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Air Hygiene Foundation of America, Inc 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. February 23, 1939. REFERENCES TO RECENT LITERATURE ON INDUSTRIAL DISEASES (A) News Items 84 BOOK REVIEW* -- DESIGN OF INDUSTRIAL EXHAUST VENTILATION. John L. Alden. Published by Industrial Press, 148 Lafayette St., New York, N.Y. 220 pp, $3,00. This book, published recently, includes the articles in Heating and Ventilating and which have been abstracted in this Bulletin. No reprints of the articles have been available to date. It is well known that the literature on exhaust ventilation has boon scanty and the author attempts to dispel the mystery sur rounding the subject and to describe it in straightforward engineering toims. The book covers the following subjects: flow of fluids; hood forms; air flow through hoods; pipe resistance; piping design; dust separators; low pressure conveyors; centrifugal exhaust fans; structural dotails and system planning; and field measurements and their interpretation. One purpose of the book is to tell the plant engineer how to design or how to buy un exhaust system that will adequately and economically operate. 85 THE KNUDSEN AWARD. Ind. Med. 8, 44, (January 1939). The Knudsen Award, open to members of the American Association of Industrial Physicians and Surgeons, is awarded annually for nthe most outstanding con tribution to industrial medicine". Members desiring to be considered should notify the committee by March 1, 1939. The award is made on the basis of the best original contribution to medicine as it applies to industry. 86 FOR MORE LIBERAL COMPENSATION, Labor Standards, U. S. Dept. Labor, , 6, (January 1939). Another attempt will be made in New York State to liberalise the restricted schedule of compensation for silicosis and to terminate the restrictions entire ly at the end of a 5-year period. The 1936 law provided medical benefits for 90 days only and compensation for total disability not to excocd $500 in the first month after the bill became effective, the amount increasing $50 a month until a maximum of $3000 was reached. The proposed amendment would remove the limitation on medical benefits, would step up the rate of monthly increases and would remove the ultimate maximum of $3000. A similar bill introduced lost year, passed both houses, but was reconsidered and killed in the assembly, 87 LABOR LAWS OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN AND ORDERS OF THE DIDUSTRIAL COMMISSION. Industrial Commission of Wisconsin, Madison. 222 pp. (1938). In this volume are published all the labor lav/s of the State. Under "Safety and Sanitation" are listed rules for the control of dust, fumes, vapors and gases, spray coatings, mines and caisson work. Other divisions include in juries and compensation, employment of children, hours and wages, labor rela tions and special laws for women in industry. References to Recent Literature - 2. 88 COMPENSABLE OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE CASES SETTLED IN WISCONSIN IN 1937. Industrial Commission of Wisconsin, Madison. December 3, 1938. A total of 753 claims were settled in the State for $272,503, Of this total, 707 were for temporary disability, 20 were permanent-partial and 26 were for total disability or death. Twenty-eight typos of disease are listed, the more prominent among them being: dermatitis, 286 cases; plant poisoning, 180; carbon monoxide, 48; lead poisoning, 12; silicosis, 22; heat prostration, 56; freezing, 26; synovitis and teno-synovitis, 55; and tuberculosis, 6. The most noticeable disease on the list is silicosis, which, although it comprised only 3 per cent of the cases, accounted for 60 per cent of the indemnity paid. Eightoen of the 22 silicosis cases v/ere for total disability. Next in line aro heat prostration, about 10 per cent of the total indemnity, and tuberculosis, about 8 per cent. The silicosis cases occurred in the following industries: iron mining, 6; stone cutting and polishing, 3; iron foundries, 9; steel foundries, 1; foundry and mach ine shop products, 2; and agate and enamel ware, 1. 89 MASSACHUSETTS OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE COVERAGE PROPOSALS, Labor Standards, U. S. Dept, of Labor, J2, 6, (January 1939). Labor Standards is a monthly publication, . for sale by Supt. of Documents, Washington, D.C., 10 cents per copy, 75 cents per year. Several plans have been presented to tho special Massachusetts legislative re cess commission studying problems of silicosis and other pulmonary disease cover ages under the workmen* s compensation act. One provides for a compulsory pool to toko care of silicosis and dust casos, with provision for assignment of risks rejected by three insurance companies at rates approved by tho commissioner of insurance; provision for apportionment of risks among compensation carriers; and a provision pemitting carriers to pool their excess losses from assigned risks. Another plan would set up a State fund, in the custody of tho State treasurer, for extra hazardous employments. This fund would be established and maintained by contributions from all insurance carriers, and from it carriers of assigned risks would be repaid the losses in excess of 70 per coat of the premiums of such risks. Still another plan legalizes self-insurance under certain circumstances. A fourth plan separates occupational disease and accident claims, and limits oc cupational disease claims to total disability. 90 NOMOGRAMS FOR THE COMPUTATION OF DATA OF FREQUENT OCCURRENCE IN INDUSTRIAL HYGIUJE, J.M. Dalla Valle. Div. Ind. Hyg., U.S. Public Health Service, Washington, D. C. A useful set of nomograms covering (1) dilution of impinger samples, (2) compu tation of dust concentration, (3) conversion of mg. per liter to parts per million, (4) rate of particle fall by Stokes' low, (5) computation of relative humidity, (6) friction loss in round pipes, (7) computation of airflow from pitot readings, (8) velocity exterior of an opening under suction, (9) height, age, and weight relationship of adult men and women. 91 REDESIGN OF WORKING BOOTHS TO REDUCE DUST COUNTS. Cer. Ind., 32 , 60, (Jon.1939). A redesigning of the working booths in the porcelain department of the General Electric Company has produced some surprisingly low dust counts in these booths whore unfired ware is trimmed on lathes. A stream of air is made to pass down ward in front of the operator, not striking him directly, and thon out through openings in two steggored baffle plates in the roar of the booth. Dust counts in tho operators exposure zone were approximately tho same as tho general plant atmosphoro. 0 n0 4, nO rb r0, References to Recent Literature - 3 92 LABOR PROTECTION AS LECTURE MATERIAL FOR TECHNICAL SCHOOL DIRECTORS. St. Folkhard. Arbeitsschutz, pp. 201-3 (1933) (German)The author advocates the establishment of courses in the technical schools for instruction in labor laws, applied physiology, labor psychology and labor pro tection. Short courses could be arranged for safety engineers. (3) Papers on Dust, Dust Diseases and General Industrial Hygiene. 93 PHYSIOLOCffFOR ENGINEERS. H. V/. Haggard. Mech.. Eng., 61, 8-12, (Jan. 1939). Robert Henry Thurston Lecture at Annual Meeting Am. Soc. Mech. Engrs. Dec. 1938. Physiology for engineers is a much more important subject than is apparent on first consideration. Numerous engineering achievements in the past have greatly changed human environment and the resultant offects on human physiology should be known and appreciated. Dr. Haggard does not attempt to give a course in physiology, but merely stresses the importance of this clement in the engineer*s problems. The study of the human body is a complicated subject. It is emphasize* that the body acts as a whole unit and that a disturbance in the operations of one part will affect to some extent tho whole unit. To illustrate, two examples of engineering progress are cited: modern artifical lighting and air conditioning. It is possible that, because of the lack of proper light and tho attendant eyestrain, a fair proportion of men and women suffer physiological disturbances tha' interfere with their work, their digestion or thoir disposition. Likevd.se, other abnormal conditions may cause similar disturbances in a normal operation of the unit. An almost opposite picture is presented in air conditioning. Tho human body responds only to stimulation and in the perfectly controlled atmospheres .of air conditioned rooms is the possibility that the temperature regulating mech anism of the body nay become sluggish and stagnate, to precipitate other func tional disturbances. These numerous physiological factors should be given con sideration by engineers in problems of which man is a part. 94 DO GOOD V/ORKXNG CONDITIONS PAT? Victor G. Kaiser, National Assoc. Manufacturers, Report of Committee on Healthful Y/orking Conditions. December 1938. Obtainable from Division of Publications, National Association of Manufacturers, 19 Yf. 44 Street, New York City, at 5 cents a copy -- free to Association members. This publication includes a preliminary report of the Committee together with tho address of Dr. Heiser, Chairman, at the Congress of American Industry. Dr. Heiser points out 3ome of the reasons why healthful working conditions are de sirable in a factory and how every manufacturer can compare conditions in his own factory with that in others of similar nature. Emphasis is being placed by the Committee on the smaller companies. More support should be given to exist ing industrial,medical and engineering research laboratories for further in vestigation and assistance on the problems that exist. 95 THE EFFECTS OF OCCUPATION AND OF ITS ACCOMPANYING ENVIRONMENT ON MORTALITY. P. Stocks. J. Roy Statistical Soc. 101, 669-96 (1938) (British). Some occupations have given tho statistical impression of being intrinsically unhealthy, whereas thoir unfavorable mortality might arise from their particu lar localization, whereby the workers and thoir families share the higher deathrates which predominate in that locality. Tills fact may be a factor in certain industries only carried on in larger cities, and, though well distributed over tho country, high mortality may be due, not entirely to the industry itself, but to the urban conditions. Cases arc cited in England, whore, if these facts are overlooked, certain erroneous conclusions might be drawn. Conclusions drawn from a 3*rvey of tho general population show that higher death rates can be cor related vdth higher latitudes, housing facilitios and ratio- of unskilled work ers. A ratio.i of the standardized mortality of males to that of married women has been used to indicate whether a liigh mortality among employed men represents a true occupational risk or is one inherent in tho environment. References to Recent Literature - 4. 96 EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH BOARD TO JUNE 30, 1938. H.M. Stationery Office, London, 1938. Obtainable from the British Library of Information, 270 Madison Avo., New York, N.Y. Price Is. Part I of this Report contains a summary of the work in the past 20 years. Much of the earlier studies were devoted to hours of labor, fatigue, efficiency and other general subjects. Part II deals with the work of the past year dur ing which tine the studies on illumination have been given much attention. The toxicity of industrial solvents has been investigated and it is intended later, if possible, to chock the toxic effects of all solvents before they are issued commercially. No extensive discussion is given of dust and pulmonary disease, as the comprehensive survey of silicosis in the South Walos Coalfields is still uncompleted. 97 SIXTEENTH ANNEXREPORT OF THE SAFETY IN MINES RESEARCH BOARD, 1937. H.M. Stationery Office, London, (1938) (British). A large part of the report is devoted to progress reports on the studies of coal dust and firedamp explosions, flamoproofing of electrical mining machinery, mine lighting, explosives, safety lamps, and other miscellaneous safety factors. Considerable work is being done on those subjects. A group of reports classed as health researches includes the study of mine temperatures, silicosis, and protection against dust. One set of experiments showed no ill effects of ex posure to an air velocity of 1,000 f.p.m. of dry air at a temperature above that of the body, a temperature which was found in one of the mines. It was conclud ed, in studies of the excretion of silica in urine, that till 3' type of test can not be used as a reliable method in the diagnosis of silicosis. Dust inhalation experiments are still being carried out in South Wales and it is hoped that guinea-pig lung pictures will be obtained corresponding to: (1) anthracite dust alone; (2) anthracite dust, stone dust, and varying quantities of nitrous fumes; and (3) stone dust with nitrous fumes. Certain other tests have shown that the employment of a plant embodying the "Hay" mist projector principle reduces dust \ by 90 per cent, 98 PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES AND INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE. D. Stewart. Public Health, 51, 165-8, (March 1938) (British). The criticism is made that the public health official does not appear to be aware of the industrial community as an entity or to consider administrative problems in their bearing on industrial workers. The author makes a plea for full cooperation between those public health officials and those concerned now with industrial hygiene matters. The bulk of the present day services in in dustrial hygiene is done by the more enlightened companies and by full coopera tion those services could be given wider application. 99 THE TREND OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE LEGISLATION. H. D. Sayer, Text of address at the National Safety Congress, Chicago, October, 1938. Reprints obtainable from the Association of Casualty and Surety Executives, 60 John St. New York City Compensation for occupational disease and accidental injury is similar basical ly and logically, but their causes and effects are so dissimilar that they re quire almost entirely different treatment. Accidents occur at a specific moment, in point of time, but this is not true of most occupational diseases, and it mokes difficult the fixing of liability. Another problem is in the terms of coverage as prescribed by law. Some states have "all inclusive" statutes which make the coverage indefinite and impossible to keep within the bounds original ly intended. No new legislation of this type has been enacted within the past three years. Tho trend has bean towards specific schedules of compensable dis eases, which limit the liability of the employer, reduce litigation, and make the administration much simpler. A brief description is givon of the "graduat ed" method of compensation of silicosis cases which have accrued in the past, but which have only recently been made compensable. Liability starts at only a References to Recent Literature - 5 nominal amount (some are $500) and increases monthly to a maxi mum in two or three years* It is not ideal, but prevents the employer from having to pay, out of current income, for liability accrued during past years. 100 SICKNESS ABSENTEEISM, M. L. Dobbie-Bateman. Ind. Welfare, 20, 403-8, (October 1938) (British) The author is full-time physician to a large store having about 6000 employees. Attendances at the clinic are as voluntary as possible, but are obligatory for (1) preliminary examination for appointment, (2) reporting accidents incurred at work, and (3) before return to duty after illness. In over 3000 preliminary examinations in 3 years, 80.5 per cent were classed as fit, 14.5 per cent as partially fit, and 5 per cent as unfit. From sickness records it appears that women take more time off than men and that those engaged in selling have higher sickness rates than others. Sickness i3 higher in winter months, particularly in latter part of the season. About 45 to 50 per cent of time lost was due to respiratory diseases. Digestive diseases accounted for about 10 per cent. 101 ALUMINUM AND SILICOSIS. R. C. Emmons and Carl Fries. American Mineralogist,23, 654-60, (October 1938). In the study of "protector*1 dusts, Denny, Robson and Irvd.n (Abstract No* 39, 1937, this Bulletin) contended that the action of alumina was to reduce the amount of silica in solution; that the toxic action of silica depended on the amount in solution. The authors agree that alumina is a protector dust but dis agree on the explanation of its action* First they stato that it is the par ticulate (undissolved) silica which is held to be the cause of fibrosis and not the dissolved silica which is easily transported by the blood and excreted. The action of the alumina is to hydrolyze to the insoluble hydroxide which floccu lates the smaller silica particles not yet in solution into masses large enough to be removed by phagocytosis. In beaker experiments whore the pH of the water was kept below 5.0 to prevent the alumina from hydrolyzing to the hydroxide, there was no flocculation or reduction of the amount of particulate silica in suspension. In alkaline solutions, however, large reductions of suspended silica were noted. Othor substances such as carbon black, iron oxido (hematite) and the alkaline earth carbonates produce the same reactions that are well known in clarification in water treatment. 102 DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS BETWEEN THE ROTMOCONIOSES (PARTICULARLY SILICOSIS) A$D TUBERCULOSIS. E. Gonzalez Ancira. Arch.des mnlad. profes., 1^, 379-88, (NoFeaber 1938) (French) * The differential diagnosis of tuberculosis and the pneumoconioses i3 not diffi cult if the following points are given consideration: (1) exposure to dust and its composition, (2) complete laboratory examination, and (3) correct use of the x-ray. Under (l), the details cannot be too exact. Under (2), certain laboratory tests may be carried out, which, if done correctly, will help dif ferentiate between the two. Characteristics of x-rays are described, which, if followed through in detail, will further aid in the diagnosis. By the use of the combined signs and symptoms covered under these throe main considerations a correct diagnosis should not be difficult. 103 FIGHT AGAINST SILICOSIS IN THE METAL INDUSTRY. Anon. Oberflackentech., 15, 189-1, (1938). Silicosis develops in men sandblasting or grinding metals more rapidly than in minors. Means for preventing inhalation of the fine dust, adequate equipment and clinical aspects are briefly discussed. Grinding wheels of artificial stone, as carborundum, are more sanitary, as the dust doos not contain any free silica which is the causo of silicosis. VJherever possible artificial stonos should be usod. CO 4383 References to Recent Literature - 6 104 SILICOSIS AMONG GRINDERS. J.L.A. Grout. Brit. Jour. Radiol. 11, 366-70, (Juno 1938). The author gives on. interesting fceport of the work of Sheffield grinders in sharpening knives, fork3 and needles and their working conditions during the 18th and 19 centuries. The grinding was all done with sandstone wheels, the grinding of knives being done wot and that of forks dry. Fork grinders seldom lived beyond the age of 32, while the knife grinders occasionally lived to 50 years. In 1833, out of 2500 grinders, not 35 had lived to be 50; of 80 fork grinders, exclusive of boys, not a single worker of 36 years was alive. Although some attempts were made to alleviate these conditions, they remained much the some for generations, until recently. In 1834 a dust control program, much the same as those in effect today, was proposed but was apparently never enforced. During more recent years the^replacsaant of the sandstones by artificial ab rasives hns almost eliminated silicosis from this industry. 105 BEXERMINAIIGH 0? ACID INSOLUBLE MATTER IN THE SF0TA OF hTLICOTICS. EL Civin, I. A. Schreier, 3. ilnrtello and J.D. Hardy. ' J. Ind. Hyg fit Toxicol., 21, 1-4, (January 1939). The determination of mineral residue in the sputum of silicotics is a compara tively recent study, find no thorough investigation of the subject has as yet been made. Burke (see Abstract No. 873, Dec. 1938) made a microscopic study of the sputum of silicotics and non-silicotics, but the technic available made it difficult to distinguish particles accurately. In the present study the authors determined the weight of the total acid-insoluble solids in 10C cc of sputum. Their method i3 completely described in the paper. The average free silica con tent of the solid matter, determined with hydrofluoric acid, after ignition, was 71 per cent. They found seme solid matter in the lungs of all examined, but noted that the sputum of proved silicotics showed distinctively higher values than that of non-silicotics. The sputum of 85 non-silicotics contained from 0.2 to 2.5 mg. residue per 100 cc ?;hile 84 per cent of 32 silicotic cases contained over 2.5 mg. per 100 cc, and some values were as high as 20 mg. Many silicotics gave high results even after years of absence from a dusty trade. It is suggest ed that these determinetions may prove to be of value in the diagnosis of silicoc: 106 VAH2I3& ANATOMIC 3EEA7I0R OF THE EIGHT HEART IN SEVERE SILICOSIS. M. Letterer, Verhandl. d. deutsch Gesell. f. Kreislauf. 11th session, pp. 400-5, (1938)(German' Of 13 cases of severe simple silicosis the author found that 11 had hypertrophy of the right heart with a 6-10 na. thick wall of the ccmis pulmcnali. s. Of 22 cases with severe silicosis complicated by tuberculosis there wore only 9 cases with this condition. It seems possible thcreforo that tuberculosis hinders the development of hypertrophy of the right heart and can perhaps even bring about a diminution of it. 107 THE DANGER OF SILICOSIS AND PRACTICAL SAFETT MEASURES. Derdack. Zbl.f.Gewerheh-'^ 25, 157-70 (193a) (Goman). The author discusses the dust produced in the manufacture of fireproof bricks and deals briefly with means for preventing its dissemination. 103 THE EXPERIMENTAL REPRODUCTION OF THE SO-CALLED SILICOTIC NODULE. A. Policard. Bull. Histcl. appl. physiol, path. tcch. nicroscop. 15, G7-76 (1938) (French). Histologic and histo-chemical studios were made of pathologic tissue from the lungs of guinea pigs, rats and rabbits which had inhaled quarts or chalcedony dust for 8-25 months. The fibrous changes produced in the lungs of these animals differed markedly from the fibro-hyalin nodules found in human silicosis pat ients. Conclusion: the origin of human silicotic nodules cannot as yet be de finitely ascribed to silica itself. Note: See abstracts Nos. 15 and 15 in January, 1939, Bulletin. CO /"i r- * '4 O '0 References to Recent Literature - 7. X09 ASEESTOSIS. J. V. Spcrk3. Brit. J. Radiol. 11, 371-7, (June 193G) (British) The paper describes the clinical and radiological signs of asbestosis. The chief complications arc (1) purulent bronchitis, (2) broncho-pneumonia, (3) pulmonary tuberculosis, and (4) carcinoma. 110 THE ADSORPTION EFFECTS OF VARIOUS BUSTS ON DILUTED "OLD"TUBERCULIN. S.L. Cummins and E.M. Williams. J. Hyg., 38, 638-46 (1938). The adsorption power of various types of finely-divided dusts for tho active part of tuberculin was studied by shaking 1 gram samples of such dusts with 10 ml. of a 0.1 per cent solution of tuberculin for 5 minutes, incubating at 37 for 30 minutes and keeping them overnight at room temperature. Tho clear liquid was removed, centrifuged, sterilized and tested. It was found that the adsorption power increased in tho inversed ratio of particle size, that anthracite and fusion dust of comparable particle size have tho same adsorption pov;er, and that sandstone from different locations and shale-dust, sericite, chalcedony and quartz dust also adsorb the active principle of tuberculin to different extents. It is suggested that tho relatively low morbidity, toxicity and mortality from tuberculosis noted in coal minors exposed to siliceous dust are due to the ad sorption of tuberculous toxin by finely-divided coal dust inhaled with the dust from hard stone. 111 THE PHYSIOLOGIC RESPONSE OF PLEURAL SURFACES TO IMPLANTED DUSTS. Yf.R. Bradley and M.VA First. J. Lab. and Clin. Med., 24 , 44-52, (1938). Forty rabbits were subjected to intra-plcural implantation of dust and, with 10 additional rabbits as controls, woro autopsied after 15, 30, 45, 60, and 90 days. Typically inert, absorptive and proliferative reactions were produced by the pleura in responso to various dusts. Those responses wore essentially the same as those produced in serous cavities olsev/hero in tho body by other workers. The injection of dusts into the pleural qavitios, especially becauso of its proxi mity to lung tissue, was found to be suitable in both results and economy. 112 RADIOLOGICAL DEMONSTRATION OF PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES INDUCED BY CERTAIN INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES. J.F. Brailsford Brit. J. Radiol., 11, 393-400 (1939) (British). The author summarizes Rohclm*s study of fluorine intoxication contracted by those handling cryolite. Eighty-four per cent of the workers examined had bone changes -- a diffuse osteosclerosis, which was on the whole proportional to the period of employment. Half of the workers showed radiograpliic evidences of pul monary fibrosis similar to that seen in silicosis but more innocent in nature, but it v.as undecided as to whether the fluorine or the associated quartz had caused the fibrosis. Against this, an examination of 49 workers in Scotland ex posed to alumina and cryolite dusts failed to establish the existence of osteo sclerosis or of pulmonary fibrosis in spite of long esposuro. Other examples of the radiograph as a diagnostic tool are cited, 113 TESTS OF RESPIRATORY EFFICIENCY AND THEIR CORRELATION WITH RADIOLOGICAL APPEARANCES IN THE LUNGS. E.M. Eillick. Brit. J. Radiol., 11, 401-4, (June 1938 (British) Tho tests of respiratory efficiency used were: (1) vital capacity of the lungs; (2) ventilation equivalent for oxygen (vol. of air breathed per 100 cc. oxygen absorbed); (3) volume of dead space; and (4) exercise tolorance tests. Seven men whose pulmonary lesions had been diagnosed as silicosis or nsbostosis, all show ed well-defined functional impairment on the basis of one or more of the above tests. Eleven arc welders were examined end five of tho number, having signs of early pneumoconiosis, gave, on the whole, poorer performances than the other six. It is concluded that tests of respiratory efficiency should help to distinguish between early fibrosi3 and the deposition of dust in tho lung3 without marked fibrous tissue reaction. References to Recent Literature - 8 114 PNEUMONIA IN INDUSTRY. Goorge F. Obrien. Ind. Med., 8, 39*42, (January 1939). Industry has made great strides in reducing mortality from injuries, but much time is lost and many deaths still occur from respiratory diseases. Industry furnishes many of the predisposing factors in pneumonia and should interest it self in the problem and in spreading the modern concepts of pneumonia and its treatment. The symptoms of pneumonia arise from infection and anoxia; serum therapy is directed against the infection, and oxygen therapy against the anoxia, and control of the tv;o factors will control pnexsaonia. 115 OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES OF THE LUNGS IN AGRICULTURAL WORKERS. R. Fawcitt. Brit. J. Radiol., 11, 378-92, (June 1938) (British). Agricultural workers are liable to infection by organic matter, micro-fungi, bacteria and parasites from vegetable matter and animal excreta. Various types of mycotic infection of the lungs are described, and the radiological appear ances illustrated. The author is of the opinion that the common micro-fungi, though usually innocuous, may become pathogenic under certain conditions and that the incidence of harmful infection is more common and widespread than is general ly* realized. Certain types of bacterial and parasitic pulmonary disease are also described, 116 SYPHILIS CONTROL IN INDUSTRY. R.R. Sayers. Supp. No* 140, Public Health Reports (1938), More than 1 million years of life expectancy are lost every year by syphilitic deaths in this country, and in institutional care the disease costs us between 40 and 50 million dollars annually. As a purely economic problem, industry should be interested in wiping out tho disease, but comparatively few companies have done much on the problem. The question of whether or not industry should hire a syphilitic is discussed. Except as food handlers, barbors, etc., it is stated that they should bo kept at their jobs and given close medical supervision. A doctor of one large company advocates a certain amount of medical care by indus try and at least cooperation vdth State officials who can supply free antisyphilitic drugs and offer consultation on problems of control. 117 STATE LABOR LAWS FOR WOMEN. PART 1, SUMMARY. Part 2, ANALYSIS OF HOUR LAWS FOR WOMEN WORKERS. F.P. Smith. U.S. Dept. Labor, Women* s Bureau. Bull. No. 156, Parts 1 and 2, (1938). Those bulletins summarize tho State laws regarding vjork hours, meal time, rest periods, night work, seating, and other items. All but 4 States have some sort of law regulating the hours women may work, 16 States having a maximum of 8 hours a day. It i3 significant that 17 States prohibit v/omon working in mines, and other States prohibit them in coke ovens and quarries. Only 17 have laws governing home v/ork, and only 22 havo minimum wage laws. Part 2 of the bulle tin is devoted entirely to presenting in tabular form the points covered by various State laws for women as of March 31, 1938, 118 FORWARDING HEALTH AND SAFETY IN COAL MINING BY USE OF WATERING METHODS. D. Harrington & J.J. Forbes. U.S. Bur. Mines Inf. Circ. No 7041,11 pp.{Dec. 1938). It is well known that coal dust, even in absence of gas, is explosive and can initiate or propagate an explosion in a mine. It is also believed by many per sons that all atmospheric dusts nay be harmful if breathed in largo quantities fo: long periods of time. For those reasons the authors stress the importance of dust control in cool mines. This paper enumerates tho principal sources of dust and describes practical methods of employing water as one of the most effective of the known methods to allay dust in coal nines. Most dust in mines originates at tho face and the amount of water necessary, if applied officicntly, is not excessive. In some mines the water is supplied by special tanks on mining G0435G References to Recent Literature - 9 machines, but most mines now using water for dust control have installed com* plote pipe line systems. Several typical installations are described in the circular together with pictures which illustrate the methods now in use. 119 EXAMPLE OF AN INSTALLATION FOR THE CONTROL OF THE HYGIENIC EXPOSURE ARISING FROM THE APPLICATION OF POTTERY GLAZES. S. C. Rothmann. Ind. Med., 8, 8-12, (January 1939). The author describes some of the problems in connection with the dust and load hazards in the glazing department of a "dinnerv/are" pottery plant. The lead hazard is probably the most important, although in recent years the increased use of "fritted" glazes has reduced the hazard because of the formation of in soluble lead compounds by pro-fusing. Hand dipping of ware is not in itself dangerous; most dust is caused by stirring up of accuauluted dried glaze on floors, boards, tubs and clothing. An automatic spray glazing machine and the necessary exhaust booth in connection with it ore described. 120 ELECTRICAL DUST PRECIPITATION. I. V/uyckens. Mem. univ. 3rurelles, 95 pp. (1937)(Belgian). Details are given of a laboratory investigation relating to the electric pre cipitation of dust from a stream of. air. The apparatus consisted in: a device for making regular and uniform the distribution of the dust in the air stream, a small Cottrell typo of precipitator and an oil filter for removing dust from the effluent stream of air. Among the factors studied were: effect of dust concentration on efficiency; effect of electromotive force employed within the range 7300-12000 volts; effect of tho velocity of the air stream and the rela tion between electromotive force and current in the discharge. A high degree of purification is more readily obtained by a reduction of volocity of the stream than by an incrcr.se of electromotive force. Tho scale effect controll ing the possibility of applying laboratory results to large-scale plants is discussed. . * 121 FRICTION LOSS IN PIPING. E. A. Windham. Heating, Piping, and Air Cond. 11, 6-8, (January 1939). The author has developed in the course of his work two charts of friction loss in pipes which are reproduced. Most empirical formulae apply over only a limited range of temperatures and it is frequently necessary, particularly in air duct work, to compute friction losses when the temperature varies consider ably from the standard conditions. The author has made use of the Fanning equa tion, and has simplified its application for general use. (C) Papers on Industrial Poisons, Cancer, Dermatitis, etc. 122 HEALTH HAZARDS AND THEIR CONTROL IN THE ELECTROPLATING INDUSTRY. H.G. Dyktor and John Buxell. Bulletin, Dept. Public Welfare, Industrial Hygiene Div., City of St. Louis, Mo., 33 pp. (1938). In a study of the electroplating industry in St. Louis, the authors found no health hazard which necessitated drastic action. Most plants wore provided with moans of controlling the hazards encountered and present control methods could be perfected with only minor changes or by propor maintenance of present equip ment. In tho cases whore deficiencies occurred, they wore due to lack of prop er information or to the use of erroneous information, and this Bulletin is published to fill that lack. It covers the hazards of dusts, acid mists and vapors, trichlorethyleno and carbon tetrachloride, chromium, lacquers, skin diseases and other miscellaneous items of' personal hygiene, sanitation and goneral safoty. No ono subject is covered completely, but tho Bulletin is a valu able guide to those operating electroplating plants. G0^O References to Recent Literature - .10. 123 A SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE CONDITIONS IN THE JEWELRY INDUSTRY OF RHODE ISLAND. J, Wuraftic and C.V. Hickey. Div. of Indust. Hyg., State Dept, of Public Health, Providence (1938). The jewelry industry in Rhode Island comprises 289 plants employing 10,315 workers, about one-half of whom arc women. Horo than half of the plants em ploy loss than 10 v/orkers. It was found that 8912 or 88 per cont of the number wero not exposed to any hazardous material or process in any manner and the percentage of those exposed to any decree at all was very small (0.28 per cent). A few (436 or 4.8 por cent) were engaged in electroplating work and the ser iousness of their exposure is questioned pending further investigation. 124 SEVERAL TOXIC VOLATILE INDUSTRIAL SOLVENTS. D. Gilbert. 3ruxelles-iled,, 18, 1189 (July 19, 1938) (Belgian). Because physicians are likely to encounter some of the growing number of toxic industrial solvents, the author discusses a'few of them in this paper and lists others which are cither not discussod at length or are otherwise generally well known. Attention is especially called to the chlorinated hydrocarbon group. He stresses particularly that the solvents as used oro rarely pure and that this fact should bo taken into consideration along with other factors such as the origin of the solvent, its instability, and tho particular conditions of its uso in the plants. 125 SOLVENTS AND THEIR DANGERS. Wenzel. Zentr.Geworbohyg.Unfall., 25, 217-24, (1938) (Geiman). Industrial solvents are classified as to their general use, o.g., viscosity changers, plasticizers, azeotropic mixtures, extractants, degronsers, solvents for solids, impregnators, pharmaceuticals, and carriers for other materials. Many examples are given. The flammability, physiological action, origin and in dustrial use of many solvents are discussed. Special attention is given to spray booth design and exhaust, paints and lacquers, and solvents used in tho rubber and textile industries. The most important phase of worker protection is adequate education as to the dangor and proper handling of the solvent in question. 126 EVALUATION OF THE ODOR NUISANCE IN THE MANUFACTURE 0? KRAFT PAPER. J.M. DallaVallo and H.C. Dudley, U.S. Pub. Health Reports, 54, 35-43, (Jan. 13, 1939). Kraft paper is tho brown paper used in rotail stores for wrapping packages; heavier grades are used in shipping carton and containers. The authors outline the method used in evaluating tho odor nuisance generated in tho manufacture of this type of paper by the sodium sulfide - sodium hydroxide process. Tho odors of hydrogen sulfide, organic sulfur compounds, carbon gases and a chemical smoke containing large quantities of sodium sulfate and sodium sulfide are given off during nearly all processes and pass out through the stacks to be classed as a nuisance in the neighborhood. The human nose is remarkably sensitive to minute traces of these substances in the atmosphere, oven in those concentra tions that are well below tho toxic limit. It is concluded that in the neigh borhood of the plants the concentrations of toxic gases are of no consequence. The major contributing factor in the obnoxious conditions is duo to the large amounts of solid chemical materials, mostly sodium sulfate, which are blown out through tho stacks and soon settle to tho ground. The possibility of electrical precipitation for prevention and economical recovery is strossed. 004333 References to Recent Literature - 11* 127 THE DANGERS 0? ARC WELDING. N. Poszi. Arch* des malad. profes., 1^, 399-414, (November 1933) (French). The author reviews the materials entering into the arc as well as the metals usually welded. He considers the dangers as duo to (l) burns, (2) glare, and its effects on the eye and (3) fumes. The injury in tho case of glare may be due to both ultraviolet or infrared rays. The effect of the fumes, if the ex posure is severe, is to produce an acute broncho-pneumonia of which the prog nosis is unfavorable. If the exposure is moderate but prolonged, symptoms of pneumoconiosis develop: a fooling of constriction of the chest, dyspnea, and persistent cough. Occasionally metal fume fever occurs but moro often a gen eral malaiso combined with severe headaches and insomnia. No mention i3 made of possible nitrous fumes in the gases from the arc. Measures of protection are: welder*s goggles, partitioning off of the welding spaces to protect other workers from the glare, removal of funGs by local exhausts, and good general ventilation. 128 STANDARDIZATION OF GAS MASKS AND RESPIRATORY APPARATUS. ' K. Quasebort. U.D.I. Ztschr., 82, 147-3, (1938) (German). To enable interchange of parts and apparatus of respiratory equipment, regard less of make, manufacturers and officials have cooperated in establishing codes of standardisation of such equipment. Ten codes are planned. It is also pro posed to define uniform names for all apparatus and part3. 129 THE ABSORPTION OF IRRITANT GASES IN THE RESPIRATORY TRACT. I.D. Gadaskina I. Physiol. (U.S.3.R.) 23, 7G2-90, (1937) (Russian). Tho inhalation of irritant gases by rabbits and the analysis of the exhaled gases showed that nearly all was absorbed in the upper respiratory passages. A non-irritating gas, like nitrogen dioxide, is absorbed largely in the lower respiratory tract, none in tho upper. 130 THE REACTION OF THE CLOTHED HUMAN 30tY TO VARIATIONS IN ATMOSPHERIC HUMIDITY. C.-E.A. Winslow, L.P. Herrington and A.P. Gagge. An. F. Physiol., 124, 692-703, (December 1938). Below 25C (77F), the zone of body cooling, relative humidity has no appreci able influence on physiological reactions. Above this temperature the rela tive humidity begins to take offset and v;ith higher temperatures and high humidities the nude body adjusts itself much better than tho clothed body. /ith higher temperatures and low humidity the clothed subject can tolerate a slight ly higher operative temperature. During summer months tho mechanism of sweat secretion is in better working order and consequently the response to higher temperatures is better during those months. 131 THE VENTILATION OF FLUELESS ROOMS. NOTE FROM THE BUILDING RESEARCH STATION. T. Instn. Heat. & Vent. Engrs. (London) _6, 428-34, (October 1938) (British). Observations were made in an experimental house to determine the ventilation provided by an open ventilator in a room not provided with a flue or chimney. It was found that in an average room over a vri.de range of temporat\ire differ ences and wind velocities, the-ventilator provided approximately the samo ven tilation as did an unheated flue of normal type. It was observed that in a boated fluoless room, with an ordinary wall type ventilator, tho air-change nay fall as low as 0.3 per hour or less. 004360 Preferences to Recent Literaturo - i * 132 FIRST CHANGES OP THE WHITE BLOOD IN PERSONS EXPOSED TO LEAD. A.H. Muller. Klin, Wchnsehr. 17, 1183-6, (1930) (German). The author reports on results of periodic examinations (over a 1 yoar period) of street car and bus lncquorers. He notos that with great regularity ho found high lymphocyte counts, without other signs of lead absorption or lead injury. It is considered that this lymphocytosis can justify an especially careful nodical supervision in the absence of other sign3 of load poisoning. 133 LEAD AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, G.W. Gunther. Deutsch. med. V/chnschr. 64, 1146-7, (1938) (German). Description is given of tho illness of a 45-year old linotype setter who died of a cardiac infarct' and coronary thrombosis. For many years he had had hicji blood pressur3, and in recent years was employed only occasionally as a type setter. Examination of tho organs showed 0.115 per cent lead in the liver and spleen and 0.58 per cent in the bone. Since thore was no familial disposition to premature high blood pressuro and in view of the long exposure to lead, a causal relationship between industrial load injury and high blood pressure was assumed. The recent lack of exposure was taken into consideration. 134 NEW SOURCES OP LEAD POISONING. Mornac. Ann. d'hyg. pp. 362-4, (1038) (French). Tho author describes tho use of groat quantities of load arsenic in insecti cides used by farmers and the complote carelessness in the handling of it. He found, cases of load poisoning by users of the insecticide and recommends the substitution of aluminum arsenates. 135 LEAD POISONING? L. Schwarts. Sam. v. Vergiftungsf. 9_, 41-6, (1938) (German). A 31-year old cable layer fell ill with ocular motor paralysis. Since the lead hazard to cable layers seemed slight, end no other signs of load poisoning could be proven with certainty, tho referee on the case rejected tho possibil ity of lead poisoning, suggested observation in a hospital. At the clinic, snail quantities of lead were found in the blood, urine and feces, but the quantitios were within normal limits. 136 A METHOD FOR THE QUANTITATIVE SPECTRO-CHEMICAL /NALYSIS OF VERY SMALL AMOUNTS OF BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS FOR SODIUM, POTASSIUM, CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM AND LEAD. O.S. Buffendack, K.3. Thomson, W.C. Leo, and O.G. Koppius. J. Biol. Chem. 126, 1-7, 1938). A dotailed description is given for tho method used. Lead was determined in urine and by the method described, it is possible with extreme caution to measure accurately 0.1 mg. lead per liter. 137 DETECTION OF LEAD IN ETHYL LEAD AND OBSERVATIONS ON THE VOLATILITY OF TETRA ETHYL LEAD. H. Siobeneck. Chem-Ztg., 62, 183-189, (1938) (German). This question was studied in connection with the detection of load in the waste liquor from ethylizing apparatus. The uso of dithizono was shown to be not altogether trustworthy for lead detection, as lead-free benzine gave color reactions. The use of a 1 per cent dimcrcaptol-thiodiazol solution is re commended. Experiments showed that tetraethyl lead is volatile in normal temp eratures v:hen mixed with hydrocarbons. 138 JUDGING HEART MUSCLE INJURIES AFTER CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. H. Symanski. Aorztl* Sachverstandig.-Stg., 44, 183-204, (1938) (Goman). The author discusses first, on the basis of tho literature, the possibility and occurrence of cardiac muscle injuries in acute and chronic carbon monoxide poisoning. Ho then presonts eight detailed and instructive cases of heart trouble which had cuno beforo him as a referee. The question to be decided was whether the disease was caused by carbon monoxide or hastened by it. In seme, this question was affirmed, in somo uoniod. G04370 References to Recent Literature - 10. 139 CARBON MONOXIDE AND EPILEPSY. H. Symanski. Serna., v. Vergiftungsf., 9^, 23-40, (1938) (Goman). A blacksmith, in a gas works was exposed occasionally to carbon monoxide and at the age of 35 he fell ill v.lth epileptif o:-?n attacks,. The expert (in a court caso) considered this as genuine epilepsy, denying any relationship to carbon monoxide inhalation, since the signs were not present. 140 LATE EPILEPSY IN THE COURSE OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. 0. Schiersnann. Ztsch. ges. Neurol, u. Psychiat., 163, 656-69, (October 1938) (German). True epileptic seizures occurred in a v:ar veteran, 60 years old, 14 years after carbon monoxide poisoning from exhaust gases of a benzol engine during the war. The seizures, which doveloped rapidly, were characterized by convulsions, torso like and athetoid movements, loss of the reaction of pupils to light, and un consciousness. Minor seizures had occurred six months after exposure and at infrequent intervals following. Mentally, the patient showed disturbed sleep, apathy, emotional flattening, lack of initiative, weakness of memory, hysteri cal trends and generally demented behavior. 141 TESTIS AND HYPOPHYSIS IN GASSED MALE RATS. C.A. Patterson, E. Smith, and A.D. Pickett. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med., 38, 455-60 (1938) (British). Male rats were exposed for 1 hour daily for 50 or more days to an atmosphere containing 0.34 per cent carbon monoxide. The testis and epididymus weight was reducod by 50 per cent and their spermatozoa were reduced in number and motil ity. The hypophysis became basophilic, with many vacuolated cells, but the gonadotropic hormono content was increased. 142 CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. Howard A. Martin. Ohio State Med. X., 34, 1251-3 (1938). The author reviews the literature on carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms of both acute and chronic poisonings are described and the important ones especial ly noted. He reviews the various items in the treatment of both types of poisonings and the paper should be of interest to all physicians. 143 THE HSLOGEMATED HYDROCARBONS OF THE FATTY SERIES AS SOLVENTS AND THEIR SIGNIFI CANCE TO THE MEDICAL PRACTICE. Vi. Gueffroy and W. Ehrhardt. Zentr. Gewcrbehyg. Unfall., 25, 224-30, (1938) (Gorman). These solvonts as a class are toxic, capable of producing acute poisonings and occasionally blood changes. While the lungs are tho chief portal of entry into the body, skin absorption is also possible. The specific properties of some of the compounds are discussed in dotail, and they should all be regarded as active toxic agents. No specific medical prophylaxis for chronic poisonings of this class is known. CARBON TETRACHLORIDE POISONING. T.M. Perry. Arch. Path. 26, 923-41 (Nov. 1938). A description is given of hepatic (liver) damage and reP^T? in man based on three cases of accidental poisoning studied clinically and at autopsy. Three negroes had ingested a roach poison, a mixture of carbon tetrachloride and ethy lene dichloride, which they had mistaken for an intoxicant. Two of the men died too early (6.* to 11 hours and 65-70 hours) for evidences of regeneration, but the third who died in 150 hours showed definite tendencies along these lines. Thor is a complete account of the clinical findings and a good review of the literature. References to Recent Literature - 14. 145 DANGERS FROM PYRENE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. I. Am. lied. Assoc. (Queries and minor notos) 111. 2326, (Doc. 17, 1938). A patient put out a fire in a poorly ventilated hall. Immediately afterward he had difficulty in breathing, become cyanotic and had gastro-intestinal disturb ances. These symptoms become worse in 10 days, but after about 2 months he had fairly well recovered. The author says it is probable that phosgene was formed from the carbon tetrachloride as tho symptoms resetahle those of phosgene. This type of poisoning usually is prone to provoke neuroses, but where it is known that complete recovery is possible, this danger is much reduced. 146 THE PHOSGENE CONTENT OF SMOKE FROM THE BERGER MIXTURE. J. Esser. Gasschutz. u.luftschutz., *3, 297-8 (1938) (German).; (also pp. 266-9) The Berger mixture consists essentially of powdered zinc and highly chlorinated organic compounds such ns carbon tetrachloride. When this mixture was burned or heated it was found that phosgene was foimed as one of the products of combust- ion. Care should be exercised in using carbon tetrachloride or other chlorinat ed hydrocarbons in closed spaces as phosgene is much more highly poisonous than the original compounds. 147 BLOOD PLASMA PROTEINS AS INFLUENCED EY LIVER INJURY INDUCED BY CARBON TETRA CHLORIDE AND GUM ACACIA. G.C. Erickson, G.P. Heckel and R.E. Knutti, Am.J.Path., 14, 537-56 (September 1938). Oral administration of carbon tetrachloride to dogs induces liver changes and a reduced plasma protein concentration, due chiefly to loss of albumin. In jection of acacia injures the liver and reduces tho plasma protein concentra tion, especially the globulin. The results of these and other types of liver injury suggest that albumin, globulin, and fibrinogen may bo produced by tho liver independently of each other. 148 EXPERIMENTS WITH AN "ANTINECROTIC" MATERIAL PREPARED FROM LIVER. H.M. Barrett, D.L. McLean and E.W. McHenry. J. Phaxmacol. Exp. Ther., 64, 131-7 (1938). Rats injected with 100 mg. of the liver extract prepared by Forbes (Forbes, Neale, Scherer, J. Phaim. Exp. Ther., 58, 402, (1936)), end with tho same cor responding doses of sodium xanthine and saline, were exposed 24 hours lator to controlled concentrations of carbon totrachloride. It was found that the fat content of the livers of animals prcmedicatcd with Forbes' liver extract or with sodium xanthine was significantly loss than that of animals premedicated with saline or without any treatment. The experiments seem to indicate that the premedication with sodium xanthine promotes the healing of liver damage and in addition, offers a certain protection against the toxic effects of exposure to concentrations not greater than 10,000 p.p.m.. 149 POISONING BY HYDROCARBONS. COMPENSATION ACCORDING TO THE FRENCH LAN ON INDUS TRIAL DISEASES (1919-1931). E. Martin. Med. du travail, 10, 151-69, (1938) (French) The author reports on the discussion that took place in the Commission for In dustrial Hygiene of the Ministry of Labor regarding the inclusion of poisoning by hydrocarbons in the compensation lav/. Certain other authorities have said that since 1931 the hydrocarbons have been produced in a much purer form and that the poisonings have been due to tho impurities. The author takes issue v/ith them and gives reasons for the inclusion of these materials in the com pensation lav/s. References to Recent Literature - 150 BENZENE AND-BENZINE. L. Teloky. Med. Au trav., 10, 125-137 (1938) (French) The author comments on the need for inoro sharp differentiation between those two entirely different substances. Tho characteristic symptoms of poisoning by each is described: in benzene poisoning sovere blood changes occur, while neuritis is especially prominent in benzine poisoning. French and Italian com pensation laws arc unsuited to cover theso poisonings adequately. 151 A STUDY, CLINICAL AND HAEMOTOLOGICAL, OF NINE CASES OF OCCUPATIONAL BENZOL POISONING. M. Lamy, P. Kissel, nnd L. Pierquin. Bull, et Mem, Soc. Med, Hopit. Paris, pp. 1116-27, (June 27, 1938) (French). Full details arc given of nine cases of benzol poisoning among employees of a shoe factory where benzol was used as a rubber solvent. Four of the cases were fatal. In tho severe cases tnio medullary oplasia was present, and purpura was present in all# Tho most valuable treatment was blood transfusion together with injections of liver extract, and the results were good except in the most severe cases. 152 TOXICOLOGICAL DETECTION OF THALLIUM, il. Kluge. Z, IJnters. Lebemsm 76, 165-9, (1938) (German) The method is based on the solubility of thallium chloride in ether and the insolubility of thallium iodide in water and alcohol. Larger amounts are de termined by weighing the iodide, smaller amounts by colorimetric determination of tho iodine liberated therefrom. 153 THE COMPOSITION 0 F HUMAN BONE IN CHRONIC FLUORINE POISONING. W.A. Wolff and E.G. Kerr. Am. J. Med. Sci., 195, 493-7, (1938). . A man, 48 years old, had been exposed for 18 years to finely ground phosphate rock dust containing 3.88 per cent fluorine. The present paper deals only with tho distribution of bone fluorino, as the x-ray, clinical and autopsy findings have been reported earlier. Normal amounts of ash, calcium, phosphorus, and carbon dioxide wore found in the bones, but the fluorine content of some bones was 20 times the normal values. Its distribution was uneven, the greatest amounts being found in the vertebra, the least in the long bones. 154 ACUTE METHYL ALCOHOL POISONING. F.R. Menne. Arch. Path., 26, 77-92, (1938). In 22 cases of fatal poisoning from pure methanol the pathological changes con sisted of marked edema, hyperemia, and necrosis of the stomach, intestine, liver, brain and retina. Clinically tho victims showed intense nerve excita bility, evidenced by abdominal pain, muscle twitchings, rapid pulse and respira tion with final paralysis and death from respiratory failure. Although these addicts had taken small quantities of methanol over a long period of time, there wore no gross chronic pathological changes present# 155 THE SPECIAL HAZARDS IN THE V/ORKING OF MAGNESIUM ALLOYS AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES. H. Ruhe. Arbeitsschutz, pp. 195-210, (1938) (German). Magnesium alloys are being used more and more because of their low specific gravity and their tensile strength. Under certain conditions, howover, mag nesium has a groat tondency to unite with oxygen, and in fine particles it can explode. Wet magnesium dust tends toward spontaneous combustion. In the pre sence of heat, magnesium can reduce oxides, partly by explosive mechanisms. Water is disintegrated by fino magnesium dust with the formation of hydrogen. To guard against these dangers, the Reich'Minister of Labor has issued codes and safety directions. GO 437 References to Recent Literature - '1*6 156 THE AUTOMATIC ESTIMATION OF SULFUR DIOXIDE IN INDUSTRIAL GASES* W. Francis, M.C.Morley and E.W.F. Gillham. I. Soc. Chem. Ind., ^57, 419-24, (December 1938) (British)* A description is given of a method and apparatus for estimating the amount of sulfur, as sulfur dioxide or trioxide, in washed flue gases of a power plant. The gas is scrubbed in a neutral solution of hydrogen peroxide which oxidizes the sulfur gases to sulfuric acid, decreasing the electrical resistance of the solution. The change is measured on a recording nilliametcr and indicates the * total amount of sulfur over a period or at any moment. The method, except for minor differences, is similar to that developed in this country by Thomas (Ind. & Eng. Chem. 1^, 14-17, Ian. 1929). It is possible, by changos in rate of air flow, voltage""jt current, volume of absorbing liquid and othor factors, to measure accurately almost any concentration of sulfur gases in the atmosphere. 157 DANGERS OF GRAIN SILOS, H* Tiege. Zb.f.Oewerbehyg., 25, 170-1, (1933) (German) Two men were killed climbing up a silo that contained 2 tons of corn. Examina tion of the air later showed 3 per cent carbon dioxide and 13.6 per cent oxygen, and at the tine of accident the carbon dioxide was probably still higher. Autopsies showed death was from suffocation. 158 TUMORS AND PRECANCEROUS LESIONS OF THE BLADDER DUE TO AMINES OR NITRODERIVATIVES. (ANILINE DYE TUMORS.) G. dl Maio. Arch. ital. d*i. urol., 14, 283-385 (1937) (Italian) This paper contains an analysis of the precancerous and neoplastic changes that may occur in the bladder in aniline dye workers. Among 86 workers examined, 26 had changes that were considered as precancerous, 7 had benign tumors, and 4 had malignant growths. The changes wore revealed by crystoscopic examination rather than by specific methods. Duration of employment varied from 2 to 6 years for the procencer group, 3 to 9 years for the papilloma group, and 6 to 15 years in the cancer cases. The dyes occurring most frequently were benzi dine, betanaphthol amine, and aniline. Theso substances are absorbed through the respiratory tract and the skin, and are eliminated in the urin unchanged or v/ith a modified chemical structure. Treatment consists primarily of measures to impede the absorption of the dyes. 159 ARSINE POISONING: REPORT OF TWO CASES. K.D. Smith and T.E. Rardin. Ohio State Med. I. 35, 157-9, February 1939. Arsine and arsine poisoning are discussed and a description is given of the processes where the poisoning nay be encountered. Arsenic is an impurity in many metal* end arsine, hydrogen arsenide, the most poisonous of the inorganic arsenic compounds, is given off whenever these metals arc acted upon by acids. The stripping of galvanizing v/ith hydrochloric acid is a common procedure ond it was in this manner that the two cases reported by the authors occurred. Com plete descriptions are given of the two cases. The authors stress the import ance of occupational histories, in addition to past illnesses and family history, as an aid in the diagnosis of vague or unknown cases. 160 A RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE HEFLECIN IRRITATION OF THE NASAL MUCOSA DURING THE INHALATION OF ACETONE. PKEUMOGRAPKEC CHANGES IN EXPERIMENTAL ACETONE NARCOSIS. L. Prisco. Folia med., 24, 669-77, (1938) (Italian) Because of the increasing industrial use of acetone, the author studied its action on rabbits. He found in them a nasal reflex which consists of a temp orary cessation of breathing and also a lung reflex in the form of a polypnea when acetone vapor is introduced intratracheally. 004374 References to Recent Literature - '17., DIA20METHASB POISONING, FIRST CLINICAL CASE REPORT. F.W. Sundermann, R. Connor and H. Fields. An. J. Med. Sci., 195, 469-73, {1938). A chemistry studon undertook to prepare trimethylbarbituric acid by allowing diasonethane to react with barbituric acid. He did not *.vork under a hood and while stirring the mixture, suddenly began to choke, became dy3pneic and had a violent cough. A description is given of the symptoms which persisted for three weeks, v/hon he was released from tho hospital. The gas appears to have a direct irritant action. 162 THE TOXICOLOGY 0? CYANIDE. A.O. Gettler and J.O. Baine. Am. J. Med. Sci., 195, 182-98 (1938). The authors give their analytical methods in detail and discuss the hydrogen cyanide content of normal organs and the distribution of it in body tissues after fatal poisonings, both experimental and human. Tho sensitivity of the analytical method is 0.005 mg. per 100 gm. tissue and by this test no hydrogen cynnido was found in normal tissues. Tho minimum lethal dose seems to be about 1.4 mg. per kilogram of body weight. Treatmont with methylene blue seems to prolong life for an hour or more; it should be supplemented with stomach lavage, artificial respiration, stimulants, and a second injection if necessary. 163 LIP3IIA IN EXPERIMENTAL CARBON DISULFIDE POISONING. E. Bianchi. Med. del lavoro, 29, 213-20, (1938) (Italian). Acute and chronic carbon disulfide poisonings were produced in rabbits and the content of blood in fats and phosphorus was studied. There was found in both typos of poisoning an increase of the phosphate and cholesterin ether. Free cholostorin decreased in acute poisoning, increased in chronic. 164 PHYSIOLOGIC STUDIES OF HELIUM. A. R. Behnkc and 0. D. Yarbrough. U.S. Naval Med. Bull., 26, 542-58 (1938). The solubility coefficients of helium in water and in olive oil compared vdth tho coefficients for nitrogen are in the ratio 2:5 for wator and 1:4.5 for oil. Therefore, tho helium content of the body should be about 45 per cont as high as the nitrogen content when the same tension of each gas is breathed. The time of elimination of helium from body tissues after absorption is about onehalf that of nitrogen. It is for these reasons that helium-oxygen mixtures are being used in place of the normal nitregen-oxygon mixtures in deep sea diving.