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y o ,, , . . rint _ rrn " ' : j T7/T3 ri /"*tf*r^< Wki) ii iiduiiuuJ LJUjI '&L UfcU iteiatuie Qbsfoacts MEDICAL ENGINEERING LEGAL - - - decisions and trends iIndustrial Health hews iuimi Momtkty Sjr INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE, FOUNDATION 4400 FIFTH AVENUE PITTSBURGH, PA. 00 4J.3S iNGSJ'S.TWIAl.HI'GJiNr FOUNDATION Vjl FOUNDATION FACTS July, 1945 Foundation Facts is* monthly new*.letter ir.sued to industrial concern* holding membership in Industrial Hygiene Foundation- The Foundation i* ,1 combined research and service institution to protect the health of worker* in industry. 'o. 7. H. B, Meller Dr. H. B. Meller, formerly managing director of Industrial Hygiene Foun dation and a world authority on air pollution and smoke prevention, died in a Pittsburgh hospital on Sunday evening, Pune 27. He was 65 years old. Burial was made at Altoona, Pa., on July 1. Formerly Dean of the School of Mines at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Meller had headed Mellon Institute's air pollution investigation since 1923. Mo became managing director of Industrial Hygiene Foundation when the organization was formed in 1935 and directed the Foundation until last September 'when failing health forced him to relinquish active management. He had continued as a Consultant. Hi's direction accounted in a large measure to the upbuilding of tho Foundation during its formative years. Through his work at Mellon Institute for two decades. Dr. Meller became known internationally as a specialist on air pollution. Also, through these efforts, Pittsburgh adopted an anti-smoke ordinance which became a model for other cities throughout the country. He headed Pittsburgh* s Bureau of Smoke Regulation from 1920 to 1938. As an indication of his contribution to air hygiene, and at a time when tho field -was little known. Dr. Holler published some 30 articles and was senior author cf a dozen other articles written with associates. These were exclusive of the scores of papers which he presented before distinguished groups through the years, including such organizations as the Nov; York Academy of Medicine, the Franklin Institute, the American Chemical Society, the American Public Health Asso ciation and the National Safety Council. Born in Altoona, Dr. Meller first went to work for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as a clerk. In 1900 he became clerk and later secretary of the faculty of the Department of Medicine at the University cf Pennsylvania. After attending the University and tho Michigan College of Mines ho joined the University cf Pittsburgh faculty as an instructor in 1910. He became Dean cf the School cf Mines in 1914 and hold that position until 1923 -..hen he came to Hollos. Institute. i al MT I'OUNnATiON fidOO P1FTH AVCNUE GO MO' piTTsnu'tfin. pa. , ily, 1043. Voi. `-'ll* :.o. 7. Industrial Hygiene Foundation 440G Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE DIGEST Literature ana News i News Items C4 Hydrogen From Water At Fires. Bulletin 166 by the Committee on Fire Prevention and Engineering Standards of the National Board of Fire Underwriters discusses the formation of hydrogen from . water decomposition by fires. The danger of hydrogen accumulating is theoreti cal. `The gas bums as fast as it is formed. The almost instantaneous libera tion of a large volume of steam has often been mistaken for a hydrogen gas ex plosion. 643 Safety Equipment. The March issue of National Safety News is devoted entirely to safety equipment. Several signed articles of a general nature are followed by brief anonymous discussions of various mechanical and hygienic safety features, classified in the following general sections: (1) personal protection; (2} mechanical equip ment; (3) firs and plant protection; (4) first aid and medical service; (5) sani- tary equipment and supplies, and (6) miscellaneous services and problems. The subsections on "Respiratory Protective Equipment" under the first heading, and "Industrial Ventilation" under the second, wore given brief notices in the June Digest, and Sections 4 and 5 axe briefly abstracted in this number. The entire issue, however, is worth reading for a summary of a complete safety plan. C44 Flammable or Inflammable? There has.always been a certain amount of confusion when gasoline or other sol vents aro referred to as inflammable materials. V.'hen we refer to a substance as being incombustible, we mean that it will not easily burn, whereas, custom has established the use of the vjord "inflammable" to mean something that could easily bo ignited. In V.'cbstcr's Dictionary, the words "inflammable" and "flammable" are eefined as follows: Inflammable - capable of being easily set on fire; easily enxindlcd; combustible. Flammable - capable of being easily ignited; inflammable. In order to clarify this terminology, the National Fire Protection Association aas recommended that we eliminate the use of the word "inflammable." They recom mend that the word FLAMMABLE bo used to indicate ready combustibility and NOK- -ABLE for materials which are not easily ignited or set on fire. It ic rather cult to change our habits, hut in future we should refer to natcri: h-unr either FLAMi.IABLE or iK)N-FLAi.;:.-.\BLE to assist in establishing a proper undcr- Ttcing of the chrxactoristies of certain materials. -- E.G. Barnes, Safety I-Lv.-s, wiinghouso Electric & Manufacturing Company. CO4' 8 V Industrial Hygiene Digest - 2. ;>to v.'hat's V.'ronr. With Safety Training. Iii the "help -wanted" columns of a daily paper the following jobs were advertized recently: ``Production engineer - 450; Mechanical engineer - *400; Safety engin eer - 175. Alfred M. Cooper in the February issue of "Engineering For Safety" asks if there is a direct correlation between the discrepancy in salary and the now all time high accident rate experienced by industry? As a rule, we get what we pay for, in merchandise or manpower. In today's labor market one cannot ob tain a good safety engineer for 175 per month, nor for any figure within double that amount. - Ohio Ind. Comm. Monitor, 16. 51 {April, 1943). C45 Ceramic Tubes in Dust Collectors. To save steel, the Prat-Daniol Corp., Port Chester, H. Y., is constructing tubes of special fire clay in Thermix ceramic tubular dust collectors. Those tubes are sufficiently thick and rugged to be proof against fracture and breakage from normal handling or from changes in temperature, yet they weigh no more than steel. The ceramic tubes are mounted in a concrete or brick casing above con crete bins, entirely eliminating the use of steel. - Chera. &. Eng. Hews, 21. (March 25, 1943). 647 Federal Government Safeguards Working Youth. Safeguards for the health, welfare, and education of American youth whose ser vices arc being demanded by the war program have been advanced by a statement of policy just approved by the "War Manpower Commission. This policy, formulated in cooperation with the Children's Bureau of the U. S. Department of Labor covers matters relating to the enforcement of school attendance and child-labor laws, the employment of youth under 13 years of age, provision for the educational - program of those who take employment, transportation of young people to and from work and assurance that suitable living conditions are available if the work re quires that young people live away from home. The policy else states that any youth interested in work in another area should first register for employment at the nearest local office of the U. S. Employment Service or such other agency as may be designated by the Y/ar Manpower Commission. After presenting evidence of parental consent, he will be referred to a specific job opening where he can be lawfully employed, and where there arc suitable arrangements for housing. -- Labor Inf. Bull., March, 1943. 643 Safety and Health Efforts Aid in Greater Production. Some examples of the activities of agents of the National Committee for the Con servation of Manpower in War Industries are the uncovering of hazards to health and safety of workers. New England industrial landmarks, now centers of renewed activity, wore badly in need of repair. A high labor turnover in a plant manu facturing army tonts was found to be due to illness caused by the solvent used on the cloth. The formula was discontinued. Provisions for a noon meal were made in a shoe factory, whose employees had become ill from eating hot dogs at the cnly available eating place. Two illustrations of the work cf the Committee in promoting safety programs are given. -- Labor Inf. Bull., March, 1945. 649 Y.'cr Industries Urged, to Save Workers* Eve sight. Industrial concerns should give much more attention to workers' eyesight, "not only for humane reasons, but to increase production, to reduce spoilage, and to add manpower," C.P. Tolman, consulting engineer for the National Society for the Prevention of Blindness, declares. At least one fourth of industrial workers, he estimates, have defective, but correctible, vision, Here than throe fourths of 50 typical plants studied make no effort to determine what visual requirements are necessary or acceptable to qualify a worker for any particular job. These plants do not know how many men with aefactive vision can be utilized, while, on Iidustrial Hygiene Digest - 3. the other hand, they may be employing men whose vision is a hazard on the partic ular job. For example, a crane operator who could not judge the height and place ment of a crane load would be a menace to life and property., whereas on a job to wiiich his eyesight is suited, he could carry on safely and effectively. -- Science News Letter, (March 13, 1943). CSC Reducing Blackout Hazards. New developments plus experience gained during the past year are helping reduce the hazards of blackouts and dim-outs and arc making these protective measures more effective, according to S.G. Hibben, noted lighting authority. Mr. Kibben, who is director of applied lighting at the 'testinghouse Lamp Division, Bloomfield, N. J., predicted a greater reduction in the accident toll during blackouts and dim-outs once full advantage is taken of modern lighting and safety devices. "We have learned much about blackout technique during the past year," he declar ed, "...It is quite possible to have a complete exterior blackout without sacri ficing adequate interior illumination in home or factozy." "...In case of air raids -- people should be prepared to carry on vital work vdthout interruption..." Present day industrial architecture represents the ideal in industrial protection. It provides such important features as windovdess construction, shatterproof glass, minimum of sky lights, neutral exterior coloring, and light interior paint ing. "Even in older industrial plants not so equipped, it is possible to have such protection by making full use of the most modem lighting and safety devices..." One of the most interesting developments in blackout technique has been that of phosphorescent and fluorescent materials. Mr. Hibben recommends the use of luminous markers and signs to denote exits, doors and factory aisles. He also described its use on clothing and automobile exteriors, and added that phos phorescent coatings may be used to outline door knobs,- switches, stairs, rail ings, paths to air raid shelters and in many other locations. -- Buildings and Building Man., April, 1943. . 651 Protein Allergy Attacks Workers in Castor Plants. A new danger to the health of workers in an important war industry was disclosed before the Detroit meeting of the American Chemical Society by two U.S. Depart ment of Agriculture research men, J.R. Spies and E.J. Coulson. This industry is the extraction of castor oil, nov; needed in hugs quantities for filling the recoil cylinders of heavy guns, and other important uses. Workers handling the pomace or pulp left after the oil has been extracted sometimes develop asthma and other allergic symptoms. Even when ricin, a deadly protein poison has been removed, the pomace is still capablo of causing allergic reactions. The newly discovered allergy-producing protein is, as yet, known only by a set of initials; CB.-1A. Something closely resembling it in chemical and physiological properties has also boen isolated from cotton seed. -- Science Nows Letter, April 24, 1943. 652 Health Hazard. ' It is essential that all persons engaged in the business of plating, selling, manufacturing or distributing utensils and equipment which may come directly or indirectly in contact with food or drink be again warned concerning the hazard to public health involved in the use of deleterious metals in this connection. The Sanitary Code of the City cf New York definitely prohibits the use of cadmium, lead or other deleterious metals in the construction of food equipment or uten sils. A simple field test for the rapid detection cf cadmium is available upon request at the office of the Bureau of Food and. Drugs, Department of Health cf the City of New York. -- Products Finishing, J7, 55 {May, 1943). CO Q'.\ Industrial Hygiene Digest - 4 Legal Developments C'53 Tuberculosis Deactivated. Whether Accidental Injury Accelerated Disease. This is an appeal in a compensation from a judgment sustaining a demurrer to the petition and dismissing the suit. Petitioner, a man twenty-nine years of age, was suffering from tuberculosis contracted some time before his employment by the Procter Gamble Company, insured by the Travelers, but which it was alleged had been arrested prior to his employment and that, as the result of inhaling gaseous fumes and fine particles of dust thrown out in the operation of the de portment in which he worked, the old scars or lesions loft on his lungs had been disturbed and broken and the disease re-activated. The trial Judge was of opin ion that petitioner was suffering from a disease, not the result of accident. To he within the Compensation Act the injury must be "unforeseen, unexpected and fortuitous. An element of unexpected casualty must be present." In the instant case the resultant condition of which petitioner complains could not, it would seem, have been unexpected. On the contrary, it was a natural and forseeable result. The court is constrained to agree vath the trial Judge that the declar ation failed to state a case of liability in that no accidental injury is shown . to have restated in either causing or accelerating the disease from which it is alleged petitioner is suffering. The judgment is affirmed. Johnson v. Trave lers Insurance Co. Tenn. Supreme Ct. Decided May 8, 1943. {CCHTI 654 Death of Sand-Blaster Hesulting From Inhaling Silica Sand Dust. Prejudicial Error in Instruction to Jury. The death of plaintiff's decedent was allegedly due to the negligence of defend ant in failing to provide decedent with a safe place in which to perform his work, and failing to provide him with proper equipment to protect him from inhaling silica sand dust and particles, while employed by defendant as a sandblaster, whereby ho contracted the disease of silicosis, which culminated in his death. Defendant in his answer affirmatively alleged that it complied with its duty to the deceased by furnishing him with the properly equipped respirator; but it was further alleged that decedent refused to wear the respirator, by reason of which he contracted the disease resulting in his death. The court rendered judgment for plaintiff. The grounds urged for a reversal are: (1) Erroneous instruc tion Ho. 1 given tc the jury, and (2), that the defendant's motion for a peremp tory instruction should have been sustained, on the ground that the evidence show ed conclusively that deceased refused to wear the respirator while he was engaged in Ms work. Instruction Ho. 1 still contained grounds upon which the jury oould return a verdict against defendant, although it did furnish an efficient respirator and defendant wore it while- at work. Such sumbissions to the jury constituted false and immaterial issues, which instruction Ho. 2, did not elimin ate. The testimony on the issues of defendant's failure to furnish an effi cient respirator or on the issue of defendant's failure to appropriate it when performing his work did not create such a failure of proof as to render a find ing by the jury either way as being flagrantly against the evidence so as to re quire the giving of a peremptory instruction. The error in instruction No. 1, as above pointed out, was prejudicially erroneous, requiring a reversal cf the judgment, and it is so ordered, with directions tc set it aside and for proceed ings consistent with this opinion. Fearless Manufacturing Corporation v. Mackey. Ky. Ct. of App. Decided May 7, 1943. [CCh). : is trial Hygiene Digest - 5 y'i;; ot~ Buffer Brcothcs Miners! Dust. Arynvotion of Pre-Existing Bronohiecta- V; V"'Disability. Sufficient Evidence for Award. 7 Gilan't* appeal is from the judgment of the circuit court affirming an award by the Commission in favor of appellee. Appellee, who suffered from a cough, considerable expectoration, soreness of his lungs, dryness and heat sensations i:: the bronchial tubes, loss of `weight, and pain in his shoulder and back, work ed in the buffing department -where minute particles of the lime and nickel make a cloud of dust which fills the room and he become disabled by aggravating a pre existing condition of bronchiectasis. Appellant contends that there was not sufficient competent evidence in the record to sustain the finding of facts made by the commission. Medical testimony has shown that the air which appellee ..us forced to breathe while doing his work was strongly impregnated -with mineral oust which aggravated a diseased condition of his bronchial tubes, and resulted in disability. Judgment affirmed. Solid Steel Scissors Company v. Kennedy. Ark. Supreme Ct. Decided May 31, 1943. (CCH). ~ Death From Tuberculosis Following Contraction of Silicosis. Liability of Employ er. Propriety cf Instructions. Admissibility and Exclusion of Evidence. Offi cials1 Non-Liability. Coburn was employed by defendant as a "grinder" in the manufacture of refractory brick. Cobum developed silicosis, and he died from tuberculosis. Coburn's ad ministratrix brought suit for his death, alleging that it had been directly and proximatoly caused by the negligence of the defendants. The court below over ruled the Company's motion for a directed verdict, but sustained a similar motion on behalf of the individual defendants, officials in the plant. The jury, how ever, found for the Company, and this appeal is from the judgment dismissing the petition. As grounds for a reversal, appellant contends, inter alia, that the Court erred in its sixth instruction to the jury; in rejecting material competent evidence offered by the appellant, and in admitting incompetent evidence offered by the Company; and in directing a verdict for the individual defendants, Loighow and Cartroll. Instruction No. 6, stated that death was directly caused by tuberculosis. But the jury was told not to find for plaintiff unless it found that silicosis was the proximate cause of the tuberculosis which caused his death, and that "Proof that silicosis predisposes to tuberculosis and that the decedent might not have had tuberculosis if ho had not contracted silicosis, is net sufficient of itself to establish that the silicosis was the proximate cause cf the tuberculosis." The court holds that there was no error in the instruction. Appellants insisting that the quoted sentence was tantamount to an instruction tc find for appellees. Since most of tho medical testimony went no further than to establish that silicosis predisposes to tuberculosis, appellees were entitled to have tho jury cautioned that such testimony "of itself," which phrase is equiv alent to "standing alone," was not sufficient to supply tho necessary link in the chain of causation. Tho preponderance of testimony s;as to the effect that Cobum* s silicosis was in tho first, or, at most, the second of the three or four stages into which the authorities usually attempt to divide it, and was, of it- ;S'Tf, net sufficient in intensity to seriously disable him, much loss, cause his d -.th. As for the excluded testimony, its exclusion was not prejudicial to a; ; allant, since he obtained the full benefit of the testimony that the groat majority of persons who contracted silicosis subsequently developed tuberculosis, t'-it;: respect to the medical testimony admitted ever the objection of appellant, r-r.d rein tine to dust conditions at the plant, in cases of this magnitude, espe cially where the conditions giving rise to the claimed injuries and the nature `U` those injuries arc obscure, the testimony, if the truth is to be ascertained, r.u.:t to a Unwed to take a wide range. This court cannot say that tho testimony e ..a l'.ir.wd or was incompetent, or its admission prejudicial to appellant's sub- c* a.atiul rights. The proof for appellant docs not show acts cr omissions on 1 u:uetrial Hygiene Digest - 6 . tho part of the individual appellees which would render then personally liable. There was much evidence indicating that at least good faith efforts had been made by the Company to comply with the Statutes requiring the installation of draft and suction apparatus to remove the dust. Judgment affirmed. Coburn v. North .American Refractories Co., ot si. Ky, Ct. of Appeals. Decided Juno 25, 1943. (CCH). (`A7 Partial Disability from Silicosis Not Compensable. Total Disability Resulting After One-Year Statutory Period Also Not Compensable. This is cn appeal by an employer and its insurance carrier from an award of the State Industrial Board in favor of claimant for total disability compensation covering the period from May 24, 1941 to December 25, of the some year. Claim ant, an iron chipper, employed by the appellant, filed a claim in June, 1938, for compensation in which he stated that he terminated his employment on December 16, 1937. He was examined on July 26, 1938, and found to be partially disabled due to silicosis. The referee disallowed the claim on the ground that partial disability as a result of silicosis is not compensable and the Industrial Board subsequently affirmed the referee's decision. On claimant's application the case was later reopened, and on October 10, 1941., claimant was found to be total ly disabled. The referee made the award under review which was subsequently affirmed by the Industrial Board. It is undisputed that claimant ceased work on December 16, 1937 and in its decision the Industrial Board found that the last injurious exposure occurred on that date. The Board also found that claimant became disabled as a result of silicosis on or about December 16, 1937 and on or about July 26, 1938. The record contains no evidence whatsoever to support the finding of total disability as a result of silicosis on December 15, 1937. Claim ant is not entitled to benefits for the reason that the alleged total disability did not result until approximately three years and five months after the date of the last exposure. Claimant is in a very unfortunate situation. There can be no doubt that he is now permanently disabled as a result of silicosis. The record discloses that he has not been employed in any gainful occupation since he ceased to work for this employer. In view of the findings of the Board, however, this court is powerless to aid him* It may be that if given the opportunity he may be able to submit proof as to the permanency of his disability within the statu tory period of one year from the date of the last exposure. Award reversed. Matter of Rapkicwics. N.Y. Supreme Ct., App. Div., 3rd Dept. Decided at April Term, 1943 (CCH). 653 Silicosis From Breathing Limestone Dust Over Long Period of Time not a Compens able Injury. Appellee, Phillips, filed his application for compensation against appellant, Kentucky Stone Company, with the Workmen's Compensation Board, claiming that he "suffered permanent impairment of his lungs and body by reasonc breathing lime stone dust." The application was apparently based on the contraction of silico sis. Tho Board overruled the referee's ruling that there was a compensable in jury and dimissed the claim. The court trial held that the case should be re manded to tho Board. This appeal follows. Appellee, while employed for 15 years in appellant's quarries, inhaled limestone dust and dust from emery wheels. On a day in 1938, he got very hot, and went up on top of the crusher v.'hcre he breathed limestone dust and cooled off quickly, started choking up, caught cold and could hardly breathe. He was off from work for several days, and lost over 50 pounds. Even if the court assumes that breathing of dust causes physical injury to the liaigs of some people, and that the breathing of the dust over a period of years by th<j appellee resulted in traumatic injury to him, thero yet remains the question whether such injury was accidental within the moaning of the statute. It seems incongruous tc say that an injury caused by breathing dust over a period of years is an accidental injury. To hold such an injury accidental I r ndustrial Ifygiene Digest - 7 would practically nullify the statute in this regard ana open the door to com pensation of occupational diseases, a result clearly not contemplated by the statute, file Board correctly denied compensation and dismissed the claim even though the evidence may be said to have established that the claimant was suffor- . ing with a disease which was in fact attributable to his employment, since such disease was not compensable. Reversed with directions to set aside the order remanding the case to the Board and to enter judgment affirming the Board's find ing. Kentucky Stone Co. v. Phillips et al. Ky. Ct. of Appeals. Decided June 4, 1943. (CCH).' ;r:9 Blacksmith Injured by Breathing Fumes Caused by Acids Used in Course of Iranioy- nenw.__Inhalation of Vapors as Constituting Accidental Injury Within Act. statutory Requirement of Written Notice .Excusable by Commission. Respondent was employed by petitioner as a blacksmith helper. Cn the date of the alleged injury, ho was in the blacksmith shop using cyanized gas and acids. The mixture reached boiling point and strong fumes and flame come from and around the mixture. The fumes, flame and smoke shot up in his face.' Respondent alleged that by breathing them, ho sustained his injury. The Workmen's Com pensation Lav; is not confined to cases of traumatic injury; inhalation of vapors, gas or dust may constitute an accidental injury. The medical testimony sustained the finding of the Commission that thero was an accidental injury and resulting disability. It was next argued that there was a failure to comply with the statute as to giving the statutory written notice. The statutory written notice may bo excused by the Commission. The Commission entered its finding that the petitioner was not prejudiced by a failure to give the statutory vritten notice and there is competent evidence to sustain such finding. Award sustained. The Eagle-Pichcr Mining a Smelting Company v. Loyd, et al. Okla. Supreme Ct. Decided Juno 1, 1943)7 (CCH). ' Book Reviews 6G0 National Fire Codes for the Prevention of Dust Explosions. National Fire Protec tion Assoc., 60 Batterymarch St., Boston, Mass. 160 pp. (1943). $1.00. This is the latest contribution of the Committee on Dust Explosion Hazards of the National Fire Protection Association. The committee was formed in 1922 in cooper ation with the TJ. S. Department of Agriculture, and has functioned continuously to date. ' In. 1926, the Committee became a sectional committee of the American Standards Association. The Codes include a section on fundamental principles for tho prevention cf dust explosions and separate sections on the x'ollowing uuats: aluminum, bronze pewder, coal, flour and feeds, pulverized fuels, spices, starch, sugar and cocoa, sulfur, grain (elevators and storage), and wood. The use of inert gas for preventing explosions is also described. The records of dust explosions in tho United States up to September 1, 1942 are else presented. 6GI Physiolr-.-y in Aviation. C.L. Gcmmill. C.C. Thomas, Publisher, 220 E. Monroe St., Springfield, 'ill. 124 pp. (1943). i2.00. el, irmtary treatment of physiology prepared primarily for aviators, covering mechanics of respiration, oxygenation af the blood, normally and at high altituacc, acceleration effects, etc. For industrial hygienists intcres-cod in the suoje.ct it would serve only ns ;neasily read introduction to the subject. There is no bibliography. CO.at Industrial Hygiene Digest - 8 Industrial Health Hazards and Their Effects 62 Zuidemiologic Aspects of Anthrax in Massachusetts. I.R. Tabershaw and G.E. Morris. New England J. Med., 225, 92-93 {January 21, 1943.} It appears to be impossible to destroy anthrax at its source. Sporadic cases of native origin will always occur. It is extremely difficult to disinfect hides and skins. The anthrax spore undoubtedly survives the first two or three pro cesses in tanning -- that is, washing, fleshing and liming -- but probably can not survive the entire process. No significant improvement in the method of killing anthrax spores has been evolved in the last twenty years; and even if it were possible to disinfect hides and skins, it is doubtful whether this would be warranted, especially at the present time. Therefore the method of control must be chiefly one of education and sanitary precaution until the hides have passed through the tanning process. The more severe cases and the most frequent deaths have occurred in truckmen and longshoremen, ?/ho are not aware of the possibilities of this infection, and who neglect to report for treatment early. The prompt diagnosis and treatment in tannery workers seem in large measure responsible for ' the lessened mortality and morbidity among them. Physicians treating any cutan eous infection in a tannery worker or truckman should bear in mind the possibility of anthrax and should culture material from the lesion. In order to keep this disease in check effectively, an educational program must be directed toward - truckmen, tannery workers, longshoremen and all others who handle imported hides, from their arrival in this country to their conversion into finished leather. -- Authors' summary. 663 'Tripoli and Silicosis. C.P. McCord and S.F, Meek and G.C. Harrold. Ind. Med., 12, 373-377 (June, 1943). The mineral tripcii contains approximately 9854 free silica, and is usually in a finely divided state. Proliferative reactions may be produced by all varieties of true tripoli. However, cases of human silicosis from tripoli are rare. The authors have sought the causes of this behavior and have come to the following conclusions: (1) the high porosity of tripoli gives a largo surface area per unit of mass; (2) this high specific surface favors adsorption phenomena, in cluding presence of hygroscopic films; (3) tripoli has an unusual degree of di polar electric attraction, causing many particles to cohere; and (4) an addition al artificial factor is that tripoli must be waterproofed before use as a foundry parting to prevent the hygroscopic films. The waterproofing compounds are physiologically inert as their melting points are well above body temperature and they arc not easily removed. The extent of physiologic inertness appears to de pend on the efficacy of the coating process. Not all particl.s below 5 microns are coated. 664 The Dust Hazard in Tromolite Talc Minina, Including Roentgenological Findings in Talc V.orkers. V.. Siegel, A.R. Smith and L. Grocnburg. Am. J. Roc-n*genol., 49_, 11-29 (February, 1943). This is a report on a study of atmospheric contamination in the mining and mill ing of tromolite talc in Northern Now York State. It is notable that although the free silica content in all cases was found to be less than one per cent, an incidence of 14.5 per cent of advanced fibrosis was found (32 out of 221 exposed). All cases occurred among men exposed to tromolite talc for 10 years or longer. The authors report that the pathology associated with this exposure suggests a industrial Hygiene Digest - 9 special aiology, and in addition there is evidence that there is an increased susceptibility to tuberculosis. The fibrosis found v;as a "fine diffuse type with n roontgettographic appearance of granulation or nodulation on a hazy background. It tended to be disabling in character and was frequently accompanied by dyspnea, cough and fatigue." The study includes a review of the literature on both exper imental studies and clinical reports on the effects of talc dust. There is a complete discussion of the mineralogy and mining and milling operations in the northern New York mines. Twelve X-rays and eleven case histories are given to gether with a detailed discussion of roentgen findings. ;Cb Minimum Standards for the Health of Workers in the Brick Manufacturing Industry. I.'.ucationol Health Circular, Industrial Health Series, No. 3. State of Illinois, Dopt. of Public Health. Pamphlet, 14 pp. No date. Part I of the circular is devoted to a discussion of Material and Processes and of Health Hazards. Exposure to silica is the greatest hazard found in brick making plants; therefore dust prevention is of paramount importance. Factors to be considered in determining a dust hazard are given. The necessity of fre quent air sampling by competent personnel is indicated. The minimum permissible dust content is stated, and measuros for controlling a dust hazard are consider ed. Other health hazards discussed, with health measures and precautions to be observed are: Dampness - temperature variations; weather exposure - extreme dry heat; extreme light glare; gases and fumes. Part II presents minimum standards for the health of workers in the Brick Manufacturing Industry, as suggested by the Division of Industrial l^rgiene of the State (Mass.) Department of Public Health. Subjects covered arc: Lighting; ventilation, temperature and humidity; sanitation; dust, fumes and gases; personal protective equipment; housekeeping; building equipment; notices and instruction; inspection; medical aid; physical examinations; reporting diseases. 666 Chemical Pneumonia in Workers Extracting Beryllium Oxide. H.S. Van Ostrand, K. Hughes and M.G. Camody. Cleveland Clinic Quarterly. 10_, 10-18 (Ian., 1343). Three cases of chemical pneumonia occurring in a war industry manufacturing beryllium oxide are presented. The chemical formula or agents used in this pro cess have not been made known by the manufacturer. The 3 cases reported had identical symptoms and roentgen findings. The characteristic symptoms consisted of dyspnea, a relatively non-productivo cough with occasionally blood-tinged ex pectoration, and a low grade fever. The roentgen changes in the chest which appeared about 3 weeks after the onset of symptoms revealed a diffuse haziness of both lungs, prominence of the peribronchial markings, soft irregular areas of infiltration, and discrete small nodules. These changes wore dependent on the stage of the disease. The 3 patients recovered with a complete return of the lungs to normal on chest X-ray. Additional studies are being made to deter mine tho specific inhaled etiologic agent in this industrial disease attendant to the war effort. The loss of time from work in these 3 cases averaged 3-3/4 months. - Authors* summary. 667 Dust Free Grinding. F. Schocffler. Nat. Safety News, 47, 18, 19, 84 (May,1943). description, with illustrations, is given of the modern grinding room equipment installed by tho Lodge and Shipley Machine Tool Company of Cincinnati to provide healthful, dust-free surroundings for employees. Increased production with lower labor costs has resulted from tho installation. *0i iVi fr! i ?T O* ;r.-- ,, rdc in Munitions Plants* iv C*E. GnuIt. Calif* Safety Nov/s, 2 7, 5 ;JTt irticle describes the symptens of TOT and tetryl poisoning. The most ij. nt precautions to be observed to prevent poisoning ere listed briefly* Industrial Hygiene Digest - 10 669 Hazards of the Printing Industry. Travelers Standard, 50_, 81-88 (way, 1942). The dangers from lead poisoning in printing establishments are considered, with methods for their prevention. Cases, from which type is set by hand, should be cleaned by vacuum equipment- to prevent the dust from being inhaled by the work ers. Exhaust hoods should be placed over linotype and monotype machines to carry off the lead fumes that arc given off fron the melting pots. Personal cleanliness is highly important, and adequate toilet facilities should be pro vided. Vacuum systems should be installed wherever practicable. If floors must be swept, precautions should be taken to avoid raising dust. 670 Health Aspects of V.'clding, A.G. Craneh and B.L. Vosburgh. 31st National Safety Congress Transactions (1942). Health hazards in welding may be divided into "real" and "unreal." If precau tions are taken to guard against the real hazards, the unreal will disappear entirely. The real hazards are usually easy to recognize and effective preven tive measures are available. Ho reliable evidence has been presented to show that welding operators have any poorer health and accident records than other tradesmen working in the same environment, or that they show any characteristic typo of illness which could be associated with their work. That health hazards due to welding exposures arc not great and can be well controlled is evident from the enomeus increase in welding and its applications without a corresponding in crease in illness. . 671 Spray Painting Creates Health Hazards. Illinois Labor Bull,, 3, 14-15 (March 31, 1943}. ~ Spray painting adds new health hazards besides magnifying the dangers of brush anc dip painting. These hazards arc discussed and it is pointed out that solvents which show no immediate toxicity have a narcotic action which makes the worker more prone to accidents. Health safety limits for solvent vapors are usually at least a ten times lower concentration than the explosive limits (which range in whole per cents). The remainder of the article discusses control measures: (1) In general, if the sprayer must enter the spray area he must have in addition to exhaust ventilation an air-supplied respirator and additional protective cloth ing. (2) The booth must bo largo, deep ( to prevent excessive backlash) and fireproof. (3) Exhaust and spray disposal. An air velocity of 150 linear feet per minute into all openings is recommended, as well as a water wash system or collector plates. (4) Spraying practice. The spray must not be under unnecessary pressure and should be dirocted toward the exhaust. Vertical articles should be placed at an angle; (5) Ml drying methods should have good exhaust ventilation. (6) Dermatitis can be prevented by adequate clothing and the use of skin creams. (7) Fire protection. Most important hero are good housekeeping and safe storage of materials. 672 The Toxicity of Lead Azide. L.T, Fairhall and others. U. S. Public Health Herts., 58 , 607-617 (April 9, 1943). An investigation of lead azide as an industrial hazard has indicated that the storage ana distribution of lead in the tissues following the ingestion of this compound arc in general similar to that of other lead salts. The acute toxic effect of this substance, however, is associated with the azoimide radical rather than v.ith the lead. Further ovidonce confirming this was obtained from obser vations of the effect of administering sodium azide intraporitoncally, subcutan eously, and orally in comparison v.ith similar experiments v.ith lead azide. The minimum lethal dose of sodium azide fallowing injection lies between 35 and 33 mg. per kg. of body weight, while up to 150 mg. p.er kg. of body -weight of lead azido could be injected intraporitoncally without causing death. This is equivalent in .'mount to 06 mg. of sodium azide. The effect of exposure tc hydrazoic acid Industrial Hygiene Digest - 11 gas by inhalation v:as determined at various concentrations and it has been shear, to be invariably fatal to rats in amounts beyond 1160 p.p.m. when breathed for 1 hour. .'The results of this investigation indicate clearly that hydrauoic acid should be considered a dangerous gas. -- Authors' summary. G73 Occupational Disease Considerations. E.R. Hoyhurst. Ohio State Bar Assoc. h.pt.7'11. 87-93 (Hay 10, 1945}, The author compares various definitions of occupational disease, including Sappington*s, Goldberg's, his own and those established in the courts of New York and Illinois, and Ohio. The methods and sources of reports ana complaints are next discussed. The sources include the examining physician, the plant physician, labor union officials, fellow employees, and industrial hygiene sur veys. The prinicpal occupational diseases in Ohio in 1931-40 and in 1942 are then tabulated. The hazards of industrially nev; substances are discussed and some essentials in the handling of medicolegal cases are presented. The latter subject includes careful investigation of physical condition, personal and family history, examination of the work place. Finally the cost of establish ment of claims and the question of who shall pay that cost is discussed, con cluding with a suggestion that a State Occupational Disease Institute be founded, with the immediate function of investigating all occupational diseases reported under the law. This institute should also have the broader function of investi gating all new manufacturing procedures before they are put into operation. The institution should be in a strictly impartial research center, should work in cooperation with state officials, and should be well supplied with funds and personnel. 674 The Iron Metabolism In Lead Poisoning. A, Tomaselli. Z. ges. exptl. Med., 109, 594-603 (1941). (German). In lead poisoning in dogs the blood iron and hematocrit values decreased more cr less rapidly in all cases. The serum iron decreased in the milder, more chronic poisonings, but increased in severe acute poisonings. The iron values of the liver, bone marrow and lungs increased in lead poisoning. Tho movement cf the total iron in the organism is discussed on the basis of these and other findings. 675 Blood Changes in Experimental Load Poisoning As Studied by tho Fluorescent Micros cope. K.L. Pesch and E. Lcrake. Arch. Gcwcrbopath. Gewcrbehyg., ICY, 674-31 (1941) Tho stippled erythrocytes were not exhibited by the fluorescence microscope in the blood of guinea pigs, rabbits or man in load poisoning. The basophilic granules of stippled erythrocytes are apparently not nuclear remnants, because the nuclei of nucleated rod blood cells (as in the blood of birds or in human red bono marrow) absorb definite fluorochrome light. In simple and clear manner stippled red blood cells were demonstrated by the Morin-Manson dye. The stain ing technique is presented. 676 Industrial Manganese Poisoninn. L.T. Fairhall ana P.A. Neal. Nat. Institut health Bull., No. 1S2. 24 pp. Federal Security Agency. U.S. Pub. Health S icc. Chronic manganese poisoning has boon known for over a hundred years, ana sone 353 cases cf manganism have boon reported since 1837. Its relative rarity c sidcring tho manifold technical applications is explained by the following e cumstanccs: (1) Relatively few pocplo have the constitution for the devclap ?nt of chronic morganism; (2) apparently not all compounds of manganese can pr^ : chronic poisoning; (3) the chronic condition can only arise where morgana::? its compounds are inhaled or swallowed in sufficient amounts for a cuffici,,r long time. The maximum permissible concentration of manganese has not be,;: .jzermined, but as a result of investigation and environmental studios, it has c-: tentatively placed at GO mg, per 10 cu. n. of air. A brief treatment is riv c:i The Uses and Occurrence, Tho Physico-Chemical Properties, and The Analytical c- 0 d; Y 7 Industrial Hygiene Digest - 12 Evaluation of manganese. Under Toxicology, industrial, experimental and chronic industrial manganese poisoning are discussed. Changes in the central nervous system with the development of the parkinsonian syndrome are the most important pathological changes due to manganese* but manganese pneumonia frequently occurs, also. Symptoms, differential diagnosis, pathology and treatment of chronic manganese poisoning arc considered. Tae importance of early diagnosis is stress ed as these cases recover spontaneously if placed in a dust free environment. For more advanced cases there seems to be no effective treatment. Periodic med ical inspection of workers and engineering control methods are measures for the control of industrial manganese poisoning. A ten page bibliography is included in the bulletin. 677 Bone Marrow and Peripheral Nervous System in Chronic Manganese Poisoning. H. Voss. Arch. Gewarbcpath. Gcwerbebyg., 10,, 550-568 (1941). (Goman). In two cases cf chronic manganese poisoning changoc in thd bone marrow and in the peripheral nervous system were found. In one case the atypical course of the poisoning was manifested clinically as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with bulbar symptoms. Anatomical findings existed corresponding to the malfunction ing observed. In another case there wero certain pyramidal tract symptoms. Anatomical study showed mainly extensive degeneration of the right pyramidal tract and of both sciatic nerves with pronounced vessel changes in the affected areas. 678 Dangers From Carbon Monoxide in the Home. L.B. Berger and H.H. Schrenk. U. S. Bur. of Mines Inf. Circ., No. 7258 8 pp. Mimeographed. (April, 1943). The purpose of this publication, as stated by the authors, is to emphasize the dangers of carbon monoxide and to suggest safeguards against this hazard of every day life, Tho properties of carbon monoxide and its action on the body are discussed. Suggestions for the safe uso of the various types of household heating appliances are given. Seme precautions against unsafe practices are listed. First aid measures are indicated. 679 Carbon Monoxide Asphyxia. A.G, Hammer and E.H. Carleton. Rocky Mt. Med. J., 40, 234-240'(April, 1943), The authors present the essential facts about carhon monoxide asphyxia, includ ing cause, location, symptoms, pathologic changes and treatment. 680 The Carbohydrate Metabolism During Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. J. Varady. Uricn. Med, Uchs., 92., 121-2 (1942). (Gorman). Studios on 15 patients revealed a hyperglycemia in severe carbon monoxide poison ing. Ator administration cf 50 g. glucose, the blood sugar curve remained high 'for 30-60 minutes, and even after 2 hours it did not drep below the initial hypcrglycasic value. The insulin secretion was not affcctod in carbon monoxide poisoning. C51 affects on Man of Severe Oxygon Lack. S.M. Horvath and others. Am.J.Physiol., 150. 659-68 (1943). ~ Schizophrenic patients were subjected to severe anoxia over a period of several minutes either up to the point of unconsciousness or in seme cases extending in to unconsciousness. Anoxia of severe degree produces no beneficial effects on the mental condition of these patients. Anoxia severe enough to produce brief periods cf unconsciousness has no lasting harmful effects on the central nervous oyster.. Respiratory stimulation by anoxia is strong and sustained ovun during unconsciousness. There is a rapid return to normal when either air or 14v oxvgcn is supplied. A mixture of 4.2D oxygen with nitrogen is equivalent physiclegicul- ly to in altitudo of about 31,000 feet. It should bo possible to descend with an opened parachute from 31,000 feet altitude witliout oxygen equipment with no ill effects from anoxia. , f 0 D o Industrial Hygiene Digest - 13 682 Dlnpnosia of Carbon Disulfide Poisoning. Rodcnacker. lied. Klin., 38, 323-331, (August, 1942). The comparative rarity of carbon disulfide poisoning since industrial processes have succeeded in beeping the sir concentrations ivithin the danger limit, has rendered its diagnosis more difficult. Acute mental disturbance vlth delirium, nay be caused by three months* ex:;osuro to a concentration of 0.5 to 2 mg. per liter of air. The mental effect disappears after 3 weeks' removal from exposure. Pathologically the result of poisoning is disturbance of the lipoid metabolism, which in turn affects the cells of the mid-brain. Another effect is carbon di sulfide neuritis, especially of the peroncus nerve, and affection not only of the medullary sheath of the nerves but -.Iso of the corresponding ganglion cells of the central nervous system. Complete; recovery on removal from exposure is of diagnostic importance. A measure of the extent of carbon disulfide poisoning is the xanthogenate content of the blood, which can bo determined by simple tests which are described. The xanthogenato content is not related to the total carbon disulfide in the blood but shows a decided increase whenever mental disturbance is present. Figures are presented in support of that view. 633 Leukemic Myelopathy Caused by Benzene Poisoning-;. H.T. Rosso, Minerva mod., 52. 600-2 (1941). (Italian). "" A few cases of hoantologicolly proven nyclopathic leukemia following benzene poisoning arc reported. 634 Natalities in Trichlcrsthylene Degreasing. N.Y. State Ind. Bull., Z2j 125 (March, 1543), . ' Two fatalities of persons employed at degreasing operations in which trichlorethy- lcne was the degreasing agent, have boon reported to the Hew York Division of Industrial Hygiene. These fatalities have not been common, and complete de tails of the cases will be published later. The deaths occurred suddenly about 1 hour after the end of the 8-hour work period. The Division of Industrial Hygiene wishes to remind persons interested in these operations, that if tri- chlorethylone degreasing is not properly controlled, serious consequences may result. 685 Poisoning by Chlorinated Naphthalene. E. Collier. Lancet Ho. 6229, 72-74 (January 6, 1943.) Poisoning by chlorinated naphthalene may result in chloracno of the face, partic ularly of the sides of the face; 12 such cases arising among workers who wore ex posed to the fumes or dust of chlorinated naphthalene are reported. It nay also produce acute yellow atrophy or necrosis of the liver. In a typical case with systemic effects, the liver is usually the only organ showing damage. One fatal case is described fully. If cases of poisoning are to bo prevented, the wax must not bo overheated, and the fumes and dust must be properly carried away by exhaust ventilation. Workers must be instructed in the importance of . personal cleanliness, and must be medically examined every week for signs of acne or jaundice. -- Author's summary. 666 Chemical Casualties. II. SA Haggard. Conn. State Mod. J., e, 364-371 (1942). The following topics are considered: nature of chemical agents, lung irritants (ammonia, phosgene, "nitrous fumes," chloropicrin, chlorine, sulfur dioxide), artificial respiration after irritant gases, lacrimators and sternutators (chloroacetophcnonc (usually v.lth some chloropicrin) , bromobenzyl cyanide, diphcnylchlcrcarsina, diphonyloninchloroursine), systemic poisons (carbon mon oxide, hydrogen cyanide), incendiary agents (white phosphorus, thermit, magne sium) , vesicant agents (mustard, Lewisite) and the problem of decontamination. CO Industrie! Hygiene Digest - 14 Co 7 P:;ychic Symptoms in Poisoning by Modern Industrie! Solvents. P.J. KnT.ben.hens, echweiz. Arch. g. Deurol. u. Psychiut., 43. 232-271 (1941); 49, 123-104 (19 42). There are six essential factors determining the neurotropic action of a solvent vapor: (1) fat solvent action, (2) chemical composition and metabolism in the body, (3) rate of absorption and excretion, (4) air concentration (volatility), (5) time factor (acute or chronic symptoms) and (6) variability of individual reaction (susceptibility). Acute poisoning for most solvent vapors is charac terized by symptoms of narcosis tenninating in death or recovery. In case of the latter there usually appear symptoms of epileptiform seizures, emotional in stability, intellectual deterioration, loss of initiative, disturbances of sleep and amnesia. Chronic poisoning is usually characterised by a gradual appearance of excitability, emotionalism, epileptiform and schizophrenic symptoms; some times there is apathy, exhaustion and drowsiness; often there is a disturbance of sleep rhythm, diminution of sexual potency, alcohol intolerance, and addiction. Toxic symptoms .are given for chronic and acute poisoning with various aliphatic, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons, also alcohols, esters, aldehydes, ketones, ethers, special solvents and chemically related organic substances. 6S8 Industrial Dermatitis - 481 Cases. H.J. Davis. lad. Med., 12, 381-583 (June, 1943). " The author introduces a report giving the experience of the company with which he is associated to help substantiate the statement that dermatitis can be less ened by proper control, prevent!or. and treatment, With no new buildings, new machinery nor new methods for combating dermatitis they have been able to keep their period of time lost for a compensable dermatitis case at 8.3 days, whereas the average is 70 days. The average compensation paid is $100 for each case, their figure is $18.10; the average medical cost for each compensable case is ' 90, their figure is $23.75. Sterilization of oil and the institution of an ' . original, comploto method of studying, recording and treating dermatitis caused a narked reduction in the number of cases. The factor of cleanliness of the worker is also of importance. The author considers the present an opportune time to study the many million new war workers from a dermatitis standpoint. The number of man hours that can be saved by proper protection, control, and treat ment is cf great importance. G89 Dermatitis Due to the Formaldehyde Kesins - Prevention and Methods of Control. K.E. Markuson and others. Ind. Med., 12. 3S3-3Q6 (June, 1943). A study was made of a severe dermatitis outbreak due to formaldehyde resins. It involved four plants employing 2,370 workers, 355 of whom had developed dermati tis, Information is limited to the most critical field, the toxic nature of phenol and urea formaldehyde. The use and composition of these resins is given. Mention is made of the frequent substitution of cresol for phenol, which may, in some degree, be responsible for thG recent outbreak in phenol formaldehyde der matitis. The action of the resins is explained and predisposing factors are discussed, briefly. Description of the skin rash, complications, body distribu tion, immunity, duration, medication, sensitiveness to formaldehyde fumes are subjects of short paragraphs. Preventive measures arc listed under two headings: I. Medical, which includes personal hygiene, protective clothing, protective creams and ointment, operative technique, and education; and II. Engineering. The principal control measures are: (1) enclosure of mixing operations; (2) ven tilation in grinding and sending operations; (3) enclosure of operations which require the heating of the material con*airing the resin, ana the provision of exhaust systems; (4) s^.reqation of operations requiring the heating or drying of the materiel; (e) mechanical installations, wherever possible; (6) regular periodic removal of dust accumulation. riel Hygiene Digest -15 : trinitrotoluene (TUT):___Its Effective Removal iron the Skin by a Special Liquid TT'ti/ t/.jD. Norwood. Inn. Med. , 12_, 208-203 (April, 1943) , in nor tha'precont conditions of handling TUT in munitions works, it tends to . .cetar-ulate on the skin of exposed workers, because it cannot be removed by wash ing with ordinary toilet soaps and water. TUT loft on the skin is absorbed i-treughout the 24-hour period end adversely affects the health of workers. Pro fiting by the previous work of others, and aided by soap manufacturers, we have developed on effective remover for TUT. It is composed of liquid soap to which is added 5 to 10$ of potassium sulphate and 5 to 10$ of an appropriate wetting agent. I believe that the use of such a soap will materially reduce the inci- -jar.ce of toxic effects among exposed TUT workers. Information relative to com panies from whom the special liquid soap may be secured may be obtained from the effico of Col, Vi. J. McConnell, Medical Corps, Office of the Chief of Ordnance, 233 North Michigan Avo., Chicago, The soap has also proved effective in re moving tctryl from the skin. A much more general use of YJebster skin reagent is recommended. It is hoped that this article will stimulate others to -work .actively on this problem, as its effective solution is most important in main taining the good health of our munition workers. -- Author's summary. ; 1 "Dural Poisoning" and Vicuna Infections in Workers in Airplane Factories. 1. ;.nton. Muench. Med. Y/cchschr., 88, 8S6-S (1941). (Goman). Eczema caused by working with light-metal alloys (Duralumin, Electron) is rare. Superficial skin fistulas after injuries and surface suppurations which were slew to heal were relatively frequently observed in those who worked with light metals. The treatment is described. C92 Dermatitis in Industrial Occupations. G. Hopf. Gesundb.-Ing*, 65, 44-48 (1942), (Gorman). Various harmful materials are exhaustively described according to the typo of their reaction mechanism, the physical, choaical viewpoint of their penetration into the skin as well as their occurrence in different trades and the skin reac tions that they produce. The proper precautions for the prevention of industrial diseases arc discussed; in particular, the problem of cleansing the skin, and the protection of the skin by industrial protective ointments is detailed. G3 Skin Injuries Through Chemical War Materials. Jonquieres* Parfumorie modern. 34,"41-47* (1940). (French). Description of the,physical and chemical properties of dichlorodiothyl sulfide nd of its effects on the eyes and skin, nervous system, respiratory organs and aigestivo apparatus. After penetration of the homy layer of the skin, dichloroiiethyl sulfide is localized in the nalphigian layer and is hydrolized with for mation ofthiodiglyccl and hydrochloric acid. The products of hydrolysis form toxic complex compounds with the skin proteins and convert the amino acids into t'.xic substances as histamine, tyraminc and putroscine. Therapy and prophylaxis - f injuries from war materials must be adaptod to the properties of the war mater ials rad to the chemistry of their effects. Emulsions of oxidising oils in water (prepared according to Gottel'ossi) which penetrate into the deeper cutaneous layers and there form harmless coni ex compounds with the poisons hove craved useful. * ' IF.emotion of Skir. Hashes - Practical Solution cf the "C'Jttir.r.-Oil,, Problem. -.A. oir-JiT. I nd/Med ."*12, f/3-ffo (A ori l", "1343). " ' <''40 to dermutcyhytid infection were cut down remarkably in several ' cticut anas manufacturing plants, by changing the "cutting-oil" used on the ..'Very month. Possibly use of the machine in suite way changes the heavy cutting-oil" and encourages growth of the rash-causing organisms in the oil. 00420'. Xr. :.uotrial Hygiene Digest - 16 ('Qj First Studies of the Action of l,-3cn?.opyrene on the Human Skin. G.B. Cottini :.nd G.B. Kazzoni. Gazz. int. mea, Chir., 49_, 8-13 (1540). (Italian). V.lion noimol human skin was rubbed daily with, a 1# solution of 1,2-benzopyrene, for periods up to 120 days, erythema, pigmentation, scale formation, wart forma tion, and infiltration wore successively observed. All these disappeared rather quickly after cessation of treatment. iVhethcr the treatment can lead to neo plasms could not bo stated. Histological examination of the attacked skin sites confirmed the macroscopically observed changes. A similar treatment was also carried out on luetic patients and those with ulcerative tumors. In the latter case, a certain favorable influence was observed after a short time of treatment in that the ulceration and pain abated, and the development of the non-ulcerated portion of the tumor v;as inhibited. The sensitivity of the skin depends on the ago of the person; uncovered skin sites are more sensitive than covered portions. The skin of luetic persons behaves like that of old persons. The human skin seems to be more resistant to the carcinogenic action of benzopyrene than that of experimental animals. 696 Contact Dermatitis. H.L. Claassen. Ohio State Med. J., 59, 40-41 (January,1945}. The allergic contact type, eczematous form of dermatitis is most common form of cutaneous sensitization encountered in industry. Those are all morphologically similar but differ etiologically. workers with a dry skin are usually sensitive to such conditions. The author lists conditions which might be confused with contact dermatitis and points out that clinical diagnosis is made possible only by a,complete history. Correctly used patch tests are confirmatory. The indus trial physician should not only treat these lesions, but by the preemployment examination should help in the placement of sensitive workers and should instruct the v/orkers as to precautions against the hazards of their jobs. Treatment of contact dermatitis is similar no matter what tho etiological factor. 697 A Film of Protection. C.A. IVeslagsr. Nat. Safety News, 47. 22, 46-43 (June, 1943), . Since Pearl Harbor there has been an unprecedented increase in the use of brand ed protective creams by American workers. A protective cream gives physical protection by coating the skin; it has no medicinal function. Ttr^e of the best known types of creams are discussed and their constituents and applications are given. The most widely used is the water-soluble type, which is not permeated by non-aqueous solutions. These creams protect the skin, make cleansing of the skin easier and quicker and abolish the need for abrasive soaps. The second cream in wide use is the water-resisting type, which covers the skin and fills tho pores with a bland fat. It prevents the entrance of water-mixed cutting oils and similar irritants. Acid-resisting creams protect the skin from acid bums by virtue of physical protection. They are generally used in conjunction with gloves to protect the wrists and forearms. If used without gloves, such creams should be tested. The use of creams has been demonstrated to be a factor in reducing skin troubles. They also give a feeling of security and are willing ly accepted by workers. Safety engineers must exercise vigilance over the kinds of cream supplied to workers. They should either be well established by past performance or be made by reliable manufacturers. Four requirements for protec tive creams are listed. The caution is given that those creams should not be used against such highly toxic substances as chlorinated naphthalenes, diphenyls, TFT, DriT, dynamite, mercury, lead compounds, and other chemicals known to cause systemic poisoning. 69 glmillmua Interpretation of Certain Toxicological Phenomena Found in Industry. Drey fuss Mid others. J..t:i. I us z. Homeopathy. 36,77-84 (19437. A summary of the toxicological action of mercury, arsenic, benzene and carbon tetrachloride, in both chronic and acute poisoning. 14 references. r-0'? " Industrial Hygiene Digest - 17 (j/j Conserving America's Industrial Hands. C.A. Weslager. Oocup. Kaz., 5^ 16, 17, ' 46-48 (April, 1943). " " In claims for compensation, hand and finger injuries lead all others, comprising 30>i of all claims. One in five compensable hand or flagor injuries involves infection, according to reports from 4 state compensation comissions. Preven tive measures which can be used by safety executives and hygienists are consider ed. Thu wearing of wrist watches end hand ornaments should be prohibited. Gloves and hand pads arc indispensable in handling hot or heavy materials. Gloves made of asbestos, leather, canvas, metal mesh, and rubber all have their specific apijlications. Gloves should not bo worn to operate revolving machinery, -where there is danger of the glove tangling in the machine parts. Obviously, all mov ing parts should be equipped with guards. Education in the proper use of tools will eliminate injuries resulting from using wrenches as hammers, screw drivers as chisels, etc. Tools should be kept in good repair, with handles free from splinters. All woriters ore susceptible to dermatoses, therefore, reputable hand soaps and cleaners, lotions, individual towels and industrial wash fountains are important in a safety program. Cleanliness of the worker, of his clothing and machine continue to be tho chief methods of control against many dermatoses causatives. The use of protective creams is compulsory in many plants, where the worker is furnished a supply free of charge. 700 Enidcaaic Keratoconjunctivitis. A Joint Report of the U. S. Public Health Ser vice and the Committee on Industrial Ophthalmology of the Section of Ophthal mology of the A.M.A. J.A.1I.A., 121, 1153 (April 3, 1943J"! The incubation period of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis ranges from 5 to 10 days. Clinical symptoms arc listed and arc mainly those of a foreign body irritation., Both eyes are usually involved, one 5 to 8 days after the first. Corneal involve- went occurs in the majority of the cases and the amount of visual damage varies. Treatment is non-specific, including cleansing with boric acid, 5 per cent sulfathiazole ointment, and X-rays for persistent corneal infiltrates. Preventive measures consist of complete isolation and scrupulous cleanliness of all objects and people (medical personnel) that come in contact with tho infected persons. Tho period of infectivity is as yet unknown. 70T Effect of Experimentally Altered Air Pressure in tho Middle Ear on Hearing Acuity in Man. W.E, Loch. Ana. Otoi. Shin. & Laryng., 51, 995-1006 (December, 1942). Tho influence on the hearing of positive and negative pressure in the middle ear, created by Valsalva's procedure, was investigated in normal subjects by means of audiometric examination for the frequencies of from. 32 to 16,384 cycles per second. Both positive and negative pressure impairs the threshold for frequencies below 2900 by from 10 to 30 decibels, more in the lower freonencies. For the higher frequencies, slight positive pressure improves the thresholds, but nega tive pressure impairs the thresholds. When pressure differences were decreased, the sequence of return of hearing acuity occurs in the reverse order of its loss. 7-J2 i^J'tPjjphcric Pollution in Dublin During the Year 1941. A.G.G. Leonard and others. Proc. Roy.'Dublin Soc'." 23, 10-lT (1942). The results of an atmospheric pollution survey at several locations in Dublin during 1941 are presented. Soluble solids deposited during tho year varied from 4o to 74 tons per square mile, and insoluble solids, from 34 to 126 tons per square .mile. The deposition does not differ much from that of 1940 but is lower by a:.If than the average of the preceding 3 years, on account of shortage of coal. Tho number of deaths from respiratory diseases is also tho lowest recorded in the years of the investigation. A graphical method for correlation of v:ind euv.ction '.ind velocity with suspended matter pollution is presented with results. Hie St. Louis smoke abatement ordinance is cited. P /*\ Industrial Hygiene Digest - 16 70.: Trends in. Occupational Disease. I, Gray. Ind. Med., 12_, 02-206 tApril, 1943) . This nrti41 surveys the field of occupational disease. Cases attributed to occupational disease have become more frequent in New York, since laws were pass ed there, Baking any disease which could be charged to occupation compensable. The occupational diseases arc listed and discussed briefly under the five head ings: (1) Dermatitis - the most frequent of occupational diseases; (2) Poisons lead, benzene, and its derivatives, petroleum and its derivatives, arsenical com pounds, .'.crcurial compounds, carbon monoxide, and other chemical gases and vapors arc mentioned, and the symptoms of the diseases that they cause described; (5) Abnormalities in air pressure - caisson disease of tunnel workers and "altitude sickness" of fliers are mentioned; (4) Infections - not common. Anthrax in wool sorters, undulant disease in milk handlers; (5) Dust - silicosis, asbestosis, complicated by tuberculosis in late stages. Methods of Detection and Determination 704 Mjcrodetermination of Arsenic in Biological Material. J.A. Sultzaberger. Ind. Eng. Chem., (Anal, Ed.), 15^, 4G8-41G (Tuna 15, 1943). The authors have developed a method by which digestion of the sample with con centrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid is followed by distillation of the arsenic as trichloride into dilute nitric acid solution in a Frasenius flask. _ ' The characteristic molybdenum blue color is developed from the evaporated resi. due and read in a photoelectric colorimoter. The range is 0 to 100 micro grams of arsenic, and the accuracy is 0.2 microgran. 705 Determination of Benzene. Dotoction and Estimation of Benzene in tho Presence of Toluene. Xylene, and other Substances. B.H, Dolin. Ind. & Eng. Chem., 15, 242-247 (April 15, 1943). This article describes a colorimetric procedure for the determination of benzene in the presence of other aromatic and aliphatic solvents. The procedure consists of nitration, extraction with ether, development of color with butanone and alkali in alcoholic solution, elimination of the interfering colors by acetic acid addition and color comparison. Nitration is performed with a mixture of equal volumes of fuming nitric and concentrated sulfuric acids, A detailed pro cedure is given in the article. The analysis requires about 30 minutes for a sample. The method is sensitive to 8.6 x 10-7 agS. and can be used for small air sample* as well as solvent analysis. By decreasing the other dilution the author believos that as small a concentration as 0.27 p.p.m. can be detected on a 10 ml. sample of air. wCtermination of Small Amount of Benzene and Toluene in tho Air. M.K. Alekseeva. Haiti. r.cfcrat. Bhur. 4_, 86 (1941). (ikissian). The method of Schrenk, Yant and Pierce is the most effective of all methods studied for determining benzene and toluene. Up to 0.002 cc. of benzene and 0.01 cc. of toluene can be detected in 10 cc. of air. Owing to the different condi tions for the nitration of benzene and toluene the method is also suitable for mixtures of bunzune and toluene. The results arc within about 10 per cent cf the t rut h. r A / 't rj : ;.-tri'-l Hygiene Digest - 19 ... . ; one:trie Determination of Benzene, Toluene, and Their Nitro Derivatives. T.L" sL^JStein. Ind. & Eng. Chem,, 15. 251-253 (April 15, 1943). '.'hio article describes .modifications to the colorimetric method for aromatics ;.'ing nitration and reaction with methyl ethyl ketone and potassium hydroxide. The- author believes that the colored compounds resulting are probably quinoids formed by condensation of the aci-nitro and-, cnol forms v.lth the elimination of Ur. Spectral absorption curves of butar*one--nitro compounds are giver, as well i3 certain modifications for the quantitative procedures used for the determin ation of benzene and toluene. The use of 70 instead of 50 per cent alkali in creases the rate and amount of color production. Mixtures of benzene and toluene r:r. bo analyzed by oxidation of dinitrotolucnc to v;hat the author believes is dinitrobenzoic acid which gives no color. v;': Simwlo Device for Detecting Small Concentrations of Organic Halide Oases in the Atmosphere. G.W. Jones and K.E. Kennedy. U.S. Bur. Minos, Kept, of Invest., Ko. 3697. 10 pp. Mimeographed. (April, 1943). Obtainable on request from Div. of Information, U. S. Bureau of Mines, Washington, D. C. A simple tester for detecting low concentrations of halide gases in atmosphere is described. The tester, based upon the principle of the well-known halide lamp, employs absorbent charcoal- to adsorb and concentrate tho halide-containing gases and thus greatly increases the sensitivity of the test. The tester is so constructed that tests may bo made (1) by aspirating the suspected atmosphere through it, (2) by suspending it in the atmosphere, or (3) by swinging it in tho atmosphere to bo tested. 'Experiments were conducted on 25 different halide gases; results have proved that concentrations of less than 1 part per million of any of these gases in air can be detected by swinging the tester in tho atmos phere for 30 seconds or lengor, depending on tho particular halide gas involved. 7)3 Automatic Apparatus for Determination of Small Concentrations of Sulfur Dioxide in Air. M.D. Thomas and others. Ind. & Eng. Chem., Anal. 2d., 15, 287-290 (April 15, 1943). The application of the automatic sulfur dioxido apparatus of Thomas to carbon disulfide, hydrogen sulfide, ethyl mercaptan, thiophenol and thiophene is des cribed. The apparatus has been modified by tho substitution of a simple multiple port valve (stopcock type) for the poppet valvos of the previously described apparatus. A quartz tube furnace is used to convert sulfur compounds to sulfur dioxide and tho desired temperatures for conversion were determined by experiment. The method can also be used for chlorinated compounds which are converted to hydrochloric acid. Mo successful results could be obtain ed with oxidation of nitrogon compounds to nitric acid. Some observations on the olfactory limits of sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and ethyl mercaptan are Ciron. 7po Chemical Warfare. C.E. - Bel and. Can. Chem. Process Ind., 26. 272 (1942). Eive reagents for the detection of: (1) Chlorine and bromine, (2) phosgene, (3) hydrogen cyanide, (4) mustard gas and (5) lewisite are, respectively: (1) Daubigny or fluorescein reagent, (2) Harrison reagent, (3) cupric-benzidinc acetate reagent (Solution I, cupric acetate, Solution II, saturated aqueous solu tion ef benzidine acetate), (4) Schrotcr reagent and (5) Peronnct reagent. Tests (i)> (2) and (5) are specific; (3) is specific in the absence of chlorine, and (d) specific in the absence of carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. _- Dumbor of Particlos in the Atmosphere of the Cjty of Buenos Aires. R.A.Izzo a.D, Morenzi. Pubs, coatro invest, tisiol'.", (Buenos .Ires], 5_, 303-313 (1341). (Published 1942). n an:-.lysis of samples of organic and inorganic particles in the atmosphere of a'.:- non nircs included tho detcimination of their number, their sine and chemical nature. The samples wore collected at 160 cm, above the ground, on clear and . p. rt ^ 1 .icne Digest - 20 ;-;.y3( :-.hq placed on a plaque o.f quartz covered with a thin film of Gelatin. r va.s first filtered through c. copper screen which allowed only the passhrough of particles smaller than 100 microns. The air current was naintcin.formly in all cases, and at a velocity-of 86 m. per second. In the center .. city the particles of organic origin predominated; this fact was attri te motor traffic, heating systems and factories. In tho outlying districts ices traffic and poor pavements, the particles of mineral origin predominated Control Methods V_ :tcilation for Control of Solvent Expo sures in Fabricating Rubber Military "pr.ont. T.R. Thomas and 3.D. Tebbens. Heat., Pip., 3: Air Cond., 15^, 122- i:X (March, 194-3). Also under the heading Control of Solvent Exposures in the iubter Industry. Ind. Med., 12^ 255-259 (April, 1943). The hygienic problems connected with the use of solvents in the fabrication of rubber military equipment were studied. Effective control measures were observed :.."t only vihoro toxic solvents such as benzol, toluol and chlorinated hydro car tons wore used, but also where the less toxic solvents were used. Petroleum naphtha was the chief solvent encountered in the coating of fabrics with natural rubber. Synthetic rubber coating involved the use of toluene or toluene con fining petroleum products. Little benzol or chlorinated hydrocarbons wore used. Enclosure and ventilation of the drier is tho obvious control measure in this c-.;sc. Benzol, carbon tetrachloride, toluol and carbon bisulfide are among the solvents used in cementing sections of military balloons. Small sections arc joined on benches and the larger sub-assemblies joined on the floor to make the whole balloon. The balloon is then inflated and cementing operations are carried out inside. Ventilation of the table operations and those inside the balloon is necessary. Lateral and downdraft ventilated tables are described. Ventilation inside the balloon is easily obtained by running the inflating blow er and lotting air escape through a port. The floor operations are carried out in large open areas and do not require mechanical exhaust. Ethylene dichlor ide, ketones and petroleum naphthas arc used in the fabrication of self-sealing fuel tank3. Air samples taken in tho summer during low production periods '.ere not indicative of concentrations that may be encountered. Two untried ven tilation arrangements are described. 'j-PP^ric Air Cleaning Controls Oil Mist From Machine Tools. E.H.R, Regg. Pip., & Air Cond., 15, 242 (May,* 1943JT Oil smoke and mist caused by high operating speeds of modern machine tools, such i.utor.ntic thread grinders and gear grinders result in a nuisance and accident i. .a;-.rd of major magnitude. An effective solution is described consisting in ' licating a local exhaust system connected to an electric air cleaner which is "e efficient in removal of aaoke as wall as oil mist that complete recirculation .a practiced. (Editor's Eiotc: The Foundation's technical staff have studied f mil,ir installations and have found teem highly effective.) .'ligation of Lust Suppression_ n. the Pittsburgh Som. D.H. Davis and ...i.v.-* , last. miainr, i'.ot. hagrs., Contrib. L'c. 125. 13 cp. (1942). -jtcr on coal-cutting machines reduced dust 2u/'. Addition of wetting reduced dust as much ns 77>). . brulsion-forming oil was most effective ; ;G X* 4 Industrial Hygiene Digest - 21 715 Disinfection with Moving Hot Air. H. Kliewe. Ztschr. f. Hyg. u Infektionskr., 123, 727-733 (Hay, 1942). (German). "Cultures of five species of non-sporing and two of sporogenous bacteria were dried on-ffli-tcr-paper, and these were placed in linen bags which were distribut ed among packages of clothing in a hot air sterilizer. Cultivation of these test objects after the maintenance of different temperatures for various periods show ed that in order to be sure of destroying non-sporing bacteria it is advisable to use a temperature of 100-110C. for 1A hours; the temperature necessary for destroying spores (130C. sufficed for those tested) is such as would damage fabrics. Hot air sterilization is therefore unsuitable for clothing if total disinfection is required, but the usual object is to destroy the agents of infec tious diseases, which are non-sporing bacteria and viruses. As might be expected disontinuous heating for short periods on successive days was no more effective than continuous heating for the semo total period. 71b Heat and Ventilation in Air Raid Shelters. W. J. McGuinnoss. Heat., Rip., & Air Cond.,"15, 195-196 tApril. 1943). This article gives the requirements for heating and ventilating air raid shelters. The various types of bombproof and splinterproof shelters are shown. The bomb proof typo is too expensive to construct, hence the most common type is the splinterproof. Shelter size is fixed by number of occupants. No more than 50 people should be placed in the same room. Space and volume requirements for overground and underground shelters are given in a table. Heat requirements are . low because of the number of occupants, however, heat losses in England are different from ours because of climatic conditions. On this basis an underground shelter is preferable for American climatic conditions because of the lower ground temperatures which aid in heat loss maintenance. Ventilation require ments arc given and the various types of systems employed are illustrated. ' Mechanical systems with filtration are recommended. 717 Wartime Operations Emphasize Industrial Hygiene Problems of Asbestos Industry. Illinois Labor Bull., 3_, 10, 11, 22 (February 28, 1943). The control of asbestosis must be an engineering control because there are no medical means to dotoct the disease until much haim has been done. Engineering control consists of two important principles: (1) Adequate exhaust, (2) Good housekeeping. By experiment it has been estimated that if the air contains loss than 5,000,000 particles of asbestos per cubic foot there is small chance of the workers developing asbestosis. The article lists the procedures in the manufac ture of rigid and of textile asbestos products and shows that further protective measures axe still needed in most plants. Industrial Medical Practice 71? Industrial Health - Its War end Postwar Significance. C.O. Sappington. lad. Mod., 12, 361-364 {June, 1943). * The paper considers war and post war problems of industrial health, which are classified into those of medical administration, those of public health in indus try and in the community and those relating to industrial hygiene and sanitation in the plant. Brief but rather comprehensive discussions of the following prob lems are presented: Venereal disease control; Nutrition; Immunization; rreplace- nent and periodic examinations; Women in Industry; Dermatoses; Absenteeism; trial i^gieno Digest - 22 Fatigue; Tuberculosis; Rehabilitation; Health Education; Processes and materials. Postwar problems may be anticipated by postwar planning. There will be some new problems dSSsd some old ones which vail reach greater proportions. The author paraphrases the old adage by saying "In time of war prepare for peace." 7L9 Ilpy; the Small Plant Can Conduct a Health Program. s4.H. Kronenberg. Illinois LI. J. 83, 247-251 (April, 1943). This article is intended to help the owner of small industrial plants which now; have little or no proper medical protection for their employees. It contains specific recommendations from the Division of Industrial Hygiene of the Illinois Department of Public Health, which acts as a clearing house of information for the industrialist. Suggestions include group health programs {with several plants cooperating), part-time services of a competent doctor and nurse. Any competent health program for industrial safety must be preceded by an adequately furnished first aid room in the plant. Other considerations in the program are (1) Medical examinations, (2) Knowledge of environmental conditions in the fac tory and (3) The nature and adequate control of all toxic materials used in the plants. The value of a competent nurso is stressed. Her duties are outlined. Adequate records of sickness and accidents should be kept. Above all managers of small plants whose medical services are limited to the care of emergencies only are urged to take a greater interest in developing health programs for their plants. 720 Industrial Medical Facilities in Pennsylvania - Results of a County by County Survey. J. Shilen. Ind, Med., 12, 379-381 (June, 1943). A total of 3,086 plants, in 24 counties, vdth 806,456 employees has been survey ed, and data arc given concerning the following points: number of physicians . employed, nursing service, preemployment and periodic examinations, inspection for hazards, cases handled by the medical department, sick benefit and insurance plans, health talks, interest in industrial hygiene surveys, venereal disease control, dispensaries, and cafeterias. Only 7.9# of the plants, but 46.4# of the employees are covered by a medical industrial health program. Tho author concludes that the facts set forth in the survey prove conclusively the necessity for inaugurating a program of industrial health in all industries. He advises that the medical profession, together with the State Department of Health through its Bureau of Industrial Hygiene assume the leadership in organizing such a program. 721 The Growth of Industrial Medicine as a Force in Public Health. H.P, Foyner. Texas State J. Mca., 38, 565-565 (January, 1943). A brief history of the growth of industrial medicine is given. Compensation laws have mads necessary tho existence of the safoty engineer and the industrial physician, and other protective measures now in common use. Employers have gradually realized that it is profitable to keep a trained employee in good health for as long as possible, and consequently industrial health now often lias a purpose similar to that of public health, i.e., to detect diseases in the early stages and then to turn tho employee over to treatment by his family physi cian. Texas compensation laws aro now interpreted so that a pre-existing con dition of any type, if aggravated by employment, is compensable. This has caused mere careful and frequent examinations, but has the disadvantage that many people aro refused employment because of tho insurance burden they might become to the employer. Dr. Poyncr recommends that the law bo changed so that tho employer is no longer penalized for hiring these people. t fc-w indupxri a1_ Medical Service. Ano nymo us Hat.Safety News, 47, 154,161 (Mar.,1943), .. brief f.eneral discussion of medical , nd nursing service for plants of various sizes is ;resented. Industrial Hygiene Digest - 23 723 Public Health and Industry. N, Millr.au. Ind. Med.., 12 , 378-379 {June, 1943). Public hea|jgfe doctors are interested in industrial health for several reasons: (1) The iqpa&rial population is so large and forms such an integral part of the commuallsy; (2) The industrial population is so tied in'with the war effort. Tho effcct'tff sick absenteeism on production is important; (3) Because the indus trial population is grouped it lends itself to public health methods of preven tion. The tremendous loss due to absenteeism caused by general illness is em phasized, together with, the need for a program of prevention. Plants surveyed by the National Association of Manufacturers in which an adequate health program is followed show substantial reductions in accident frequency, occupational dis ease, labor turnover, absenteeism and. compensation insurance. Duties of the in dustrial physician and nodical department are outlined. The use of the resources of modern medicine and public health offers a challenge to industry. 724 The Urgent Need for Better Local Industrial Health Organization. C.M. Peterson. Illinois H. J., 83, 234-236 (April, 1943). Competent industrial medical service pays good dividends. Such service should include a competent physician, nurses, industrial hygiene service and a health program. Employers, employees and the medical profession each has a direct res ponsibility in industrial health organization. The author is establishing in dustrial health committees in state and county medical societies. These com mittees determine names of available physicians, hold conferences, advise and consult with executives and labor organizations as to necessary health measures. Following preliminary organization the industrial health committee will (1) In vestigate local causes of lost time in industry, {) Coordinate community indus trial health facilities, (3) Educate the public in regard to the value of an in dustrial health program, {4) Educate the medical profession. It is hoped that these measures vd.ll aid in solving industrial health problems through sound com munity organization. 725 Industrial Housekeeping. Washrooms and Lockers. Prinking Water. Anonymous. Nat. Safety News. 47, 168-170, 178-182 {March, 1943). These three important items in industrial safety are discussed briefly. Dust removal and vacuum cleaning are given special attention in the first section. The fourth subject under the head of "Sanitary Equipment and Supplies," is that on "Occupational Dermatitis," which is a condensation of one of the papers by Dr. Schwartz, abstracted in an earlier issue of this Digest. 72b Burns. J.J. Brownlee* Now Zealand Med. J., Jl_, 192-197 (October, 1942). The author first describes thd different degrees of burns. Tho factors involved in the pathology and physiology of burns are considered briefly. The treatment of bums i*;FB!tliaed, Early treatment - morphia for pain, and application of painless &cftaings Dressings arc described - especially those impregnated with sulfonamide* For plasma loss, in severe shock due to burns, the transfusion of plasma or scrum by the drip method is necessary. The saline bath for surgical cleansing is advocated and outlined for later treatment. The results of such treatment es compared v.ith treatment with other methods, including tannic acid, and continuous irrigation with sodium hypochlorite, are compared, and tho method advocated by this article seems more advantageous. 727 Thermal Burns. 3-D. Gordon and R.A. Gordon. Canad. M.A.J., 48, 302-509 (April, 1943). The authors stress that local treatment of the burned area must bo modified by the physiological condition of the patient. They then discuss the detection and treatment of primary and secondary shock and tho decrease in plasma proteins and chloride. The authors do not start general treatment until an hematocrit Industrial Hygiene Digest - 24 reading is known, and then recommend 200 cc. to 400 cc. of twice concentrated human senja.to relieve hamoconcentration. This is more successful than the usual saliljj^"- serum or plasma. The concentrated plasma is followed by oral or intravonou*Plucose solution. The authors also deny a burn toxemia, saying it never appears if adequate fluid is given early enough. Various local treatments were used, consisting mainly of tannic acid for first aid, and sulfonamide, tulle gras, and saline for medical treatment. Saline bath3 were found useful to cleanse extensive burns. Complications are also discussed, including pneumonia, jaundice, renal failure, granulocytopenia, and infections. 72 Treatment of Burns. J.S. Houck. N.Y. State J. Med., 43, 226-228 (Feb.,1,1943). The article is a discussion of the routine treatment in Rochester, N.Y., of a large number of bums received at the same time. Fire houses are the casualty units and first aid only is administered there. This consists merely of dress ing minor burns and giving adequate morphine to severe bums. At the hospital all severe bums must be treated vdth strict asepsis, and shock and infection must be combated. Morphine should bo used, and inhalation anesthesia avoided# Plasma should be given as soon as possible (no laboratory tests nocessary) to all severe bums to combat initial shock, later use of plasma and fluids de pends on clinical judgaent. Clothes should be removed with sterile instru ments and debridement done gently vdth soap and water. Tannic acid and silver nitrate are used except on the hands, face and genitalia. The patient is placed in a tent kept at 90F. and troated until a thin light brown eschar forms. Oxy gen inhalation should be used for all lung involvement's, large or small, later treatment is routine, including removal of the eschar in seven to ten days and grafting of third degree burns. 729 Treatment of Phosphorus Burns: (With a Note on Acute Phosphorus Poisoning.) I,M. Rabinowitch. Canad. M. A. J., 291-296 (April, 1943). The author first reviews the types, occurrence, chemical and physical properties, and the pathology of phosphorus. The article deals only with the active, poison ous, white phosphorus, which is soluble in organic solvents and which combines with the oxygen of tho air with the production of light. Phosphorus flames can be put out with water, but reignite on drying; therefore bums must be kept moist until all the phosphorus is removed. Phosphorus burns are very severe, worse than those caused by sulfuric acid, and the phosphoric acids released, tend to imbed in the tissues causing suppuration. First aid treatment of phosphorus bums consist of immediate removal of burned clothing, removal of all visible phosphorus particles, and soaking of the affected area in warm water. At the first aid station tho burned area is'washed with warm baking soda, then vdth a 1 per cent solution of copper sulfate, v:hich changes any phosphorus into black copper phosphide, which is then removed with forceps. Finally, the area is wash ed vdth attli&septic solution and a dressing applied. The medical treatment of the bums Jt* similar to the first aid treatment unless the phosphorus is mixed with an organic solvent, oil, cr vdth rubber. In these cases a special solvent containing copper oloate and trichlorethylene is used which dissolves both the phosphorus and tho organic substance. Directions for making this preparation are given. Details of medical treatment arc outlined, and the procedure used de pends on the type of inactivating agents available. These agents in order of preference arc: (a) scdiin carbonate or bicarbonate; (b) alkaline powder mixture (directions given); (c) copper sulfate; and (d) oil-soluble copper preparation (directions given). Use is made throughout of examining the burn in the dark i'er the presence of luminous particles. After the skin has boon thoroughly cleaned and alkaiiniucd, subsequent treatment is the same as for chad cal burns in general. The article also contains "A Note on Acute Phosphorus Poisoning." Tuo lethal lose, signs, symptoms, pathology, and post-mortem appearances arc des cribed. Treatment consists of prompt gastric lavage with warm potassium juried Hygiene Digest - 5 permanganate solution until the color of the returning liquid is unchanged. Diuresis ^t#acouraged and acidosis combatted. Copper sulfate should not be used us eaUsiotic, and under no circumstances should oil or fatty materials, as milk, be bin!nistored to alleviate the gastric irritation, as these aid in the .bsorption of phosphorus. i husp/orus Bums. The Lancet No. 6236, 512 (March G, 1943). "br.cc the phosphorus has been completely removed, a phosphorus burn may be treated liku any other burn. But until it is certain that no phosphorus remains is the tissues it is unwise to uso oily or greasy applications, which may dis solve phosphorus and thus aid its absorption. Recently Dr. Obcrmer proposed the us;, of amyl salicylate for the dressing of such burns; end it should perhaps be pointed out that amyl salicylate is a solvent and therefore ought not to be applied until one is certain that all phosphorus has been removed. The advan tages which have been claimed for amyl salicylate in bums are that it relieves pain, promotes granulation, and lessens exudate; and its use has been advised for large mustard-gas bums which pour out fluid. Whether it is suitable for phosphorus bums at any stage is doubtful, for the secretary of the burns sub committee of the Medical Research Council informs us that experimental phosphor us burns treated with amyl salicylate heeled more slowly than those treated by other methods," Experimental Chemotherapy of Burns and Shock. III. Effects of Systemic Therapy on Early Mortality. S.ii. Rosenthal. Eub. Health Repts., 53 , 513-522 (March 26, 1945U . ' Employing a standardized procedure for the production of bums fatal to mice within 48 hours, the effects of systemic therapy havo been studied. No benefit was observed from epinephrine, posterior pituitary extract, adrenal cortical ex tract, or desoxycorticostcrone acetate injected subcutaneously following the bums. Sodium chloride by mouth or intraperitonoally caused a significant reduction in the mortality. Intravenous administration was less effective. Iso tonic sodium chloride by mouth was superior to hypertonic solutions. Potassium chloride caused an acceleration in the tine of death, and when administered with sodium chloride it antagonised the effects of the latter. Calcium gluconate .rally was without action. Isotonic glucose solutions orally showed slight therapeutic action. The administration of hypertonic glucose or water by mouth caused the animals to die faster than the controls. Sodium acetate, succinate bicarbonate, and lactate were as effective as sodium chloride. Mouse serum intravenously was slightly less active than equivalent volumes of 0.9 per cent sodium chloride orally. Little effect was observed from the intravenous admin istration ot a hypertonic solution of human serum albumin. - Author'a summary. 3hock, Hxh&tion and Restoration in '/far. G. Crilc and others. Cleveland Clinic quarterly, 10, 3-9 (January, 1943)'. Thu paper is largely a theoretical discussion of shock, based on the idc-a of the ba;:y as a bipolar mechanism. It has been demonstrated by numerous animal exper- i.v.-nts that the brain is electrically positive as compered with tho rest of the boey o.nd that the same exciting or depressing factors that caused a change in tho Sciential gradient also caused destructive changes in the cells of the brain, the -ivo.' and tho adrenal cortex, and changes in the temperature and electrical pro- 1- - ntico of the same colls. Tho author therefore suggests that tho potential ' ni between the brain and other organs is an accurate indication of the dc- f-r' chock. Depression or failure of organs is likened to polarisation. The cyr*;'*ior these conceptions to bo in harmony with modern methods of pro- < -:.iion end treatment of shock. ' zcruieno toluene 706 cjr:-.-.nio halide gas 708 Air reid shelters heat 1 ventilation 716 Air pressure effect on hearing 701 Aru Ivsis arsenic in biological material 704 Anthrax 662 Asbestos industry wartime problems 717 At!ecspheric pollution in Dublin 702 Benzene determination poisoning 705-707 633 Benzopyrene effect on skin 695 Beryllium . respiratory hazards 666 Book reviews 660- 661 Brick manufacturing health hazards 665 Burns treatment 726 727-728 Carbon disulfide poisoning 682 Carbon monoxide i'.osr.c hazards poisoning metabolism 678 679 580 Chlorinated narhtb OTIC poisoning 635 ' .titis w j,\.views cutting oil from rosins prevention 692- 696 638 94 39 9 7- 9 9 INDEX (July, 1943) Pichlordiethyl sulfide 693 Disinfoption by hot air 715 Dural poisoning 91 Dust atmospheric determination control grinding coal mining 711 667 714 Industrial health organization war and postwar 724 718 Industrial housekeeping 725 Industrial medical services County survcylPenna.) 720 Industrial medicine end public health 721 Keratoconiunctivitis! 700 Lead azide toxicity 672 Lead poisoning blood changes 674-675 Manganese- poisoning 676-677 Medical service 719-722 Oil mist removal from air 713 Occupational disease: trends 673 703 Oxygen deficiency 681 Phosphorus burns 729- 730 Poisons various 693 Print inn industry hazards 669 Public health and industry 723 Shock from bums chemotherapy in war 731 732 Solvents hazards 687 Sprav painting health hazards 71 Sulfur dioxide determination 709 Talc mining hazards 664 Toluene determination 707 Trichlorethylene degreasing 634 Trinitro toluene poisoning removal from skin see 690 Tripoli and silicosis 663 Ventilation solvent exposures 712 War gases 68 6-710 'Welding health aspects 670