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Industrial Hygiene Digest - ^0 January, 1950 "highest carcinogenic power. Aniline has no appreciable action. The mini mum period of exposure far a tumor to appear was four years, maximum, 28 years. Changes In the vorking processes and periodical examinations have reduced the Incidence of tumors from amines. -- Cbem. AbBts. 94 Possibility of Beplacement of Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Less Toxic Products. P. Lafarge. Arch. Mai. Prof. 9 P 37& (19A8) French. A commission was recently appointed In France to discover safe sub stitutes for aromatic hydrocarbons. It is concluded that no general prohibi tion of the benzene hydrocarbons Is possible. Trlchlorethylene has many advantages and medical approval; but some workers dislike It. The petroleum solvents are generally complex and variable In composition. Exclusive use of Venezuelan oils for cleansing purposes seems desirable, since these con tain low percentages of aromatic hydrocarbons. In many cases light solvent naphthas could be substituted for benzenes-. Benzene should be prohibited and both toluenee and xylenes should be defined and their use controlled. -- Condensed from Brit. J. Ind. Med. 95 industrial Poisoning with Nitrogen Mustard. A. Jordl. Belv. Med. Acta. 1*T, p. 470 (1948) In German The author describes seven cases of poisoning by nitrogen mustard. Lesions are almost identical with those caused by the sulfur analogue, ex cept that they develop more slowly with the latter Bubstance, in one case after eight days. The' connective tissue around the eyes and the upper res-? piratory tract was readily affected, and hoarseness was often developed. There was one case of toxic pneumonia. Other symptoms shown In various cases were, increased urobilinogen, bilirubin Increase In the blood, general lassitude, changes In pigmentation, night blindness, and an allergic state toward the Irritant. . The blisters were treated with silver nitrate, and wounds and conjunctiva with cod-liver oil ointment. Injections of vitamins, Including C and 3"were beneficial in cases of general intoxication. In jections of .a calcium preparation appeared to benefit the respiratory symp toms. The skin pigmentations respond to applications of ten per cent salol In vaseline. Prophylaxis "Is Important. Nitrogen mustard should be listed as a toxic Bubstance. -- Condensed from Brit. J. Ind .Med. 96 Poisoning Due to Ingestion of Wax Crayons. H. brleger. Am. J. Pub. Health 39, 1023-1024 (Aug. 1949). According to crayon manufacturers, many reports of 111 effects following the Ingestion of wax crayons by children have been reported, but these com plaints were not substantiated. In 1947, a ease of almost fatal poisoning was described by the author. Since then nine other cases have been published or will be published soon. (Since submitting this paper, 10 additional cases were reported to the author). From studies made by himself and other investi gators, the author presents the following conclusions: "The findings In human beings and In cats establish, the fact that. In a small percentage of Individuals, Ingestion of wax crayons produces mathemoglobin and Heinz bodies. The crayons examined so far contain two finished dyes derived from methemoglob In-farming compounds. Feeding of one of these dyes (para red) to cats resulted, in methemoglobinemia and appearance of Heinz bodies when enough of