Document mpLKYmLLvOZQ6vpL6dNDxyrDZ

FILE NAME: Hercules Chemical (HERC) DATE: 1952 DOC#: HERC010 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Abstracts of Article by W. Behrens, Jr. - The Clinical Picture and Pathology of Asbestosis /?S2_ A. M. A. A R C H I V ES O F Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Medicine EDITORIAL BOARD PHILIP DRINKER, Chief Editor 55 Shattuck Street, Boston 15 RALPH C. LEGCO, Crockett, Calif. H. H. SCHRENK. Pittsburgh PRANK PR1XCI, Cincinnati CHARLES F. SHOOK SR., Toledo ` SCAR A. SANDER. Milwaukee JAMES H. STERNER, Rochester,, N. Y. HERBERT E. STOKINGER, Cincinnati Volume 7 1953 PUBLISHERS AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION CHICAGO 10, ILL. ABSTRACTS FROM CURRENT LITERATURE 437 Dermatitis P rovoked by Saturnidae Moths: \ ellowtail Moth Dermatitis or Carifito Itch. G uido D'Avanzo, Med. lavoro 43:439 (Dec.) 1952. The author, a ship's medical officer of the Italian Mercantile Marine, sets forth a rare exotic infection, often of professional character, consisting of a very troublesome erythematousvesicular dermatitis caused by direct or indirect contact with the abdominal hairs of special Saturnidae moths characteristic of South and Central America, the same belonging to the genus Hylesia. After reporting some cases on vessels infested with these moths while in Caripito Bay, Venezuela, the author gives a complete outline of the infection and dwells upon the particular pathogenic mechanism, making recommendations for prophylaxis and therapy. A uthor's S ummary. T wo Cases of Cane D isease. Lorio P eace, Med. lavoro 43:453 (Dec.) 1952. A description is given of two cases of cane disease observed in laborers working in a cant' gathering center in Sardinio. Symptoms were acute eczema on face and limbs, irritation of conjunctiva and nasal mucous membranes, and a slight rise of temperature. The two patients recovered in a week. The author believes that cane disease is occupational and is caused by an allergy for a fungus of the Sporotrichum type, a parasite growing on canes exposed to humidity for long periods. E nglish Summary. T he Clinical P icture and Pathology of Asbestosis. VV. B ehrens J r., Ztschr. Unfallmed, u. Berufskrankh. 45:129-140 (May 15); 179-189 (Sept. 15) 1952. This is a general account of asbestosis, introduced by mention of the uses of asbestos cen turies ago for woven garments for the dead during cremation and as wicks for the lamps of the vestal virgins. The chief chemical and physical characters of different kinds of asbestos belong ing to the two main groups of this mineral--amphibolite and chrysolite asbestos are recorded. The world distribution of asbestos and its mining, treatment, and use are shortly described, as well as the industries in which dust inhalation hazards may be met. Reference is made to the published work of a considerable number of authors who have studied asbestosis since the first records of the disease about 1906; their observations on the effect of length of exposure *o asbestos dust in different concentrations are given. The symptomatology and diagnosis and the x-ray findings in different stages of the disease are also published. Special mention is made of the association of asbestosis with carcinoma, which is contrary to experience in cases of silicosis. Postmortem reports from the literature indcate that in 309 cases of asbestosis there were 44 lung carcinomas (14.2%), whereras in 2,204 cases of silicosis only 32 carcinomas were found (1.4%). The experience of the association of tuberculosis and asbestosis varies greatly in different countries. English workers have recorded a high rate of tuberculous infection among workers in asbestosis, and the Home Office reports for 1933 to 1939 include 90 deaths from asbestosis, with an association of tuberculosis in 32 deaths. This is, howrever, to be compared with the silicosis deaths, for during 1932 to 1939 there were 797 tuberculous infections in a total of 1,397 fatal cases of silicosis. In America, tuberculosis is a rare complication of asbestosis. Some figures from the German experience record that among 500 definite and 200 doubtful cases of asbestosis there were found only 11 instances of active and 51 of inactive tuberculosis, whereas among cases of silicosis the incidence of tuberculosis was 35% in the slight and 63% in the severe degrees of silicosis. The rest of the paper consists of a description of the macroscopic and microscopic appearances of the lungs in asbestosis, as well as a discussion, with an excellent reference list, of the nature and significance of the "asbestosis bodies" about which there have been so many differences of opinion. M. E. D elafield [Bull. Hyg.J. ISSUED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE HONORARY MANAGING COMMITTEE 'b U %n ^ y \ i. % ^ % e s c? VOLUME XXVKI (Nos. 1-12) JANUARY - DECEMBER, 1953 London: BUREAU OF HYGIENE * TROPICAL DISEASES Kcppel Street. Gower Street, W.C.l 1953 ir V 1;t-/ t . -.IVA >Vv*yvVV-. iii-Wl vl*t -J Av.irf sgIIi .ft? g SiM' E| noV m w $$: tl fef W,7 192 BULLETIN 01' HYGIENIC Match, i-4..2S,Y The suggestion is made that cortisone would not be expected to have any lasting beneficial oilect upon the collagen in human silicosis, although it might well arrest progression of the lesions during the period of administration. The appearances of the experimental nodules with and without treatment are illustrated. E. E. Colds E bina, T., Takask, Y., I nasawa, Y. & H ouie, K. Silicosis in the Diatomaceous Earth Factories. Tohoku J. Exper. Med. 1952, Aug. 25, v. 56, No. 3, 214. "(1) We found 12 silicosis patients (11-0 per cent) in the 106 workers in six factories dealing with diatomaceous earth at Enda by roentgenographical examinations of their chests. The 12 silicotics were graded as 8 cases in the lirst stage, 3 in the second stage and only one in the third stage. " (2) The shortest period th at incurred silicosis was 3 years and the morbidity tended to increase with the years employed. Advanced forms of silicosis above the second and the third stages are found in the group of those who had been employed 51 years or more. Morbidity here increased also with the age. " (3) Except for the tendency of decrease in breathing capacity, subjective and objective symptoms were few. " (4) Tuberculous complication is found only in one case of the first stage. " (5) The Enda diatomaceous earth contains 76% to 86% SiOj, which is amorphous hydrated silica in the condition of irreversible colloid and not quartz, which is generally considered as the cause of silicosis. _ , " And so our cases axe of some interest in considering the etiology in silicosis." Behrens, W., Jr. ber Klinik und Pathologie der Asbestosis. [The Clinical Picture and Pathology of Asbestosis] Ztschr. f. Unfallmed. u. Bcrufskrankh. 1952, June 15, v. 45, No. 2, 129-40 ; Sept. 15, v. 45, No. 3, 179-89. [150 refs.] This is a general account of asbestosis introduced by mention of the uses of asbestos centuries ago for woven garments for the dead during cremation and as wicks for the lamps of the vestal virgins. The chief chemical and physical characters of different kinds of asbestos belonging to the 2 main groups of this mineral--amphibolite and chrysolite asbestos __are recorded. The world distribution of asbestos and its mining, treatment and use are shortly described as well as the industries in which dust inhalation hazards may be met with. Reference is made to the published work of a considerable number of a u th ors w h o have studied asbestosis since the first records of the disease in about 1906, and give their observations on the eflcct of length of exposure to asbestos dust in different concentrations. The symptomatology and diagnosis, and the Y findings in the different stages of the disco*, given. Special mention is made of the associafi.,. asbestosis with carcinoma, which is contrae experience in cases of silicosis. Post-mortem ro from the literature indicate th at in 309 cast asbestosis there were 44 lung carcinomas (U-i cent.) whereas in 2,204 cases of silicosis only J. ciriomas were found (1-4 per cent.). The experience of the association of tubrculos., asbestosis varies greatly in different court English workers have recorded a high rate of t. culous infection in workers in asbestos, and the 1, Office reports for 1933 to 1939 include 90 death,; asbestosis, among which there was tuberculosis This is, however, to be compared with the si!;., deaths (1932 to 1939)---there were 797 tubercinfections in a total of 1,397 fatal cases of silicosiAmerica, tuberculosis is a rare complicate asbestosis. Some figures from the German exparecord th at among 500 definite and 200 doubtfufi, of asbestosis there were found only 11 instance active aud 51 of inactive tuberculosis, whereas m. cases of silicosis the incidence of tuberculosis,, per cent, in the slight and 63 per cent, in the xv degrees of silicosis. The rest of the paper consists of a description*, macroscopic and microscopic appearances o! lungs in asbestosis as well as a discussion, win excellent reference list, of the nature and signify of the " asbestosis bodies" about which therel been so many differences of opinion. M. E. Belaj. Cayton, H. R., F urness, G., J ackson, L). Maitland, H. Tl. Studies on Cotton Du relation to Bysslnos'ts. Part III : Comparu. Cotton Dust and House Dust by Chemki. Skin Tests. Brit. J. Indus/. Med. 1952 v. 9, No. 4, 303-8. [16 refs.] nac. 5a pe 17 r 4(jwn id' * Aimer-,. In Ailtb i t'Cnng, -jtxi.sks iijj.Uvik'- : ( Sy; rtUtVS < 1(X 2 Peri nrvtinm of I** ttlAU I 21 Mr, y woihfl y* " blue j-ufWlAte r 7,- rv.ivat ! c I' o-wu Im u ' )>`j l; ..'Ulf wu- ,-ovl not mi hl i M- if'o'P ti. , -, d m n-.- ;-i ( itil ,. . <* i I / - t * ."4 1 i 5V$ * *.:f fii:'V ''H l ! All the dusts in this investigation were sui- to chemical tests which arc fully explained. Ai. found to contain a polysaccharide associated v, polypeptide grouping of amino-acids giving n . the usual colour reactions for protein ; there u; detected difference between the dusts. Extra, cotton dusts arc known to produce two typ skin reactions, an early reaction of weal and- type, and a late reaction of induration and crjr, Early reactions are considered to indicate ^ Both extracts gave similar early reactions ; be cotton dust extract caused a reaction in morn p. than the house dust extract. Cotton dust <x produced a late skin reaction in a high percent, those tested, whereas the house dust extract di; The polysaccharide polypeptide compound' i probably responsible for the early skin reaction, component responsible for the late reactions L. been d e t e r m i n e d ; and further research is r. progress. E. L. C- a.il - , : |T M . . * / ? i ' ., * A '* , v \ I ! .. 1. '*- T- -, Ht 14-t p v V Ivd.^'di, . * ............... . 9 >" T T*l, w*, \ , , V- v -i