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'A . pO Air Hygiene Foundation of America, Ino*, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Fa., ^ January 10, 1938 / 3 l "% * -REJEKENCES TO RECENT LITERATURE ON INDUSTRIAL DISEASES flews Items iO<X)D HOUSEKEEPING A D SAPETY IN FOUNDRIES AND INDUSTRIAL CODES AND OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE LEGISLATION. Reprint No* 3-7-30, Amerioan Foundrymen's Assoc*, Inc*, Chicago, (1937). 61 pp# price #1*50 _ This booklet consists of papers presented at the last meeting of the association* `Aaong the subjects treated are eye and respiratory protection in the foundry, `silicosis, good housekeeping in the foundry, industrial codes and their applica tions, and occupational diseaseNlegislation# Abstracts ofjthese papers will ap pear in a future bulletin* COVERED HOPm CAR FOR GRAVITY UNLOADING. The following note was sent to us with the statement that it might be of interest to the members of the Foundation* y*the dust problem in loading and unloading raw materials shipped by rail in bulk $has long been known as a serious hazard. In most instances fine granular products iws been pulled out of a box car by means of a power shovel operated by one or ' * &ore men within the dust filled oar* Not only is the oar itself loaded with dust, at pul Hag the commodity into a chute at the edge of the box car allows a good ' :pcestage of the material to be blown into other near parts of the plant* ' " `s problem has become so' acute in industries using silica sand, powdered ar ils, burned lime and other hazardous commodities that the General Amerioas iportation Corporation, 136 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, have developed* Lit and leased to shippers or consignees, a oovered hopper car that will unload granular products by gravity* An inexpensive trade hopper is usually used In with the oar,and a boot between the hopper and the ear makes the un loading operation both dust proof and economical*11 _ * . iTM on Dust, Dust Diseases and General Industrial Hygiene* - DUST HAZARD AMONG FOTJNDRTMEN. L. H. Osmond* Am* J. Roentgenol* and Rad* Therapy 28, 182-8 (July, 1937)* (See note on final page.) ` STe author reports roentgenologioal and clinical surveys of the foundry employees* of a large plant in Pittsburgh. All workers undergo an annual 'physical examina tion, and careful histories are taken showing the location of each man's work since he entered the company's service. Duet oounts are available for eaoh loca tion* They range from 13*1 million particles per cubuo foot in the molding room to 44*9 million in the ooremaking department, but a count of 240 million was ob tained during the night shakeout* Chemical analysis of the dust showed 52$ free silloa and 10*3$ ooloium and magnesium silicates* The incidence of simple silV coeds in the entire group, including many who had worked less than 5 years was 5*8$. In those with over 20 years' experience, silicotic fibrosis was found in 44??, including 32% without infection and 12$ with infection* The disability off-those without infection was practically nil, while it wes frequent in those w?ho had complicating infection* Little correlation betweon incidence and dust Concentration was observed* Tho death rate among all these workers PLAINTIFFS EXHIBIT WV- 116 i ip0es to Recent Literature - 2 $'000, as compared with 89 per 100,000 for all males in Allegheny County over yeQrs of age* The men now wear respirators, but tests made at the level of ie runners showed 42*6 million particles per cubic foot in the froe air, 39*3 tlion beneath the respirator with an old cartridge and 12*2 million with a new rtridge. flLJCOSIS IK MODERN FOUNDRIES - STUDY OF THE INCIDENCE. J.F.Kelly and R.C.Hall, UT. State J, Med. 37, 478-81 (1937). :$ire$ foundries in Utica.were surveyed; two were modem plants, fitted with latest ;`*eahs of dust protection and employing 150-200 men each, while the other, employ- about 50, used no special precautions. Of the 403 cases examined, 4 cases of /first degree silicosis, 1 of silicosis with tuberculosis, and 30 of "dusty lung* i'^ere found. The' term "dusty lung" vras applied where an exaggerated pulmonary . pattern or increased perilymphatic fibrosis was shown. Two of the oases of sili- rr3is were found in the small factory. Three of the cases occurred among molders ini-one among the "shakers-out?" The authors conclude that their investigation showed a very law incidence. ' gi&PORT ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SANDBLASTERS* SILICOSIS IN THE FOUNDRIES OF OBER- -EJJcSE AND BESSE-NASSAU. H.R.Buettner Verh* Dcut. ges* f. Inn* Med. 48, rS-82 (1936). . ` rlbeunoeoniosis was diagnosed in 20# of 147 sandblasters examined, and 2 oases were classified as severe. Seven out of 53 who had worked for 1 year had definite "pdeiaibconiosis and .5 hod.primary pulmonary tuberculosis, while 9 oases were found in those with occupational exposure of 6 to 24 years. The x-ray films in 18 of .28 cases of pneumoconiosis resembled those of definite miliary tuberculosis. In t?ro large gloss works investigated, 10 and 44# of the sandblasters, respectively, pneumoconiosis j imperfect protection was afforded in the latter works. FILTRATION. OF RESPIRED AIR AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE IN PNEUMOCONIOSIS. G. Lehmann, Ergebs d* Byg. u. Beet* 19, 1-87 (1937). (German)* this paper is a summary and* amplification of tho author's work on filtering ^ability of tho nose, seme of which has been reported in these abstraots. An ap paratus for testing nasal filtration is described* The nasal mechanism for ar ; resting dust is described fully* Experiments on the relation between nasal fil tration and pneumoconiosis are Reported; good dust filtration is found to be a protection against tho early development of severe pneumoconiosis* An investiga tion of wearability and effioienoy of dust protective measures is also included* ^ The-experiments havo been carried out very thoroughly and are of great interest* 7 THE-EXCRETION OF SILICA IN URINE AFTER ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF SILICA AND SILICAIE DUSTS AID THE SOLUBILITY OF SILICA AND SILICATE DUSTS IN ACID AND ALKALINE SOLU TIONS AT 370Q- A.G.R.TThitehouso, British Colliery Owners' Researoh Association, ^oyal .School of Mines.. London? England. J. Ind. Hyg* & Toxicol* 19, 590-7 \Dec.cmbcr 1937). Reprints ohtn.nable from authors it is known that silica dust xakon into the stomach of a dog oauses a definite in crease .in urinary output of silica, and the author made a similar human investi gation, .using himself as.subject, swallowing various quantities of quarts, flint, precipitated silica, and whinstone, a mixture of silicates containing no free silica. Various precautions wore found necessary for accurate results; the input -of liquids had to bo kept constant, water low in silica had to be used, and beer was avoided. - Tho daily excretion of silica was definitely increased with very fine .flint dust, the silicate dust and precipitated silica; in the case of silicic said the increase was much greater. In the second part of the investigation, the solubility of silica and silicate dusts in solutions of known acidity and alkalinity was determined at the body temperature, 37C. This procedure was necessary because the results of the feed ing experiments did not reveal whether the dusts dissolved in tho gastrio juice :nces to Recent Literature - 3 in the- alkaline body fluids. The amount of silica dissolved by 0*1 normal sojjua hydroxide was greatest with flint* lower values being obtained from quarts, lOftl-measure' sandstones, granite and whins tone, while a sample of stone dust 'sbout S% free silica) gave much the lowest figure. With 0.1 normal hydrochloric iteid, as solvont, the dusts arranged in order of solubility were whinstone, iranite, sandstone, quarts and flint. The amount of silica dissolved by 0.2 norsi sodium carbonate was much greater than by 0*1 n. sodium hydroxide, while the feverse of this was the case with granite* The influeno on the rate of solution fit such factors as particle site and ratio cf dust to solvent are shown. In view fit the facts determined, great care should be exercised in attempting to corre late urinary exoretion of silica with silicosis. *II0IGY, EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PROTECTION AGAINST LUNG INFLAMMATION OF WORKERS IN THOMAS SLAG MILLS. H. Gundel and H. Fischer. 2tschr. f. Hyg* u. Infection. (German) 120, 66-87 (1937). - Statistical- data on incidence and fatal cases of pneumonia in Thomas slog workers are presented, both for early days and recent years, during which there were sev eral epidemio-1 ike outbreaks* The authors agree with others in believing that the dust^weakeas resistance of lung tissue to baoteria and paves the way for inflam- aatory diseased of the lungs*. : .. Sheumonia of types'll and XH;.was found, abundantly in workers in Thomas slag plants Therefore the case is on of real infectious disease, the frequent occurrence of tfhieh is determined by a speoial ho2ord. The authors reoommehd elimination of all workers ' with catarrh of the upper respiratory tract. They have also begun active immunisation of personnel of one industry against pneumonia of types I, II, and III. Animal experiments on the effect of magnesium in Thomas slag are being con ducted *9 MXNERALOGIC AND HITSICAL PROIERTIES OF MINERALS AND THEIR DUSTS WITH REGARD TO THE DOST HAZARD IN STONE-QUARRYING, DRESSING AND MANUFACTURING. G* Hass. Zntrlbl. f. Gewerbehygo u Unfall 24, 193-201 (1937). A comprehensive description of silicates and minerals under the heading of *free silica* and other minerals is given* The author fs view is noteworthy in that he believes-serioite may possibly be formed from feldspars by "disintegration processes in the lungs* The author suggests, as others have previously, that the composition of a dust under'certain conditions may be different from that of its parent substanoei Quarts mixtures in fluorspar, barite and roofing slate are described and the role they play in dust forma ticn is discussed* The ohemioal and phyaioal properties, occurrence, importance and teohnioal uses of various kinds'of stone are presented in a table* 10 THE EFFECTS OF COAL SMOKE OF KNOWN COMPOSITION ON THE LUNGS OF ANIMALS. Lucy Sohnurer and S. R. Haythorn* Am. J. Bvthol* 13., 799-808 (Sept* 1937). Reprints are obtainable from Dr* Baythorn, Singer Memorial Lab*, Allegheny General Hos pital, Pittsburgh, Ru An experimental method is described by which finely divided carbon particles in an almost pure state may be successfully introduced into the alveoli of the lungs. Immediately after exposure to the smoko inhalations the lung lesions were those of-non-oocupcticnal anthraoosis. The animals kept under animal house conditions for- several months to a year after exposure to smoke developed fibrous reactions about-the carbon deposits with the formation of collagen strands. The resulting lung ohanges-were analogous to those of a milder grade of bituminous as seen In ' soft coal miners. The method provides a way of experimental study of the actual relation of oarben deposits to the common respiratory infections - Author1 summary. j^erences to Recent Literature - 4 U fSBUMOCOHIOSES OF THE WORKER. K. Wider. Ztschr. f, Gewerbehyg. u. Unfall, *44, 131-5 (1937). Silicosis became compensable in Austria on April 1, 1935. Since then, 206 cases jiave'been reported in the Workmen1 s Compensation Office? of these, 171 are miners, gome from lignite mines. In the metal industry, most oases are among sandstone grinders and sandblasters. JULMONARY ASBESTOSIS. IV. TEE ASBESTOS BODY AND SIMILAR OBJECTS IN TEE LUNG. Kenneth M. Lynch, M.D., Dept, oF Pathology, Medical College of the State of South Carolina, Charleston, S. Carolina, J.A.M.A. 109 , 674-8 (Deo. 11, 1937), Re prints probably obtainable from author. The typicaj asbestos body (also called asbestosis body) is an object 10 to over 100 microns/aSd 1 to 12 microns thick and is composed of a central translucent fiber or needle crystal of asbestos with an enveloping shiny golden or brownish gelantinous substance constructing various architectural figures. Sometimes it is beaded or clubbed and sometimes spherical. A Prussian blue reaction for iron is given. These bodies may be found at various places in the lung, especially in the bronchioles, the alveoli and in the tissues along the lymphatic route; usual ly shorter at a distance from the alveoli, but often surprisingly long, consider ing the distance they have traveled. They sometimes cause fibrosis around them, but not'neces'sarily. They are also found in the sputum of those exposed to as bestos'dust, but their presence or absenoe in the sputum does not indicate the presence or absence of asbestosis; their presence only shows that exposure to the dust has occurred. Similar bodies have boen found in persons exposed to ooal dust, and in others who have died of heart failure, rheumatism and arteriosclero sis, without known heavy dust exposure. Exposure to asbestos dust does not al ways produce asbestos bodies; bare fibers have boen found in the lungs of animals. She author has seen silica particles similarly enveloped, in cases of silioosis, not always so highly colored. It is suggested that other fibrous or crystalline usts not yet studied may form similar bodies. 13 BLOOD EXAMINATIONS IN PULMONARY FIBROSIS OF HEMATITE IRON ORE MINERS. J. Craw. Tubercle, 19, 8-18 (Ootober 1937). In radiographio examinations of hematite miners in West Cumberland (England), the hematite accumulations show a definite and dense shadow, apart from any accompany ing-fibrosis, and there is a tendency to diagnose silicosis when a miner ooaplains of unfitness and his pulmona/y symptoms aid the x-ray of the test show generalised " nodulatioh. The silica oontent of inhaled dust, however, is low, and in spite of - -20 to 30 years* work and general nodulation in all lung fields, the miners are perfectly fit for work and arc not short of breath. For these reasons hematolog ical'work was instituted as an essential in diagnosis. Routine prooedure includ ed the following determinationst (l) sedimentation rate of tho red ells; (2) total white oell count; (3) differential white oell oount, and (4) the polymor phonuclear* count of von Bonsdorff. The findings in 6 casos are given, with oase histories. Of the 50 hematite miners studied, 20 normal minors had no complaint of breathlessness and no x-ray or physical signs of pulmonary fibrosis, while 30 complained of pulmonary disability in varying degrees, with positive x-ray find ings. Many miners develop a pure pulmonary siderosis without accompanying fibro sis, and their blood picture is normal. Sidero-silicosis of uncomplicated type shows a definite increase in percentage of lymphocytes, and the ratio of poly morphonuclear oells to lymphocytes becomes 1 or less. The sedimentation rate and nuclear count are normal. "When infection is present, the sedimentation rate in creases, the nuclear count increases and there is a leucocytosis which may ap proach a septic count. Although the results are preliminary, the method is recoamendod for aiding the differential diagnosis of siderosis without fibrosis and of sldero-silicosie, and for detecting tuberculosis or other infective agents at an early stage. -feronoes to Recent Literature - 5 ,4 BARGE OF EIECTROTOR METER DEMONSTRATED BY DARK-FIELD COUNT, S.C. Blacktin. J. Ind* Hyg. & Toxicol* 19, 579-89 (December 1957). Ibe lectrotor motor, invented by tho author, is an instrument for dust determin ation on the same general principle as the Owens jet counter, but the dust is de posited on a ciroular disk of celluloid or ebonite which rotates as tho plunger 3s pushed and is electrified at the same time by friction# Six orifices are pro vided, one at the center of the disk and the others at varying distances from the center, and any one or any combination of orifices can be used for the same air sample# The dust, then, is deposited at the center or in one or more of a series of oonoentric rings, or both at the center and one or more rings, each of whioh is 1 mm. in width. In light dust concentrations, the oenter alone may be usedj in very dusty air, several rings may be used simultaneously. Since equal quan tities of dust are deposited in the various rings and tho area of th6 total de posit varies with the distance from the center, the number of particles per unit area doorcases correspondingly, and at least one ring will be found where the dis persion is neither too light nor too heavy to count. This construction enoblos the instrument to be applicable to dust concentrations varying from 5 to 1*5 million particles per cc. (140,000 particles to 42 billion particles per cubic foot), which is a much wider range than is attainable by any other instrument. The figures given apply to darkfiold under a magnification of 450. Rough es timates of dustiness may also be made by inspection of the record# (A modifica tion by which dust deposits can bo both counted and weighed has been deeoribod in our abstraot no# 536. As yet no reply has been received to our inquiry for earlier reprints and other' information.) 15 DUST CONTROL IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM REFRACTORY MATERIALS. F.Prockat. Staub# no# 4, 16-37. (January 1937) (German.) The uso of water during crushing of .quarts ^ is not always sufficient to prevont dust, as sesno dust arises when the stamp or hammer is aotually crushing the quarts The dust hasard can be remedied by a suitable exhaust system. Molding of re fractories can often be oarriod on in open air# Respirators should be used only when no other remedy is available. A German law of April 1, 1937 require* em~ ployers to pay special attention to silicosis prevention. -1ST OF RESPIRATORY HtOTECTIVB DEVICES APPROVED BY THE U.S. BUREAU OF MINES. [. Sohrenok. U. S, Bur. Mipios, Information Circular no# 6952 (August 1937)# btainable from tho Division of Information, U.S. Buroau of Mines, Wa8hington,DC. le list of approved respiratory devio.es is brought up to date in this issue. io present list includes all devices, approved up to April 10, 1957, a total of ut 40, with names, and addresses of manufacturers. J. CEDUKE FOR TESTING SUPTLIED-AIR RESPIRATORS FOR HSRMEABnjTY. U.S.Bur# Mines Schedule 19A, (Aug. 9, 1957). Obtainable from Supt. of Documents, Washington, D.C., for 5 cents, cash. . This sohedule describes the present methods used by the Buroau of Minos for tost- ing supplied--air respirators, the standards used, and the method of approval# (A similar schedule for filter-type respirators was issued as no. 21 in 1954#) 16 INDUSTRIAL EXHAUST VENTILATION. HATE OF AIR FLOW THROUGH HOODS. John L. Alden. Heating and Vent. 34, 47-52 (December 1937). No reprints are available at present, but r.ay be when the series, is completed. This paper, is the fourth in the. series on the subject. (See abstracts 548, 597 and 598$ The. air volume to be drawn through a hood can be computed only after the general shape and location of the hood are established* The minimum basis for the neoessary assumptions is a freehand skotch reasonably drawn to scale. foresees to Rocent Literature - 6 The preparation of this sketch must take into account most of the faotors treated in the former papors, which are summarised, including elimination of unnecessaryair contamination, control of dust-disporsing currents by baffles or shiiid6, and by ourrents of greater intensity, making tho exhaust velocity greater than the velocity of escape at all points, and locating the hood so that high-speed par ticles will be thrown into it. No general statement can be made as to the ve locities required to prevent the escape of dust and dusty air, and the engineer must lay his own foundation for hood design, A simple exploratory hood is de scribed and illustrated. Its volume rato of flow can be measured and plotted against tho static suction# It oan be moved until the most satisfactory location is found* Such equipment will pay for itself in lessoned first oost of the ex haust system. Average face velocities of 500 to 1000 feet per minute are usually suffioiont for hoods partially or wholly enclosing the dust source. Most woodworking and grind ing hoods fall in this oatogory, Figures are given for several examples. Ex periments with a mixture of stones and coffee beans showed that relatively low velocities will pick up fairly heavy particles. The coffee beans clone were picked up at 1650 f.p.m# Satisfactory pipe sizes and suction for a variety of manufacturing machinery are given in a table* Formulas are given for calculating nocessnry air volume entering the hood# The coefficient of entry is discussed, with experimental results on different types of orifioos, . Of these typos, the well-rounded nozzle and tho thin plate orifice, are extensively used and have been investigated thoroughly, but coef ficients of some of the others are not so well established# The loss in percent velocity head is plotted against coefficient of entry, and the method of calcu lation is given, 19 SAFETY IN THE ENAMEL RANT. E. Eckels. Coram. Forum 4, 4 (Dec, 1937). . A general papor reporting safety precautions in use at" the Brio plant of the Gcnoral Electric Co#, including meohanacnl safeguards and prevention of excess pressure in spray barrels* The use of rospirators in spraying operations and in struction of operators regarding lead and silicosis hazards is urged. Spray booths have boon improved Csnd good respirators and other protective equipment are new available* and silicosis has lest its first ploce as a hazard in tho enamel plant# The present evils in tho enamel plant, as elsewhere, are tho I small things not attended to or properly supervised. (20 SOME NOTES ON THE FR0H2RTIES* OF CHILLED METALLIC SHOT AND GRIT USED IN SAND BLASTING. J,E,Burst and J.R.D,Bradshaw. Foundry Trade J. 57, 447-8, 474-6, (Doc. 9 and 16, 1937). .. [ - Metallic shot and grit arc usod extensively in Great Britain instead of sand for abrasive blasting# The term ^shot* denotes more or loss spherical particles, and "grit". those with sharp edges. . They arc usod in a wide range of sizes, from 100 mesh and coarser, for various types of work. This papor is a discussion of chemical composition, performance data, nozzle wear, life of the shot and grit, strength properties, microstruoturc and grading, with results of various tests. No general conclusion is reached, because the necessary properties vary widely with tho exact naturo of the work. Additional investigation is recommended. 21 A NEff ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATOR# G/N,Penneyf Elec. Eng. 56, 159-71 (1937). Reprints arc obtainable fresn. the author, address Rosearoh Laboratory, Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Co#, Bast Pittsburgh, R. The author describes a new. type of plate to plato precipitator with pre-ionising wires, and states that as a result high air cleaning efficiencies are now pos sible without tho production of objectionable concentrations of ozone or oxides of nitrogen. Tho procipitators havo boon found to give excellent results in nomoving smoko, soot, pollon causing hay fever and asthma, and hazardous dusts such as silica, Tosts with tho inpingor showed a dust collecting efficiency of 99#5$. jiccs to Roccnt Literature - 7 '^IR CONDITIONING FOR INDUSTRIAL WORKERS. Charles L* Hubbard. Power Plant Eng* >-41# 681-2 (November 1937)* 5 uso of air conditioning in industry is growing, not only for protection against injury, but also for comfort and greater efficiency* Tho present brief paper deals exclusively with tho lattor aspect* Hays leal comfort depends large ly upon bxlily temperature, and this in turn upon the relation between the rates of heat production and dissipation? that is, heat must bo removed from tho body at tho same rate at which it is produced* The principal factors affecting this cmditi.,n arc tempsrature, humidity, and air motion, and botweon certain limits various combinations of these -will give practically the same result* The "ef- foctivo temperature" is any combination of the 5 factors that give the 6amo re sult as saturated still air at 70->F. Tables, abridged from more elaborate ones published by the a*S*H.V*E arc presented, shewing such combinations for summer and winter onditi ns, for still oir and for a velooity of 200 feet per minute* It is pointed out that tr,o great a contrast between indoor and outside air must .not be introduced* In general it should not exceed 10F*, but in special cases modifications arc necessary* - *3 AIR CONDITIONING IN FACTORIES. C.W.Prico. Proc* Royal Soc* Med. 30, 1544-7 . (October 1937.) . The author believes that ernditi^ns in different industries are too varied to allrw adoption of comploto air-conditioning methods* In Groat Britain the prob- - lom is mainly one of ventilation and adequate- heating, supplemented with air cleaning where necessary. . 24 AIR PURIFICATION AND ALLERGIC CONDITIONS* E.M.Fraenkol. Proc. Royal Soc* Med* * SO, 1547-50 (Oct. ber 1937). - _ Tho author has devised a mask containing fine granular silica gel and active char coal. The mask is said retain particlos down to 0*01 micron and to be imper- -- moable to pjfridinc, caprcnic acid, scatol, tobacco smoke, ammonia, chlorine, ,, phosgene, and sulfur dioxide. It is recommondod for protection against allergens ; and poisonous war gases. 25 FORD MOTOR COMPANY SETS HIGH AIR CONDITIONING STANDARDS. J. J.Floreth. Heating, Piping Air Cond. , 729-32 (Deooribcr 1937)* -The paper is a -general description of air conditioning in the plants of tho Ford Motor Co*, the largest single user of modern air conditioning* The program : started many years ago with controlling of oir roquired in several basio process es of manufacture, and varied types of air conditioning are now usod for spooial purposes? for instance, a temperature of 30^F* and air curront of 70 miles per hour, to tost automobiles under severe conditions* However, -tho rapid oxtension of the program to tho strictly human comfort field is more significant* Air conditioning is now used in a largo section of the main plant, offices, laboratories and a number of branch assembly plants* Returns cannot be measured directly, but must be evaluated from increased efficiency, more accurate work, better health, and especially increased good will* Specifications rango from 80F and 45$ humidity in the hottest days to 70F and 30^ humidity, in severe winter weather* Experiments on various methods of dis tribution, temperature and air filtration are undertaken by the company, and bidders are given full instructions on all requirements before deciding on equip ment and installation* 26 SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE HEALTH ASPECTS OF AIR CONDITIONING. 7T. J.McConnell, E*H*Follows, M*G*Fellows and M.G*Stephens'* Bulletin issued by Metropolitan Lifo Insurance Co., New York (1937) and obtainable fron the Company* An investigation of a group of 5,000 clerical employees working in completely air-conditioned offices, and an equal groups in offices that vrerc net air con ditioned but otherwise properly heated and ventilated, shaved no measurnblo in the incidonoe or length of cbsonocs caused by upper respiratory to Rocent Litoraturc 8 discasos or from non-resptratory illnoss* When comfort is considered, however* quite satisfactory results, particularly in hot weather, were btainod from air- oonditioning apjnratus.V. ' GOOD AIR IN WORKPLACES. W. Wietfeldt. Zentrlbl* f. Gewerbehyg. u. UnfaUi 24, 225-33 (Octobor 1937) (German)* Xatural ventilation should bo used to the greatest possible extent for economical reasons# "Where it is inadequate, local or central supplementary mechanioal ven tilation should be installed* Local ventilation is cheaper, but central systems have a wider range of application* Such installation should be entrusted to ex perts, as improperly made installations itfxy be expensive and useless* Twelve fundamental principles outlined by the German Ministry of Labor are listed* ; 28 REPORT OP THE CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, BUREAU OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES* Dr* A, S, Gray, Director* pp. 155-221 (1936)* Obtainable from above Bureau, Hartford, Conn* .. This report departs from the conventional type of state document in being a eerie of technical papers describing investigations actually unde* Among those report ed are dust hazards, their estimation and control, as in foundries, rock drilling as a source of dust, prevention of contamination by organic solvents and chlor inated naphthalenes, oarbon monoxide surveys and various dust problems. 29 MINES DEPARTMENT t FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SAFETY OF MINES RESEARCH BOARD, 1937, BM*Stctionery Office, London (1937). Obtainable from British Library of Information, 270 Ifedison Ave, New York, Price not given* . Most of the report is devoted to mine safety, including the devolopaent of an oleotrie&Xly driven firedamp recorder, improvement of lighting, faotors relating, to falls of ground, and haulage aooidents, reduction of noise, protective cloth ing, and effect of radiation frcan walls on oemfort in hot mines* Work on dust suppression and prevention continues* The Hay mist projector is of value where the temperature is nob above 65F, and the addition of moisture to the atmos phere has but a negligible effect on comfort* Where the temperature Is much higher other equipment is desirable* A serios of bag filters of 400 sq ft* , filtering area with a suction fan of 1200 cu* ft* per min* capacity has been. :* found highly efficient* The study of the use of wetting agents in dust sup pression is being continued* * 50 SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF-THE INDUSTRIAL HEALTH RESEARCH BOARD TO JUNE 30, 1937* H*M*Stationery Office, London, 1937. Obtainable from the British Library of Infonsxtion, 270 Madison Ave*, Now York* Price |jot given* Fuller abstract in Journal of Industrial Hygiene, December 1937, This is the latest annual summary of the work of the above Board* The eubjocts studied inolude fatigue, illumination, environmental conditions, o sunmary of literature on toxic solvents, scale of equivalent warmth, medical examinations for Post Office servioe applicants, accident proneness, vocational guidance and sickness among transport workers, . The effeots of exposure to alumina dust have been studied (see our abstract 434 in the September Bulletin*) In an investiga tion of silicosis in sandblasters it was not possible to conclude that sericito is an important causative factor* Silicosis has been defined for compensation purposes in accordance with well-recognized Bigns of disease and states of dis- . ability, but there are cases that do not present the recognised well-marked features, and are classed as ttnon-certifiable silicosis** A large ecaXe in vestigation of such cases is planned. jrcnoos to Koeont Litoraturo - 9 THE HACB OF THE STATE IN SAFETY. August Sigurdson* Safety Eng. .74, 19-20 (Dee. 1037). -- Tho author presents r. brief account of progress made by the Industrial Commission of Wisconsin, particularly in securing cooperation by employers and employees* The policy of selling the safety idea, rather than compulsion and prosecution, has been kept uppermost* It is often more difficult to enlist tho cooperation of employees than that of onployers, but it has been accomplished by persistent effort on the part of safety workers* '53 SICKNESS AlfONG MALE INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYEES DURING THE SECOND QUARTER AND FIRST HALF < OF 1937. D.H.Brundage. U.S.Pub* Health Repts* 52, 1523-6 (Oct. 29, 1937). Obtainable from Supt. of Documents, Washington, U7c., for 10 cents cash. Based on reports covering 184,000 males, the rate of siclmoss and non-industrial accidents for the first half of the year was about 15# higher than that for the same period in 1936 and 22# above the 5-yoar period, 1932-1936* The rate for respiratory disease in tho first half of 1937 was 56*9 cases per 1000, which is 36# above that for 1936 and 49# abovo the 5-yoar average. ftjeumonia has in : croasod. in the last 2 years, and the 1937 influenza rate was about `70# abovo . the 1936 figure. Tuberculosis showed.a decrease, and appendicitis increased. There was little variation in other diseases. 34 INDUSTRIAL DISEASES IN 1936 ACCORDING TO TEE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE INDUSTRIAL .. TRADE ASSOCIATIONS. ARBBITSSCHUTZ (German) 10, 244-51 (1937). In 1936, 5926 cases of industrial diseases were reported in Germany and 552 were \ compensated. Figures are also given for each year since 1929. A report follows l giving the occurrence of industrial diseases according to groups of industries and the measures adopted for prevention. In the stone and mining industry, x-re.y and:nodicel examinations wore made by experts, but many abuses are still present. In the metallurgical and rolling mill groups there are relatively large numbers of poisoning by lead and carbon monoxide and injury from Thomas slag dust. rnser of lead poisoning 6till run high among painters and iron construction industries, as do also pneumoconiosis cases among polishers. Introduction of silica-free grinding whocls and substitution of stool shot for quartz sand in sandblasting have progressed, and tho medical inspection of sandblasters has improved. Benseno poisoning is frequent in the rubber casing industry and a fatal case ooeurred in a factory making printing dyes, but it is now possible to produce oolors that contain little or no aromatic hydrocarbons. Attention is called to the use of bichromates in photoengraving* -- . 35 THE. EXPANDING ACTIVITIES OF STATE LABOR DEPARTMENTS. E.K.Stewart* U.S.Konthly Leibbr Rev. 45, 529-40 (Sept. 1937). Administrative agencios have boen created in several States and materially strengthened in others, in order to build up adequate machinery for administra tion and enforcement of the many recently enacted labor laws. State departments have boon established in most of the Southern States, and existing ageneies uavu been strengthened by unification in others, notably Arkansas, Indiana and Rhode Island* In Pennsylvania and other States long established labor departments have been reorganized and expanded in order to deal with a broadened program of labor legislation# . 36 RECENT ADVANCES IN INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE AND MEDICINE. T.M.Ling, Published by P.Blakiston's Sons & Co*, Inc*,.Philadelphia, 1937. 212 pages, price $5*50. The reviewer recommends this text as useful to newcomers in the field of indus trial medicine who need the major problems presented simply* The first ohapters ~ deal with medioal and supervision, industrial accidents and neuroses. Dust and its effects are discussed simply and clearly, and a chapter is devoted to lead poisoning. The treatment of gases and solvents is very brief. > eferexicos to Recent Literature - 10 ABSOLUTE COLORIMETRIC DETERMINATION IN CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY# H.Kaisor (German) Angew# Chenu 50* 632 (1937)* Sho following method for determination of the silica content of lungs is presented the sample is ashed below 500C* the ash is converted with freshly prepared soda . solution* whioh is then diluted* filtered and neutralized with hydrochloric acid* &nd made up to 100 co. Thirty oc. of the solution is dyed according to Urbach's method* employing molybdic oxide* hydroquinone and carbonate*sulfite solution* H'After .destruction of the phosphorus-molybden-acid complex, the sample is measured photometrioally and the silica content is calculated* r (C) lepers on Industrial poisons* Cancer* Dermatitis* etc* [$8 PROBLEMS ON THE TOXICOLOGY AND CLINICAL ASPECTS OF ACUTE POISONING FROM SOLVENTS. F* Luoc. Gasmask (German) 9, 89-90 (1937)* Solvents used in industry are* usually impure substances or mixtures* and tho ef fect of each component must be considered* The effects of the constituents may .be additive in mixtures, but that is not always true* The total vapor pressure of mixed solvents is necessarily higher than that of the pure substanoes* In the treatment of prolonged loss of consciousness, especially if epileptic seizures oocur, generous rectal or subcutaneous doses of physiological dextrose or Ringer solution a.re recommended* The search for detoxifying antidotes must be continued. The nature of the "second attack1* occurring after apparent recovery, especially after carbon tetrachloride poisoning* must be studied* J9 INDUSTRIAL TOXICOLOGY OF TODAY* D* Hunter. Pharm. J. 137, 514-5* 539 (1936). Tho British legal aspects, symptoms and clinical treatment in cases of industrial poisoning by various inorganio and organic substances, chlorine compounds and toxic gases are described* PRECAUTIONARY NOTES FOR USERS OF VOLATILE ORGANIC SOLVENTS. Home Offico, Factory Department, Form 297 (London), June, 1937* Obtainable from British Library of Information, 270 Madison Ave*, Now York. fcart of tho danger in the use of organio solvents is due to their being branded with trade names that conoeal their composition* Any product of this kind 6hould bo. assumed to be injurious by inhalction or by skin contact unless it has been proved safo undor all conditions#' Some expounds which are not toxic may oauso soreness of the eyos and throat* Simple precautions can be taken with little trouble and.at comparatively low cost. They include total enclosure of tho proc ess if possible, otherwise general ventilation* prevention of escape of tho va pors, protective clothing, immediate washing when solvents come in contact with the skin, prohibition of smoking and open flames (whether the solvents are in flammable or not), prohibition of eating where solvents are present, and general care of health of the workers* ' 41 BENZENE NOTICE SHEET. Arbeitsschutz (German) 10* 236 (1937). A "benzene notico sheet" has been prepared by the German Health Office for dis tribution to workers and foromen* It is probably similar to the pamphlets issued by the U.S* Division of Labor Standards, mentioned in our earlier Bulletins. 42 HEALTH INJURY IN PHOTOENGRAVING. J. Brachmann- Arch. f. Hyg.* 118, 328-52 (1937) (German). This paper deals with tho use of bcnzenc-xylene mixtures and their toxicity. The employees of 4 plants were examined* In the beginning of work with these mixtures headache* fatigue* irritability and other symptoms aro common, but they usually disappear later. The color index of the blood is frequently over 1, and some times there is a notable decrease of leucocytes. The lymphocyte percentage is ferenoes to Recent Llteraruro - aj. --------- -----------;-- ---------------------- usually increased* The number of granulooytes was usually found below normal# An industrial disease is undoubtedly present whon the neutrophylic granulooytic count is below 2000 and the total loucocytic count is below 4000, even with fair general condition* However, there is great variation in the ratio of blood find ings and symptomsi if the symptoms are severe with no marked blood changes, in dustrial disease must be considered prosent. In plants where benzine is used instead of benzene and xylene, the 'workers1 health was much better than in the others, and the use of benzine should be encouraged* Ventilation and local oxhaust systems should bo provided. *(and slight subjective symptoms). 45 KETENE AS A NOXIOUS GAS G.R.Cameron and A.Neuberger# J* Path* Baot. 45, 653-60 (November 1937). The toxicity of ketene has been suspected, but not previously fully investigated* ' In concentrations of less than 100 ports per million, ketene was proved fhtal to mice. It roscmbles phosgene in it6 mode of aotion, rhioh is mainly in the al veolar and capillary tissues# Gas masks with canisters containing soda lime give efficient proteotion. 44 EXPOSURE TO TEICHLORETHYLENE/ Ind. Bull. 16, 437-8 (ITov* 1937). Obtainable from Division of Industrial Hygiene, N.Y. State*T?ept. of Labor, 80 Centre St#, New York. N.Y. Tho Division of Industrial Hygiene is undertaking an extensive investigation of . possible toxic effects of exposure to triohlorethylene, and this paper is a proliminary review of the present status of the subject. The work of von Oettingen (our abstract no. 563) and the earlier work of Stuber are reviewed briefly* An assiduous search of American literature has failed to reveal a single oaso of in dustrial poisoning due to triohlorethylene j whether this is due to unreported oases or to aotual absence of cases, wo do not know* It is suggested that the discrepancy between this lack of cases and the number reported in Europe is due to the greater stability of tho American product, which point is being investi gated. Throe cases of workers under exposure to triohlorethylene are being studied. A list of their symptoms is presented, but the symptans do not as yet offer a definite conclusion as to whether they aro the result of exposure* A full report of these cases end olher findings will appear when the investigations /e completed# ISIPICATION OP TRICHLOHETHYIENE. M. Trillat, Ann. d. Hyg. pub* 15, 434-41 ,1937). (French). io author states that the*belief that triohlorethylene is dangerous is ungroundso far as tho present produot is oonoerned. No ease of aoute poisoning has appeared sinoe 1930, and earlier oases were due to the impure produot. Quoting om the Conseil d* Hygiene, he says* "Tho listing of triohlorethylene with hazardous substances thus is unjustified.* (The abstractor objeots to this con clusion on the ground that tho chronio effect is disregarded and that there are many reoent reported oases of acute poisoning, a fair estimate of the toxicity of trichlorethyleno can be obtained from the preceding abstract, also no* 652 in December Bulletin and the original paper of no. 563, in the November Bullotin.) 46 HEALTH EAZiiRDS IN THE USE OF CARBON TETRACHLORIDE. G**.V.Daubenspeok. HI* Med* * 72, 74-5 (Sept* 1937). Ihe industrial uses of carbon tetrachloride are listed and symptoms of acute poisoning are given* For oonstant exposure, 100 parts per million is considered the maximum safe concentration. Its decomposition produots (phosgene, and hy drogen chloride especially) are very toxic and contact with an open flame in a closed room should bo avoided* Carbon tetrachloride should be handled only in olosod systems or under forced draft, and speoial precautions must be taken when other substances like ohlorinated waxes, alcohol, eto*, are also usod# jpferenocs to Recent Literature 12 47 TOXICITY OF HALOWAX AND CHLORINATED NAPTHALENES. J.A.M.A. (Queries and minor notes) 109, 1386 (Oct. 23, 1937). The inquirer reports that all workers exposed to halowax in a plant have developed an acne, in spite of protective measures. The face and arms are chiefly attacked. The reply refers to Special Bulletin No. 43 of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (obtainable on application to that Department), but deals es pecially with the systemic effects. 48 GLYCERIN, ETHYLENE GLYCOL, PROPYLENE GLYCOL AND DIETHYLENE GLYCOL. H.G.O.HoIck 109, 1517-20 (Nov. 6, 1937). On account of the substitution of diethylene glycol for glycerin as a hygroscopic agent, the toxicity of the 2 substances was studied in feeding experiments on rats. High concentrations of glycerin appear harmless, but Sfc of diethylene glycol was found distinctly injurious, judgiag by mortality, stunted growth and impaired reproductive capacity. When administered in water it was even more toxic 0.25$ in water seemed to hinder growth. 49 RENAL i ESIONS WE TO DIETHYLENE GLYCOL. H.D.Kesten, M.G.Mulinos and L. JPoaerants J.A.K.A. 109, 1509-11 (Nov. 6, 1937). Diethylene glycol administered orally to rats and intravenously to rabbits caused extensive injury to the epithelium of the renal convoluted tubules, leading to urinary obstruction and uremia. The liver and adrenals were less regularly in volved. Three per oent diothyleno glycol in the drinking water killed about half of tho rats in 2 months Other details are given. 60 PROPYLENE GLYCOL: RATE OF METABOLISM, ABSORPTION AND EXCRETION, WITH METHOD FOR ESTIMATION IN BODY FLUIDS. A* J.Lehman and H.W*Newman. J. Pharmacol. & Exp. Therap. 60, 312-22 (July 1937). An experimental study of the effects of injeoted and ingested propylene glyool on animals showed that in intravenous injection, the acute toxicity was less than half that of ethyl alcohol# and the narcotic action about one-third as great. It is estimated in body fluids by oxidation with sodium neriodate after pre cipitation of gluooso by barium hydroxide in alcoholic solution. 61 THE GLYCOLS AND THEIR DERIVATIVES, L.J.Goldwater, Div. of Industrial Hygiene, N.Y.State Dept, of Labor, 80 Center St., New York. Ind, Bull. 16, 308-9 (Aug. 1937). Reprints obtainable at abovo address. The Division of Industrial Hygiene is making a study of scane of the glycols and their derivatives, which are becoming more'widely used in industry. In a brief review of the literature, the author states that no oases of industrial poison ing from ethylene glycol have been reported, but urges reasonable precaution in handling glycol until further observations have freed the substance fresn any sus picion of toxicity under industrial conditions. 52 THE GLYCOLS AND THEIR DERIVATIVES. II and III. Leonard J. Goldwater. Ind. Bull 16, 438-9 (Nov, 1937) and 504-5 (Dec. 1937), Reprints obtainable as por pre ceding abstract. Tho roview of the literature on glycols and derivatives is extended to consider ation of propfrl&ie' glycol, diethlyono glycol, triethlyono glycol, "collosolve" and other others, and glyool esters. Industrial poisoning due to propylene gly col has not cs yet been reported. The animal experiments that have been made (including abstract 60) indicate a relatively low toxicity, but the results so far obtained cannot be interpreted in terms of industrial exposure. Diethylene glycol has been given publicity as a result of fatalities resulting frcoi its use as a solvent, and such an occurrence should warn all who contemplate using newly developed substances for any purpose whatsoever. Nearly all of tho pharmocolog- ieal and toxicological studies of this substance have been in connection with its use as a hygro6oopio agent in cigarettes but no conclusion has been reached on that point, and the effeots of prolonged inhalation are unknown* Triethylene gly col has been little used in industry, and little is known about its effects* The studies on ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, known coimrercially as "cellosolve", bare indicated that it has a similar toxicity to that of ethylene glycol* The same is true of the glyool ethers and ester-ethers, known under the trade names of butyl cellosolve, methyl carbitol, earbitol, butyl carbitol, methyl cellosolve, ' ssllosolve acetate, and carbitol acetate. Such of those as have been investigated show toxio effeots on animals in high concentrations, but the effeot of low con centrations over long periods is unknown* All these substances should be used with caution until more information has been accumulated. # TOXICITY OF ORGANIC SILICON COMPOUNDS. I. TETRAETHYL-ORTHO-SILICATE. Joseph A. Kasper, Carey P. McCord and William G. Frederick. Ind# Med. 6^, 660-4 (Dec. 1937). Reprints or aultigraphed copies may be obtained from Dr. McCord, Dept, of Health, Detroit, Mich, Tetraethyl-ortho-silicate, generally known as ethyl silicate, is used industrially as a stone preservative and solvent. In experiments with 228 small animals (rab bits, guinea pigs and rats) the substance was administered intravenously, intraperitoneally, subcutaneously, intratracheally, orally, and to a limited extent through inhalation, alone and with suitable control substances, in different amounts and at various intervals# The minimum lethal dose, when injected intra venously into rabbits, is approximately 0*2 ml. per kilo of body weight* death usually occurs within one hour. The minimum lethal dose for rats, when admin istered intraperitoneaily, is approximately 0.06 ml. per 100 grams of body weight* death usually takes plaoe within 4 days. Whatever method of introduction is used, the first action is mainly on the lungs, and consists of rupture of terminal capillaries, accompanied by pulmonary hem orrhage. This rupture may be noted within 10 minutes after peritoneal injection. In quickly fatal oases the heart was found greatly dilated, without material changes in the microscopic structure. In animals surviving the effects of the primary action of ethyl silicate, a definite acute nephritis may be demonstrated* hemolysis, hematuria and necroses of the tubular epithelium were also found. Although ethyl silicate possesses no proved physiologic properties of a type characteristic of the slow action of silica in producing silicosis, this organio substance, through animal experiments, displays a high degree of toxioity, aoute in nature, and possibly related to the slow action of silica.* 55 EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON WORKERS WITH CARBON DISULFIDE. J.A.V.A. (Queries ani minor notes) 109, 1472 (Oot. 30, 1937). An inquiry was made regarding intolerance to oloohol among all workers in a ohemioal plant making rubber accelerators, where there is exposure to carbon disul fide. Even after a glass of beer, the men have rapid pulses, flushing of the face and hands, and fall in blood pressure. No other results of the exposure are noted* Skin teste and feeding experiments on mice were negative. The reply refers to the literature on oarbon disulfide poisoning and suggests that "the alcohol may be regarded as a provocative agent demonstrating the actuality of carbon disulfide poisoning, minor in degree but possibly constituting much more of a threat in the well- exposed workers than is implied in the query." 56 MEMORANDUM OB JEECAUTIONS IN THE HANDLING, STORAGE AND USE OF LIQUID CHLORINE. Factory Department, Home Office, Form 1868, H.M.Stationery Office, London (April 1937). Obtainable from British Library of Information, 270 Madison Ave. New York. This memorandum describes precautions to be used in handling cylinders of liquid chlorine and first aid treatment for oases of gassing* Liquid chlorine should be handled only by experienced persons. Cylinders and drums should be stored where -ference8 to Reoent Literature - 14 they are protected from heat and danger of explosion, but Trtiere they are access ible in oase of fire Damage to valves, pipes and couplings should be avoided* When leakage occurs the point of leakage should be turned upward to avoid leak age of liquid* Mechanical devices for handling cylinders are given* Suitable respirators and oxygen breathing apparatus should be at hand* First-aid measures include stimulating expectorant mixture, hot poultices, venesection, tincture of opium, and pituitary extract, each to be used as the symptoms indicate* |7 STUDIES RELATING TO TOXICITY OF FLUORINE COMPOUNDS. C.A.Kempf, D.A.Greenwood and V*E*Nelson, J Lab* A Clin* Med* 22, 1133--7 (August 1937)* sodium The authors found no effeot from oral administration to doge of/fluoride in quan tities up to 4*52 mg* of fluorine per kg* of body weight* Alpha-fluoronaphtha- lene produced mottled enamel of the teeth, but several other organo-fluorine com pounds did not* The removal of fluorine from water by the use of aluminum sul fate is discussed* ' 58 INSTRUMENTAL METHODS OF AIR ANALYSIS DEVELOIED FOR INDUSTRY. Samuel Moskcrwiti, Ri* D*, Division of Industrial Hygiene, N*Y*State Department of Labor, 80 Centre St*, New York. Ind.Bull. 16, 602 (November 1937)* Reprints obtainable at that address. , Several instruments for air examination, developed during the last few years, are described. They include a portable carbon monoxide indicator, a combustible gas indicator and a interferometer for compering the refractive indices of two spec imens of gas or liquid* Small, inexpensive devices for the estimation of other impurities in air are also available* They include hydrogen sulfide indicator, and one for -carbon monoxide, smaller but less sensitive than the one first de scribed. - 59 MINE GASES AND THEIR EFFECTS. J#AK*A* (Queries and minor notes) 109, 976 (September 18, 1937). Gases occuring in mines are divided into natural ones and those caused by dyna miting and fires* Their effects are discussed briefly. 60 COLORIMETRIC DETERMINATION OF HYDROGEN SULFIIE IN AIR. K.A.Smirnov. Zavodskaya Lab, (Russian) 6, 240 (1937)* - A method involving the use of sodium nitroprusside and arsonicus sulfide Is de scribed* (An abstraot in Chem* Abs. and in J. Ind# Hyg* gives details which may be sufficient for praotioal uso.) ' 61 FATAL POISONING IN WELDING WITH ACETYLENE (DISSOUS GAS). Mawieh* Arbeitesohutz 10, 239-42 (1937)., (German). One death and one oase of illnoss occurred in workers who had been welding in a boiler* Technical experts blamed carbon monoxide, but the medioal authority pronounoed the death due to a lung irritating gas* Cases from the literature aro oited, with decisions and disoussion of other possibilities, especially that of a combined poisoning.* 62 METALLIZING. Ztsohr. f. Gewerbohyg. u. Unfall* 44, 141-2 (1937). (German).* A worker using aoetylone in a tine metallizing tank beoame very ill, with signs of liver injury and ohanges in the electrocardiogram. The gas was found tp oontain 0.*17 mg, phosphine and 0*25 mg* hydrogen sulfide per liter. Tho liver changes aro evidently caused by the phosphine. jgforenoes to Rooent Literature - 15 63 ACUTE CARBON MONOXIDE ASPHYXIA. F.F.Davis. Virginia Med, Month. 64, 337-9 (September 1937). There are 60,000 eases of asphyxia annually, and half of them are estimated to be caused by carbon monoxide. The author feels that suoh oases should be treated by a physician and not left to safety squads of gas and eleotrie companies. The reoonmended treatment oonsists of artificial respiration and administration of mixtures of Oxygen and carbon dioxide. Injections and blood transfusions are prob ably useless. The value of methylene blue is questionable. Psychic disturbances sometimes result from oarboh monoxide poisoning, but they are believed to be sel dom permanent. VALUE OF iKTHjtENE BLUE IN THE THERAPY OF CARBON MONOXIDE AND HYDROCYANIC ACID POISONING. Ztsohr. f. Gewerbehyg. u. Unf&ll. 44, 102-8 (1937). A review of the literature leads the author to doubt that methylene blue is an antidote for oarbon monoxide poisoning? however, it has a favorable effect in oases of poisoning by hydrocyanic acid and cyanic compounds* 65 CYANIDE POISONING. Alfred P. Ingegno and Saverio Franco. Ind, Med. ji, 573-6 (November 1937). * Two cases of cyanide poisoning are reported and described, one from inhalation #of hydrocyanic acid# the other following tte ingestion of potassium cyanide# In both oases, intravenous injection of. sodium nitrate and sodium thiosulfate after preliminary injection of coramine and caffein in one case and ammonia and caffein in the other, lod to ccmpleto recovery. This method has been found successful in animal experiments. Occupational sources of oyanide poisoning, mode of action of cyanides, symptoms, identification of cyanide, details of treatment and refer ences are included. * 66 TOXIC EFFECTS OF CARBON DIOXIDE. Ralph M. Waters. New Orleans Med. A Surg. J., ' October 1937? Ind. Med. 6, 676-81 (Dec. 1937). Carbon dioxide is not norm 11y regarded as a poison, but a few persons are hyper sensitive to it, and two oases aro described as typical, in which oarboh dioxide toxemia occurred in hospitals. In one case a mixture of carbon dioxide and oxy gen was being administered? 4n the other the presence of carbon dioxide resulted from failure of absorption apparatus during an operation. 67 POISONING BY OXIDES OF NITROGEN. AN INVESTIGATION OF CASES AT THE RJUKAN SALT- H3TKE FACTORIES. O.J.Broch* Norsk. Mag* f. Lacgcvidenskapon (Norwegian) 98, 370-97 (1937). ; The gases studied were mainly nitric oxide and its oxidation product, nitrogen peroxide. Cases of poisoning ,oocur only in the ^solution department*, where a small number of workers oonduot the operation. They are highly paid, and their desire to continue at the high wage increases the possibility of ill effects. There were 19 workers oxamined, mostly with long exporionco, and 10 had been seriously gassed at least onoc. Permanent symptoms inoluded dizziness, headaohe, vomiting, shortness of breath, decrease of enduranco, and bad teeth? blood-stained expectoration occurred at intervals. Individual susceptibility differsf oorpulent and heavily built workers suffering most. The author believes that masks would be little used if they were providod, on account of their weight, but is sure that available preventive measures would make cases of gassing very rare. 68 EFFECT OF AMMONIA ON MAN, AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES. H, Mueschonborn. Ztsohr. f. Gewerbehyg. u. Unfall. 44, 122-5 (1937). (Gennan). The effoots of ammonia are discussed, with reports of 2 accidents. The wearing of gas rusks with a speoial filter is reoommended in repair work where ammonia is likely to escape. * fronoo6 to Recent Litoraturo - 16 j9 DETERMINATION OF LEAD# D#M*Hubbard. J. Ind. Eng* Chom. Anal* Ed. 9, 495-6 (1937). The paper describee a photometric "mixed color" dithizono method for the determina tion of lead in certain biological materials# Three extractions are made, tho first for the removal of extraneous salts, the second for the elimination of bis muth and the third for the final estimation of the lead, which is present in a state of high purity* Other metals usually found in biological material do not affect the rosults. The method is rapid, permitting complete analysis in a single day# 70 DETERMDJATIOr OF LEAD IN BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL. J. Cholfik. D.l'.Eubbard, R.R.MoNary and R,V,Story. J. Ind. Eng# Chem# Anal# Ed# 9, 488-90 (1937). The spootrographic, dithizone and chemical separatory (carbazide) methods for es timation of lead in biological materials wore compared experimentally# The spectrographic and dithizone methods were found equally good whore the quantity of lead exceeds 1 microgram, but the spectrographic method was feund superior for smaller quantities. The chemical method is chiefly useful for large samples, in which a loss of approximately 0#07 mg#, inherent in the method, is insignificant in either a chemical or physiological sense# 71 DITBXZONE, AN EXCELLENT REAGENT FOR LEAD. C.F.Killer# Chemist Analyst 28, 66 (1937). The preparation of tho dithizono reagent from phenylhydra tine is described, as is also the method of conducting the test for lead by means of a 0*01$ solution of the reagent in oarbon tetrachloride# 72 METHODS OF PROTECTION IN THE MAKING OF BEARINGS OF BRONZE-LEAD ALLOT IN THE PRINCE HOHENZOLLERN FACTORY, LAUCHERTHAL. Glaser. Zntrlbl# f* Gwerbohyg. u. Unfall# 24, 24 (1937). (German). The paper describes the methods of protection from lead fumes in a factory pro ducing an alloy of copper and lead for bearings# Strong exhaust ventilation is provided over the furnaces and places *here the alloy is poured out for casting, and those locations can bo shut off from other rooms. The exposed men wear colloid masks, whioh are very efficient when proper attention is given them. Each :mask is tested after putting on, by exposure to irritating gases t the re sistance to respiration is regularly measured, and particular attention is paid to the outlet valve* Individual supervision and instruction of the wori rs form a port of the program* , 73 BRASS POISONING. J#AM.*i. (Queries and minor notes) 109, 972 (Sept. 18* 1937)* "Brass poisoning" is an anomalous term, because any chronic 'disease arising in brass manufacture is probably either lead or arsenic poisoning. Copper is com paratively harmless, but zinc may oause metal fume fever at the temps rature at which it is generally mixed with copper. Proper protoction involves ventilation and use of respirators# Exposure to zinc sulfate may give rise to a different and serious type of industrial poisoning* 74 TREATMENT OF ACUTE POISONING FROK M3RCURY SALTS BY MEANS OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE (STRZYZOTSKI ANTIDOTE). L. Mischaud. Schweiz, med. Wchschr. 67, 818-20 (1937) (German#) ` A case of sublimate poisoning was successfully treated by the use of this reagent. A severe nephritis which followed was quickly cured by the accompanying treat ment of ingestion of alkalies, intravenous glucose ingestion and diathermy. irences to Recent Literature - 17 1* STUDY OF CHRONIC HERCORIALISK IN the HATTERS' FUR CUTTING INDUSTRY. F.A.Neal, 8,R.Jones, J.J.Bloomfield, J.M.DallaValle and T.I.Edwards. U.S.Pub. Health Bull. . 00* 234 (J&y, 1937). Obtainable from Supt. of Documents, Washington, D.C. 15 oents# cash. I survey was mde of all fur cutting factories operating between February and l&y 1935, 36 in number, including physical examinations of 529 men and women, constitut ing 26.4$ of the fur cutters in the United States. The plants are larger than in the average industry but the provision of medical care is more limited. Estima tions of mercury vapor in the air and dust oounts in 5 factories showed frcsn a 'trace to 1.04 mg, mercury as vapor and dust per cubic meter of air. The workers Host exposed are shippers, followed by pilers, blowers, cutters and sorters. Garrotters who apply the mercuric nitrate to the pelts aro not exposed to mercury vapors. Tho amount of dust is not high enough to be injurious. . Forty-three of the workers were found to be suffering from chronic merculialism, but there may have been subclinical cases not included. Psyohotic and nourotic symptoms and those of digestive disturbance increase with increasing quantities of mercury in the air. Psyohic disturbances and fine intention tremor present in 34 out of 43 cutters, are much higher in incidence than in other industries in vestigated by tho Public Health Service. The picture of chronic nercurialism corresponds to the classical one in all im portant respects. Slight salivation was found in only 10, all of whom had worksd in high concentrations (0,25 mg. per cu. m.) of air. Tho incidence of other dis eases is not high. Practical suggestions include the use of local exhausts and segregation of occupations not involving exposure to mercury* 76 DETECTION OF Sim QUANTITIES OF MERCURY IN AIR. K. Grosskopf. Draegorhoft. No. 19, 3589-91 (1937). (Gemm). A sampling tube for mercury has been developed by tho Draoger firm in connection with its apparatus for determining traces of gas. Gold chloride is fixed on pure silica gel, which is then dried in vacuo at high 'temperatures, activated and put into the tost tube. On drawing air through the tube after preliminary washing, * a sharply defined ring of colloidal gold with definite color variations is seen in tho tube. With increasing amounts of neroury the color of the ring deepens, 'then tho scare of reduction widens, and an approximate quantitative estimation may be made with the aid of comparison tubes* A concentration of 0*001 mg. per liter of air may be detected. . 77 THE TOXICITY OF ORALLY INGESTED ARSENIC, SELENIUM, TELLURIUM, VANADIUM AND MOLYB DENUM. K.W.Franke and A.L. Moxon. J. Riarm. Exp. Thcrap. 61, 89-102 (Sept. 1937). Salts of the acids of these elements were fed albino rets oF levels of 25 and 50 p.p.m. of the elements in their diet6* Toxicity was determined by effect on growth, food consumption, mortality and hematopoietic system of the ar.imals, and the results arc presented in charts and tablos. The rclativo toxiciticf in in creasing order are as follows * arsenic, molybdenum, tellur ium, vanadium, cx-.l selenium. At the 50 p.p.m. level selenium v/as very toxic, tellurium and v>v.iodium moderately so, and the other two slightly toxic. Selenium was the only ore that caused a distinct disturbance of the hematopoietic system. Tellurium caused loss of hair. ` 78 TOXICITY OF GREEN ROUGE OR CHROME GREEN. J.A.K.A. (Queries and minor notes) 109, 813 (Sept. 4, 1937). The inquiry concerns the toxicity of tho above substances which arc used in polish ing and coloring electrical fixtures. Green rougo is chronic oxide, quite widely used as an abrasive. Its use may lead to *chromc holes." Chromic acids, its salts and chromium oxides attack unbroken skin, and nasal perforation or inflammation may bo caused by inhalation of the dust of the oxido. fcrcnocs to Roocnt Literature - 18 # l&NGANESE. Industrial Data Shoot D. Cherru 26. National Safety Council. Nat. Safety News 36^ 60. (Dec. 1937). Supplied to members of the National Safoty Council at 5 cents, from its headquarters. The hazards, symptoms, treatment and prevention of manganese poisoning are dis cussed briefly. The hazard arises from inhalation or swallowing of tho dust. Jihngonese has its largest use as an alloy for steel and niokol, but is used also in dry battery manufacture, in coloring glass, enamels and coments, in tho pro duction of aniline dyes, and as a drier for varnishes and oils. Acute oases of manganese poisoning have never been reported, and all cases of chronic poisoning have been contracted through inhalation of dust or fumes containing oxides of man ganese. Symptoms develop after 3 months and vary with the individual/ They in clude languor, sleepiness, stolid appearance of the face,a low monotonous voice, muscular twitching, and cramps. There is no degeneration of tissue as in lead poisoning. The metal usufilly attacks a non-vital portion of the nerves and muscles but leaves the victim well otherwise. The best treatment in oarly stages is trans fer to dust-free atmosphere; little can be done in advanced oases. Preventive measures include cleanliness, change of clothing, not eating in workrooms, regular examinations, and the uso of respirators where the dust cannot be removed suffi ciently. 80 TOXICITY OF SELENIUM. IV. EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO HYDROGEN SELENITE. H.C.Dudley and J.W.Millor. U.S.Pub. Hoalth Repts. 52, 1217-30. (Septt 3# 1937) Obtainable from Supt. of Documents, Washington, D.C., for 5 cents, cash.. Guinea pigs were oxposed to hydrogen selenide in concentrations ranging from 0*571< 0.002 mg. per liter of air for single exposures of 10, 30 and 60 minutes. Ten minutes* exposure to the highest quantity was fatal to all animals in 5 days, and 40 minutes* exposure to the lowest was fatal in 25 days? The pathologic changes were fundamentally an oarly fatty metamorphosis of the liver and a later hyper trophy of tho spleen. The apparatus is described in detail. 81 TOXICITY AND PATHOLOGY OF SELENIUM. K.I.Smith, E.F.Stohlman and R.D.Lillie. J. Pham. Exp Therap. 60, 449-71 (August 1937). Tho acute and chronio effects of selenium poisoning was studied in animal exper iments* About 50$ of rats die when exposed to 3 mg. per kg. body weight, whsther selenite or sclonate is administered. Corresponding results were obtained with rabbits. However, the selenite is tho more toxic when injected intravenously in 4 rabbits. ' ' 4 82 ELIMINATION OF SELENIUM nND ITS DISTRIBUTION IN THE TISSUES. M.I.Smith, B.B. Westfall and E.F.Stohlnan. U.S.Pub. Health Repts. 52_, 1171^7 (August 27, 1937). Obtainable from Supt. of Documents, Washington, D.C., for 5 cents, cash. Sodium selenite fed to cats was excreted in the urine to the extent of 50 to 60$, and up to 18$ in the feces. The selenium is also widely distributed in the tis sues, mostly in the liver, kidneys, spleon, pancreas, heart and lungs* 83 DESIGN OF PAINT SPRAYING AND SANDBLASTING NOXZLES. Freudenthal. Zntrlbl, f, Gewerbchyg, u. Unfall. 24, 203-6 (1937) (German). The author shows hov/ dust prevention can be secured by proper arrangement of the spraying nozzle, including widening, flattening, beveling and admission of air. The design is illustrated. 84 REPORT ON THE ACTIVITY OF THE TECHNICAL INSIECTION OFFICE IN 1936. Chemical In Dustry Association. Chem. Ind. (German) 60, supplement issued with *uzg. 14 number, 1-56 (1937). This is an extensive report on many cases of accidents and sovoral industrial dis- easos. Among the latter were 2 fatal cases of dinitrocrcsol poisoning,, 2 oases of hydrogen sulfide poisoning, sovoral of carbon monoxide poisoning and 2 fatal cases of Weil's disease in workers who took care of rats in a biochemistry lab oratory. . ELECTRIC ARC VFELDIKG. J.A.M.A. (Queries and minor notes) 109, 975 (Sopt. 18, 1957), Two hundred feet from a welding place is considered as a safe distance for specta tors and other workers not wearing goggles* $ OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES .1ND INJURIES OF THE EYES AND WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION. M. Gardner* Med. J* Australia 2 752-3 (October 23, 1937)* The author discusses the 666*"cases of occupational diseases end injury of the eyes, which he has observed in 5 years (in Australia). There wore 324 oases of corneal lesions, including 230 oaused by foreign bodies, and many frm hums* A rough method for estimating percentage loss of vision is presented* In the discussion a simple table of suggested percentage incapacity ratings for different visual acuities of the affected eye is listed, in place of the present (Australian) sys tem of compensation of eye injuries* 67 SALT TABLETS FOR HEAT - POSSIBLE OVERDOSE. J.A.M.A. (Queries and minor notes) 109, 972 (Sopt. 18, 1937). Tho question is raised as to whether there is danger of overdosage of salt tablets in cases of arteriosclerosis or nephritis with potential edema. The reply is that tho use of 5 to 10 tablets daily does not exoced the replacement basis in hot in dustries cr during hot weather, and should cause no ill effeots# 68 LOSS OP MINERALS THROUGH THE SKIN OP NORMAL HUMANS WHEN SWEATING IS AVOIDED. R.H. Freyberg and R.L*GRant. J. Clin Invest. 16, 729-31 (Sopt. 1937). The loss of certain inorganic elements through the skin of two healthy men was in vestigated, with precautions to prevent sweating* No calcium or phosphorus was found. The 24' hour eliminations of sodium, calcium, chloride uni sulfate sulfur were found to be largo enough to be of importance in the accurate determination of the oxchnnge of theso elements as commonly done in mineral "balance11 studies, and corrections should bo made in those studios for losses -through the skin* 89 AFTER-CARE AND RE-EMFLOYlfINT OF THE KJBBSCULOUS PATIENT. E.L.Sandilond. J. Roy. Inst. Pub* Health and Hyg* 1_, 46-58 (Oct., 1937). Attempts to find employaont~Cor men disabled by tuberculosis in Groat Britain have been made in three directionst (l) tho establishment of workshops in tho outside world under After-Care Committees or Local Authorities! (2) employment of expationts on the staffs of sanatoria, and (5) the establishment of village settle ments, with industries attached. Tho first plan has not been very successful, 'mainly on account of lack of financial help. The author concludes that settle ments constitute one of tho most economical methods of dealing with certain typos of tho tuberculous population. 90 INDUSTRIAL CANCER WITH SHJCIAL REFERENCE TO ITS PREVENTION ^ND ACCIDENT LEGISLA TION. 0. Teuschlaendor. Med. Welt (Gorman) 11, 1267-72 (193 7). The paper is a critical review and general discussion of industrial cancer, in cluding the industries concerned, tho active agents and the localisations ob served. In most cases it is impossible to render -the injury harmless or neutral ise its caroinogenicityj all -that remains is to diminish the exposure. Cleanli ness, medical supervision and change of work are suggested; compensation problems arc discussed. 91 SKIN IRRITATION AND CANCER IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY. S. Pollor and C.S.Stephenson. Am. J. Med# Sci# 194, 326 (Sept. 1937). The prolonged exposure to the sun's rays, open air and salt water, to which Navy men are subjected, is associated with a frequency of cancer of the lip and skin 8 times the normal and a greatly diminished morbidity and mortality from all other Cv^noers. In about four-tenths of the men who would be expected to die from an innor malignant manifestation there developed instead a curable tumor of tho lip and skin. The mortality from oancer of the skin and lip is about S jforcncos *to Rccont Literaturo - 20 times higher in the Navy than in the average population of the samo ago group. Apparently a tumor in the innor organs develops later in only a small part of tho patients in whom cancer of tho lip and skin has been curod. This problem must be studied on a large scale, as this situation suggests a possible preventive treat ment# . Statistics of inoidenco cf the forms of cancor considered are inoludod# # CHEMOTHERAPY OF BLADDER CARCINOMAS WITH AMINO BODIES. Henschcn. Arch. f klin. C-hir. 189, 19-20 (19S7). (German). Bladder cancer has been produced in rabbits by the inhalation of naphthylamine vapor# Experiments by Sohaor on resorption and excretion by the bladder in an aniline worker showed that there are several ways in which naphthylamine can cone in contact with bladder tissue, from the general circulation and through the bladder vessels. Precanoerous and warning stages are local hyperemias, ystitis cystica, and subepithelial hemorrhages* The possibility of anti- cancerous action of some aromatic amido compounds, administered orally, is boing studied# * 95 TURPENTINE ECZEMA IN SWEDISH PAINTERS# AN OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE INVESTIGATION. G. Rundberg, Hygiea (Swedish) 99, 209-49 (1937). A paper on the chemical aspects of this subject was abstracted in our last bulle tin (Abst# no# 690)# This paper deals with results of occupational exposure. Tho author conducted inquiries among 450 painters in Stockholm and oarried out skin sensitisation tests with French turpentine, Swedish sulfate turpentine, Swedish charcoal turpentine and a petroleum derivative sold as dilutin. It was found that 110 of the painters suffered from eozoma, and 56 others showed changes that may in some cases be jreliminary symptoms of eos.*na Various general symp toms were found in many oases. Both the clinical examine, ciev.u rhe skin tests suggested that the Swedish preparations were more to Liumo than tho Frenoh# The producers of Swedish turpentine have undertaken to revise thoir chemical process-' os so as to eliminate or reduce tho impuritlos# 94 EFFECTIVENESS OF SOME H*0TEC'rTVE AGENTS AGAINST ECZEMA. I. LTJPOCID AND BOROLAN. K. Finkenrath* Zntrlbl* f Geworbehyg. u. Unfall* (Gorman) 24, 206-8 (1937). Lupooid salve and borolan (apparently proprietary romsdA-. # tha^T aro on the German market at least) wero found to fall short of the claims made by their makers* ' The former has an irritating effect on the skin and the latter does not prevent .an occurrence of eczema. * ` 95 LEAF OF ALOE VERA IN TREATMENT OF ROENTGEN RAY ULCERS. REPORT OF TWO ADDITIONAL CASES. A.B.Loveman. Arch. Dermatol, ta Syphil. 36, 858-43 (Oct# 1937). The author reports success in the treatment of roonxgen ray ulcers with leaves of aloo vera, but only after a long period, definite signs of improvement appearing after 5 weeks. He attributes the slow healing to the fact that only certain ports of tho ulcer are capable of regenerating tho epithelium. The whole leaf was found to be much more efficaceous than the ointment. 96 DERMATITIS ACTIIdCA DUE TO ROENTGEN RAY TREATED WITH THE IAF OF ALOE VERA# H. Fox# Arch* Dermatol* & Syphil* (Society transactions) 36, 891-2 (Oct. 1937). The author and several others obtained no success with the aloe vera treatment# In the author* s oase it was discontinued after 2 weeks on account of the pain. In view of the results in the preceding abstract, it is possible that the treat ment was not continued long enough. forcncos to Recent Litoraturo 21 e jf FROTBCTION OF THE SKIN AGAINST LIKE. G. C. Pother. Brit. Mod. J. 2, 792-3 1 (October 9, 1937). " Exposure to burnt lime injures the skin and eyes. Respirators for the nos &nd goggles for tho eyes are worn by workers in lime kilns, but the question of skin protection remains* Some men, but not all, acquire a tolerance to the dust* The skin becomes dry and hardened, and severe ulcers may follow* Washing gives no protection, but talc dust shaken over the skin, lessens sweating and forms c protective film* It is also of value as a dressing for ulcers* Strips of lint worn under the collar protect the skin of the neck from abrasion. Tfo received the following information on reprints too lato to insert it in the headings t No. 8. (DUST HAZARD IN FOUNDRYHEN) is obtainable from the author. Dr* Leslie H* Osmond, St. Francis Hospital, Pittsburgh, Ik* . ABSTRACT #53 was ommitted in its regular turn, and is given below? 55 TOXICITY OF MATERIALS USED IN LINING BEER CANS. J.A.M.A. (Queries and minor notes) 109, 891 (Sept, 11, 1937). The toxicity of chemioals used in lining beer cans is discussed, in reply to the report of a case of secondary anemia in a nan engaged in that work. The solvents are methyl-ethyl-ketone, known as *MEKff and LAC X21B, probably a vinyloid syn thetic resin. References are given, and no defi-iite conclusion is stated, exoept that the substances mentioned are not generally considered very toxic.