Document yk7Z29MwwBvYQK17Dx7nBx9JE

NMBB-000761? Industi Industrial Hygiene Digest ( Ir.d . Hygiene Ftur.da* Lor.) (Initial Sc Forward) iy-L-e- -Haz Lett, M.D. n a C . .Barnes QD H 41i Caste. M..D. H r5 V. Speicher O Miss Bell - (Review) ?. Lyle Hazlett, M.D. (file) Digest ite\atuU Gbshacts MEDICAL ENGINEERING LEGAL * decisions and trends tfubushial Health hews hiutd Monthly By INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE FOUNDATION 4400 FIFTH AVENUE PITTSBURGH, PA. 03118253 H W B B -W W m t Vole 5. FOUNDATION FACTS May, 1945 Foundation Facta it a monthly new,-lettr iaaued to industrial concerns holding membership in Industrial Hygiene Foundation. The Foundation is a combined research and service institution to protect the health of workers in industry. No. 5. Some Facts and Figures on Absenteeism An OV/I survey finds that "plants without systematic plans for reducing the causes of absenteeism have nearly twice the rate of job absences as those which have such programs." As the Foundation has insisted for years {before absenteeism was a headline) the first step in. reducing lost time is to keep adequate records -- audit your absences. Another important fact-finding measure is the plant hygiene survey. It is no more possible to maintain healthful working conditions without a periodic survey, than it is to maintain the quality of a product without periodic inspections. To combat sick absenteeism, got the facts on absences, through proper records, and on healthful working conditions through plant hygiene surveys. Otherwise, systematic procedure is ignored in favor of hit-or-miss methods. Speaking of figures, one member company reports the following experience for a group of 400 workers for the first half of April: 273 vrorkdays lost from all causes -- 190 from sickness and non-industrial injuries, 68 from personal causes, and 15 days from injuries. Guard Against Increase in Tuberculosis Tuberculosis rates tend to rise in wartime. The alert Medical Department of Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co., has been directing a health education campaign among its employees stressing TB prevention. Meanwhile, the Public Health Service has made X-ray examinations of nearly a quarter of a million persons for tuberculosis, including more than 160,000 workers in war industries. Results show that ".^Lightly mere than ono in every 100 persons examined have significant tuberculosis." Red Cross Comment Commenting on the Foundation's report, "What About Blood Banks for War Workers?" which was sent to Members recently, an official of the Blood Donor Service of the American Red Cross writes: "...Again, nay I express my own appreciation and that of the entire Service for the great help you have been to us in accumulating this data for your Member companies. Thoughtful support such as this is going to do much to insure the success of what I think we all agree is a worthwhile project." Anpnai Mooting Notes "...A war contractor was much surprised to learn that his 25 per cent labor turnover was largely due to the uncontrolled fumes of a poisonous solvent"...."It has been cur feeling that if wo can satisfactorily control the use of materials in the plant, and then prove that control is satisfactory by periodic physical examinations, we will not have cases of occupational disease develop. It has proved to be such over the years."...."All too frcguently, the first knowledge the medical or safety depart ment has of a now process, machine or material is when it is in operation. Forethought will prevent dangerous exposure. The cost is higher for placing makeshift safeguards or exhaust equipment on a machine after it is in use." Hew Book: Essentials of Industrial Health, by Dr. C.O. Sappington, an out standing work, has just been published by J. B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia. - - - Keep War Workors WeLl - - - INDUSTRIAL HVOICNE FOUNDATION AAOO riFTH AVCNUC AiTTsaunaH. Kay, 1943. Vol. VII. No. 5. Industrial Ifygiene 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. Foundation, 2 rs ctsa ai as ca INDUSTRIAL H7GIBNE DIGEST Literature and News News Items 404 Color in Industry. "The best and newest way to promote good housekeeping," according to R.A. Jlassey, Du Pont color expert, "is by a new scientifically developed uee of brightfpeiat colors on all industrial interior surfaces, including even floors and macnaes*" The national production scene was described as going technicolor In thimaan- ner with remarkable results. The up-to-date trend is row upon lew oC W<1H tools painted in carnival colors with here and there touches of txtt$M)jj3ed to emphasize danger points. Many factory Interiors already display IfcsnBpr scientific color system. They include government arsenals, naval shore stations and major war plants. Worked out in a three-year Du Pont reeeeroh prognm to improve seeing conditions in industry, the most favored ooler scheme for mncftln- ery has proved to be light gray and light buff* floors often are painted white, -- stippled with brown, while walls are finished in two high light-refleetiag colors. 405 Special Warning Bulletin.-- Epidemic Kerato-Conjunctivltls* A statement has been prepared jointly by the United States Public Health Service, Bethcsda, Maryland and the Connittee on Industrial Ophthalmology of the American Medical Association, 535 N. Dearborn St** Chicago, Illinois, for distribution to all physicians. 406 Absent Treatment. Two ingenious methods of combatting the growing absentee problsm have been de vised by the New Britain (Connecticut) Machine Company and the Bsll Aircraft Company, Buffalo, N. 7. The fomer awards a weekly "Hitler Plaque" inscribed with a swastika, to the department with the poorest record* The latter desig nates workers absent without permission as "AML," and replaces thaftMflB;cards with "AWOL" cards. The foreman's approval is required before regular CiSfts may be restored. -- Forbes Mag., 5^, (March, 1943). 407 Wartime Vacations. W 03A 11A8v2r9w1- A statement by Chairman Donald M. Nelson of the War Production Board on the sub ject of vacations says in part: "I believe that the granting of vacations to industrial workers this year will be holpful to war production* Sqparioaee has shown that the volume of production is Increased if the workers can restore their energies through periods of physical and mental rest, change and relaxation* After a brief' vacation a worker should be in better shape-to contribute to the p Industrial Hygiene Digest - 2 increased effort which our war program makes necessary. But it must be realizg that our war production goals this year are nearly twice the size of last yearjbj. Wartime vacations must be planned so as to avoid interruption of working sched ules. Management and labor can and should plan the release of workers for vac^ tions by working ahead in some departments} by arranging for staggered vaction schedules} by training substitutes and, whore necessary} by working additional overtime." * Book Beviews 408 Occupational Tumors and Allied Diseases. W.C. Hueper. Charles C* Thomas, 220 Monroe St., Springfield, 111, 38.00. 896 pp. (1942). This book colates in detail the subject of tumors and their relation to occupa- tion. The material is presented from the view of tvoor location with eight organ systems receiving the major consideration. The fourteen chapters cover: Concopt and significance of occupational tumors, ttsnore of the akin and its appendages, the alimentary system tumors, cancers of the roapiratozyayftcm, urogenous organ malignant growths, hyperplastic and neoplastic diseases K the blood fcxming organs, mesenchymatous tumors, tumors of the eye and its the nervous system tumors, endocrine glandular malignant growths, tumors, special aspects of occupational tumors, the relation of neoplasia to theories of cancerigenesis, and medicolegal and part poets. The attention given to the extensive literature has bean tt ugh and excellent bibliographies are provided for each section. Occupational have received more attention in the foreign literature than la American* This work will be a valuable reference book for industrial physlcii Legal Developments 03118256 409 Occupational Diseases. Pnevaoconlosls Contracted by Baplovment in Oypsum Mina. Creatine Liability Within Statute and Mot Negligence. Statute of Limitations* The defendant appeals from a judg&ent in an action to reoovar-for injuries auf- . fared by the plaintiff while in its employ. Plaintiff had marked la tbs defendant* a gypaua mine, for sixteen years, as a "loader" or "driller." The drifts and headings where he worked were constantly filled with diode of dust caused by the pulverization of rock by drills and other machinery} and being forced to breathe such atmospheres, he suffered a disease of the lungs* known as pneumoconiosis, which was the injury for which he sued. The defendant tod set up a large fan at the mouth of the mine, desired to blow the dust-out of the galleries and headings, but according to the testimony of the plaintiff's wit nesses, it did not do so. The action was brought five years after the plain tiff left the defendant's employment. The New York Practice Act makes three years the period of limitation for "an action to recover dimagea for * * * a personal injury, resulting from negligence"; and sub. 2 of Sec. 48 makes six years the period for "an action to recover upon a liability created by statute, w Industrial fygiene Digest - 3 'O except a penalty <r forfeiture." The statute provides that "an air current sufficient to move snoke and noxious gases and to insure the safety of every employee shall he conducted along every passageway and working place." Air, filled with the dust of powdered rock, is within this language. The New Yorfco Labor Law required "all machinery creating dust or impurities" to"be equipped with proper hoods and pipes connected to an exhaust fan of sufficient * * * pow to remove such dust"; and that "suction devices shall be provided which aKan remove * * * impurities *** by means of proper hoods connected to conduits and exhaust fans." The court held that these onacmaents were for the benefit of those employees who might be exposed to the danger of breathing dust, and that they "created" a "liability" within sub. 2 of Sec. 48 of the Civil Practice Act, as distinguished from giving support to a finding that the employer had failed to exercise the care that be should have: l.e., been guilty of Negligence." How far that lung disease was caused by breathing dust for sixteen years and bow much of the damage was done in the last year, were indeed debatable, but no one could say that reasonable people must deny all connection between them. The jury was clearly entitled to find that during the year in question he had suffer* ed some injury. Judguent affirmed. Stomelli v. U. S. Gypsum Cp.. U.S.C.CJL 2nd Cir. Decided March 16, 1943. (CCH). 410 Dermatitis Venenata. Report of Medical salon as Being Pinal and Plaintiff appeals from an order which affirmed the commissioner* s award" plaintiff compensation. Plaintiff was maployed by defendant in the bulk cement from box cars. Plaintiff noticed a breaking out on hie skin* spread over his body. He was obliged to quit work. Doctors dition as cement dermatitis, or dermatitis venenata. Plaintiff tion for adjustment of claim under the occupational disease , _______ Laws Supp. 1940, Sec. 8485*1 et seq., Stat. Ann. 1948 Cm. &pp dS* ti seq.) He alleged that he was suffering from dermatitis venenata, a disease re sulting from the native of his employment, and which lacbaduloA as am oaeupe tional disease. A medical commission who explained plaintiff, about 9 months after he quit work, found that plaintiff, was suffering tram deamtitis harpeti- formis, which is not compensable under that Act. Defendants floatami the* plelz^ tiff was suffering from the same disease from September 1940, iAmg fee wag oblig ed to quit work, until the hearing October, 1941, and that the report cftlh medical commission, who examined him in July, 1941, is final and condos!**.- The report of the nodical commission case was final and conclusive only as.to plaintiff's condition when the commission examined Urn. The depunatmt J8**d in determining, in effect, that the report of the medical ocamdsslon mi, as a matter of lew, final and conclusive as to plaintiff* s oonditiem diglgg the sm tire period from 1940 to 1941. The department's order is vacated and set aside, and the case is ranandod. Walker v. Loaelle Construction al. Mich. Supreme Ct. Decided April 6, 1943. 7CCH) 411 Gradual Suffocation by Gas Causing Death of Miner. Notice of Hot^oi foy lode* meat Failing to Show Remedy Under Apt. Plaintiff filed in the court below a notice of motion for jadgisnt, Ndttg to recover damages for the wrongful death of plaintiff's decedent. She alleged that the defendant owed its aaployees the duty of furnishing than a reasonably safe place in which to work, and to that end should have installed in the nine where decedent worked the necessary devices to ventilate it properly. - The defendant filed a demurrer to the notice of motion for judgaeat alleging that by virtue of the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Aet the loner court was deprived of jurisdiction of the subject-matter of the suit. To a jud^est^ sustaining a demurrer plaintiff obtained this writ of error. The plaintiff s contention is that the notice of motion shows on its face that her cause of Industrial Hygiene Digest - 4 r>. action is not compensable under the Workmen's Compensation Act and that hence she has the right to pursue her action at law. Since the notice of motion does not affiimatively show on its face that the lower court has been deprived? of jurisdiction of the subject-matter of the suit by the provisions of the Wor men's Compensation Act, as alleged in the demurrer, the demurrer should have bn overruled. Whether plaintiff has a good causo of action at law or whether the* matter is governed by the Workmen's Compensation Act will depend upon the appli cation of the principles stated, to the facts and circumstances to be developed at the hearing. All that has been decided is that the plaintiff's notice of motion for judgment does not show on its face that her remedy is under the Work men's Compensation Act and is not in the present common-law action, ?or these reasons the judgment complained of is reversed and the case remanded for further proceedings. Reversed and remanded. Aistrop v Blud Dimnnd Coal Company. Inc. Va. Supreme Ct. of App. Decided MarchS, 1943, (CCH). 412 Disability Attributed to Inhalation of Carbon Monoride. Casual Relation Between Employment and Disability. This is a claim for compensation in which plaintiff sought judgaent on the ground of total, pemanent disability, against Travelers Insurance Company and plain-- tiff's employer. An exception of no cause and no right of action by the defen dants, interposed to the alternative danend, was sustained, end the alternative demand dismissed. Gardner was employed by Crumley, a dealer in automobiles* in the parts department. Plaintiff alleged that his disability was due 4p in haling fixaes from the exhausts of automobiles being tostod and repaired & !- dlate proximity to the parts room of the establishment in which plaintiffper formed duties; that it was the inhalation of carbon monoxide ttd sdMr flam and gases from the automobile exhausts that brought about plainttff*fcg|j|jjtip#e* An attempt was made to show on behalf of plaintiff that be suffsrsC fMlI s' dis ease cf the spinal system. Since no infection was located, his doctor* fbepted the possibility of toxemia as the cause of the disease, and sines a toxls condi tion fitted in with the theory of carbon monoxide poisoning, they inslinsd to a correlation of carbon monoxide with the disease. The testimqr SB the pert of the defense attributes plaintiff's condition to a nerve disease of the spinal system and fixes the cause as infection, entirely eliminating the tOSlS. effects of carbon monoxide, since no evidence of carbon monoxide was apparent esoa- ination. Any relation between plaintiff's employment and the disability from which he is suffering remain solely a possibility. Since there was a clear duty and burden upon plaintiff to establish a definite casual relation between Ms employment and his disability, in the assumption of which duty and burden he has failed and since this point is finally decisive of the case, plaintiff* s dfiaanda were properly rejected. Judgment affinaed. Gardner v.TravelarsT|SiiTianos Company et al. La. Court of Appoal. 2nd Circuit. Decided karch 17 19th* IcCnT. 413 Death from Carbon-Tetrachloride Used as Cleaning Fluid. Reliance Ppon Contri butions for Household Expenses as Establishing Partial Dependency. Schweitzer died from poisoning from carbon-tetrachloride which was belag used as a cleaning solvent while he was employed on the yacht of appellant, Vends. Decedent, 18 years of age, and received $90 a month and "fotsd," emoostftJf to $50 per month. Until his employment on the yacht, he had been living st heme with his father and mother. All the children who wore able to to no contributed to a common family pool which was expended by the mother to cover ill expendi tures. The decedent contributed approximately $101 to the family budget; ell his contributions were expended by the mother for the table or for tbs purchase of things for the home. While employed on the yacht, decedent lived aboard it. An award was made to decedent1 s parents as partial dependant*. &ilt was .. brought to enjoin enforcement of the award, from an order denying the injunction. 03118258 Industrial Hygiene Digest - 5 oe appellants appeal. There was substantial evidence to support appellee's finding of such dependency, taking into account the ages of the father and g mother, the earnings of the father and of the other children and the fact thatS decedent had been contributing to the parents more than what he cost them. P&iw ents are dependont if their own resources are not sufficient to support than, even if they receive help from their other children. The test is whether his * contribution wa3 in whole or in part a means of maintaining them in the manner* in which they had been living and whether they looked forward to and relied upon the continuance of decedent's contributions to that end. Affirmed, tfende. et al v. McManigol, et al. U.S.C.C.A., 2nd Cir. Decided April 30, 19437 (CCH). Industrial Health Hazards and Their Effects 414 The Symptomatology of Aluminum Pneumoconiosis. 0, Goralewaki. Arch. f. Oewerbepeth. u. Gcwerbehyg., 10. 384-403 (December 30. 1940). (German). This paper reports a fuller survey of "aluniuua pneucoconiosia" than those re ported in the March Digest (Abstracts No. 269 and 271). It included 12& workers at the Frankfort Bronze and Aluoimn Factory, of when 96 were directly nfcn.mil* Clinical examinations showed a high incidence of inflamatory respirato* dis orders, especially repeated attacks of bronchitis, sometimes *ecmpesle4|y gastrointestinal disturbances. Ho correlation was observed Dstccch and duration of exposure but most workers stated that onset ted oemfcMfctethln the last tvx> years. Blood sedimentation tests and lung function tostg tere in conclusive. X-ray examination showed "significant" changes in 3d, "aarts^ chan ges in 17, "well-developed" in 4 and "Intense" in 3, out of tbs 123 stejccts* Most of the "significant" cases and all the others had had exposure of 1 to 20 years. Clinical signs did not correspond in severity with radiograph!eel appear^ once; in only a few cases were prolonged expiration and bronchitis rales toted* The discrepancy between these results, showing a high incidence (19.2$ comely sive, 31.2# significant) of "alumimn lung" and the negative findings inverted by earlier investigations is explained on the basis of an alteration in the pro cess during the last two years, involving tho production of a greater mount of dust, the particles of which are much finer and are no longer protected by a film of aluaimn stearate caused by the foimer addition of stearins during tbs stamping process. (Also, as pointed out in Abstract No. 210, March Digest, blackout conditions greatly reduce ventilation and correspondingly increase dustiness*) 415 Danger to the Limps from Aliaainum Dust. E.W. Jootten and V, Eickhoff Arciuf. Hyg. & Bckt., 127, 344-367 (1942). Tho authors review the literature on "aluminosls" with especial reference to the natorial covered in the preceding abstract and Nos. 269-272 {March Digest). A survey of tho earlier literature emphasizes the differenoe between "altelnosls" and silicosis. The fozmor is characterized by the symptoms of bTOnohiel catarrh, inflammatory cell proliferation, and x-ray evidence of diffuse fine stippling, but no fibrosis, as demonstrated by Joetten and by Shrlonann in 1939 in animal experiments in an atmosphere containing 50-100 mg, of aliadntm bronze dust per cubic meter of air. There were no significant pathological ohenges. However, Goraleweki has revealed a high incidence of symptoms of respiratory and gastro intestinal disturbance among aluminum workers. Clinical findings were slight in comparison with the severity of subjective symptoms, which also have no relation 03118259 Industrial Hygiene Digest - 6 < to the duration of work. The reasons for the increase are given as in the ' preceding abstract. The authors advocate a chemical theory somewhat similar to that of Koeisch (Abstract No. 272, March Digest). 416 The Isolation of B. Aathracis From Industrial Material, with Special Reference aa to the Resistance of the Spores of Heat. E.B. Jones. J. Path, it 3act., 54. 2 307-314 (July, 1942). -- The author describes the isolation of Bacillus anthracis from industrial mater ial and makes special reference to the resistance of the spores to heat. He shows quite clearly that of three stains tested, spore suspensions showed a diminution of the viable-count after exposure to a temperature of 80C. for as short a period of time as two minutes. Ho quotes tho investigation of 14 samples of bone meal in which heating had been carried out at 80C. and all results were negative. He evolved a technique in which the material was heated to 65C. for five minutes only and 11 isolations of Bacillus anthracis were made and verified by animal inoculation. The method of demonstrating capsules of the true anthrax bacillus by Incubation overnight of a broth suspension to which two or three drops of fresh huaan blood have been added, and staining films with polychrome methylone blue, is also described as being useful, but always to be used in con a junction with the p-ni?nal test. 417 Liver Injury, Especially Cirrhosis, in Arsenic Poisoning. P. Roessing. Arch, f. Gewerbepath. u. Gewerbehyg.. 11. 131-142 tDecember 31. 1941) {German) A review of the literature on arsenic poisoning with special reference totllvex injury leads to the conclusion that the liver is frequently affected, but? that the nature of the injury varies. Clinical, pathological and histological inves tigations have shown great variability in ocute poisoning, injury of the reti- culo-endothelial system, desquamation and necrosis of the liver cells* various stages of acute yellow atrophy; in chronic poisoning, disappearance of glycogen, fatty infiltration, coll necrosis, reparative and regenerative changes, conges tion of the bile ducts, periportal hyperplasia. Pram these findings it seems unlikely that true cirrhosis is a result of pure areenic poisonings* In most of the cases reported, arsenic has not been the sole toxic agent; also involved arc alcohol, nicotine, lead, copper, caffeine, metabolic and intestinal distur bances. Animal experiments are not entirely reliable, since in many animals latent liver injury, such as coccidiosis in rabbits, causes a predisposition to experimental lesions by toxic agents. Cirrhosis of the liver is considered essentially a chronic progressive hepatitis, affecting the liver cells and pro duced by toxic agents, in small doses over long periods. A typical case of cirrhosis, caused by a combination of factors, with arsenic and lead predominat ing, is that of a worker engaged in the manufacture of load and calolui arsenate, with some exposure also to dinitro-ostho-creaol. Be developed symptoms which were first diagnosed as lead poisoning, later as cirrhosis with ascites. The opinion that arsenic was the chief toxic agent was based on the presence of melanosis, hyperkeratosis, intestinal symptoms and a greatly increased content of arsenic in the hair. Lead, and to a slighter degree, dinitro-ortho-creeol were considered contributory factors. The author believes that the combined cumulative effect of several toxic agents on the liver is greater than that of any single agent and that arsenic alone, especially in the cirrhosis often found in wine dressers, cannot be considered a primary cirrhosis-producing agent. 413 The Toxicity of Beryllium. ?. Hyslop, L.T. lairhall and others. Bull. Mo. 181, National Institute of Health, U.S. Public Health Service, 56 pp. (1943). lor sale by Supt. of Documents, Washington, D. C. 15 cents. The increased production and use of berylllva in industry has caused concern about exposure of workmen to dust and fxanos arising front the processing of this 03118260 f Industrial Ifygiene Digest - 7 s CN metal. "The purpose of the investigation," as stated in the introduction, "wusr^ to measure and define the toxicity of beryllium and to indicate, so far as ia * feasible animal experiments, the maximum permissible concentration of dust * or fumes from the metal or its compounds which workmen should be permitted to o breathe.* Animal experiments were made in which a nunber of beryllium compound^ at various concentration were injected intraperitoneally into guinea pigs; * beryllium compounds were administered orally to both young rats and guinea pigs, and finally guinea pigs were exposed to the dust of these compounds in high con centrations and over long intervals of tine with no Indication that beryllium is inherently toxic. Exposure of guinea pigs and rats to the fxaaes arising from the electrolysis of molten fluorides containing beryllium fluoride or oxyfluoride show that these fumes are docidedly toxic. There was very little storage of beryllium in the various organs and tissues of the experimental animals, follow ing exposure to large amounts, whether by mouth, by inhalation or by intraperi- toncal injection. More beryllium was found to be stored in the liver than in the kidneys, and still more in the bone tissue. No significant change in hemo globin values was obtained, nor any evidence of polycythemia, ot other dyscrasia. Certain salts of beryllium which hydralyze easily, such as the fluoride and sul fate had an irritant effect on the skin, but this effect was absent in the ease of the neutral salts* Recovery experiments indicated that beryllium is absorbed only slightly in the alimentary tract and is excreted mainly in the feces. Tbs absorption of beryllium carbonate from the lung is also very slight, Kom of the beryllium compounds investigated was dissolved appreciably by sens, Wile the greatest dilution at which precipitation of protein occurs is one part of beryllium nitrate to 50 of water. A comparison of the relative toxleltlem Of beryllium, magnesium, and zinc by intraperitonoel injection shovel bstyllSK t be least and zinc most toxic. Microscopic as well as x-rey examination .gf Ht tissues of animals exposed to berylliun showed no indication of ticket# waft no consistent pathological change in whatever form the beryllii* was given wA> by whatever method. Sinco no particular toxicity was established fbr bcryllitn* it appears that whatever toxicity has been found to oecur with the berylllvm salts is due to the toxicity of the acid radical such ae the fluoride er oxy fluoride, or to an objectionable condition brought about by the hydrolysis of certain of its salts, such as the chloride and sulfate. No safe permissible working standards should be based on berylliun itself, 419 Health Aspects of Fiberglas Materials. Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp,, Toledo,0, Pamphlet, 8 pp. (1943). ' " This publication presents answers to questions which have arisen concerning the possibility of health hazards in connection with the manufacture and handling of Fiberglas. It is based largely upon investigations conducted by or far the - Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation. Tests made by Dr. L.TJ. Gardner of the Trudeau Foundation have demonstrated that Fiberglas has no Injurious effect upon the lungs. W.J. Siobert conducted investigations which include: an* ex haustive study of world medical literature for references to possible health hazards in the handling of Fiberglas; observations and dust counts in the Mevarfc, Ohio, factories; examination of several hundred stereosoople r>rr plates of the chests of employees in the same plants. His conclusion is that there is no sili cosis, fibrosis or dust hazard connocted with working with Fiberglas* In gener al agreement with this opinion are the Chief of the Bureau of Industrial fyglene of the National Institute of Health, and the Aetna Casualty and Insurance Co,, which underwrites insurance covering any ill effects upon the health of Ovens Corning employees caused by the handling of Fiberglas products, Effects on the skin are made a subject of Investigation because of a mechanical irritation of the skin sometimes experienced by newly employed workers. This effect comprised a phase of Dr. Siebert's investigation. He sunmarizes his conclusions as follow: 03118261 Industrial Hygiene Digest - 8 CN >0 "Tbs author believes the following generalization is warranted by the evidence Contact with glass wool may cause ephemeral discomfort among workers inexper ioncod in hand!ing the material* The skin irritation, however, cannot be re- garded as a progressive dermatitis, for it is non-toxic, and usually disappoaS in a few days. In extremely raro instances, where a worker may be predispose to secondary effects of mechanical skin irritation because of idiosyncrasy .1 allergy or the presence of foci of infection elsewhere in his body and otherwise dissociated from the effects of mechanical irritation, lesions may persist. But those cases are encountered with such rarity that they do not justify incrimin ating glass fiber as a causative factor." Reports of investigations by Sulz berger and Baer, the Navy Department Bureau of Ships and Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Schwartz and Botvinick of the U.S. Public Health Sorvice do not differ materially from the summary quoted above. Wearing of protective clothing and washing with soap containing a wetting agent are recommended. Regarding gener al health effects the fact is given that, "No claim for workers compensation based on a pulmonary industrial disease or disability resulting from an occupa tional skin disorder attributed to Pibcrglas".. has ever been validated in the state of Ohio. The Aetna Life Insurance Company regards the health of Fiberglas workers as better than average. Three uses of Fiborglaa in surgery are describ ed. A brief dlcussion of the Physical and Chemical Properties of Fibexglas con e cludes the paper. (Copies of the report available upon request from tbs company. 420 Iron Dust Lung. X. Humperdinck. Dcut. Mod. Woch., 68, 1W.7, (Januaryft, 1942). (German). The author describes a case of deposition of iron dust in the lungs of elec tro-welder, aaployed in welding iron joists and plate rails fur dfryeagfc'-bimilai observations have been made by Koelsch and others; emo&g 40 wn'NIiTf .Coclsch found 18 with slight deposition of iron 1& the lungs, three changes similar to those of silicosis Grades 1 and 2, end one with narked deposition* In the author's caso, x-ray examination showed widespread stippling of the lungs, except for the apices which were completely free* The shadows varied in size from a pinhead to a lentil. A few calcified nodules were presset in the Ulus glands. No disturbance of health conformable with tuberculous lfifectie* was found, and there was no history of former exposure to siliea-coBtainla$ dust. Smoke and fumes, containing particles of finely-divided iron oxide, IMF then 1 mu in diameter, arise from the welding site; these enter ths alveoli, ere car ried in the peribronchial and perivascular lymph channels end deposited in the lymphoid nodules and glands, the finest particles pass through tbs alveolar walls into the interstitial tissue. Koclsch found 97$ of iron oxide in ths dust; if covered electrodes are used only 65-79$ of iron oxide would be liberat ed, with up to 20$ of silicic acid and a variable amoiat of nanganie oxide* It is not known whether such admixtures increase the danger. The ooveetlve tissue of the lung is apparently capable of absorbing the Iron oxide, do that thsre is no progressive fibrosis, as in silicosis, mass radiography will detect at least the most marked lesions and will show ths advisability of ligffftVunfit in working conditions and the importance of medical supervision* 421 Systematic Investigations on Dust Lungs. Part IV. Upon ths Iron Qonteslof the L-rnnpa <vf 181 Workers in Dusty Trades. Together with a Consideration of the Recjg_ procal Effect of the Components of Dust Mixtures* G. Gerstel. Arch*f.Oowcrbe- path. u. Gewerbepath., 10, 616-673 (June 11, 1941). (Games)* Parts I, II and III of this investigation, published in earlier naabdr# of the Archiv, were concerned with an analysis of lungs for silioic add, olwlin* oxide and titanium oxide respectively. Part 17 relates to ths iron contest* The article consists of a very large number of tables end graphs of 1,000 dunical analyses which cannot be readily abstracted or reproduced, giving ths iron con tent, etc., of the lungs obtained from 131 workers in various dusty trades, and couponing the figures with those obtained for silica* 03H82S2 P HWBB-000762? Industrial Hygiene Digest - 9 422 The Possible Toxicity of Lead Alloys, I. Experiments on the Rat with Solder* G.R. Cowell and K. Salomon. J. Ind. Hyg. & Tox., 25, 81-89 (March. 19431. The investigation reported was concerned with the effects of metallic lead and its alloys on animals, on which very little is known. Young rats received 300 parts of lead per million of diet in the fom of solder pellets containing .1 55.57# of lead. They proved to be quite similar to the control grpup fed an identical diet but no lead, with respect to growth, concentration of blood hemo globin and the appearance of stippled cells, and amount of lead stored in their bodies. Rats fed an identical amount of lead in the form of lead acetate ex hibited all the usual signs of lead poisoning, and their carcasses contained large -mounts of lead. It is therefore concluded that ingested solder of the composition used is non-toxic for the young rat. 423 The Possible Toxicity of Lead Alloys. II. Experiments on the Dog with Solder. K. Salomon and G.R. Cowgill. J, Ind. Hyg. 4: Tox., 25, 91-97 (March, 1943). Solder in pellet fom had been found non-toxic to rats, (see preceding abstract)* but since rodents oro known to be relatively resistent to lead it was desirable to wrk with animals whose sensitivity to lead is more nearly comparable to tbat of man. Accordingly puppies were used in this study. They ware fed an artifi cial diet with a low calcium content, favoring the absorption of lead. One group of puppies was housed in stainless steel cages and the intake of tbe dietswes equalized. The animals were compared with respect to gains in body weigm, con centrations of hemoglobin and lead in the blood, ntasber of stippled cellmad polychromatic staining erythrocytes, and amount of lead present i& thesapCrt body as well as in a representative bone. On the basis of tbs 4tn tbs authors conclude that the lead present in the fom of solder Is ogty'SSSetely absorbed by the puppy, although to a greater extent than in rate. Beatpia of lead poisoning could be elicited in the animals receiving such pellets* 424 Lead Poisoning in Scrap Recovery Plants. 111. Lab. Bull., 3. 8-t (Daemfrar 51, 1942). Mishandling of lead scrap in recovery plants has caused a ntafesr of lemt'peieo^ ing cases. Causes are carelessness, lack of local exhaust, and poor bwwfctip. ing. Air analysis often show concentrations ranging from 8*h to TSO ago. par 10 cu. m. With adequate control these concentrations are brought wltbis safe limits. The ineffectiveness of respirators and biological preventive measure# is emphasized. 425 Danger of Lead Poisoning Through the Addition of Lead Tetraethyl to Motor Tual. K. Wanick. Arch. f. Gewerbepath. u. Gewerbebyg., ll.~16Blfl> (Powher SI. 1941). (Gezman). The purpose of the article is to differentiate betweom lead poisoning due to tetraethyl and classical lead poisoning, though the author adaite tbat tbe toxic action of tetraethyl is a function of its lead content. Hemrologleel symptoms, due to the fat-soluble effect of tetraethyl on central nervous tissue may be accompanied and even obscured by the more usual symptoms of lead poisoning in workers exposed to the carbonized residue of lead tetraethyl, which baa lost ita fat solvent capacity. The case is described of a worker exposed mat only ho tetraethyl lead added to benzine but also to the carbonized residua. Symptoms, called subjective, and including headache, weakness, loss of sleep, ete were regarded as evidence of chronic tetraethyl lead poisoning; others, sued as a blue line on the guns, punctate basophilia, coproporpfayrinurla, and colic as evidence of true lead poisoning caused by Inhalation of tbe lead containing dust of the carbonized residue. 03118263 P t / 0 <C - Industrie! Hygiene Digest - 10 c'sC 426 Danger of Lead Benzine. H. Kraut end G. Lehmann. Arch, f.Gewerbepath. u. Gewerbehyg., 11, 256-295 (December 31, 1941). (German). SB A series of onlmffl experiments was undertaken in order to estimate bow far and undor what conditions danger to health is to be apprehended from the use of bco zine containing lead tetraethyl. Previous investigation by Kehoe have shown tt 1 cc. of pure lead tetraethyl applied to the shaven skin of a rabbit is lethal. In the present investigation, dilute solutions in gasoline were applied to the skin of rabbits and guinea pigs. Somo loss in body weight was obtained with rabbits as the subjects; the results with guinea pigs were inconclusive. In all experiments, in which the animals inhaled load tetraethyl vapor and exhaust gases, the results were completely negative, in spontaneous death rate, blood picture, nervous reactions and muscle chronaxia. Chemical analysis of the ashed animals showed a measurable accumulation only with the application to the skin of the 1% solution and no sign of true lead poisoning* The author concludes that there is in man no danger of lead poisoning to be apprehended from exposure to exhaust gases; that the danger to persons employed in normal garagee and tank factories is inconsiderable (the cleaning of tanks is not dealt with); that it is doubtful if any practical danger to health from lowered resistance is like ly with the relatively low concentrations actually in use. 427 Health Aspect of the Magnesium Industry. H.H. Gay. Iron Age, (Decsaber *1942). This article records the experience of the Dow Chemical Company In carlnsfor men engaged in handling magnesium and magneaiiai alloys and gives a revieiof the world literature that Is readily available. In many processes tin bendl&g of magnesium and its alloys is no more dangerous than other Potential health hazards, peculiar to magnesium are show to hast afetfHP&cal significance. As a foreign body, magneslw is no mors harmful tta bodies of other materials, unless bacterial contamination, das to tbs ass of cutting oils, is present. The inflammable nature of magnesium is mill kmmm and the circumstances are so well understood and managed that burae are no more frequent than in iron and steel plants. Tbs presence of sulfur dioxide in some " of the operations, and of magnesium dust, are potential hazards, bud these mater ials and conditions are familiar to industry and under proper control cam be circumvented. (Copies of report are available upon request from tbs Cow Chem ical Company.) 428 The Effects of Ascorbic Acid in Relation to Lead Absorption* Brans, W.D. Norwood, R.A. Kehoe and W. Machle. J.A.M.I77~l21. ~s6i-Sb4(Fsbnry 13, 1943). Ascorbic acid nutrition in workers in a large plant was fowd to be poor in gen eral, but mostly so in lead workers. Careful study of a large group of load workers to whoso diet 100 mg. of ascorbic was added daily revealed no effect on the lead concentration in the blood, elimination in feces or urine, physical con dition of the men, number and severity of complaints, numbers of erythrocytes or stippled erythrocytes, or in the hemoglobin. Therefore no raaasn has been found for recommending the use of ascorbic acid to counteract the affects of lead absorption. 429 Action of Finely Divided Magnesian upon the Lungs. L.U. Gardner sad A*B. Dclehaat. Am. J Pub. Health, 33, 153-156 (February, 1943)* (A report on this investigation was presanted by Dr* Gardner at the Foundation's Seventh Annual Meeting and is printed in the Proceedings of that meeting.) In a series of experiments on cats and guinea pigs, it was shorn that finely divided metallic magnesium did not have any serious effect upon the lungs. It was also shown that "gaseous tumor" formation was absent primarily because the lungs freely communicate with external air. It is stated that if manufacturing processes did permit inhalation of appreciable amounts of magnsslv, it is high ly improbable that serious Injury to the lungs muld ensue. 03HS2S4 Industrial hygiene Digest - 11 v CN 430 Possible Chronic Intoxication by Manganese* M. Hoffman and S. Donoso. Revistafe Mediea de Chile. 70. 708"(September. 1942) (Spanish). a The authors report a case which appeared to be one of manganese poisoning and state that the incidence of manganese poisoning is now comparatively high among mine workers, since activity has greatly increased on account of the war. In a* one mine 15 out of a total of 200 working without masks in an atmosphere densely* charged with manganese dust, had become completely incapacitated. In other mines no cases of poisoning wore apparent. Nearly all the miners with manganese poisoning presented the typical disturbances in their walk. Next in importance are the psychic symptoms in the form of attacks of excitation, depression, un motivated laughter and oven true d<aaentod states. In the particular case des cribed, the extent of exposure to manganese was uncertain, and microscopic study of the brain suggested either a type of noninflammatory vascular cerebral syph ilis or chronic intoxication by lead or manganose, which are very similar in their effect c: microscopic brain structure. 431 Handwriting Test *3 a Relection of Industrial Mercury Poisoning. E. Holstein. Deut. Med. Woch., 66. 170-172 (February 13~, 1942) (German). Apart from, or in the absence of, oral manifestations, mercury poisoning may show itself as "erethism,n characterised by psychic disturbances such as excit ability, failure of concentration, defects of intelligence, etc., sometimes accompanied by intention tremor of the fingers, hands, arms, and finally of the whole body. A handwriting test is a useful means of arousing this intstloa tremor and therefore of indicating the existence and severity of mercury loisoil ing. Examples of the written signatures of workers in the hair-felt-bat Indus try, where the macerating fluid consisted of a solution of aerousy jdn nitric acid, show varying grades of illegibility, up to lndeelphe?3iAjfclflpibhle, or in one severe case, merely a blot. The same variability is sometimes found in successive tests within a short time in the same individual. An early sign of disturbance when true intention tremor is not perceptible, la the emission of a letter at the beginning or end of the signature, or the substitution of a letter, siroilor in sound, for the correct one, e.g., in the signature *Cbarlotte ' Schwaeger" both names were commenced with the letter "S". The defeats revealed by the handwriting test are related to disturbances of the eemtral nervous sys tem caused by chronic mercury poisoning, cither existent or latest, 432 The Inactivation of Phosphorus on the Skin. M.W. Goldblatt and 6.H. Oakeshott. Brit. Med. J. No.4282, 128-129 (January 30, 1943). The phosphorus-inactivating properties of 1# aqueous copper sulphate, the copper sulphate-glycerol-starch composition of Codding and Nottos, and a new composi tion containing copper in an oil-soluble form made from copper oleate, Turkeyred oil (sulphonated castor oil), Trichloroethylene, and surgical spirit have been compared. The last is shown to be the most effective way of inactivating phosphorus, especially when associated with oil, solvents, or rubber. A proce dure is suggested for dealing with cases contaminated with materiel from self- igniting bombs containing phosphorus, oil, solvents, and rubber* H*B*i Zt must be pointed out that the trea-taent proposed is for phosphorus on ths akin* The high content of trichlorethylene precludes use of the composition for sueh in ternal Injuries as were recently described by Blaxland (1942), in which element al phosphorus was diffusely implanted in the tissues. -- Authors* nonary. 433 Silicosis in Potters in the Silesian Glass Industry* H. Schrsoa. Arciuf. Gewerbepath. u. Gewerbehyg.. 10. 460-472 (April 16. 1941). (German). The author gives the results of radiological examinations in 95 worker* with exposures to dust varying from under 3 up to 14 years. Of these, 35 showed no changes due to dust, 23 of them having occupation histories of less than three years. In 14 early silicotic changes were rated, in 8 silicosis of radiological stage I was found, la 9 stage I-II, in 15 stage H, in 8 stage II-XI2, and $ stage III. 03118265 w HMBB-0007625 Industrial Ifygiene Digest - 12 434 Investigation of the Lung Function la Silicotics. The Lung During and After Moderate Muscular Exercise* E. Roelsen and P. Eskeldsen. Acta med. Scandinav 109* 3 7?" (1941). The article reports results of exercise tests with a bicycle-ergometer, on 12 patients with silicosis, 9 with emphysema and 14 healthy persons. The amounts of exercise was 400 kga. per nin. for 10 minutes. All participants reached the steady state after about 5 minutes of exercise. During this state the patients with first and second degree silicosis showed a small average increase in venti lation and respiratory rate as compared with the normals. Two patients with third degree silicosis showed no marked increase of ventilation. The oxygen debt was higher in first and second degreo silicotics than in normals, still higher in third degree silicotics, and highest in the emphysema patients. The ventilation in the recovery period was highest in the aaphysesaa patients, lower in the silicotics and lowost in the normals. 435 Pneumoconiosis in the Production and Manipulation of Porphyry and Tufaceous Porphyry. V/. Hortsch. Arch.f.Gov/erbopath. u. Gowerbepath., 11, 160-164 {December 31, 1941). (Gorman). This is an account of pneumoconiosis caused by the mining of "porphyry" and "tuficeous porphyry" in the quqrries of the Rocklitz mountains in Northern Sax ony. Clinical and radiographical examination of 190 of the workers confirmed the probability that the nineralogical nature of the stone might cause silicosis; 167 were found to be affected, 99 of these boing stone breakers and 68 woMclag chiefly as masons, and all heavily exposed to stone dust especially in cab, dry weather. X-ray examination revealed five cases with fully developed sllfcfcosls, 22 in the initial stages. Striking features were the long periods of exposure-- free 11 to 45 years in the five definite cases--and the relative absence'of symp toms, occasional cough being the only complaint. Hadlography in a typical ease showed numerous sharply defined shadows up to the size of a pea, with calcified deposits above the right hilus; the apices were unaffected. "Porphyry" and "tufaceous prophyry" are purely mineralogical terns; the Rocklitz stone Is of the quartz variety, and has a high content of silicic add, which is regarded as the cause of the silicosis. 436 Silicosis of Intrathoracic Lymph Nodes as Compensable Occupational Disease. J. Hagen. Arch.f.Gewerbepath., 10 , 502 (April 16, 1942). (6eman). According to the author, reports on silicosis as well as the legal regulations regarding compensation for occupational disease are concerned chiefly with sill* cotic changes in the lung tissue. He describes several cases of ccnplioating severe silicosis of the intrathoracic lymph nodes with a fatal outocne. Ons patient, a man aged 63, had comparatively light silicotic changes in the lungs, but had also a severe silicosis of the lymph nodes at the bifurcation, which by severe cicatrical shrinkage led to the foxmation of traction diverticula in the esophagus. The puncture of one of these led to pulmonary abscess foxmation and generally suppurative bronchitis. The fatal outcome of the pulmonary abscesses must be regarded as the result of silicosis. Several additional cases are doe* cribed and evaluated, leading to the conclusion that when silicosis of tbs l^pb nodes bocomes the point of origin of a severe disorder, it must be regarded as a compensable disorder, just as is severe silicosis of the pulmonary tissue* 437 Study of Industrial Workers Exposed to Sulfur Dust. S.S. Pinto, R.A. febun and 3,H. Carlton. J.Ind.Hyg. & Tox., 25, 149-151 (April, 1943). . A study was made of the employees at a sulfur mine. Among the mxkers exposed to appreciable amounts of sulfur dust for a period of 7 years, no lung lesions were found on x-ray examination which could be attributed to tbs inhalation of sulfur dust -- Authors' summary. 03118266 9 Industrial Hygiene Digest - 13 CN 438 Dangers Arising from Dust and Gas from Iron Alloys. K.W. Joetten. Arch.f.SygS u.Bakt.7 127, 315-321 (1942). (German). g Iron briquettes have been manufactured in Germany for some time and production ^ is on a aaall but increasing scale in this country. Therefore this account of ao German conditions may be of interest. Iron alloys used for making iron g briquettes contain iron silicate {25~27?o of silica}, iron manganese-silicate (40$ iron, 30$ silica and 30$ manganese), not more than 0.1$ phosphorus, and an unknown percentage of arson!c. The material is roughly broken up by hand and shovelled into a grinder. At this stage it is sprinkled with water from a hose, to prevent dust formation, which is not groat, but varies according to the mater ial used, as also does the odor of calcium carbide and garlic (arsenic). Both dust and odor have been more noticeable in recent deliveries of matorial, and slight explosions have occurred. Although no special disturbances of health have occurred over a period of years, many workers have recently complained of gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms, especially after -explosions and dur ing work with ferro-manganese alloys which give off a smell of garlic. A review of the literature on ferro-silicate and ferro-manganese silicate alloys shows that toxic effects may arise from impurities in the form of phosphorus and arsen ic (phosphine and arsine) as well as manganese poisoning (lung inflammation end Parkinsonism). The following data are presented on phosphine and arsine: Phosphine: toxic concentrations -- rapidly lethal, 2.6 mg. perl.; danasrous to life in -1 hour, 0.56-0.84 mg. per 1.; innocuous after -1 hour, 0.l40.26 mg. per 1.; limit of perceptibility 0.002-0.004 mg. per 1. Acute toxic affects: coldness, epigastric pain, stupor and giddiness, tinnitus, anxiety, dyspfeem, dry cough, loss of appetite, thirst, twitching, dilated pupils, death aft*? a few days; chronic effects: anemia, bronchitis, digestive djaturHlSSi|b darts! necrosis, disturbances of sight, speech and hearing. ' Arsine, toxic concentration -- 0.03$ hy-volume. Acute toxic effects* headache, coldness, epigastric pain, anxiety. Jaundice, hemoglobinuria M& hema turia, retention of urine, convulsions, cyanosis; chronic effects: headache, loss of appetite, tenderness over the liver, restlessness, insomnia, ammUs, The author determined air concentrations in the main workshop and near tbs grinder and mado clinical examinations of 13 workers. The manganese comoantra tion was much below the danger limit. The characteristic symptoms of phssphlnn and arsine poisoning, especially hematuria and anemia, were not present la any of the workers; in 11 the hemoglobin was 80$; in 27, 70-79$. Some gastfO-lntee- tinal and respiratory symptoms were reported. Possibly they ware due to the combined action of phosphine and arsine, especially after explosions, wlmm tbs air concentrations may have been greater than those actually estimated. Preven tive measures recommended include more frequent changes of personnel, merit cal supervision, "special nutrition" (these workers should be classed as "heavy work ers"), alteration in position of the grinder (its mouth should sot be too high above the ground), deposition of the material in a dry place (the present prac tice of sprinkling with water may do more ham than good by encouraging the evo lution of gases. Pick and Konrad's recommendation that 40-60$ ferro-silicate alloy should not be used is regarded as of doubtful value, since Eoelssil has stated that a silica content of over 7S$ stabilizes the compound and dssraasas the foimation of toxic gases. 439 The Absorption and Excretion of Fluoride. II. The Metabolism at Sigh Levels of Intake, W. Machle and E.J. Largent. J.Ind. Hyg. & Tox., 25, 112-123' (March/ 194357 The magnitude and characteristics of the normal fluoride intake and output of a human experimental subject have been described in an earlier paper (Abstract No. 994, Octobor, 1942). The investigation was now extended to abnormal levels of intake, in order to determine the threshold at which storage begins, to 03U8267 ,*-vCN <c = Industrie! Hygiene Digest - 14 establish the relationship between absorption and storage, and to throw further light on the apparent close relationship between the absorption and the urinary excretion of fluoride. At noratal levels of flveride intake, the urinary plus the fecal output was found to equal the intake, but with higher intake levels the absorption and urinary/S5$li8$oase, both varying directly with the amount absorbed and therefore with each other. Within limits, then, urinary fluoride excretion may be used as a measure of fluoride storage. The absorption of fluorine is dependent upon the aqueous solubility of the fluoride salt and its state at the time of ingestion. Inhaled fluorides are effectively absorbed. 440 Pulmonary Irritants. P..A. Kohoo. Bull. N.Y. Acad, of Med., 19, 340-355 (May, 1943). By means of correlation and comparison of the physical, chaaical and physiologi cal properties of the pulmonary irritants, many practical points of importance are apparent. Two tables of data are presented showing the relationship between toxicity and volatility, and botwoen irritation and toxicity. The general ef fects of exposure to pulmonary irritants are also described with an excellent section on pulmonary edema. The section on treatment accentuates the need for complete immobilization* Oxygon administration is advised but venesection is questioned except during the high venous prossure stage of blue cyanosis. The prevention of infection which may follow pulmonary Injury Is discussed briefly. 441 /mr.onia Gas Poisoning. M. Caplin. Lancet. 241. 95-96 (1941). \ 47 cases of ammonia poisoning occurred following bomb damage to a condenser* Mild cases showed acute pharyngitis and tracheitis; moderate cases, acute* bre^. chitis, and severe cases, pulmonary edema. 3 of 27 moderate case#, a#d Tfll severe cases, died. Respirators were effective against amno&la. 442 Homonymous Hemianopsia in Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. J. Francois. Ophthalmolo gies, 103. T43-149(March.~1942). Carbon monoxide poisoning may produce optic neuritis sometimes ending in optic atrophy, retinal oedema, and occasionally, in injury to tbs optie tracts and occipital cortex. Lesions of the optic tracts are apparently due to asplpzl* of vasomotor origin. Two cases of homonymous tosaianopsia and one of binesal hemianopsia are given in the literature, and the author adds a third cass of homonymous hemianopsia. In the last case, the recovery of the left field defect -and the persistence of tho right field defect were of special interest. 443 Blood-Carbon Monoxide and Anoxemia. L. Binet, M.V. Strumza and P. Hicollt. Compt. rend. Soc. Biol., 133. 632-634 (1940). The carbon monoxide content of the blood may be doubled whtt the chloralosed dog is subjected to lowered oxygen tension. The increase parallels the increase in blood-Mcioglobin. Both hemoglobin and carbon monoxide are mined by adrenaline injection. The increase, in carbon monoxide may be inhibited by ligature of the splenic blood vessels. 444 Factors Producing Carbon Monoxide from Camp Stoves. P.F. Soholander and others. I. Ind. Hyg. &Tox., 25, 132-136 (March, 1943TT Experiments were conducted to find out what circumstances promote monoxide out put from camp stoves, including the Primus kerosene and Coleman gasoline stoves. Only a small amount of monoxide was found in tho combustion fwes when the fine burned freely in fresh air whether tho flame was normal or distorted. A coldplate in contact with the flame greatly increases tho output of monoxide, espe cially when the flame is distorted. Cooking In a tent made of impervious mater ial or coated with ice caused serious poisoning, and occasional ventilation or two open vents did not protect against poisoning. However, heating and cooking in a porous tent gave only an insignificant amount of monoxide In the blood. 03118268 tfVBB-OMO/6?/ T / /TS\ e <: ^ Industrial Hygiene Digest - 15 445 Hydrocyanic Acid Poisoning by Absorption Through the Skin. B.M. Hes3. oo CN rcvs MuencrfS Med. Woch., 89, 492-495 {May 29f 1942)7 (German). While inhalation of hydrocyanic gas is the commonest cause of cyanide poisonin in man, absorption through the skin frequently occurs. In either case the essiL- tial factor in the rapid toxic effect of small cmounts of hydrocyanic acid is paredysis of cellular respiration. A concentration of 1-2$, even v;hen a gas mask is worn, has caused severe symptoms, including sensation of heat, flushing, palpitation, rapid pulse, followed by headache, vomiting and lassitude. High room temperature and sweating incrcaso the absorptive capacity of the skin. Pre ventive measures include good ventilation, suitable clothing, and special gas masks for workers in processes where formation of hydrocyanic acid or cyanides is possible. Treatment of acute symptoms consists of removal to fresh air; thorough and careful washing of directly contaminated areas of skin; use of cardiac stimulants; artificial respiration; intravenous injection of methylene blue (10-40 cc. of a 1$ solution), or of sodium thiosulphate (up to 70 ce. of a 50$ solution for an adult); inhalation of carbon dioxide may also stimulate the respiratory center. Two cases are quoted. A child of 14 months suffering from severe pyodeimia of the scalp received by mistake an application of a 10$ potas sium cyanide solution. Severe symptoms followed within five minutes, but correct treatment led to recovery after two hours. In the case of a man who received burns of the head and shoulders while working with sodim cyanide, deathf-ocour- red within tv/o hours in spite of appropriate treatment in hospital. Postmortem findings indicated that the symptoms were duo to rapid absorptiom of cyasi&e through the injured skin. 446 Nitrogen Oxide Poisoning. N. Ahlberg and K. Dahlberg. Acta med. Soeadinav., 109. 471(1942) T (Swedish). Clinical picture and pathological-anatomical findings in poisoning with vapor containing various nitrogen oxides (NO, NC>2 NgOj, are similar to phosgene poisoning. Two cases are described. In the first cass ths poisoning occurred in a nan during welding with acetylene In a badly ventilated room. Symptoms and signs were those of a bronchitis. On x-ray examination extensive bronebopneumonic foci were seen in both lungs. The electrocardiogram revealed an insufficiency of the right coronary artery. A polycythaaaia of short dura tion was observed. All the symptoms and signs had disappeared after seven days* In the other case the patient suffered from poisoning due to inhalation of a reddish-yellow gas which had been formed after a transformer had boon struck tor a bolt of lightning. Symptoms and signs were similar to those fo\nd In ths first patient; however, x-ray examination revealed lung infiltrations which wore simi lar to miliary tuberculosis. The patient recovered completely after one and a half months. It is assumed that in both cases a toxic pulmonary oedema was pre sent, caused by the inhalation of various nitrogen oxides. The patients ware reexamined after one and a half years and one and a quarter years, respectively and were found healthy. 447 Relation of Sulfur Dioxide to Ppmage from Flue Gases. C. Looser. Chsm-Ztg. 66, 357-340 (1942); Bull. Inst. Paper Chem. 13, 16B. The author discusses the toxicity of sulfur dioxide to plants, animals and men. He states that 1 part in 500,000 is harmful to roses, but that hfion beings feel discomfort only at 6 tines thet concentration, while 1 part in 500 of air pre vents breathing and leads to death* The amounts of sulfur dioxide resulting fron burning different types of coal are tabulated, and methods for rendering the gas harmless are discussed. 03118269 sr- Industrial Hygiene Digest - 16 9s sO 448 Sulfur Dioxide Chemical Pneumonia; Report of a Case with Recovery Following Acg. dental Explosion of a Refrigerator Unit. H.L. Goldburgh and B.A, Gouley. ArmjS Int. Med,, 18, 237-242 "(February, 1943), ^ Concentrated sulfur dioxide inhalation may lead to acute inflammation of the r- piratory tract, culminating in "chemical" pneuaonia. After such exposure, a b3 aged^S, previously well, quickly showed signs of bronchopulmonary involvement. Cyanosis/dyspnea were notable featuros. Sulfathiazole therapy contributed to the recovery, but its use, limited to the acute phase of the illness, did not prevent the later development of bronchiectasis. -- Author's summary. 449 The Effect of War Oases and Other Chemicals on the Eyes of the Civilian Popula tion.C. Borens and E. HartmamI Bull. N.Y. Acad, of Med., 19, 356-367 (May, 1943). Although vesicant, lung irritating, sternutatory and lacrimatory gases are ex pected to cause casualties, physicians must bo prepared for new unknown gases. For example, arsenated hydrogen, a hemolytic gas, was considered a possiblity in the fall of 1939. Physicians arc urged to ramember that applying no local eyo treatment will usually do less harm than using medication which may damage the eyes or solutions or instruments that aro not sterile, as secondary infection is the principal danger from the external application of the war gases. The imme diate treatment of all gas and chemical injuries of the eyes is to flush the conjunctival culs-de-sac with water or a sterile solution of salt (1.4 pgr cent). If acid is known to have caused the burn, sodium bicarbonate (2 per centjnlution) should be used. If an alkali, the conjunctival culs-de-sac would me flushed with boric acid (2 per cent solution). The immediate lastillation of light liquid petrolatum is useful end contraindicated only in mustard buns* Severe pain may be controlled by instilling pontocaine (0,5 per oeat Solution) or butyn (1 per cent solution) once or twico but it is preferable to oontrol pain with internal medication (morphine, allonal, etc.) as moat local anesthetics have a deleterious effect on the corneal epithelium Secondary infection should be combattod with mild silver protein or sulfadiazine solution or olataent (3.5 per cent). Iritis should be suspected in all severe burns and treated with atropine solution or ointment unless secondary glaucoma develops. Roar* of the cornea and the secondary corneal scarring also symblopharon may require surgical treatment. 450 Industrial Carbon Disulfide Poisoning. F. Wamecke. Arch.f Gewerbepath. tu Gewcrbehyg., 11,, 198-248 (December 31, 1941). (German). The article is an extensive review of the literature on carbon disulfide poison ing with an account of the discovery of the gas, its production, chomloal pro perties, mechanism of toxic action, and a resume of the author's investigation of 80 cases seen during recont years. The nervous system is chiefly affected, owing to the lipoid solvent action of carbon disulfide on central end peripheral nervous tissue. In high concentrations (6.4-10 mg&. per 1.) narcosis results. In chronic poisoning (0.15 mgn. per 1) the continued small dosage onuses var ious symptoms, the most characteristic of which are related to psychotic distur bance, peripheral nerve Injuries and gastrointestinal changes. In America, 0,03 na. per' 1. is the maximum permissible concentration in a workroom. In the 80 cases studied, only 6 wero acute. In 21 cases the symptoms were predominantly psychotic; in 13 cases, they were related to central and peripheral nerve injury and in 35 to gastrointestinal disturbance. The nature and severity of these symptoms arc discussed. A description is given of the method and apparatus de vised by Frauenhofer for estimating the carbon disulfide content of the air. The roactlon depends on the formation of potassiua xanthogenate when air containing carbon disulfide Is passed through a 10$ alcoholic solution of caustio potash. 03118270 P B-0007630 Industrial Hygiene Digest - 17 451 Vhat the Ventilating Engineer Should Snow About Carbon Tetrachloride* H. P. iuadland. Heat. &Vent., 40 , 38-39 (March, 1943). This article describes the physical properties and health hazards of carbon tetrachloride. Methods of determining the vapor concentrations in air are given General ventilation factors are discussed but no specific recommendations are * included. The.. Acute Toxicity of Vapors of Several Monoalkyl E5 thers of Ethylene Glycol. H.W. Werner, V/.F. vonOcttingen and others. J. IndT Hyg. & Tox., 25, 157-163 (April, 1943). Glycol ethers have important uses as solvents in industries, but information concerning their toxic action is incomplete and there is not sufficient data available to make possible comparisons of health hazards of these ethers to other commonly used solvents. Therefore, this study was undertaken at the sug gestion of the Committee on Industrial Medicine of the National Research Council. The present report covers the first part of the study, which is concerned with the effocts of single, moderately long exposures of mice to various vapor con centrations of the compounds. The materials investigated are the methyl, othyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl and n-butyl ethylene glycol ethers. Results are given i* the authors* summary and conclusions: 1. Single seven-hour exposures of ait*, te vapors of some of the ethylene glycol others occasionally produced lung, or liver changes. Similar exposures to any of the compounds frequently histologically demonstrable splenic changes. 2. The usual sign of toxic of all compounds was dyspnea. An additional common sign with near-lot) centrations of the n-propyl, iso-propyl, and butyl derivatives was globinurla. 3. Deaths resulting from exposures to vapors of the tottNmMB' studied commonly occurred between seven and thirty-two hours after starting ssjgture; however, in a significant number of instances deaths occurred toward the end of the exposure period or between the first day and the fourth week following expo sure. 4. Minimal lethal concentrations expressed as mg. per 1. indicate that the ethylene glycol ethers decrease in toxicity in the following order: Butyl, -methyl, n-propyl and ethyl, iso-propyl. 5. Hazard indexes indicate that, with conditions comparable to those in these experiments, the difficulty of control ling potential hazards of the derivatives studied should decrease in the follow ing order: Methyl, ethyl, iso-propyl, n-propyl, butyl. 453 Chronic Poisoning frem Methanol Inflation. K. Humperdinck. Arch.f.Gewwrbepath. u.Gewerbehyg., 10, 569-574 (June 11, 19417. (German). There have been few cases of methyl alcohol (methanol) poisoning from Inhalation or skin absorption in industry, because the concentrations used are generally low, and also because methanol is not highly volatile. An acute narcotie affect results from oral ingestion, the toxic doses being 5-10 Toxic effects on parenchymatous and nervous tissues are ascribed to the reduction of methanol $ when dissolved in the body fluids, to formic acid and formaldehyde. Symptoms may be headache, giddiness, stupor, slight oyanosis* etc., and especially dis turbances of vision, which may result in blindness. The atmospheric ooaoantra- tion corresponding to this oral toxic dose would be about 65 mgm. per liter, which is unlikely to be found in industry. The author describee a case of a worker poisoned by manipulating material soaked with methanol in a centrifuge. The material contained 30-40$ of methanol, but no complaints had been made over a period of 6 years until blackout measures were instituted. In this ease, s;nptoms were pleural irritation and serious failure of vision, particularly in the right eye. After 6 weeks removal from exposure the vision improved so that fine print could be read at a distance of 20 cm. The pleural irritation, which was considered duo to enlargement of the liver returned after 14 days return to work. The only other pathological signa were a decreased patellar reflex and 03U8271 y Industrial Hygiene Digest - 18 2 r. an increase in the average red cell diameter (7.8 mu). The concentrations of 2 methyl alcohol in different parts of the room under varying conditions showed ' levels of from 1.6 to 10.9 mga. per 1. Preliminary medical examinations indica ed that the marker was especially susceptible to eye injury; also, some absorp-* tion through the skin may have taken place. The author concludes that concern. * trations of 10 mgn. per 1. may produce chronic toxic effects, and that 1 mg.or at most 2 mgm. per 1. should not be exceeded. 454 Experimental Trinitrotoluene Poisoning: The Effect of Diet. H.P. Himsworth and L.E, Glynn. Clinical Science, 4, 421-447 (December 15, 1942). (1) The development of toxic manifestations in rats after administration of TNT is dependent upon the nature of the diet. Severe symptoms and marked path ological lesions develop in rats taking a high fat diet whilst in animals taking a high carbohydrate or a higi protein diet the ill effects are slight or absent. (2) Chronic TNT poisoning in rats shows the following features: (a) Loss of weight, (b) increased appetite, (c) Excretion of high concen trations of TNT derivatives in the urine, (d) Changes in the blood and associated tissues, the characteristics of which are a great decrease In hemoglobin, the appearance of normoblasts, reticulocytes and polychromatic erythrocytes Is the peripheral blood, an erythroblastic hyperplasia of the bone marrow and slderosis of the spleen, (c) Hepatic lesions which range from fatty Infiltration Xojm acute necrosis of the parenchymal cells, (f) Loss of h&lr. (3) Evidence is presented that the effect of the high fat diet la faclll&ting tho toxic action of TNT is due to the fat diet so influencing the animal*mmrte- holism as to impede Its ability to dispose of the BW within its tt#aei*J#V (4) The close resemblance between the effects of TNT in the rat TT lugs in human cases of TNT poisoning is demonstrated. -- Authors* MflSjjK 455 An Outbreak of Dermatitis from Airplane Engine Covers. L. Schsarts ami 8JI Peck. Pub. Health Repts., 58 , 625-631 (April 16, 1943). The authors summarize tho article as follows: 1. An outbreak of damatiti# sos ~ observed among workers manufacturing airplane engine covers mads fm a ^eelel pliofilm. 2. R.M.F., a chemical added to the pliofilm to prevent deterln#etlo& from light, was found to be the actual cause of the outbreak. 5. SJMWAg both, a primary irritant and a sensitizer. Recommendation is made that all aoKttt handling pliofilm containing the R.M.?. wear protective sleeves and aprons made of ordinary pliofilm, vinylite, koroseal or laminated cellophane* The head* may be protected by wearing finely knitted cotton or washable leather gloves, Par sons on the job of heat sealing can protect their faces frem f\mea by the use of & protective ointment of the invisible glove type. If denatitls pershM after the recommended precautions are observed, workerd should be rmwved 2301 farther exposure to the material. 456 Dermatitis from Cutting Oils. Queries & Minor Notes. J.A.H.A., W- (January 16, 1943). - ' Tho largo majority of cutting oil dermatitis occurs from the insoluble tU) which are sterile as far as pathogenic bacteria are concerned. In the vfll of water soluble cutting oils, the skin may be injured, by aetal silvers ooaMned therein, and tho cut infected from the bacteria in the water soluble oil or cm the soiled skin and clothing. Sedimentation and filtration are used In easy plants to remove the silvers. Heat sterilization or disinfectants may be ploy ed to kill the bacteria. The use of disinfectants prevents reinfection of the oil in the pipes and at the machines, but the disadvantage in their use is that they are skin irritants. 03118272 f Industrial Ifygiene Digest - 19 HHBlf-000/63? 457 Spontaneous Desensitization in Occupational Eczema and its Significance for Es timation. ?. Koch. Med. Klin., 37. 1100 (October 31, 1941).' (Gawmn). Followup examinations on patients with, occupational eczema who had been advised to change their occupations but had not done so revealed that the majority wer still subject to eczema but some had lost it in spite of further contact. An average of about 15% of the patients in various occupations were no longer sub ject to eczema. Regular weekly observations on 8 patients studied disclosed two different forms of development. One group of 5 patients experienced at every resumption of work, first a considerable exacerbation of the disorder, then a gradual regression of the manifestations, and finally a complete or almost com plete disappearance of the eczsaa. In the 3 other cases eczema occurred on the hands, at the original site, when work was resumed. Later, the lesions healed and recurred at other sites of the body, but in a form so mild that the working capacity was not impaired. The author thinks that the only possible explanation is a desonsitization, which presupposes specific allergic processes, though various other factors may play a part. Results of artificial desonsitization have been slight, but the method should not be abandoned. Further observations may disclose regularities which may become the basis for more favorable results. 458 Contact_Dematitis From Rubber Service Mask. I.A. Lewe. J.AJC.A., Clinical Notes, 121. 422 {February 6, 1943). The article is a case report of a white soldier aged 42 with rubber respimtor dermatitis. On admission the patient presented a bright red orythmaatovehicular cutaneous eruption confined to the area of his face in close contact withlthe gas mask. There was a coincidental chronic seborrheic dormatitis of the wbalp, axillas, and the crural regions. No other physical abnormalities were foead. After treatment the patient again wore the mask and this time presented awe severe symptoms, including oozing, crusting and pronounced edema. The eruption responded to treatment with compressing and application of bland antipruritic lotions and ointments. Patch tests showed that the dermatitis wae not due to the rubber Itself, but to chanicals used in the manufacturing process. 459 The Effect of Cleansing Materials on the ffuman Skin. 1. Healthy Skin. O.Schnorr, Arch.f.G-ewerbepath. u.Oewerbehyg., 10, 409-421. (December 30, 1940). lGerman). The effect of a nunber of liquid and solid soap cleansers used for cleansing the hands was tested by estimating: (1) the hydrogen ion concentration of the akin, (2) the evaporation of moisture, and (3) the swelling of the cutaneous tissues after repeated use. The conditions of use were strictly controlled* Methods used in making the estimations are described. Ton representative cleansers were examined and the results estimated as indicative of an injurious effect on the skin were an increase In the pH value of the skin, a decrease in the time of evaporation of moisture, and an increase of swelling, judged as a percentage difference from the initial value. The skin cleansers tested fell into three groups, according to the effects observed: (1) Those producing no final substan tial increase in the pH value of the skin, which wore regarded as suitable for regular use; (2) Those producing a final rise in pH value after an intermediate fall or state of equilibrium This group is regarded as suitable for all but sensitive skins; (5) Those producing on uninterrupted rise in pB value. This group, which included a pumice soap was considered suitable only for occasional cleansing cf very dirty skin. 460 Effect of Cleansing Material on the Human Skin. 2. In Skin Disease. M.Schnltzler. Arch.f.OewerbepathTu.Oewerbehyg.. 10. 422-436 (December 30. 1940). (German). Many industrial dermatoses, particularly of the bands, wrists, and forearms, resuit from direct contact with injurious materials, the injury being localized in the epithelium. However, the natural buffer-regulating capacity of the skin is 03118273 0 -0 Industrial Ifygiene Digest - 20 not effective in the presence of external alkaline agents* rc-ni Increased alkalinity of the skin is followed by swelling of the horn cells, with closing of the foil cles and inclusion of foreign particles and bacteria. The latter penetrate to the deeper tissues where the pH is nearer to neutral and favors optimal growth* 1 Cleanliness is a protection against industrial dermatosis if the cleansing m&tefe ial is of a suitable constitution and sufficient time is devoted to thorough * washing. The effects of cleansers on various forms of skin disorder (excluding cases of generalized eczema) were tested in the same manner and using the same methods as those used on healthy skin. In the second series the clinical pro gress of the lesion was estimated. The cleansing materials investigated were divided into three groups: (a) Soaps, solid or liquid, alkali-free, of acid re action, on the whole suitable for use in skin disorders; (b) Alkaline soaps v.ithout admixture of insoluble substances -- long continued use of this group increases the skin injury; (c) Alkaline soaps containing kaolin, pumice, sand, etc. These, especially those of coarse consistency, are unsuitable for any foim of skin injury. 461 The Phenomenon of "Black Deraographism." E. Urbach and DJI. Pillsbury.. J.A.M.A., 121, 485-490 (February 13, 1943). Black dermographism connotes the fact that under certain conditions a black Him will appear at a skin site stroked with certain metals. Black dexmographiflft not infrequently occurs in women wearing silver or cheap gold jewelry on powdered skin areas. Black dexmographism is a physical phenomenon. The earlier that it is of some biologic or diagnostic significance is erroneous* St speaking, the term "black dermographism" is a misnomer, since the react! be evokod not only on the skin but also on coarse paper, cloth and wood* Authors' summary. ' 462 Epidemic Kerato-Conjunctivitis ("Shipyard Conjunctivitis"). M* Sanders* Arch* of Qphth.. 28 . 581-586 (October, 19421. This is a preliminary report on investigations Into the etiology of epidemic kcrato conjunctivitis,/spread throughout the Pacific coast area and has reached ... the cast coast. The cause of the disease is unknown although evidence points to a nonbacterial agent, a virus* Swiss mice were injected Intraperltoneelly and intracerebrally with conjunctival scrapings from patients with the eoa^awtlvltls. This was followed by mild symptoms from which the mice recovered. Brain amisi on from the second mouse-passage was incubated in tissue culture of SHfezyonie mouse-brain. This producod a strain which was lethal to nice and gave rite to a pathologic picture which though not unique did not resoable that In other qco* mon virus infections* Conjunctival Instillation of the mouse virus in a haann volunteer producod in four days a mild conjunctivitis* Whan this was repeated in the same eye typical korato-conjunctivltis developed. The sens of the patient from whom the original material was obtained had a neutralizing effect on the mouse virus* A second isolation of virus has been effected, but the identity of this virus with the first has not been fully established* This is a preliminary report and further work will be done on the isolated strains of virus* 463 Epidemic Korato-Conjunctivitls. M. Sanders and others* J'.AsK.A*, 1H> 880- 255 (January 23, 1943). The authors present an extonsive report on epidaalc korato-conjunctivltis, with clinical and epidemiologic data on 80 cases, including classification of symptoms, proof of method of transmission, dasonstratlon of antibodies, end recosnendations for prevention of the spread of the disease. 03118274 464 Epidemic Kerato-Conjunctivitis: "Shipyard Eye." C. Kuh. Calif, fc West* Med*, 58. 18-19. (January* 1943V. The symptoms and characteristics of epidemic kerato-conjunctivitis are listed, and include a sudden onset, itching, irritation, blurred vision, pain, and w $z.. .1 ~~r^ /,/ Industrial hygiene Digest - 21 KUBB-0007634 varying degrees of inflammation and hyperemia of the bulbar and palpebral con junctiva. Precautionary measures for plant physicians, nurses, and executives to prevent the spread of the disease are also listed. Therapy, including iced compresses and 5% sulfathiazole ophthalmic ointment does not influence the course of tho disease, but gives symptomatic relief. It is believed that the incubation period is from 5 to 12 days, and the close contact and direct trans fer are necessary. 465 Industrial Eye Affections. P.A. Jaensch. Med.Klin., 37, 1244-1247 (Decanter 12, 1941). (German). This is an elementary survey of industrial eye affections, containing references to some types that are not widely known. Mention is made of hydrogen sulphide ophthalmia seen amongst workers in artificial silk, the symptoms being similar to those of electric ophthalmia; and of the ocular changes seen in workers with aniline dyes. Aniline dyes may induce lesions ranging from discoloration of the conjunctiva -- best treated by touching the affected area with 60 per cent alco hol -- to symblepharon and iridocyclitis* Benzine may lead to central scotomata and the trichlorethylone preparations ~ used extensively for removal of fatty substances -- to trigeminal nerve lesions. Benzol, xylol and toluol aro blood poisons and lead to retinal hemorrhage, retrobulbar neuritis and severe corneal damage. 466 Treatment of Young White Mice Infected with Leptospira Icterohaeaorrhaglas with Immune Serin. C.L. Larson. U.S. Pub. Health Rents.. 58. 10-15 (January 1.1943) Serum from patients convalescent from Weil's disease and lamune rabbit s^um end plasma prevent the death of young white mice infected with L.icterohaamorvhagiae. The effect of these materials is marked if administered on or tefbre the fourth day after infection* 467 Survey of Compounds Which Have Been Tested for Carcinogenic Activity. J.L. Hartwell. Nat'l Cancer Institute, U.S. Pub. Health Service, 371 pp* (1941). This bulletin represents a survey of the field of chemical carcinogenesis in the higher animals: the action of carcinogens on isolated tissues, tissue .cultures, ~~ plants, protozoa, and bacteria is not considered. The literature is covered to 1939, and the compilation also includes experiments with 153 compound# from the unpublished work of Dr. M.J. Shear and Dr* H.L. Stewart of the National Cancer Institute. The results of the testing of 61 of these compounds are newly report ed, while 45 arc new to the whole cancer literature. Altogether the work com prises data referring to 696 chemical substances: of these, 169 are reported to be carcinogenic, apart from 23 observed as causing papillomas only. After an introductory discussion, the bulletin takes the font of a tabular review which classifies the substances, and gives data on method of administration, type of animals, etc. The author draws attention to the incompleteness of the data for many of the compounds listed, and urges the more systematic Investigation of compounds already studied in a preliminary fashion, and for the filling of large gaps among substances which it would seem desirable to test. Tbs review is com pleted by a bibliography (over 1200 references), and separate indexes to compound? routes of application, vehicles, animal species, and tuaor-sltes. 468 Industrial Toxins and War Production. H.N. Holmes. Science, 96, 3B4 (1942). The author contributes evidence from Germany, Britain, and the United States indicating that toluene, benzene, and IHT itself destroy vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in the bodies of workmen exposed to vapors or to skin contact. Some organ* izations give such workmen 100 mgn. of vitamin C daily to replace what is lost, and the results have been encouraging in maintaining health and vigor. 03118275 w Industrial Hygiene Digest - 22 r-5 469 Fatal Accident from Welding In a Closed Cooker. P. Felsch. Z. Spiritusiai. 63, 253 (1940)TI German). The welding of a copper pipe to a sheet-copper cooker (2 m. x 4 m.) resulted the death from pulmonary edema of the workman, who had spent some 40 minutes 1 (with a break occasioned by a fit of coughing) inside the cooker; the edema boa ing due apparently to nitrous poisoning. Precautions are discussed. jg 4?0 Metal Weldors* Disease in a Crane-Driver* H. Waniek. Arch.f.Gewerbepath.u. Gcwcrbehyg., 11, 179-184 (December 31, 1941). (German). The author has previously described "metal welders' disease" as a chronic dis turbance of thyroid and liver function. He here reports a case of this condi tion in a crane driver, exposed to the fumes and gases arising from the welding process in a workshop where he had been operating the crane for several months. Symptoms attributed to thyroid dysfunction, included nervous irritability, exces sive sweating, los3 of weight, falling of the hair, rapid pulse, fine troaor of the fingers; liver disturbance was shown by loss of appetite, nausea and sick ness, occasional diarrhea. Bauer's galactose test gave evidence of disturbed liver function. 471 Are Welders Subject to Depletion of Visual Purple While at Work? H.S. Kuhn, and E.C. Wille, Jr. Am. J. Ophth., 26. 63-6sT1 January. 1943) Sixty-one welders were given the Bio-photomoter test for speed of dark adapta tion before and after a day's work. Thirty-nine were on the day shift, on the night shift. Half the welders (31) each received 10,000 units of VHsmia A before starting work and again in the middle of the shift* The other wmdert received a placebo at the same time. There is no evidence of a gessrel lack of dark adaptability among welders and no evidence of any decrement in tfcl# func tion during an eight-hour shift. belders who received vitamin A shows! no greet er gain in dark adaptation than those who did not receive it. This ahowld not be interpreted to mean that cases of vitamin A deficiency would sot respond to such treatment, nor that these welders would not respond with longer treatment or under different conditions. Individual differences in age* domicile, type ofwelding, goggles, end food showed no relation to differences in gain or less of speed of dark adaptation during an eight-hour shift* Welders on the night shift showed a significant average gain in dark adaptation during their woJk* This is attributed to a greater demand for dark adaptation during periods when they mere not actually welding. Several Inferences are developed from this fact toward possible improvement of visual ease in welding by further visual engineering in this field. The clinical conclusion is that the excessive number of complaints among welders is due to inadequate protective equipment or carelessness in its use. -- Authors' summary. 472 Chronic Pulmonary Changes and Bronchial Ulceration In an Electric Ago Welder. H.R. JJayer. J.A.U.A., 119. 1500 (August 29, 1942). Since 1936 there have been several reports in the literature of roentgenographic pulmonary changes in electric arc welders. The roentgenographic abnormalities* discovered by survoya on apparently healthy workers, ranged from increased hilar shadows to a generalized fine or nodular mottling simulating silicosis. The workers had no symptoms and were not disabled in any way. There was a history of long exposure to the products of arc welding, usually 15 years or more. The roentgenographic changes were apparently produced simply by the accumulation of iron pigaent. Fumes arising from coated rods are largely inorganlo material con* sisting of finely divided iron oxide* The author reports the case of a thirty year old white man, an arc welder for 7 years, admitted to the hospital with cough, sputum and dyspnoea. The admission roentgenogram showed multiple linear and nodular- densities traversing the middle third of the right lung from the 03118276 V Industrial Hygiene Digest - 23 root out to the periphery. C-c~) There was also some exaggeration of the linear aark^ ings of the left lung* The tentative diagnosis, on admission, was bronchogenic 63 carcinoma with lymphangitic spread. Bronchoscopy revealed a considerable amounts of purulent material in the lower part of the trachea. There was an ulcerated ^ granulating lesion in tho right main bronchus just below the tracheal bifurca- a# tion; a large amount of nonfoul purulent secretion was seen distal to this leside. Sections of this granulation tissue, removed by biopsy, showed nonspecific in flammatory chenges with large masses of iron pi^aent scattered about. Removal of the granulation tissue and repeated bronchoscopic dilation of the left main bronchus gradually secured satisfactory symptomatic relief and healing of.the ulcerated area. Bronchial lesions accompanying chronic pulmonary changes in electric arc wolders have not been previously reported. The mechanism whereby these bronchial changes were produced is not clear. 473 Blood Findings in Cyclotron Workers. S. Warren. Radiology., 39, 194 {Aug.1942). Blood counts and hemoglobin tests on persons exposed to slight radiation from cyclotrons and temporary radioactive isotopes, for periods of 3 to 30 months, show no significant conditions that are not explained by intercurrent disease, except in a few that show minor variation in the white cell count* Some persons have an unstable bone narrow, shown by marked variations in white cell count# on only minor exposure. Such persons should not work where they are exposed to radiation. The precautions for the safety of cyclotron workers appear adequate. 474 Toxicity Studies with the Fungicide Tetra-chloro-para-benzoquinons (Spertan) T.H. McGavack and others^ J.Ind.Hy<T.&~ox.~. 25. 98-111 (March* 1943) . f A fungicide under the trade name of Spergon consists of 99% titn tMnrfat benzoquinone and 1% disodiun phosphate* It has such a high fuqdflMI tafiflty that it is now in use commercially for the preservation of cotta* asdftHraeed. An extensive investigation was undertaken to detexmlne the extent to vtUI it nay be intoxicating to those who handle it and to tho## who utilize materials preserved with it. In the experiments, Spergon was administered by Stamm#* tub#, intraperitoneally, subcutaneously, externally, as a weighed portion of the diet, -and as a cottonseed-impregnated product* A number of results of tb# offtat of high concentrations are reported, including an LD50 at 0.4 g orally or 0*08 g. intraperitoneally and fatal results following eating 0*064 g* daily far 10 weeks in feeding mixtures. However, in every effect studied, the quantities producing any damage were far in excess of those that would be ingested, even if all tb# agent were retained during handling and preparation for con#\aptlon, which would not use above 0.2%. Such a dose is tolerated for long periods by healthy animals without detriment to normal growth or activity. The chmaioal oaa therefore be used as a protectant for cotton and other seed without danger of intoxicating those who handle it or those who consume the products preserved by it. 475 Toxic Anemia. E. Browning. J.Ind.Hyg.& Tox., 2, 124-131 (March, 1943} Tho author discusses toxic ansmiasthat result from exposure.to benzene, talene, carbon tetrachloride, solvent naphtha, trichlorethylene, mgtod solvents aid thinners, and radioactive substances, with special reference to tho 193? factor ies Act of Great Britain and later amondmegts, which include# anemia fro* these sources in the compensable diseases. Thctfe forms of anemia are all of the type now known as "dyshematopoietic"; and leukopenia (lack of white cell#) an# lympho cytosis (excess of lymph cells) are present to varying degrees. Blood counts and ratios for several of the poisons are presented in tabular form and several cases are described. 03118277 476 Influence of Work on Physiological Reactions to Thermal Environment. C.SJU Vinslow and A.?. Gagge. Aner.J.Physiol., 134. 664-661 (1941). Two undressed men pedalled on a stationary bicycle 00 as to increase their meta bolism to over 500 kg.-cal. per hour. The result# were compared tath tho## in r HW0B-HOU/63/ .n e X : Industrial Hygiene Digest - 24 the subjects at rest in a semi-reclining position (metabolism 80-100 kg.-cal). Radiation area is the same as in the resting subject (70# of the surface area). Convection constant on the stationery bicycle at rest is 20% less than at rest reclining. Pedaling at a rate of 30 revolutions per minute greatly increases the convection constant, equivalent in cooling power to an air movement of 30-4 cm. per second. Evaporative regulation in the working subject is so effective that skin temperature is constant actually being lowor at a given operative tem perature for the working than the resting body. With increasing metabolism at a given operative temperature skin temperature of the trunk falls. Rectal temper ature rises unc.r working conditions. Internal temperature not skin temperature controls the sweat secreting mechanisn. Thermal sensation of pleasantness is produced in the working subject (metabolism 300-400 kg.-cal.) at operative tem perature 16 instead of 28 with the resting subject. Maximum comfort is exper ienced in both instances at 2 below the point whore active sweat secretion begins. 477 Basis for Study of Man's Reaction to Tropical Climates. D.H.K. Lee. Univ. 0;ucensland Papers, Dept, of Physiol., 1^ 1-86 (1940). The heat lost from the body by radiation, conduction, convection, and evaporation is related to changes in the environment and to changes in heat production by the body. The consequences of interference with heat loss are discussed fca de tail. The extent to which adaptive reactions in the cardlo-vascular and tfther systems can compensate for such interference is demonstrated, and the slgjii of breakdown in these compensatory reactions are described. The effects of frod and of work on theim&l equilibrium, and the part played by the endocrine glands In maintaining this equilibrium, are discussed. Disturbances of the meter and electrolyte balance result from environmental conditions that interfere with heat loss. When compensation for interference with heat loss fails, the result ing crisis nay take the form of hyperpyrexia, circulatory insufficiency, electro lyte disturbance, or hyperdehydration. The etiological factors relating to each __ form of failure, together with the associated clinical signs and the development of acclimatization to heat, are discussed. A final section is devoted to clima tic factors and their assessment in relation to hu&an comfort and body reactions. 478 Physiological Aspect of a Miner* s Work. T.P. Muller and K.N. Moss. Trane. Inst. Min. Eng., 100, 141-151 (1941). The oxygen expenditure of walking at 3 m.p.h. was measured in several subjects when erect, at a half-stoop, at full-stoop, and on all-fours. The oxygen consump tion of a 2 minute exercise period anc of recovery to the original resting level was very much increased by the stooping posture, the expenditure on all-fours be ing more than three times that in the erect posture. Similar comparisons were made during loading weights under a roof of varying height; any posture that re quired the use of the back muscles increased oxygen consumption. Xn all tests training diminished the oxygen consumption. Environmental temperature had no influence on the mechanical efficiency of ergometer work. 479 Sensations of Heat and Moisture. G.P. Crowden and W.Y. Lee. Chinese 7. Physiol., 15, 475-483 (1940). An arbitrary scale was fixed for sensations of temperature and moisture. Tem perature sensations were correlated with dry-bulb temperature, moisture sensa tions with relative humidity and simnated indices for the two with the "total heat of the airM as used in air-conditioning. 03118278 F HJJBB-UUH7638 c / 1? ' ,--0 0 "IP Industrial Hygiene Digest - 25 Methods of Detection and Detemination 480 Electron Microscopy on Asbestos Dust and on Lungs in Asbestosis. J, Kuehn. Arch.f.Gewerbepath., 10, 473 (April 15, 1942). (German). " The author reports some microscopic studies of asbestos and of lungs of asbes tosis victims for the purpose of determining what variety of asbestos is respons ible for asbestosis. Serpentine (chrystolite) asbestos is the form generally used, and it was supposed that it would be found in lungs with asbestosis. Sundius and Bygden disclosed, however, that only hornblende asbestosis is demon strable in the lungs, suggesting that serpentine dust is decomposed in the tis sues. The author used the electron microscope to study the form, size and structure of asbestos, both in free dust and as found in the lungs. It is usual ly easy to distinguish the two forms under the electron microscope, the serpen tine variety being generally curved, clear and transparent, and hornblende rigid and greater in diameter. However, examination of the particles from 3 lungs did not indicate clearly what variety was present. The ptotomicroscoplc determina tion of the refraction exponent, suggested by Sundius and Bygden, was them em ployed. That method rovoaled that the large asbestos needles isolated the lungs were of the hornblende type. It is concluded that serpentine asbesjM is decomposed in the lungs and is the essential cause of fibrosis. Whan asbfntosia lungs are macerated with nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide, both free ufeAfto* needles and asbestosis bodies are obtained. Hornblende asbestos show Wt signs of decomposition by the organism, either in the free needles or on tbs asbesto- sis bodies. 481 Polarigraphic Determination of Lead in Bones. E. Weinig. E.Fhyslol. Chfla., 273. 158-162 (1942). (German). The polarigraphic method, which is fully described, has the advantages of uss of smaller amounts of material, simpler preliminary treatment of the bone ash, and the automatic action of the polarigraph. 482 Biochemistry of Silicic Acid. IX. Isolation and Identification of Minerals in Lung Residues and Air-Borne Dusts from Coal Mines. G. Nagelsclmidt and I.J. King. Biochem. J., 35, 152-158 (1941). The isolation of mineral residues from lungs by digestion with hydrogen peroxide, end removal of carbon from these residues and from air-bome dusts by heating to 36QC are described. The minerals in the residues are then identified by x-ray diffraction methods. Data are presented for the constituents present In a lung rosidue and a mine dust; the main component* are quartz and a member of each of the mica and kaolin groups. 483 A New Method for the Determination of ?ree Silica in Industrial Dusts. A* Salazar and L. Silverman. J.Ind.Hyg. & Tox.. 25. 139-148 (April, 1W43) The authors describe a new method for free silica determination, in wfaioh the dust sample is first passed directly through a controlled flame, fusing practi cally all particles except those of silica. The fused sample is then collected by an electrostatic precipitator and removed to a microscope slide for analysis. The method can be applied to air-borne or rafter dust samples. The amount of free silica is determined by a diroct count of the fused and unfused particles. Possible interfering materials are refractories and those which decrepitate at high temporatures. These interferences are not very common and when present may 03118279 P Vr HWBB-W0B7639 Industrial Hygiene Digest - 26 be identified by their optical characteristics. The determination cen be carri out on each microscopic field so that possible particle si2e variation in trams ferring fields is eliminated. The method can also be used with the standard petrographic technique, reducing the number of particles to be identified if several refractory materials are present with fusible material. -- Author's summary. ____ n 484 A Portable Electrostatic Precipitator. W.L. Lea. J.Ind.Hyg. fit Tox., 25, 152156 (April, 1943]. A portable precipitator is described in which the sampling head and blower are (Z*\, separate from the self-contained power supply. This construction arrangement gives the utmost freedom of movement during sampling, so that the operator can follow workmen and obtain eemples accurately representing their inhalation. The precipitator may be built with little effort since all parts with the exception of the sampling head and the high voltage condenser are standard parts. The con struction is described and typical data obtained are presented. 485 Determination of Aliphatic Nitrate Esters*. A Colorimetric Method. H. Yagoda. Ind. Eng. Chen., 15. 27-29 (January. 1945). A colorimetric method for the detezmination of aliphatic nitrate esters is des 0 cribed, based on the hydrolysis of the ester in 62.5$ sulfuric acid and the ni tration of m-xylenoi by the nitric acid liberated. The method has been afplied to nitroglycerine, erythritol tetranitrate, and pentaerythritol tetranltxftte over a range of 3.0 to 0.005 mg. The nitroxylenol is readily volatilized by elitea- distillation which permits the application of the method to complex systems* The reaction proceeds in stoichiometric proportions, so that the quantity e#.e*ter present can be evaluated from a potassium nitrate standard. -- Authors tamery. 486 Dlethylaalnoethanol as a Reagent for the Detection and Colorimetric Determina tion of Small~Aaount3 of Trinitrotoluene in Air. F.B. Goldman and P.I. Rushing. J.Ind.Hyg. ficTox.. 25. (April. 1943). A method for estimating the concentration of TOT in the air is described in de tail. The authors' summary follows: "A colorimetric method has been devised for the estimation of TOT based on the use of diethylaaiaoethanol as a reagent for this compound. The color produced is very stable* He hope to ptiblisb e method soon for dinitrotoluol and for tetryl based on the use of this same re agent." 487 Detezmination of Fumigants. XI. Determination of Chlorohydrocarbons in Air by Reaction in Monoethanolamine. XII. Detezmination of Bthylene Dichloride and Dlchloroethylene. Analyaisof Mixtures. XIII. Determination of Chlorohydrocarbons by Theimal Decomposition. ?.P.W. Wjntcringham. TTSoc* Chaa.Ind.. 61. 186-192 (1942); Chat. Absts*, 27, 1950-1951 (April 20, 1943). These papers constitute the continuation of a series on the detezmination of fumigants (many of which are also industrial contaminants.V The methods ere long, and the original or the Chemical Abstracts reference should bo ooztsulted for details. 488 A Modification of the Silica Cel Method for the Detezmination of Atmospheric Organic Solvent Vapors. L.V. Cralley and others* J.Ind.Hyg. & Tox.. 28. 172174 (April, 1943). Silica gel has been used in the detezmination of benzene and other organ!o sub stances in air, but the method has been used only gravlmctrtcally* The authors describe a modified mothod in which the organic vapor is adsorbed by silica gel and then removed from the gel by a second solvent whlob will not cause subsequent interference.' The amount of the substance sought la then determined by any 03118280 f Industrial Hygiene Digest - 27 s-s- accepted method of quantitative chemical analysis. The authors applied it to the deteimination of carton tetrachloride, which they removed from the gel by a ethyl alcohol and decomposed by alcoholic potassium hydroxide. The chloride ^ formed was then determined volisnetrically, Additional studies are in progress* to ascertain the applicability of the method to the estimation of other organic solvent vapors. Control Methods ,--n 489 List of Respiratory Protective Devices Approved by the Bureau of Mines. H.H. Schrenk". ij.sr'Bur. Of Mines Inf. Circ., No.7237, (March, 1943). One of the most valuable services to industry in the protection of health by respiratory devices is the U.S. Bureau of Mines Approval system. The latest list of approved equipment has been revised and contains 10 pages of illustra tions. (Copies available from the Information Division, Bureau of Mines, 0 Washington, D.C.) I 490 * Practical Housekeeping Program for Industry. H.G. Dyktor. Am.J.of Pul* Health, 33, 557-5SD (May, 1943). I The author thinks that one man, rather than a committee, should he appointed to carry out a good housekeeping program. In larger plants the safety director or engineer is the person indicated; but in smaller plants not possessing the ser vices of such a man, the employment manager seems best fitted for the job of supervisor. Management gives the supervisor authority to incur expense for fix tures and additional labor. Suggested duties of the supervisor are:--to consult department heads and labor to improve production flow, plant traffic, and stop- *" ago of unused equipment; to ascertain state end local regulations concerning sanitation; to work out a plan with the maintenance man to keep equipment in good condition; to provide janitor with itaaized orders for regular cleaning of the plant interior; to establish a routine for the periodic personal inspection of the plant. 491 How to Design Exhaust Hoods. J.M. DallaValie. Heat. &Vent., 40, (March, 1943). This is the first in a series of articles which will appear in HEAHH& AMD VHTTILATII-Kj during 1943. They are reprinted from a privately printed monograph which was reviewed by the abstractor in this Digest, Novs&ber, 1939 under the title "Principles of Exhaust Hood Design." 492 Ventilation and Heating of Maritime Commission Shins. J.W. Harkert* Heat. & Vent., 32-57 (February, 1943)V This is an excellent and thorough article describing the ventilation and heating of merchant ships. All phases of the problem are discussed. The number of air changes for various ship sections Is given and methods of air distribution are shown. The article is well illustrated with photographs of actual installations. Special conditions required for dry cargo holds are described, 493 Ultraviolet Radiation and Ozone as Aerial Disinfectants. W,W. Coblentz. Arch, Phys. Therapy. 23, 709-711 (December, 1942T. .`jfter a conoise review of the literature, the author concludes that "the use of ultraviolet radiation and ozone as disinfectants is not justified andthat if not used intelligently these two germicides may cause serious injur? to thecccupants of places undergoing disinfection." w C'<r) .n 0 v5^ Industrial Hygiene Digest - 28 494 Warship Ventilating, Heating and Air Conditioning, T.H. Urdahl and W.C. Whittfi- sey. Heat., Pip., & Air Cond., 15. 105.110. (February. 1943). jg Progress in warship construction can only be made by providing more punch per pound, and a naval engineer should strive to develop lighter, simpler, and mono foolproof methods to accomplish this end. Conventional practices should be C tinually analyzed from the functional standpoint and revised wherever commonsu3* ato savings in weight or space are possible, or where dependability can be im proved. Ventilating engineers are urged to oooperate in giving technical service regarding Naval construction. 495 Protective Methods for the Prevention of Industrial Dermatoses. L. Schwqrtz. N.Y. State J. of Med., 42, 1525-1528 (August 15,1942)^ Emphasizing that more time is lost from work because of occupational dermatoses than because of any other occupational disease, Dr. Schwartz outlines protective methods for their prevention. These include pre-employment examinations, effi cient ventilating systems, the use of protective clothing and protective oint ments, and above all, cleanliness. Different types of protective clothing and the value of each are carefully discussed, and it is pointed out that not only this clothing, but the machines, and even the workrooms should be cleaned daily. The requirements for proper non-irritating shin cleansers are listed. The arti cle concludes with a discussion of protective ointments, listing six general classes, and the specific uses of each. ^ 496 Elimination of Gas Hazards at Sewage-Treatment Plants. Pacific Plush-Co*, Water Works and Sewage, 88, 423-431, 463-467 (1941). IT The collection and utilization of sludge gas are attended by the ritk |6^bjplo- sion and the dqnger to personnel arising from the poisonous propertiengf tbs gas. Operators are safeguarded by the adequate design of control roems, which should be at ground level, freely accessible, and ventilated by foroed draught* Detailed designs are given. Water-seals on gas mains are unreliable and should not bo used. The value of flame traps is aaphasized and suitable design# are illustrated. Sources of ignition must be eliminated as far as possible, e*g* * by employing explosion-proof electrical equipment and non-sparking tools* Qes storage increases explosion risks, and the circumstances which may warrant stor age and the most suitable types of gasholder are discussed. It is essential to maintain a positive gas pressure throughout the plant at all times, and means for minimizing pressure losses are described. 497 Effect of a Vacuum on Destruction of Bactoria by Germicides. A.J. Salle aad M. lCor2enovsigy.~ Pioc. Soc. Bro. Biol. & Med.. 50. 12-16 (May. 1942) Cultures of eight species of baetdria were dried on glass slides or oa ootton, placed in plugged tubes, and exposed to formaldehyde gas generated in a closed chamber by the addition of commercial formalin to potassiia permanganate. When the air in the chamber was at ahaospheric pressure the tost objects were in no case disinfected in 1 hour, and five of the eight species of bacteria survived for 2 tours. When the chamber was evacuated to 29 In* of mercury before gener ating the same amount of gas (which raised the pressure in the chamber to 26 in-) only two bacteria survived for 5 minutes and none for 2S* It is considered that the only action of an initial vacuum is to cause penetration* A vaoum has no effect on the action of liquid germicides. 498 Tho Employment of Disinfectants in Droplet and Mist Form. H. IQiewe. Zent.f. Bakt.I.Abt. Orig., 148. 388-395 (March26. 1942). ~ The author has embarked on a disinfection study and the elementary conclusions which he reaches are already familiar in this country. He sprayed a saline sus pension of 0hr. prodigiosum into a vessel of 25 liters capacity or into a aaall 03118282 p Industrial ^giene Digest - 29 -oa- closed room, and enumerated colonies In agar plates exposed at intervals aftejS introducing a disinfectant by means of three different sprays, giving particle? of different sizes. Experiments were done to show that the effects observed were due neither to disinfection on the surface of the culture nor to the merdj* carrying down of bacteria-ladon particles from the atmosphere. Ho concludes * that a disinfectant may be far more effective in air than in water, that rela tive efficacy in the two media varies from one dsinfectant to another, that fine droplets are nore efficient than coarse, end that measures which will disinfect the air of a room will not necessarily disinfect objects in it, particularly fabrics or other irregular surfaces. He believes also that the choaical disin fection of air is a practical possibility, applicable with advantage to operat ing theatres and to rooms used for infectious cases. Whereas lysol was used in his experiments, it is pointed out that something less toxic is necessary for practical purposes. For spraying inhabited rooms, one trial of which apparent ly prevented the spread of chickenpax among children, he used "a resorcin prepar ation." Industrial Medical Practice i 499 The Problem of Absenteeism. Ministry of Labor and National Service* Leaflet P.L. 106 London (1942). / Continuous and effective attention must be given to the problem of afeflililMlm in war factories. Difficulties in enforcing the provisions of the Xneetial Work Orders in the case of absence from -work or persistant Internals an pointed cut. Two classes of absences are discussed, those due to "facta* and those caused primarily by "feelings." In the first class, causes of absences are sickness, accident, shopping difficulties, home requirements, fatigue due to long hours and long journeys. An example of the second class is found in the case of workers in a permanently blacked out factory who feel depressed owing tc lack of sunlight and the apparent lack of proper ventilation, due to the ab sence of air movement. Lack of interest in the job and a lack of conviction of its urgency is a cause of absence which production CGsnitteee should be able tc h6lp. An attack on psychological causes cf absenteeism is the greatest sin gle contribution that can be made to a solution of the problem* A redistribu tion of work, or of the labor force, should be considered ao that those who need special working hours would not disturb the work of others* Appendix Z gives a form for the keeping of absenteeism records and Appendix IZ gives sugges tions for "follow-up" action cn these records. 500 A Study of the Effect of Fixed-Pace Work Upon Health* G.H. Turner. Cenad. Pub. Health J.~. 34. 66^73 (February, 1943). The paper summarizes the first unbiased and systematic study of the chsenic effects of fixed-pace work of the conveyor-belt type upon Inman efficiency and health. The investigation was based upon a study of production and illness records of 1033 employees in throe plants. The investigation disclosed that fixed-pace work is detrimental to health and contributes to wrfc dissatisfaction and strained relationships between employer and v/orker* The investigator sug gests: (1) more careful choice of suitable employees for fixed-pace work; (2) regular rest periods in order to decrease fatigue, break monotony and inspect machinery, and (3) variation of machine speeds in accordance with huaan fatigue curves. 03118283 Industrial Hygiene Digest - 30 r-v 501 The Problan of Functional Disease as Seen in Industry* D.E. Bell. Canad. ICed^ Assoc. J., 48, 108-110 (February, 1943). s The paper indicates the importance of psychoneurosis as a problem to be faced in industrial medicine. The author believes that the factor of compensation is? more important than that of trauma in neurotic cases. Many physicians treat tS injury without consideration of the functional disability that ensues. Laymen^ however, are in complete readiness to accept functional disability wittout ques tion. The solution of the problem lies in the education of both the laity and the medical profession in the subject of states of functional disability, in cluding their existence, factors favorable to their development and means of counteracting such factors. 502 Medical Examinations in Industry. Their Function and Scone. W.N. Leak. Brit. Physical. Med., 116-120 (July-August, 1942). (British). Pre-aaployment examinations are considered, often of young persons entering upon industrial employment. Suggestions are given concerning the appointments of the consulting room, the desirability of the use of tactful methods by doctors and attendants, and the importance of giving instruction and counsel to the prospective employee regarding his relation to his work and his employer. 503 The Private Physicians Opportunity in Industrial Medicine. J.J. Bloomfield. New Eng. J. of Med..~225. 929-932 TDecaaber 11. 1941). , The private physician should be familiar with problems of industrial hy^ene, as only one third of American workers have any medical service at the plantfproper, although industrial hygiene service is Increasing rapidly. A cut of only 10% in the nearly 400,000,000 mandsys a year lost to industry through disability would be a worthwhile achievement. Local medical organizations oould fua com mittees on industrial hygiene, with which all private practitioners should cooperate. Objectives of these committees might include: (l) training of physi cians to recognize and report, immediately, occupational diseases; (2) pre-employ ment and periodic physical examinations; (3) the obtaining of detailed occupa tional and medical histories. 504 Administration of Case Finding in Industry. E.P. VonAliaan, Calif. & Vest .Med., Tuberc. Supp., 57. 51 (July. 1942). The Alameda County Association did fluoroscopic chest examinations of 5,611 adult persons employed In industry,, and made further studies in 120 persons. In 76 persons (1.4%) tuberculosis or other diseases were found; active pulmonary tuberculosis was present in 27 persons. The total cost of the examinations was $2,368.18 or 42 cents per person. The cost of discovering each of the 76 per sons needing medical attention was $31.16; the cost of finding each oase of active tuberculosis was $87.71. 505 Tuberculous Problems in Industry. W.P. Sheppard. Calif. & West. Med., Tuberc. SuppT, 57. 48 (July. 1942)V Tuberculosis has increased in the nations which are at war. Contributing factors are: food shortage, overcrowding, inadequate medical and health facilities, increased work. Ways in which industry con help in the control of tuberculosis are: fixing the length of the working hours; refusing to hire inexperienced help comprising, people of an age particularly susceptible to tuberculosis; in creasing health safeguards and providing for locating early cases. Necessary health safeguards for industry are: pre-employmont and periodic health examin ations; compliance with the highest standards for ventilation, lighting and san itation; dispensary and first aid rooms; health education; responsibility of foremen; personal and domestic hygiene; plant cafeterias; rest periods; rotation on night shifts; prevention of silico-tuberculosis. 03118284 w Industrial fyglene Digest - 31 4T 506 Some Reflections on the Tuberculous in Industry. B. Mann. Tubercle, 23, 72- 7^ iMarch, 1942) s Attention is called to what the author considers an inconsistency in a achate ? suggested in a circular recently issued by the Ministry of Labor and National Service. The employment of sputum negative and quiescent cases is proposod, * while, "the vast bulk of usefully aaployable tuberculous subjects - the 'middle* case' with a positive sputum - is entirely omitted from consideration". Al though there is a strong prejudice among both snployers and anployees against admitting tuberculous persons into industry, there is nothing in the existing method of labor recruitment to guard against the entry of unrecognized sputum positive cases. They may have been passed by the factory surgeon, or they may have had no medical examination at all. A contrast is pointed out between stringent measures taken to avoid dissemination of the tubercle bacilli in the Navy and Air Force and the laxity in allowing increasing numbers of infective workers to pass into the workshops of Britain. The author suggosts a plan of part-time employment of the tuberculous, similar to that used in the case of married women. This plan would imply a low standard of living unless earnings were subsidized, with a sliding scale dependent on periodic reassessment of woik- ing capacity. A proposal is made for the segregation of infective cases in spe cial workshops or factories, with adequate provision as to canteen, hostel and restroom facilities. The author considers it important that previous history of tuberculosis should be made available in all cases of persona entering indus try, such information not to be used against the subjects' interests. Map radio graphy should help to classify infective and non-isfectlve cases, so as m limit the dissemination of the dioase in industry. $ 507 Industrial Health and the War. D.L. Lynch. New Eng. J.of Med., JQy fldteil# (August 6, 1942}. The author stresses the fact that non-occupational diseases account for tbs majority of workdays lost to industry. & defines the function of industrial medicine and lists the major health measures of an industrial health program: (1) prevention, which involves routine inspection of working conditions and a safety program; (2) health education;- (3) pre-placement and subsequent physical examinations; (4) medical and surgical care. Qualification* of tbs iadsstrial physician are: thorough medical experience, an understanding of industrial rela tions, knowledge of job analysis and many other abilities. A brief discussion of the problems of fatigue and malnutrition among workers, is given* A series of graphs, based on the data on employees of two large companies, are concerned with the effect of the sex and age of the worker and the duration of the illness on diagnosis. Others show the relation of periods of absence to the several days of the week. The fact that absences begin and end most often on Monday seems to indicate e psychological problem. 508 Health Services in Industry. Industrial Welfare Soe. (Bibliography) London: 14, Hobart Place, S.W.l. 60 pp. (1942). The article stresses the need for health service in industry and deploys* the fact that there wore in June, 1942 only 150 full tine and 960 part tins doctors csiplcyed in munition factories. Benefits of health servioe are listed. Require ments for starting a works' health sorvlce are explained: a whole tins doctor is needed where more than 1000 are employed; a woman doctor should be engaged where women are employed. Small plants, with less than 250 workers should com bine to engago a doctor to serve several or should employ part tins doctors to attend at regular hours. The suggested organization is similar to that recom mended in the United States and actually set up in many establiabsents. Tbs publication Is recommended as being reliable and up-to-date -- in fact it is a valuable compendium of information such as any one undertaking or engaged upon health work in industry wants.' 03118285 . / ,--n e v*?', Industrial Hygiene Digest - 32 509 Successful Physical and Medicinal Treatment of Severe Carbon Monoxide 'Eneephni tis Report on the Use of Pervitin. H.G. Scholtz and . luscnneia. Dout. Ueds Woch., 67, 1382-1385 (December 19, 1941). (German). Details are given of treatment with pervitin, combined with physical therapy, a case of encephalitis, following carbon monoxide poisoning. The dosage was i creased from 3 per day to 15 mga. and was then reduced as bodily and mcntS activity increased, until, after a period of five months the administration of Pervitin and scopolamine bromide, which had been added later in the course of the treatment, was discontinued with no ill effects. The special value of Pervi tin lies in its power to arouse the patient from his mental torpor, to restore his confidence in ultimate recovery and to secure his participation in physical therapy. 510 The Early Recognition and Treatment of Shock. By the Coflmlttee of Shock a tv* Blood Substitutes of the Associate Committee on Modical Research, National Research Council of Canada. Canad. M.A. J., 48, 198-205 (March, 1943). The article is of interest on account of the great number of tissue injuries, hemorrhages and burns encountered in industrial medicine. Primary or neurogenic shock differs from secondary shock in that tho syndrome appear more quickly and the pulse rate Is slower in the former. In secondary shock, successful treat ment depends upon early recognition of the signs of the condition, and in all serious wounds, bums, hemorrhages, and operations, shock should be anticipated. General principles of treatment ore: (1) Arrest of hemorrhage, (2) Closure of wounds of chest, (3) Posture-head low position, (4) Relief of pain by motphlne* (5) Prevention of further injury, (6) Conservation of body heat, (7) Early res toration and maintenance of blood volume, (8) Control of dehydratlo* tgr adminis tration of isotonic salt water orally or intravenously, (9) Promotion ot comfort and confidence, (10) Evacuation to an operating unit. Bum shook is briefly discussed. Plasma loss continues for 48 hours and hematocrit readings should be taken continuously. Serum transfusion is the only adequate treatment. In the crush or compression syndrome renal failure frequently complicates shook* Early administration of alkali may help prevent renal failure, and pressure band aging may relieve the syndrome. Anesthesia if needed in shock should be by cyclopropane or ether, never spinal. The article is supplemented by three appendices: The administration of dried serum; technical aids to intravenous administration of fluids; and reactions caused by intravenous infusions. A bibliography is obtainable on request* 511 Syphilis in Industry* N.A. Nelson. Am.J.Syph. Gonor. & Ven.Dis. 27, 73-77 (January, 1943). The author complains against the prejudiced and misinformed public in regard to syphilis, especially the significance of the blood test. The false belief that the disease is conmunicable at all times when a positive blood test is found, is prevalent, and its results are seen in industry as in other fields* A posi tive blood tost frequently excludes able men from employment* It has been shown that a syphilitic worker is fully as efficient as his non-^rphilitic brother, provided he does not have cardiovascular or neuraxis involvement. The decision is thus left in the hands of an intelligent physician* The author urges that public ignorance be attacked first through industry, by allowing the physician instead of the uninformed layman to determine the medical polloy* 512 Relationship of Disease and Weather. H. Kreisman. Heat. kVent., 40, 61-66 (February, 1943). ' This article describes tho air conditioned room recently installed at Northwes tern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois. The technical details of the installation are illustrated and discussed. 03118286 Industrial Ifygiene Digest - 33 513 Which Jobs for Young Workers? U.S. Dept, of Labor, Children's Bureau. 5 pamph-' lets, 4-8 pp. eachTOctober, 1942-February, 1943). Pamphlet No.l, "Baployment of Young Workers in War Industries," introduces the series. The keynote is found in the statement printed on the title page of eac^ pamphlet: "The young worker of today is the skilled worker of tomorrow -- Fro- tcct him from injury." The separate leaflets deal with the accident and health* hazards in shipbuilding, in employment involving exposure to carbon disulfide, in lead and lead-using industries, and in employment where chlorinated solvents are used. In connection with each type of employment, kinds of work in which workers under 18 years of age should and should not bo employed aro listed, Tho value of high school training is recognized by some industries who wish to use the younger vwrkers in places where they can be developed into skilled or semi skilled craftsmen -- not as laborers or in dead end jobs. Existing Federal and State child-labor legislation provides much guidance, and legal standards, where applicable should be fully observed. Tho standards developed by the Children's Bureau are advisary, are general in their application and should be regarded as an emergency measure to protect young workers during this war period. (Copies available upon request.) 514 Health and Welfare of Women in War Factories. 3rd Report from the Select Co* mittee on National Expenditure, Session 1942-1943. London: B.M. Stationery Office, 1942. 24pp. * The report is the result of an inquiry into the welfare and aedloal arrasaoentc for vromen employed in Royal Ordnance Factories and other government assiStA factories. It is comprehensive and detailed and embodies feature* aadjfipMfc* dations found in similar publications issued in the United Stated which have boon reviewed in recent issues of the Industrial %glM tigm*: 515 Nutrition in V>ar Industry. F. Ignatieff. Canad. Pub. Health J., SS. (December, 1942). An essential service in tho production of war material is tha canteen erreataurant where attrL.cive, nutritious and economical meals are earved. Tbmsa seals and rest-period refreshment are important factors in combatting fattens, Insress ing efficiency and improving the health of workers. In ths plant discussed a trained dietitian is in charge. The menu is based on a study of tbs' IDE# of the workers, and the meals are freshly prepared for each shift and served at cost. During the rest periods, milk, fresh fruit juice, and coffee mads with 280 milk ore. served. The personnel department and the medical department have charge of a program of education which includes lectures on eating habits, healthy break fasts, and proper choice of food in the canteen. These lecturs* are given dur ing the worker's training period. Additional News Item 516 The OViT announces that more than 97 por cent of Naval and Marine eoundcd-fron Poarl Harbor to March 31, 1943, have recovered. These figures were contained in a report by OWI on the care of the wounded by the medical departnests Of the Army and Navy. Percentage figures for the recovery of Aay ireunded are not available at present owing to incompleteness of records from the fighting fronts* An analysis of available data on Army wounded shows that recoveries are oomparable to Naval and Marine percentages. Of all Navy and Marine personnel tmuaded only 2. 6 per cent died subsequently. Fifty-three per cent ware returned to duty. Still under treatment as of March 31 were 43,5 per cent. Invalided from service were 0.9 per cent. 03118287 MWBB-000/6ti/ 53 .1 w c<^-- ; --- . .--- _ *--- - ' Absenteeism 499 Air analysis fumigants 487 solvent vapors 433 Ammonia poisoning 441 Analysis aliphatio nitrates 485 lead by polarograph 481 trinitrotoluene 486 Anemia toxic 475 Arsenic poisoning liver cirrhosis 417 Asbestos electron microscopy 480 Ascorbic acid and lead absorption 428 B Anthracis in bone meal 416 Beryllium toxicity 418 Black dermographiaa 461 Carbon disulfide poisoning 450 Carbon monoxide anoxemia 443 camp stoves 444 encephalitis treatment of 509 optic effects 442 Carbon tetrachloride health hazards 451 Carcinogenic activity survey of compounds 467 Cyclotron workers blood findings 473 Dermatitis airplane industry 455 cutting oils 456 rubber mask 458 Dermatoses 457 prevention 495 Disease and weather 512 functional 501 Disinfection droplet and mist 4S8 ozone & radiation 493 vacuim & germicides 497 Dust control exhaust hood design 491 INDEX (May, 1943) Electrostatic precipitator portable 484 Eye infections 465 Fatigue mining 478 Ferrous alloys industrial hygiene 438 Fiberglas health aspects 419 Fluoride absorption & excretion 439 Olycols toxicity 452 Health fixed pace work effectsSOO industrial and the war 507 Heat and moisture 479 tropical 477 Housekeeping 490 Hydrocyanic acid skin absorption 445 Industrial medicine private practitioner 503 Kcrato conjunctivitis 462-463-464 Lead danger in motor fuel 425 poisoning scrap recovery 424 toxicity of alloys422-423 Lead tetraethyl in gasoline 426 Magnesium health aspects 427 lung effect 429 Manganese intoxication 430 Medical service industrial 508 Mercury handwriting tost 431 Methanol chronic poisoning 453 Minors in industry 513 Nitrogen oxides poisoning 446 Nutrition 515 Phosphorus skin irritation 432 Physical examinations 502 " Pneumoconiosis aluminum 414-415 iron dust 420-421 porphyry 435 Pulmonary irritants 440 Respirators Bureau of Mines Approval List 489 Sewage treatment health hazards 49 6 Shock diagnosis and treatment 510 Silica, free determination 483 Silicosis intrathoracic Ijnph nodes * 436 lung function ? 434 lung residue analysis 482 Silesian pottc## 433 Skin cleanser* 499-460 Sulfur physiological effects 437 Sulfur dloride in flue gases 447 pneumonia 448 Syphilis 511 Tetra-chloro-pare-benzo- qu^none toxicity 474 Thermal environment 476 Trinitrotoluene diet & poisoning 454 Tuberculosis 505-506 case finding 504 Ventilation ships 492-494 War gases and chemicals occular effect 449 Weil's disease Umuno sen* 466 Welding eye effects 471 fatality 469 health hazard 470 lung offsets 472 Women in industry 514 03118288 P (U9/0RH-3flrtH 4 l_ >- >r Q <<- l-