor writes that many cases of bums from acetylene welding become infected although immediate treatment is provided. It is probably not the flux that causes the infection but more likely the dust and small metal particles present on tnc shin. For this reason very thorough cleansing of the wound is necessary. 41 LEAD IN THE PRINTING INDUSTRY, J.M. Ileoler, P.F. Resin and R.W. Colina. J.Ind. Hyg. & Toxicol. 20, 641-5 (December 1938). Evidences obtained in a preliminary survey of the printing industry in Michigan, by the Bureau of Industrial Hygiene, indicated, contrary to contention, that sufficient lead fumes were present in the air to constitute a hazard, They then made tests in 14 representative printing establishments to determine the actual ccncentrations present. Most of the previous work on lead in printing shops had been done before exact methods of lead determination were in use and were thought to be inaccurate in many cases. The results of the present tests indicate that the former contentions are entirely unfounded and that considerable lead fumes can be given off from the lead melting pots when heated above the melting point even though the metal is not agitated. They found that lead fumes are more im portant than lead dust and that the film of oxide on the surfaces of the melting pots had no appreciable effect on the concentrations of the fumes, 42 HYGIENIC CONDITIONS IN BOOK PRINTING PL^iNTS IN HaPLES. R. Tecce and C. Bessero, Folia mod. 2^, 117-33 (1938). (Italian), In an investigation of the hygienic conditions in 15 Neapolitan printing shops, measurements were mnue cf the height and cubic content of rooms, dust concentra tion and temperature and humidity of the working spaces. The plants were divide into gc^d ones having 15.7-70.0 cubic motors per worker, 150-190 particles per c (Owens counter) 5.4-6.0 dry knta value and 14.7-17.2 wet; the medium and poor plants had 4.3-42.6 cu.m, per worker, 270-300 particles por cc. and dry and wet kata values of 4.0-4.7 and 12.5-15.8. The lighting was poor in most shops. The lead content of deposited dust varied from 5.5 tc 15 per cent. Examination of workers showed SO per cent to have- lead lines and 23 per cent to have stippled erythrocytes. 1 0: a :1? References to Recent Literature - 10 43 LEAL POISONING. GECTION II. 51 FATAL CASES OF SUSPECTED LEAD POISONING; AND 46 OF NQN-fATAL LEAD POISONING; DIAGNOSIS; TREaTMLNT; SUMMARY. V.A. Gant. Ind. Med. 2, 679-93 (November 1938). For Section I see Abstract No. 845, November 1938 bulletin. In the 3econa section of his paper the author devotes considerable space to case histories.of patients which are classified as lead poisoning among children, as chronic industrial cases, as doubtful and unjustified cases, and as acute cases, with discussions in each instance. In the concluding sections of the paper, the author repeats that since there are no symptoms pathognomonic of lead alone, diagnosis without chemical findings (determination of lead in blood or urine) is incomplete. Disodium phosphate is proposed as the best therapeutic agent in the treatment and should be used in conjunction with .a normal calcium diet, 44 SOME OBSERVATIONS UPON THE EXAMINATION OF MEN EXPOSED TO A LEAD HAZARD AT MOUNT ISA, INCLUDING aN ORIGINAL METHOD FOR THE EXAMINATION OF BLOOD FOR POLYCHROMASIA. L.A. Windscr-McLcan. Med. J. Australia 2, 367 (September 3, 1938). (Australian). During 1937, only 6 of the 1231 men employed in all departments of the Mount Isa Mines in Australia were adjudged to be incapacitated by plumbism. In connection with his own examinations of 115 of these workers for lead poisoning, the author found only 1 v/orkcr suffering from the positive symptoms, the remainder of the workers presenting various symptoms not attributable to any action of lead. A conclusion is drawn that hemoglobin percentage provides no indication of lead absorption 'and that the ratio between the large and small lymphocytes is of little or no value. The technic for estimating the number of polychromatophilic cells per million erythrocytes is explained in detail but no conclusion is drawn as to the significance of the results. 45 DETECTION OF LEAD POISONING IN A MOTOR CAR FACTORY. P.Molitor, M. Arnoldson and G. He -?er. Arch.Mai,Profes. 124-8 (1938). (French), A soi--r containing 30 per cent lead was used on assembled automobile parts in a French factory. When two workers who came under notice were found to have lead poisoning, the remaining workers were examined. It was found that 10 out of 39 men examinee had clear cases of lead poisoning with an additional 4 classed as doubtful. The men were employed in smoothing and rubbing down soldered parts. In another factory this work was being done in separate compartments where the men wore respirators, rubber gloves and impermeable clothing and upon examination no cases of poisoning were found in this group, 46 STABILITY OF ANEMIC CONDITIONS IN EXPERIMENTAL LEAD POISONING. Loureau, G.S. dcSacy and A. Arthus. Corapt. rend. Soc. de biol. 128. 512-4 (1938). (French). In some tests on rabbits subjected to experimental lead poisoning, variations in individual susceptibility to the poisoning and response to treatment were found to be a predominant factor. Marked differences wore noted in red cell blood count and in power of recovery of the animals. 47 DISTRIBUTION OF LEAD IN THE CAT AFTER INTRAVENOUS INJECTION OF A COLLOIDAL LEAD PREPARATION, aND THE EFFECT OF IRRADIATION ON THIS DISTRIBUTION. B.L. Crawford, H.L. Stev/art, C.F. Willoughby and F.L. Smith. Am.J.Cancer 3, 401-22 (1938). Cats receiving i:.'.ravenous injections of a colloidal lead preparation generally remained in good clinical condition without loss of weight or anemia, and the organs of these animals showed slight, if any, structural changes. When, however roentgen irradiation was given in addition, toxic manifestations ensued and pro nounced structural changes in the ergons occurred. These were of the same nature as were observed in animals treated by irradiation alone, but were more marked and are attributed to the combined toxic effects of the two agents. The lead in jection brought about significant increase in the lead concentration of most HWBB-00U9784 HMBB-0009785 References to Recent Literature - 11 organs and tissues examined. The lead distribution in animals treated with both lead and roentgen ray was essentially the same as that following the administra tion of lead only, although changes in lead concentration were found in certain organs. 48 EFFECT OF S-KYDhIL IS LEAD POISONING, F. Schmitt and K. Lossie. Arch. f. klir.. Med, 182. 00-3 (1938). (German). A report is given of one case of lead poisoning which was treated with S-Hydril (stabilized sodium thiosulphate) given intravenously. After giving 2 ampoules daily (it is not stated for how long) the clinical symptoms receded. After 8 days there was a significant decrease in blood lead and after 14 days the values were normal. 49 MICROCHEMICAL DETECTION *ND DETERMINATION OF LEaD. N.D. Costeanu. Mikrochim. acta Z, 236-8 (1936). (Austrian), A drop of hydrogen iodide solution, prepared by introducing hydrogen sulfide into a mixture cf iodine and water, is placed on filter paper which has been drenched with the solution to bo tested and dried in _n oven. The resulting yellow spot of lead ioai.de is cor.purc-d with spots similarly obtained with known concentration; cf lead solution. The method applied to the analysis of 0.4 g. of brass showed the probable presence of 0.025 per cent cf lead. 50 QUANTITATIVE DETSiC-INaTION OF LED IN BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL: MODIFIED DITHIZOBK METHOD. F. Schmitt and u. Baste. Arch. f. exp. Path. u. Pharmakol. 189. 189-71 (1958). (German). A description is giv^n cf \ modification of Seelkopf and Taeger's dithizone method. The hyar^gen sulfide precipitation is eliminated from the process. In stead, the ash residue is dissolved in hydrochloric acid and the iron is removed from the hydrochloric acid solution by shaking with ether. 51 MlCROCiiEMIC.-l METHODS FOR DETERMINATING LEAD ELECTROLYTICALLY AND BY MEANS OF DITHIZONE. K. Muller, Z. Anal. Chen, IIS, 161-82 (1938). (German). Numerous experiments are described in a reviev/ of 22 papers published since 1928, in which thv electrolytic and dithizone methods were subjected to vigorous test ing. Both require cleanliness in apparatus and purity of reagents. The weakr.es* of tiie dithizone method lies in the reactivity of the dithizone with other catior and the fact that the reagent is expensive and docs not keep well. Although the electrolytic method also has its drawbacks it seems best for lead determination in organic mate-rials. Full details for both determination arc described. 52 EXPERIMENTS ON THE EFFECT ON THE THYROID OF CARBON MONOXIDE INHALATION. H, Reploh. Arch. f. Hyg. 120, 244-57 (1938). (German). In experiments on guinea pigs and rabbits, the author induced acute, "sub-acute" (repeated) and chronic poisonings, the latter by small amounts daily for several hours, for as long as 12 months. The effect on the thyroid was most marked in the chronically poisoned 'animals. The experiments support the view that there i; a chronic carbon monoxide poisoning, and tend to dispute the theory that the poi soning is .only a natter of anoxemia. 53 A CaSE OF OCULaA PICTURE .DICE CAUSED BY GiiS FROM a MOTOR. B. Koslowski, Klin. Oczna 16, 176 (193S). (Polish). The driver of a closed motor car was asphyxiated by products of combustion which had no exit tc the outside. When ho regained consciousness 9 hours later, he could not see and upon examination after 6 days he was found to have a left homonymous hemianopsia which touched the fixation points. He recovered spontan eously within wioks. The carbon monoxide may have produced an angiospasm, or a hemorrhage which compressed the visual pathways. ca)T :Oiim iH) :i!? t m M tftfBS-0009786 "'-jjl References to Recent Literature - 12 54 THE TRAVELERS CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR. Travelers Standard 26, 164-6 (September 1933). s A carbon monoxide detector which is inexpensive and easily assembled has been developed by the Travelers Insurance Company. The method consists in converting the carbon monoxide in the sample to carbon dioxide by means of a cigar lighter coil and absorbing the converted carbon dioxide in a strontium hydroxide solution. The sample is first cleared of carbon dioxide and any hydrocarbons by passing it through calcium oxide and silica gel. . A 10 inch bicycle pump is used as the source of suction. 55 ACUTE LEUCOSIS FROM BENZENE. M, Perrin, P, Kissel and L. Pierquin. Paris med. 28, 533-C (1958). (French). The authors report in detail the case of a shoe factory worker, a 44 year old woman, who had repeatedly suffered symptoms of acute rheumatism of the joints then fell ill with fever, very severe anemic condition, skin hemorrhages, dyspnea and weakness. The blood count showed 1.56 million red cells, 1800 white cells, 16 per cent polynuclear cells, 16 per cent polynuclear neutrophiles, 1 per cent polynuclear basophilic cells, 9 per cent large mononuclears, 17 per cent leucoblasts and many streptococci in the blood. At autopsy the bone marrow was seen to bo in marked proliferation but thu white blood cells of the myelogram were ex clusively leucobiasts. It was an acute leucemia which was hidden by a hypogranulocytosis and there thus existed not a true aplasia of the bone marrow but a metaplastic proliferation. Benzene poisoning, which in its classic form causes an aplastic myelosis, is under certain conditions (according to exposure and sen sitivity) also an irritant of the hemopoetic tissues, causing a leucemic symptom complex, acute or chronic. This latter would be seen more often, no doubt, if systematic myelograms were made. 56 BENZENE POISONING IN .i PREGNANT KOMAN. J. Lercnge. Progres. med. 901 (1938) (French). A woman rubber worker suffered fatigue and anemia (2.1 million red cells, 11,000 white cells) from benzene poisoning. After a few weeks away from her work the red cell count roso to 3.6 million. The delivery of her child was normal but the child weighed only 2.6 kilograms (6.2 lbs.) 57 MERCURY POISONING IN MINING. J.Am.Med.Assoc. (Queries and minor notes) 467 (1953). The inquiry concerns the possibility of being acutely poisoned by mercury vapor in a day's work in a gold mine, and the determination of mercury or lead poison ing several months later. The reply states that, with high concentrations, mer cury poisoning can take place in a few hours, although hard rock mining seldom offers a hazard. Stomatitis is the chief symptom in acute poisoning from the compounds. In poisoning from the vapor, the symptoms are twor, central nervous system signs, diarrhea and nausea; and some of the muscular and nervous symptoms may persist. Mercury does hot always appear in the urine of poisoned persons. References are made to methods of determination in urine and in air. 58 A SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURE FOR THE DETERMINATION OF MERCURY IN URINE. A.O. Gettler and R.A. Lehman. Am. J. Clin. Path. Tech. Supplement , 161-4 (1958)-, A 50 cc. portion cf the urine is ashed in a 500 cc. Kjoldahl by means of potas sium permanganate and sulfuric acid. The mercury is 4tf&nuiaed by means of the color compared with that of known standards. The ordinary chemically pure re agents were found to be satisfactory. The time required for a series of five determinations is about three hours. The procedure is more rapid than the Wink ler method and equally accurate. HtfBB-0009787 References to Recent Literature - 13 59 CAUTION IN THE USE OF aRSENIOUB CORROSIVES WITH LIGHT METALS. E. Beintker. Arbeitsschutz, pp, 150 (1938), (German). A short description is given of two cases of illness caused by pickling netal plates in a corrosive consisting of 33 per cent hydrochloric acid and oer cent arsenic, 60 UVEITIS CAUSED BY ARSENIC POISONING. B.S. Brodskii. Viestnik Opht. 11.* 698 (1938), (German), A bilateral chronic riidocyclitis (an inflammation of the middle coating of the eye) ueveloped in a fanner from careless handling of an arsenic disinfectant. The diagnosis was made by finding traces of arsenic in the aqueous humor (eye fluid). 61 DANGERS FROM GALVANIZING SHEET METAL. J. Am. Med. Assoc. (Queries and minor notes) in, 865 (1958). The question concerns pulmonary disease from fumes and acids in galvanizing metal: The reply discusses metal fuse fever and then sulfuric acid, sulfur dioxide and zinc sulfate. Although several occupational hazards may be present in this Indus trial operation, ''involvement of the respiratory tract does not stand out as pre eminent." 62 POISONING BY MANGANESE. L.iV. Bander. Arch. Mai. Profes. 1, 104-8 (1938). (french). Cases of manganese poisoning by those inhaling its dust are comparatively rare, only about 130 having been reported in the liter^ure, with a possibility that some have passed unrecognized. Some predisposition to the poisoning seems to be necessary and the symptoms appear generally during the first two years of expo sure. The illness begins rapidly and progresses in a few months to a typical and incurable condition. Symptoms usually are: the patient is easily tired and falls to sleep easily; unsteady gait; difficulty in ascending a slope; little control over facial muscles or expression; both speech and writing are protracted and slurred; swallowing may be difficult; and there are sometimes violent pains with cramps in the muscles. 63 EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH INTO TIE TOXICOLOGY OF MANGANESE. A.C. Lemos. Arch. Mai. Profes. 1, 119-25 (1938). (French). Experiments are described on rabbits exposed to doses of manganese administered subcutaneously, in their food, by stomach tube, and by inhalation of duet over long periods. The metal, when administered in large doses proved rapidly fatal, but no immediate effects followed upon inhalation, although details of the lattej are not given. The metal was found in all organs of the body, particularly in the brain. A high concentration in the bile indicated its path of elimination. An analytical method to determine manganese in the tissues is also described. CHRONIC NICKEL POISONING AND PRODUCTIVE MILIARY TUBERCULOSIS. REPORT OF A CASE, R. Pomeranz. Am. Rev. Tubcrc. 38, 252-61 (August 1938). The toxic effects of nickel, although they occur rarely, have been definitely recognized. A case is reported here with autopsy findings, which was attributed to nickvl poisoning and productive miliary tuberculosis. The patient was a male age 22, who had been working as an industrial chemist 6 years and whose work in cluded exposure to nickel and carbon tetrachloride solutions. Symptoms of short, noss of breath, loss of weight and appetite, nonproductive cough, and transient pains in the chest first appeared and roentgen findings at that time showed fine nodular lesions, millet in size, throughout both lungs but for 8 months they wei undiagnosed. Because the lesion was thought to be a lymphoblastoma, the patient received 13 x-ray treatments and his symptoms at first improved, but later they became worse and he finally died. The autopsy disclosed evidences of nickel in 'cyo Q-r- L~\J n. ^.5 References to Recent Literature - 14 the lungs together with the tubercular lesions* end the author hypothecated that the chemical irritant had reactivated a latent tuberculosis. This might be a good warning to chemists and those who work with irritant substances to have yearly roentgen examinations of the chest. 65 INJURIES TO HEALTH CAUSED BY ALUMINUM AND P^TICUL^RLY THE EFFECT OF .XUMINUM DUST ON THE LUNGS. M. Doese. Arch. Gewerbepath. u. Gcwerbehyg. 8, 501-30 (1938). (German). In an investigation to decide whether aluminum dust caused a characteristic dis ease of the lungs, data was collected from examinations of 86 aluminum smelter workers. It wes found that silicosis did not occur among the men, which agreed with the British investigations. It was found, however, that there was damage to the upper respiratory tract in the form of catarrh, irritation or atrophy of the nasal mucus membrane and perforation of the septum. Whether these were due to the aluminum specifically or to a general effect of dust was not concluded because of the snail number examined. The comparative harmlessness of aluminum in the stages of production is in marked contrast to the dangers of spraying with aluminum paint, as in the latter case it seems there is a noticeable effect on the lungs which is regarded as specific, 66 THALLIUM POISONING. F. Kunkele. Chen. Ztg. 62, 49-51 (1938). (German). The author gives a short history of thallium poisoning and describes the detec tion and determination of the substance in parts of the body at autopsy. He re ports on k cases of death from thallium which he had examined. 67 FLUORINE POISONING. J. Am. Med. Assoc. (Queries and minor notes) HI. 273 (1938) Pulmonary edema is the outstanding characteristic of acute fluorine poisoning and as little as 0.2 mg. per kilogram of body weight may cause trouble when in haled. In chronic cases overgrowth of bone, calcification cf ligaments and bone fragility are common, but tend to disappear when exposure is stopped. In acute cases, oxygen inhalation, bronchial sedatives and antispasmcdics, and intravenous calcium gluconate are suggested. Ten references are cited. 68 A PORTABLE INSTRUMENT FOR THE ANALYSIS OF HYDROCYANIC ACID GAS-AIR MIXTURES. R.J. Wilmot and T.N. Gautier. J. Agr. Research 56, 283-90 (1938), n.n instrument is described which analyzes hydrogen cyanide gas-air mixtures by physical apparatus. The sample is drawn, by means of a small motor driven pump contained in the instrument, over a hot platinum filament. The change in resis tance of the filament is then measured by means of a Wheatstone bridge and is translate: into percentage of hydrogen cyanide by volume. It is accurate to within 0.02 per cent. 69 PRINTERS* SPRAY AND METHYL ALCOHOL. J,Am.Med.Assoc. (Queries and minor notes) 111. 85 (1938), A spray used widely in printing contains methyl alcohol, gum arabic and gum tragacanth. Or.e printer is known tc have developed asthma which was traced to the gum arabic and which was overcome by substituting starch. Most of the com plaints concerned not the spray but the dust left when the alcohol evaporates. Exhaust ventilation may be suggested and methyl alcohol should not be used. 70 EFFECT OF BULrUh CHLORIDES ON EYES. J. Am.Med, assoc. (Queries and minor notes) 111. 1492 (1358), Sulfur chloride is thought to be non-toxic by Hamilton and Lehmann, Since it is frequently used along with carbon disulfide, any injury is thought to be caused by the letter substance. Kober and Hayhurst consider the decomposition products to be harmful and Adler-Herzmark has reported general poisoning by sulfur-mono chloride in the absence of carbon disulfide* Injury to the eye would probably Be accompanied by other, more characteristic, injuries. HWBfi~000978S HftBB-0009789 References to Recent Literature - 15 71 A SIMPLIFIED COLORIMETRIC DETERMINATION OF oULFUR DIOXIDE IN THE rJR. S.M. Chumanov and M.E, Aksel'rod. J. Applied Cher;;. 11, 720 (1338). (Russian), A small amount of dilute potassium ferricyanide solution added to a solution of tri-vnlent iron can be used as an indicator for the determination of sulfur di oxide in the absence of other reducing agents. The blue coloration is intensive enough to detect 0.02 mg. of sulfur dioxide in a liter of air. 72 DETERMINATION OF SMALL QUANTITIES OF METHYL BROMIDE IN AIR. R.L. Busbey and N.L. Drake. Ir.ci. & Eng. Chem. Anal. Ed. I, 390-2 (July 15, 1938). A method is proposed for the determination of methyl bromide in the air of fumi gated spaces. The procedure involves saponification of the methyl bromide by alcoholic potassium hydroxide, removal of the alcohol, oxidation of the bromide to bromate by sodium hypochlorite, and iodimetric titration of the broraate. Re sults are reported of analyses of 13 samples ranging from 0,0480 to 0.0065 g. The average error is plus or minus 1.7%; the greatest, plus or minus 5,5%, 73 CARCINOGENIC ACTIVITY, STRUCTURE, ND CHEMICAL REACTIVITY OF POLYNUCLEAR AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS. L.F, Fieser, Am. J, Cancer .34, 37-124 (September 1938). The author presents a long review of the subject which includes: (1) a critical evaluation and comparison cf the methods for determining carcinogenic activity} (') information concerning the preparation and purification and the commercial sources of the carcinogenic hydrocarbons} (3) a summary of the work on corrolatioi cf chemical structure and carcinogenic activity, and (4) a summary of investiga tions on the metabolic fate of various active hydrocarbons. A very extensive bibliography is included, 74 THE PRODUCTION OF EXPERIMENTAL CANCER OF THE LUNG IN MICE, M.G. Seelig and E.L, Benignus. Am. J. Cmcor 33. 549-555 (August 1938). Although there is no thoroughly satisfactory method of applying tar to the lungs in experimental work, the method here described by the authors is simple. The bottoms of the cages were covered frith fluffy coal soct or tar-free lamp black to which known carcinogenic hydrocarbons were added. The movements of the animals raise sufficient dust to cause black particles in the smaller intrapulnonaiy bronchii within 6 days and in 5 weeks' time these are widespread throughout the lungs. 75 SENSITIZATION TO JUTE. F,A. Stevens and L. Jordani. J. Allergy 610-2 (Septem ber 1938). - Jute, a vegetable fiber grown in India, is widely used in the form of burlap for packing and transporting articles of merchandise. Because it is cheap, it is used also in place of more expensive and durable fibers in inexpensive upholster ed furniture and in cheaper domestic rugs and carpets. Inasmuch as its use is sc common, contact with jute is almost universal not only industrial but domestic as well. Five case histories arc given demonstrating conclusively the allergenic .properties of jute. 76 DANGERS OF PARAFFIN. J. Am. Med. Assoc. (Queries and minor notes) 110- 2102 (1938). Paraffin, when melted and sprayed under pressure, comes out as a powder. The worker wears a mask bur it is not satisfactory. Is there a health hazard? Answer: Pur- paraffin should be harmless, but paraffin oils and petroleum deri vatives might cause- acne, and possibly tar cancer. The best solution is a good exhaust system. Ordinary respirators are not suitable and a supplied-air mask is necessary. a !f) ~.> ~ S-\ References to Recent Literature - 16 77 THE EMPLOYMENT OF DIABETICS. P..D. Lawrence and K, Madders. Brit. Med. J. Dp. 1076-7 (November 26, 1938). (British). An appeal from diabetics and the Diabetic Association that there was a prejudice against them by employers because of the-ir diabetes led the authors to believe that this prejudice was unfair, unjust and a survival of the pre-insulin period, and they began a survey of the time-lost record of diabetic patients. Their re port covers the record of 100 employed diabetics, selected at random, v/ho were taking regular insulin treatments. The number interviewed was too small to draw definite conclusions, but the authors form the opinion that most treated diabetic, are good employees from the health point of view, and hope that the widespread prejudice against their employment may be removed. 78 UR JET VENTILATION IN HOT NEITHER. T.C. .-u^as. Heat. & Vent. Eng. 12, 2-6 (July 1938). (British). The jet fan consists of -a small centrifugal fan (l/2 h.p. to 1-3/4 h.p.) deliver ing through a jet tube sc as to discharge -a horizontal, flat, wide stream just above head level. Although the mein air current passes overhead, the high velo city (up to 4000 f.p.rii, at the jet) induces secondary air currents, and the re sult is that in the neighborhood influenced by the jet fan, air currents are var iable instead of monotonous, and thus are more refreshing, air velocities as high as 160 f.p.m. have been recorded at shoulder level 60 ft. or so from the jet. In shops '..here hot processes are carried on, or in hot weather, such air movement is most welcome. Jet fans have been used to dissipate local clouds of disagreeable fumes or Vapvra to reduce their concentrations to negligible levels. They will not solve oil summer factory ventilation problems, but along with good natural cr simple exhaust ventilation they will form a useful and cheap auxiliary 79 METABOLISM OF MAN aI WORK UNDER DIFFERENT CLIMATIC CONDITIONS. 0. Ehrisnann. Ztschr. f. Hyg, u. Infoktionskr. 120, 319-40 (1938). (German). At higher temperatures and humidities the increase in metabolism accompanying work is approximately the same- as under ordinary conditions. The recovery time may be delayed and in some cases the respiratory quotient is lowered. The body weight may increase in spite of the less favorable conditions. No evidence was forthcoming that nitrogenous metabolism is disturbed when work is done in envir onments of lov/er cooling power. 80 HEAT REGULATION AND MUSCUIuiR WORK. W. Liberson. Trav. humain 6, 41-51 (1938). (French) The author discusses the effect of temperatures on the energy yield of muscular work, about which there are various views. He states that the energy yield re mains practically constant in temperatures between 9-40C, but the technical yield (mechanical efficiency) of work rises with a decrease in temperature, at least between 9-4C. 81 THE INFLUENCE OF CLOTHING ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL REACTIONS OF THE HUMAN BODY TO VARYING ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURES. A.P. Gagge, C.E.A. Winslow and L.P. Herring ton. Am. J, Physiol. 124. 30-50 (October 1938). The. partition of heat loss from a normally cbthed subject shows that he is able to tolerate a difference of 8C between skin and environmental temperatures be fore coding sets in at 25C (as compared with 29C for the. nude subject.) Be tween 25^0 and 29C, thermal equilibrium of the clothed body is rjaintained by vasomotor regulation. Above 29C evaporation regulation sets in. It was shown, by plotting various physiological factors against calorie demand, that the gross physiological responses cf the body are about the same nude as when clothed ex cept for tho temperature at which the response takes place. HW88-0B09790 Hw88-0009791 References to Recent Literature - 17 82 HIaT STROKE: CLItJICxiL AND CHUUIC*L OBSERVATIONS ON 4-1 CASES. E.B. Ferris, Jr., M.A. Blonkcnhorn, H.W. Robinson and G.E. Cullen. J.Clin.Invest. 17, 243-62 (1938). The incipience of heat stroke was relatively higher among white non than colored. Physical exertion was not a factor. There was a characteristically high body temperature, a moderate acidosis and hemo-ccncentration but no consistent change in the chloride of blood serum. The most effective treatment was ice-vmcer tub bing with sassage. 83 X?ERfliNTl INVESTIGATIONS (HISTOLOGIC, h^TOLOGIC, HISTOCHEMICAL) OF DEATH FROM HYPERTHERMIA (KEtiT STROKE). G. Lacroix. Folia mod. 24, 21-30 (1938). (Italian). A report cf seme heat stroke experiments cn guinea pigs. At autopsy, macroscopic and microscopic evidences of congestion were predominant. In a study of the cell metabolism, according to Lipschitz's method, the dehydrogenizing ability was significantly lowered in the brain, liv-er and skin; less sc in other organs. The sugar content of the liver was decreased. (CS\ 0''- "c-F1 Cw HMBB-0609/73