Document jBXZx1q8ERG7x7QBOG5jJ3xXk

ABSTRACTS FROM CURRENT LITERATURE 409 hygiene problems. In addition, it is sometimes used in outlining, performing and evaluating studies of biologic phenomena based on experimental animals. These studies may be of the usual laboratory type, or, as in the case of the recent Donora (Pa.) disaster, they may be field studies in which the effects of air or stream pollution are determined on large groups of animals and compared with the effects on humans. In recognition of these uses of veterinary science, the Division of Industrial Hygiene of the United States Public Health Service has a veterinarian on its staff. Harold H. Royaltey, Cambridge, Mass. Laboratory Tests for Strenuous Visual Work Disclose Significant Results. Ernest Simonson, Indust. Hyg. Newsletter 10:4 (May) 1950. .Some of the effects of .illumination on prolonged strenous visual work are described. The illumination levels previously recommended were defined in terms of minimum foot-candles and were based on work tests lasting only a few minutes. The test used here lasted two hours and involved recognizing small letters on a long belt passing at irregular times and levels through a narrow slit in front of the subject. Performance was evaluated in terms of percentage drop in efficiency between the beginning and the end of the test. An optimum illumination was found between 50 and 300 foot-candles, with an increased performance drop at 300. A lamp with a greenish coating was found superior to two others tested, although all emitted essentially a mixed white light. A drop in flicker fusion point was also found to be a sensitive index of visual fatigue. Harold H. Royaltey, Cambridge, Mass. Hand and Restorative. Surgery. Symposium, Indbst. Med. 19:453-470 (Oct.) 1950. Papers are presented as follows: "Common Hand Injuries," by. Frank W. Barden, p. 453; "Reconstructive Surgery of the Hand and Industrial Rehabilitation," by Michael L. Lewin, p. 457; "Treatment of Hand Injuries," by Condict W. Cutler Jr., p. 462; "Stenosing Tendo vaginitis: A Survey of Findings and Treatment in 49 Cases," by Leo F. Miller, p. 465; "Primary Care of the Injured Hand," by William F. Lauten, p. 468. Industrial Hygiene Problems in Brazil. John J. Bloomfield. Papers. Institute of InterAmerican Affairs, Washington, D. C., 1950. This survey follows more or less the pattern of previous surveys of Chile, Bolivia and Peru by Bloomfield. Excerpts from his conclusions show that 29 million persons are gainfully employed in Brazil, 50 per cent of whom are in agriculture. 8 per cent in manufacturing, mining and transportation. . About 46 per cent of the population. are gainfully employed. Living standards are very low, tuberculosis is extremely high, the general problems of sanitation are paramount. Social welfare legislation is highly progressive and wholly run by the government. Philip Drinker, Boston. State Workmen's Compensation Laws as of September 1950. Bulletin 125, United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Standards, 1950. Bulletin 125 is a revision of bulletin 99 of 1948. Its 47 pages summarize the main provisions of the state workmen's compensation acts. It should not.be used as a substitute for the f.ull text of the laws. For comparing the procedures followed in the various states the bulletin is ideal. ` Philip Drinker, Boston; Doctor and Workman. A. Meiklejohn, Brit. J. Indust. Med. 7:105-116 (July) 1950. This paper is Meiklejohn's John C. Bridge Memorial Lecture, presented before the British Association of Industrial Medical Officers, in April 1950. It is excellent reading.. He. discusses the broad problem of .controlling, and preventing all industrial illnesses, but the pneumoconioses get the most attention. He defends stoutly the thesis that intelligent medical precautions, espe cially preemployment and periodic check-ups, can control industrial disease. The engineer will rejoice, however, at the following comments on current silicosis research in Britain: "The real tragedy of pneumoconiosis in coal miners is that all along there has been too much emphasis on i l i