Document zo8V74z8L09NV93gKyB24Z740

H iiB B -0010^53 Industrial Hygiene Digest S^iteiatuie O-Lstiacts MEDICAL ENGINEERING LEGAL - - decisions and trends tfndushial Health 72eivs tfnAiAf* If. INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE FOUNDATION 4400 FIFTH AVENUE PITTSBURGH, PA. r^uKfSFs^ _ ---* FOUNDATION FACTS ' Foundation Facta it a monthly new#,letter i*tgd to industrial concern# holding memcerthip in ` ^-Industrial Hygiene foundation. The Foundatioi it a combined research and service institutioi to protect the health of worker# tn indu#try Vol. 4. lanuarv, 1942 'f- No. 1, Fcur ;re Companies Join Foun; tion Four companies have affiliated v.lth the Foundation since the first of the year. They are: The Flir.tkcte w., Employers Mutual Liability Insurance Co., Pacific Coast Pulp ana Paper Manufacturers Assoc., and Owens-Coming Fiberglae Corp. Proceed., ruts of Annual Meeting Available Scon The rroceedings for the Foundation's sixth annual meeting, numbering 176 pages, arc now running through the press, and will be distributed to members in a fev: days. For your ov.-n benefit, please give bulletin "preference rating" in your organization. It is by far the most important Proceedings the Foundation has ever issued, replete with cxnaustivo material on such divers subjects in industrial health as: Effect of arc welding fumes on susceptibility to tuberculosis, use of alu minum powder as a possible preventive in silicosis, statistical and economic studies of sick absenteeism, comments on the Mine Inspection Lav/, modern industrial hygiene methods in war industries, protection of men and machines against saboteurs, legal trends and new legislation, a rich informal discussion of employee health with res pect to industrial relations and an analytical study of fatigue which is a bulletin in itself. Watch for the Proceedings and put it to work! Sicteness vs. Production Tho Gallup Poll estimates that throughout the United States 24 million man hours of vrork were lost because of illness in the four week period of November 24 to December 20. This is in approximate agreement with findings from studies of sick absenteeism maun by -the Public health Service. This ruinous loss MUST be reduced'. Sow can our staggering production demands be met with workers losing an estimated 40C million days each year through illness? What can bo done about it? The first step is an inventory, an audit of sick absences. Through the Foundation, a number of member companies are now engaged in such a study. Conservation of Materials The Foundation has been asked by the Industrial Salvage Section, Bureau of Industrial Conservation, Washington, to help "enlist the active cooperation of every individual in every manufacturing establishment, mine, mill, etc., tc reclaim or sal vage critical commodities such as iron and steel scrap, non-formus metals, cotton and woolen rags, paper and rubber." The Bureau urges companies which have not al ready acted to institute the f'liov.ing simple program, NOW: "1. Put some one responsible individual in charge of salvage throughout all departments cf your business and give him authority to organize and start at once an emergency 'clean up* er: .pnirtn, to be followed v.lth a permanent salvage organiza tion; 2. devise ar. effective method of bringing the message of conservation to all of your employees every day; build into your plan a program to keep it alive, don't lot initial enthusiasm die. This is a continuous job." IMOJSTfliAL KVOIENE fOUNQATiOS 4400 FIFTH AVENUE PITTSBUGik. fa. tfHBB-difcHUiVh January, 1942. Vo I. VT, Industrial Hygiene Foundation, -- 4490 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, ?=. :s i :o 'USTRIAL HYGIENE DIGEST Literature and News News Items Tt\ ujW A - 1 workers in Industrial Plants Told What to do in an Air Raid. The plant protection division of the Office ,,f Civilian Defense December 29 issued the following instructions for workers in industrial plants a3 to their conduct in the event of an air raid: 1. Seep working -until our air-raid alarm is sounded. 2. Take cover. 3. Keep cool and help ethers to keep cool. 4. Don't phone or shout -- listen tc ycur air-raid warden. 5. If you have a plant defense post, take that position at the sound of the alarm. 5. Others continue their usual tasks until the air-raid wardens give the signal to take temporary shelter. 7. Take the necessary safety measures for your machine and tools. = 3. Do not show lights. 9. Fight incendiary bombs. Conflagrations arc avoidod by controlling such bombs at once. IC. Remain "aiert" in the proscribed safe place until the "all clear" signal is given and then return to work. 11. Remember that this is a war of production and that production must continue. Your plant is taking every precaution for your safety. 2 The Seven-Day Wook in New York State. On the request of the War and Navy Departments, the first formulation was made for procedures to aid primary and subcontractors working on war orders to secure, where necessary, certain relaxations in hour regulations embodied in the State labor laws. Where legal restrictions con be shown to interfere with maximum pro duction, applications will be considered for pemission to work women seven days a week or on a three-shift basis or tc waive other provisions of law restricting their hours of employment, Management and labor arc concerned, as ia the Labor Department, to prevent tho excessive lengthening of hours to the point where out put would actually be reduced through fatigue, industrial accidents and work stoppage. This happened in the last war and in England after Dunkerque and in Nani Germany. The experience cf many other countries as to what conditions make for maximum production will be considered in decisions on applications. From Nows Release by Frieda . Miller, Industrial Commissioner, State of New York. nwott-injiU'ibh ndustriai Hymens Digest - 2, Gangrene. A nev; slnd cf gas gangrene threatens workers in America's var industries T 1L.ess care is tartar, cc guard open cuts and wounds from. magnesium splinters and must, i appears from a report by Dr, Carey F. McCord, of the nodical department o-<r? -tner Chrysler Corporation at Detroit. Metallic magnesium and sen- of its alloys, the newest uiely used metal in war industries, have been found to produce a unique gaseous condition when they get into wounds. Unless the magnesium is properly and completely cleaned cut of the wound, oven trivial injuries nay become serious and prolonged. The condition that results is similar to gas gangrene, a serious war wound danger, except that it is caused by the magnesium instead of by germs. According tc reports received, this Kind of chemical gas gangrene has been very prevalent in German industries with as many as 5,000 cases in 1939. The studies by Or. McCord, Or. Stuart ?. Mock and Or. Gordon C. Harrold, also of the Chrysler Corporation, arc believed tc be the first in the United States showing the danger of r.ct cleaning out all metal particles or dust from a wand in which magnesium particles might be involved. "Larly in our investigation," Dr. McCord reported, "wo found that rat wounds in which small particles cf magnesium had been introduced, unlike tfccso contaminated with most motels, glass and wood, promptly lead to hydrogen ea- formation in the tissues. The quantity of gas we found to be extensive and if neglected probably would produce a condition akin to a chemical gas gangrene. In the presence of magnesium particles it was discovered that hydro gen was evolved from the fluids of tho tissues themselves and if the metal was not immediately extracted, would form a gaseous tumor. Thus it would seem that injur ies resulting from not cleaning all magnesium particles from wounds may b much more serious than ordinary industrial injuries. Tho danger of this effect of mag nesium calls, ir. the first place, for special preventive procedure against acciden tal injuries where magnesium particles might be involved, and in the second place, the availability of immediate proper medical care. The complete removal of all metallic magnesium apparently is vital." Sclonce - Supplement 95^ 10 {January 9, 1942. Legal Developments 4 Lead Poisoning from Fumes Held "Accident." The employee was enguged in painting a bridge. In this work he used a pressure spray gun. He was exposed tc the vaporized load paint discharged by the spray gun. The first day on tho job he asked for a respirator. Ho was furnished with one, but he claimed that by reason of its age and condition it was only partially effective. After working about a week the employee beceme disabled. He was found to be suffering from lead poisoning. The defense against the claim for compensa tion was that tho employee had not suffered an accidental injury, but was suffer ing from a ncn-ccmpensablo occupational disease. This defense was rejected. The Court stated that an injury to on employee a3 the result of inhalation of vapor, gas or dust, may constitute an "accidental injury" as defined by tho Com pensation Act. In this case tho acute lead poisoning was contracted in a short space of time, end the happening was sufficiently certain and definite in point cf time so as to constitute on "accidental injury." C.K, Howard & Co. et al. vs. McKay ct al. (C.-cln.) 11? Pac. 2nd 525 {September,-1941). Qccup. Hazards 4_ 22, (December, 1941). Industrial Hygiene Digest - 3. 5 Death of Helper on Gravel Loading Machine from Reel-::; Mountain Spotted Fever. Re-ist ceivlng of Fatal Tick Bite During Course of Employment. i rrewse, husband of respondent, was eaplcyea by Salt Lake County, petitioner, as helper on a gravel loading machine. V.'hile loading trucks for the County from the* waste dump of the Maxfield Mine in Big Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake County, Prcwse became ill on July 26, 1940, and subsequently died on August S, 1540, cr a disease diagnosed ns Rocky Mountain spotted fever. There is no question here as to the cause of his death, nor that bard-shelled ticks, carriers of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, are to be found throughout the Intermcuntain region. The sole question to be determined by this court is whether the evidence is sufficient to sustain the findings of the Commission that Prowse received the fatal tick bite during the course of his employment. On July 2nd, Prowse had stated to his foremen that something had "bitten him cn the finger." It appears from the testi mony of Mrs. Prowse that Mr. Prcwse had not felt well for a few days previous to July 26th. That he had been irritable and grouchy. Four witnesses for respondent testified that they had seen ;vood ticks in Eig Cottonwood Canyon although none were seen within three miles of where deceased worked. In the cases of fulminating in fections, as here, the period of incubation is determined as from two to five days. The Commission having granted ar. award, the court concludes that there is suffi cient, competent, material evidence appearing of record to support the finding of the Commission that the biting tick was picked up by the deceased during the course of his employment. The period of incubation involved in this case articulates with the probability that the tick bite occurred while he was at work, and doos not articulate 'with the dates he wont on a picric or went swimming. The award is affirmed. Salt Lake County v. Industrial Commission of Utah. Utah Supreme Ct. Decided December 29, 1941. (Gen), 6 Injury to Hand Y.'hllc Employed on a Piston Grinding Machine. Continued Favored Em ployment. Supplemental Agreement. Later Develogcen*' of Leprosy. Compensation for Partial Disability. The following is a digest of the opinion for affirmance filed in a 4-4 decision rendered in this cause. Defendant appeals from award granting plaintiff fur ther compensation for partial disability. On about August 14, 1929, while em ployed on a piston grinding machine in defendant's plant, plaintiff, an experienced workman, sustained accidental injury to his right hand. He lost no compensable time and continued at favored work until he was discharged several months later. In October, 1932, plaintiff filed application for compensation. Ha was awarded compensation. Payments wore made 'until February 23, 1934, when the parties enter ed into a supplemental agrocment. In pursuance of such agreement plaintiff return ed to work at defendant's plant and continued at favored work until June, 1937, when he vras found to have leprosy. On about February 3, 1939, plaintiff filed petition for further compensation, which claim is now disputed. The fact that plaintiff is confined in the leper colony by health authorities and is thereby pre vented from working at "favored employment," does not defeat his right to compen sation for his continuing hand injury. Defendant could introduce proof that the condition of plaintiff's hand was due tc his leprosy and not to the accidental injury. However, the department, after hearing proofs of the leprous condition, determined that the continuing disabled condition of plaintiff's hand was due to the injury; and such determination or fact is final. Defendant contends that plaintiff, by failing to report in Detroit cn February 23, 1939, for physical ex amination, forfeited his right to further compensation, end that the failure of the department to require plaintiff to submit to an examination deprived defendant of e full and complete hearing and of "its day in court." The record indicates that cn about February 25, 1939, -while confined in the leper colony, plaintiff re ceived notice or citation from defendant to report in Detroit on February 2S, 1929, l l^uDoW er?\ CD <>f Industrial Hygiene Digest - 4. tn("oi for physical examination. It was apparently a physical impossibility for plain-S tiff to report for the examination on February 23, 1339, and he should not be penalised for his failure to do so. The award is affirmed. Sotomavor v. Forte Motor Co. Mich. Supreme Ct. Decided January 5, 1942. (CCKi. ns 7 Burns from Muriatic Acid. Duty of Ihiployer, Assumption of the Risk. Contributacv Negligence. Defendant brought this appeal from e judgment rendered against him, in an action for damages for personal injuries which plaintiff claims to have sustained, during the course of his employment by defendant, es s result of burns caused by muriatic acid used in cleaning the outside brick walls of a building. Fiaintiff testi fied that he had had no prior experience washing brick; that no one had told him the kina of acid used; that he did not know the danger of burning his skin in wash ing these walls; and that he had asked the defendant about the danger and defendant said there was nothing to it. It is a general rule of law that an employer is under an obligation to inform himself of those matters of scientific knowledge rela tive to the dangers and hazards involved in the use of substances and processes used in his employment. The jury would have been justified in finding that defen dant should have foreseen that plaintiff might receive burns from this solution of muriatic acid. Nor can the court say as a matter of lav/ that plaintiff asswned the risk of the danger or was guilty of contributory negligence. The danger to plaintiff was latent and not open to the observation of one not learned in the science of chemistry. The ovidenco of contributory negligence coming from the plaintiff was net sufficient to justify the court in directing a verdict against him. The judgment is effirmed. Marsanick T. Lucchtefeld. Mo. St. Louis Ct. of App. Decided December 2, 1941. (CCH). 8 Hydrophobia Prevention Compensated. In this case the claimant, a farm hand, had filed application for the payment of medical fees of fc4.5C, incurred for Pasteur treatments. In his application he alleged that he had been handling sheep which developed rabies and on the advice of a physician and his employor took the treatments as a preventive against hydro phobia. On recommendation of the medical investigator, the claim had been denied on the ground that there was no proof of trauma on which to base an accident claim and since the disease had never been contracted, it could not be considered as a compensable occupational disease claim. Later, the Conmiission voluntarily reopened the case and the claims referee recommended its allowance as an occupational dis ease claim, on the reasoning that the medical expense involved may have saved the Commission from paying a death claim. In his opinion, contact with a rabid animal is sufficient tc justify the Commission in accepting jurisdiction in the caso. The Commission approved the claim and ordered that medical bills be paid, Ohio Inc. Comm. Monitor 14, 155 (December, 1941). 3 "Snap Finger" Compensated. The claimant in this case applied for the payment of medical fees incurred as the result of a finger condition which was duo, he alleged, to his employment. The claimant is a chipper and his duties consisted of chipping the heads off a boiler by means of an air hammer. Ag a result of the constant jar and contact of the air hammer ho developed a "snap finger," which is the balling up of a tendon over a joint. The medical investigator reported that the condition was very unusual and that it was evidently peculiar to claimant's employment, since it cleared up when he temporarily took up other work. The claims reviewer '.as of the opinion that the claimant should be given the benefit cf the doubt and the medical bills be paid. The Commission sc ordered and also that such treatment be proviaod as is authoris ed by the nodical section. I hie- Ind. Coin. Monitor 14, 136 (December, 1941). Hwfiii-uu iun9 Industrial Hygiene Digest - e. 1J Injury from Inhaling Impure Air. Board1s Finding ns Contrary to Expert Testi- In 1937, Marcum filed bis application for compensation with the 'i.crxnen's Com pensation 3oard alleging that on the 3rd day of February, 1937, he was pemane ly and totally disabled by breathing impure air and gases in the course of his employment os a coal miner in one of appellant's mines. The board rendered an opinion adjudging Marcum to be totally and permanently disabled and awarded him the maximum compensation for 40C weeks. Appellant has prosecuted this appeal, contending, (I) that the evidence fails to establish that Marcum became ill from the inhalation of impure air; (2) tha evidence establishes conclusively that his <rr\ disability was caused solely by pre-existing disease. Marcum appeared as ? wit ness. He testified that the ventilation was very bad and smoke created by ex plosives used in shooting the coal was caused to remain in the room by improper ventilation. After becoming sick and weak on February 3d, he quit work at 2:3C ?.M. His evidence concerning the bad ventilation and noxious gases was corrobor ated in full by a follow workmen. There is sufficient evidence to support the findings of the board in respect to the presence of impure air and gas in the room where Marcum wormed on the day he claimed to have been injured. Appel lant's second contention merits serious consideration, and is: That since the uncontradictcd medical evidence shews Marcum's disability could not have been caused by the inhalation of impure air or gas, and, since the cause of his dis ability is necessarily one beyend the realm of common Knowledge and exclusively within the domain of expert opinion, such testimony is conclusive of the fact that the disability was net caused by inhalation of impure air or gas. Although the- opinions of physicians, skilled in their profession, will be given great weight by the courts, neither the medical oor any other of the sciences has yet reached the stage of infallibility; and, where circumstances are shown which, if true, would tend to cast some doubt as to the correctness of the opinion of the experts as hero, the issue resolves itself into one of fact to be determined by the board. Opinion or expert evidence is neither conclusive, nor controlling as against evidence of facts. The judgment is affirmed. Consolidation Coal Cc. v. Marcum's Admr. Ky. Ct. of App. Decided November 25, 1941. (CCH}. 11 Dust from Rock Crushing. Silicosis '-/ith Superimposed Tuberculosis. Injury as Accidental Rather Than an Occupational Disease. Notice of injury to respondent was given the board by respondent, stating he was a reds crusher operator and the accident happened by dust from rock crushing operations which has affected his right lung. The attending physician gave his diagnosis as silicosis with superimposed tuberculosis. Appellants resisted compensation on the ground that no proper notico had been given in time, and that the proceedings woro barred by sec. 43-1S02, contending In substance that respondent was not even entitled to recover under the occupational disease statute, 1939 Seme- Laws, chap. 161, because he had not been subject to condi tions conducive to silicosis for a sufficient length of time to entitle Mm to compensation thereunder. Giving full effect to chapter 161, 1939 Seas. Laws, p. 286, because of the defenses interposed herein, it was initially incumbent upon the beard to determine v.-hether respondent was afflicted with disabling or non-disabling silicosis or accidental tuberculosis. The onset of the tuber culosis 'herein, according to the evidence, was brought about by the action of silica dust, which vjas sudden and unexpected, and would bo regarded as accident al. Nor was the injury in any real sense an occupational disease. It is appar ently true that silicosis often results in tuberculosis. Respondent's affliction with incipient tuberculosis or his prodispostion or susceptibility to the same docs act bar compensation." Tuberculosis is not by the statute declared to be an occupational disease. Therefore, it is unnecessary to consider whether cr not a claim for disability because of silicosis, disabling or non-disabling, as Industrial Hygiene Digest - such, where a sufficient tine has net intervened tc make applicable the occupa-2 tional disease statute, is nevertheless or for any reason compensable. The ;5 order of the board is affirmed. Dobbs v. Sureau of Highways et al. Idaho T Supreme Ct. Decided December Z, 1941. {CCH). :x 12 Automobile Ropoirman. Carbon Monoxide Poiscning. Injury as due t: on Accident*! Plaintiff brought suit against Ms employer, the Marshall Company, its sales manager, Calkins, end its store manager, Ccwan, tc recover for injuries alleged tc have been caused by carbon nencxide poisoning suffered by plaintiff in his employment. Plaintiff took an involuntary nonsuit as to Calkins. The jury re turned a verdict in favor of Cowan, and against the Marshall Company for tlG,C0C. /"*r\ The Marshall Company appealed and plaintiff appealed from the judgment rendered in favor of Cowan. Plaintiffs petition alleged that he was employed tc install parts and accessories on automobiles; that Cowan wns employed by the Marshall Company as its store manager; that, as a necessary incident to plaintiff's werk, motors were caused and permitted to run thereby emitting poisonous gases, so as tc poison the air in plaintiff's place of work; that plaintiff inhaled and ab sorbed such gases, and as a result thereof "did contract a severe form of occu pational disease incident and peculiar to plaintiff's employment"; and that plaintiff's injury was caused by defendant'3 negligence. The Marshall Company <=5\ claimed that if plaintiff was injured in the manner alleged, the same wns govern ed by Workmen's Compensation Act and the circuit court was without jurisdiction. If plaintiff's injuries were due to an accident, or series of accidents, rather than to an occupational disease, the primary exclusive jurisdiction would be in the Compensation Commission and not in the circuit court. Plaintiff filed a claim under tho Compensation Act, and after receiving several payments, volun tarily withdrew the claim and brought suit. . There was abundant evidence that carbon monoxide gas is generated by the operation of automobiles and that such gas is common in garages. There was substantial, though disputed, evidence that plaintiff's injuries were due to the inhalation of such gaa, but the evidence in this case fails to establish that plaintiff's injuries constitute an occupation al disease. The evidence shows that when such gases do exist in harmful quanti ty it is due to shutting off the flow of air from the outside. That constitutes an unforeseen event, happening more or less suddenly and violently and producing objective symptoms of an injury within the meaning of the Compensation Act, The exclusive original jurisdiction is vested in tho Commission. The judgment against the Marshall Company is reversed and tho judgment in favor of Cowan is affirmed. Tindall v. Marshall's U.5, Auto Supply Co. Mo. Suprane Ct. Decided December 12, 1941. (CCH). 13 Silicosis. Gypsum Mina. Safe Place to Work. Failure to Furnish Proper Protec tion. Contributory Nosllgenco. The plaintiff Galeota, an employee of the defendant, United States Gypsum Com pany, brought this action to recover damages for injuries he claims to have suffered because the defendant neglected to provide him with.a safe place to work, or to furnish him 'with devices that would provent him from inhaling parti cles of silica from which ho contracted silicosis. He sought to recover for negligence of the defendant in felling to observe its common law obligations and also in failing to observe certain provisions of the Labor Law of the State of New York. In order to prevail, the plaintiff must show (l) that he had a con dition of his lungs knov.-n as silicosis, and (2) that the condition was caused in whole or in pare by negligence of the defendant occurring during the six months when he worked for the defendant. The plaintiff received a judgnent. Plain tiff's evidenco indicated that when working in the gypsum mine he used an elec tric drill to remove the gypsum, and a jackhammer, to dislodge ash. rock and roof i Industrial Hygiene Digest - nHuu-t)U ni'to i rock. In each case dust was created. The defendant attacks the verdict mainly; on the ground that there was nc proof of the amount of free silica present in any dust which the plaintiff inhaled. The testimony was, hcv/ever, sufficient 03 go to the jury and to justify the verdict for the plaintiff. The defendant _ contends that the plaintiff was barred from recovery by his own contributory j negligence and by his assumption of risks inherent in his employment. There was nothing to show that the defendant instructed this employee that inhaling the dust would rasult in serious danger tc him. This 'was its duty to a day laborer of no apparent education. There likewise was nc shewing that defendant furnish ed him with proper appliances to avoid exposure tc silica dust or with a safe place to work. Judge-Lent affirmed. Galeota v. united States Gyps'Xt Co. U.S.C.C.A., 2nd Cir. Decided December 8, 1941. (CCH;. 14 werkmen's Compensation Silicosis Fund, Charleston, W. Va., Seventh Annual Report, Year ending June 30, 1941. C.L. Haaborlin. 15 pc. 1941. In lest Virginia the 'iVcrkr.cn's Compensation Silicosis Act provides compensation benefits for silicosis only. An employer nay or may not elect to have its pro visions apply. As of June X, 1941 there wore 29 employers, with 48 , 648 employ ees, operating as self-insurers under the Act. The report includes a financial statement, an account of activities of the Silicosis Division, a table of premium rates, a list of functions of the Silicosis Division, a brief description of sili cosis, and a claim record. According to this law, $500 is ewaraed claims for first stage silicosis, $1000 for second stage, and for third stage, compensation for life at a rate of $8 tc $16 per week. From 1935 to 1941, 85 cases of silico sis or alleged silicosis have been reported tc the Department. Of these 32 were awarded and 33 denied, the remainder being claims still pending and 6 in which no application was filed. 15 Reports of Committees and Resolutions Adopted by Eighth National Conference on Labor Legislation, November 12, 13 and 14. 1941. U.S. Dept, of Labor, Div. of Labor Standards, Bull. No. 52-A. 22pp. (1941V. The Committee on State Labor Laws and National Defense reported that comparative ly few requests for relaxation cf labor laws have boon received and that many of such requests have cone from non-defense firms. The Conr.ittoe hah considered ac tion under two typos of state laws, those v/hich grant no discretionary power and those which allow for administrative exceptions. Certain restrictive regulations were recommended for use with the latter typo. The report of the Committee on Safety and Health Program and National Defense contains these general workmen's compensation standards: (1) that the acts be compulsory as to typo and apply to all employments; (2) that such acts should provide benefits for all occupational disease disabilities; (3) that necessary medical and hospital care should be pro vided without specific limits as to cost and time; (4) that administration of the acts should be kept informal and non-technical, and that adequate provision should be made to protect the interest of claimants whenever agreement settlements are permitted; (5) that appeals tc the courts from awards and docisions should be allowed only on questions of law; and (6) that cost of workmen's compensation ad ministration should be pro-rated among insurance carriers and self-insurers, and that the operating cost cf State funds should be paid out of premium income. The conference also recommends the extension of worioaen's compensation coverage to include all interstate commerce operations. Relaxation of physical requirements for employment during the present emergency should not decrease th6 extent of medical control programs. In fact the data now gained on the otherwise unemploy able will be of great value. The conference strongly recommends that industrial nygicnc departments be established in all State labor departments. Priority classifications should be adjusted so that an ample supply of personal protective equipment can be made available. (The abstract is confined to the reports of these Industrial Hygiene Digest - 3. CN. tvro committees on points which have a direct bearing on industrial hygiene. The? other Committees are on Education and Training, Labor Supply and Training and " Priorities, Industrial Relations, and Resolutions.) i 16 Workmen*s Compensation Act in South Africa. Anonymous. Ir.t. Lab. Rev., 44, Jjg 96-98 {1541). :* An Act of May 5, 1941, establishes a State Fund to administer compulsory insur-;c ance, and the value of benefits is increased by about 35L. To the compensable occupational diseases are uddod ankylostomiasis (hookworm disease) anthrax and illnesses caused by arsenic, benzene, halogen derivatives, phosphorus, radium and x-rays. The Act eliminates insurance companies and establishes an exclusive State Fund, except that two existing mutual associations are permitted to func tion. 17 Social Insurance in Latin America; Its State and Standards, in. Stack. Int. Labor Rov., 44_, 1-29 (1941). Closer collaboration cf the Latin American Countries with the International Labor Office began in 1934. Conferences of the South American Countries v?ere held in 1936 and 1939. At these conferences, social insurance standards wore determined fer the execution of long term policies. Every Latin American country has work men's compensation laws, but in most of the states the only guarantee for the workmen's claim is a privileged position in the employer's assets. Most cf the laws cover occupational diseases in a schedule. In some states compensation is paid by a lump sum which has a low maximum. Most of the countries have compulsory insurance providing long service or old age pensions and invalidity pensions for largo or small groups. Legal care for sickness and maternity is secured in a few states, but often in such a way as tc impose upon the employer. Broad schemes of compulsory sickness insurance exist in 5 countries. Detailed information is pre sented about the insurance systems of the various countries. 18 Prevention end Compensation in Silicosis in 3pain. Anonymous. Int. Lab. Rev., 44. 99-100 (1941). An order dated March 7, 1941, makes silicosis compensable in the most important industries. It also prescribes ventilation, medical pre-examinations and a yearly examination, Industrial Health Hazards and Their Effects 19 The Intra-tracheal Inoculation cf Anthracite Dust Mixed with Dead Human Tubercle Bacilli into Rabbits. S.L. Cummins. J. Hyg., 41j 101 (September, 1941). Experiments are described showing that the collections of cells around anthracite dust mixed with dead human tubercle bacilli ire quite different in nature from these that occur around dead tubercle bacilli alone or anthracite dust alone. In the last two cases the absence of any large lesions in the lungs, is very notice able, whereas in lungs exposed to the mixture the areas marked out by the collec tions of epitheloid and giant cells arc extremely largo and definite. It appears probable that the fatty and lipoid materials in tubercle bacilli may be held by some substance attached to the tuberculin portion which is, as has been demon* strated, adsorbed by the dust, or that there may be an adsorption by the dust of these constituents ns well; however, the results of additional experiments -with fatty and lipoid elements must be awaited. Industrial Hygiene digest - 3. *_ 20 Pulmonary Diseases ir. the lining Industry. '*' Severs. c.e. jut. of Mines InfS Circ. , No. 7146. 2c cp. (February, 1941). Obtainable frer. Civ. -? Information, U.3. Bur. cf Mines, hashingten, f-ee The principal pulmonary diseases to which the -.iner is subject are bronchitis, influenza and pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis, anthracosilicosis, and cilice-:o sis. The sickness and death rates fro:.- these diseases are much higher in dusty! than in r.cn-dusty industries, especially -..-here silioa dust is used or produced. Antnracosiiiccsic wan found in 22& of 2,711 employees of three anthracite-mining companies studied by the ".. Public Health Service ir: 1933, v.irh 3/1 of the ar.tnraccsilicotics showing evidence of disability. Toe principal pulmonary dis ease ir. metal nines is silicosis, ana the chief menace in silicosis is tubercle infection. Analysis of data collected by the Public Health Service to determine safe limits of dust exposure indicate that employment in an atmosphere containing loss than 5C million dust particles per cubic foot produces a negligible number of silicosis cases -'hen the c.uartz content of the dust i3 less than 5y>; when the silica content is about ler-, 10 tc 15 million particles socn3 tc bo a safe limit. The -rustiest operations in mining are dry drilling, blasting of dry rook or ore, shoveling or mucking, loading and nauiing, and machine coal cutting. The dusti ness is determined by sampling, customarily v.ith the impinger in the United States. The principal method cf preventing pulmonary diseases is elimination of the dust; >> if not completely, at least v.lthin the safety limits given. The principal methods of control arc ventilation, wet methods, proper blasting practice, personal res piratory protection, and physical examination of workor3. The efficiency of these methods is shown especially in Couth Africa, v.horc they have been in use for the longest period. The liability to contract silicosis was less in 1935-37 by 655o t.-.an it was in 1921-23. Among the "new miners" who have enterod the industry since 1916, and who constitute 7? of the total number of miners, the liability tc contract silicosis has been decreased by 87& over the sene period. Statistics are presented in a number of tables. 21 The Question cf Silicosis as an Occupational Disease in France. Etienne-ilartin. Med. du travail. 13^ 1-4 {January-July, 1941). This paper introduces the January-July issue of Idedecin du travail, which is devoted entirely to the struggle to have silicosis recognized as a compensable disease. The employers, relying on the opinion of Policard and othor members of the Academic de Medicine, deny that silicosi3 is an occupational disease, and so no progress has been made. 22 Dust and Disease. C.S. Chubb. Colliery Eng., IS, 125-128 (June, 1941), 150-152 (July, 1941), 175-175 (August, 1941), 198-200 (September, 1941), 255-258 (Novem ber, 1941). The author presents a general review of "dust fibrosis," a tenn which ho believes to bo more satisfactory than pneumoconiosis, which is cumbersome and leads to the use of silicosis to include other dust diseases. The first installment deals v.ith dust fibrosis in general. In the second, he discusses fibrosis in coal mines and concludes that coal dust is net harmless as some believe, but that in the ab sence of proof on either side, coal dust must be considered as a cause of fibrosis. In who third installment silicosis is discussed and in the fourth, asbestosis, ar.thracosis, infection with silicosis, and sidorosis. In the fifth compensation lews of various countries, prevalence of dust fibrosis in Great Britain, and treatment arc discussed. Other instalments are to follow. 23 Influence of Body Size cn Caseous Nitrogen Elimination During High Oxygen Breath ing. A.Ccumana and others. Free.Soc.Exp.Biol.Med., 48, 380-384 (October, 1941). The nitrogen physically dissolved in body tissues can be eliminated by breathing a gas mixture v.-ith low nitrogen content. Approximately 220 cc. of nitrogen are "S"'- Industrial Hygiene Diges eliminated Inning 7 minutes of breathing pure oxygen. The investigation dealt with the relation of amount of nitrogen excretoc to tody size. A close correlate tion 'axis found between nitrogen excretion, surface area and body weight. :ai !S 24 Figment of Anthracosis. uctcber, 1941;. >c. Exoti. Biol, k Med., 43. 7C-7fc It nas been a matter of controversy whether the pigment found in anthracite lungs is the soot originally deposited therein or a product of hemorrhage and inflamma tion. Treatment of the lungs with concentrated hydrochloric yielded a product high in nitrogen, which lad some authors to take the latter view. In the author's experiments uncontaminnted cailff lung gave on aciicd treatment an insoluble- residue lining to nitrogen. liowever, on treatment with alkaline hypochlorite or by papain digestion followed by hypochlorite there -was only a trace of residue. Ihcn an anthracctic lung was given the hypcchicrite treatment, a pignont was iso lated, and throe samples contained 0.4 to 0.3% nitrogen, compared v.lth 0.4% for scot, The results leave no doubt that the pigment is of external origin. 25 Experimental Air-5crne Tisoasc. quantitative Natural Respiratory Contagion of Tuberculosis. V/.F. V.eiis anc i;.3. Lurie, to. 1. Hyg. . 34^ 21-4C (July7 194l) . Apparatus and methods for the study of quantitative, natural, nir-bome contagion which have the fcllovring characteristics as applied particularly to respiratory infection ir. tuberculosis arc presented; (a) they estimate with constancy and considerable accuracy the "dose" of natrually inhaled infection units; (b) the survival period, the preallergic interval, and the type and prognosis of the en suing disease arc- functions of the dose of naturally inhaled microorganisafi; (c) with exposure to small, known doses, the disense reproduces that occurring in rabbits of different inherited natural resistance when exposed to infected cagemates. This disoase in the susceptible rabbits has the characteristics of a first infection, and resembles progressive primary tuberculosis in man. In the resis tant rabbits, it pursues a more chronic course, resembling reinfection tuberculo sis, or adult pulmonary phthisis ir. man. V.'hcr. pure cultures of tubercle bacilli suspended in the air arc exposed at an average distance of 5 centimeters (12C millimicrons per sq. cm.) for 3 seconds, to ultraviolet light of 2537-A0 waveband, 94% arc killed. 26 Silicosis in Stourbridge Fireclay Miners. S. Deaner. Lancet 241, 417-420 (October 11, 1941). Three cases cf silicosis were found among fireclay minors at Stourbridge, England, where the hazard was not previously suspected. Samples of the tvre types of clay contained 7.2 to 36.1% of free silica. One of the cases was diagnosed as silicoonthracosis; the other two were typical of silicosis. 2 7 Critical and Ext crimental Contribution to the Study of Pneuaoconiosis from Sulfur. G.P. Schiavina, "Pass. mad. ind.. 12, 173-165, 244-266 (1941). (Italian). The author criticizes earlier publications on tho effect of sulfur on the lungs and the findings in workers in sulfurjr^y^cs, which arc often contradictory and inexact. In his own experiments,/aqueous suspensions of quartz, carborundun, cal cium oxide, precipitated pure sulfur and crystalline sulfur. The histologic effect was studied after various time intervals ranging from 37-102 days. He found a specific reaction to sulfur in the pleura, an exudative reaction prevalent ly fibrotic with only a slight tendency to organization. This reaction is entire ly different from that cf any ether dust, especially silica. Industris_ nygiene -lgsst Effect cf Barium Carbonate junes on Respirator-/ Tract. Queries 1 Miner Notes. ; w xci. lieu. .-.isoc, , ww7, .l22i. ilotober 4, 1941). Several, patients oaplcyed in a factory where bombs are- heated in barium carbons?# fused_ electrically in aytagk com,plained of a persistent, cough-- There is no spcS ciai ventilation for removal of fumes, and ir.e" question i: whether the fumes ar<3 responsible for the irritatic n. The barium ion is always toxic when absorbed, b_t the answer is difficult b ecause it is net known what barium, compounds are i* present in the air, Barium c:xide may have a caustic action. Nascent oxygen, a" respiratory irritant, nay be evolved. If the bomb casings ere covered v.itn oil, fumes fro..: the heated oil may be responsible. ^Barium carbonate reaching the stomach rny be changed to car ium. chloride, which is very toxic. Good ventilation sncnc bo supplied un--er sucu condition as described. 9 7- - W- ^7 .nsec nui: he Initial Forms. 11. Ccnrczier and J. Magr Med. du trsv., 13_, o-oc (1941/. (French). This paper contains many good roentgenograms and case histories of typical sill- cctics from the coal district of Gard. The silica (presumably quarts) content of the rock is 37;', and protective measures are lacking or inadequate, Therefore silicosis is wide-spread. No miner working mere than 3 years i6 free from fibro sis; and mere than half the men in their sixth year of work have definite silico sis. Tuberculosis is rare. The x-rays shew many men with nodulea, but without fever or bacilli, in seemingly good health, but short cf breath and unable to work. The point of much of the authors' description and argument is that silico sis may exist without tuberculosis, a point on which French Industrial physicians and some scientists era still unconvinced. 3C The P.oer.tKon Picture of the Lungs and Media3tinm in Lymphogranulomatosis Benigna. ' .. /vjr.usson. -->ctoaiec.7lcnn-in.av7',~ I03,~~bli-5E~ (1940). (Scandinavian). After a brief survey of tr.e literature, the author presents 5 case histories of lymphogranulomatosis be:iigna, with lung roentgenographs and one autopsy. The x-ray picture is similar to that of pneumoconiosis; hilar glands arc enlarged and ciircnic interstitial fibrosis is present, especially in the latter stages. The localization of these changes in the anterior parts of the lungs and the close relation to the Itilus arc valuable signs for differentiating the condition from pneumoconiosis. 31 Rouge for Buffing ana Pulmonary Tuberculosis, queries & Miner Notes. F. Am. Med. Asscc., 117, 1492 (October 25, 1941). A young man working with two dusty materials both known as rouge for buffing, presented signs of tuberculosis and had an infiltration of the upper chest as re vealed by a roentgenogram. One of the materials is slate colored and the other the color of ordinary rouge. Without knowledge of the composition of the particu lar materials it is impossible to prognosticate their effects on the lungs. Rouge used for buffing is ordinarily composed of iron oxide, which does not produce serious pulmonary reaction unless contaminated by a high percentage of free silica. The roentgenogram is more suggestive of an infectious than a silicotic process, but if the mineral contains free silica it may be due to a combination of sili cotic and tuberculous changes. 32 Fat Metabolism and Susceptibility to Carbon Tetrachloride. J.C. Forbes and others. F. Pharmacol., 72_, 202-210 (1941). The oral administration cf fat soveral hours before the time of poisoning markediy ir.ci'sssfis clii animal's susceptibility to carbon tetrachloride irrespective of the concentration of fat in the liver. Xanthine does not affect the concentra tion of serum lipiaes of fasting rats or the blood iipide concentration following ingestion of butter-fat. Xanthine injections do not affect the ketonemia of starvation. '>'5 Industrial Hygiene Digest - 12, >c -e 33 Notes on Human Anthracosls. F. Nittoro, See. Path. lap. Trans., 30, ;m 290-296 (1940). (Japanese); (Dial. Absts. 15^ 1546, October, 1541). In 69 oases of anthracosls there was no difference in the amount of pigment in t= the lungs. In general there v.-ss no difference between the upper and lower lobesje The middle lobe of the right lung had the least amount of pigment, The costal " surface cf the lung had the most pijgncnt and the interlobar pleurae the least. ;c The phagocytic cells that ingest the dust arc derived from the alveolar epithelium. Less active areas cf the lung, such as atelectasis, healed tubercles, fibrosis or healed pleuritis, had more pigment than normal tissue. The dust is removed from the latter more effectively by the passage of air. Of 108 cases studied, only 4 had anthraccsis involving spleen, liver, heart ?md Sidney. This is said to re sult from hematogenous metastasis of the dust particles from the lungs. 34 Cavities in the Silicotic Lung. A Pathological Study with Clinical Correlation. A.J. Vorwald. Am.7.rath., 17,, 739-71S (September, 1941K The three types of cavities in the silicotic lung, arc described: (1) those associated v.lth typical tuberculosis that Is little modified by coexistent sili cosis; (2) cavities occurring in areas of silico-tuborculosis resulting from com bined local effect of tubercle bacilli and silica dust; and (3) cavities of the so-called anemic type that develop in massive areas of fibrosis but show no evi dence of causative organisms or cellular reaction. The last are usually stall, elongated and slitliko. Their content resembles ink but is more fluid and not purulent. The inner zone cf the cavity is an indefinite, ragged zone of sad* necrotic tissue. There is an absence of histopathologic and bactericiogic evi dence of infection. In areas of massive fibrosis the blood vessels become oblit erated and the resulting anemia is followed by areas of local necrosis which, be cause of autolysis, ultimately liquefy and excavate. 35 Chronic Fatigue Symptoms Among Industrial honkers. R.V. Ward. Canad. Pub. Health J., 32, 464-7 (September, 1941). During the present speed-up in production there has been an increase in minor symptoms indicating fatigue in a group of industrial workers, including loss of appetite, insomnia, easy crying, irritibility and the feeling of fatigue itself. The physical signs most often found in these patients were loss of weight, in crease in pulse rate, low blood pressure, troacr cf outstretched hands and pallor. All the cases recovered after a period of rest. The illnesses most easily con fused with tho "fatigue syndrome" are pulmonary tuberculosis, hypochromic anemia and hyperthyroidism. 36 Gasoline Intoxication. W. Machle. J. Am. Med. Assoc., 117, 1965-1971 {December 6, 1941). This is a comprehensive discussion of gasoline poisoning, including description cf gasoline, etiology, pathology, symptoms and signs, laboratory examination, sequelae, diagnosis, prognosis and therapy, concluding with the following summary: "Gasoline is a mixture having a 'widely variable chemical composition, and poison ing from it produces a variable clinical syndrome. The most prominent symptoms ana signs arise from the central nervous system and the gastroenteric tract. The opportunity;u for exposure to gasoline constitute an increasingly important poten tial hazard in industry and tc the catnunity. Pneumonitis, visceral congestion and hemorrhages are the most frequent pathological changes. Chronic intoxication from gasoline is rare. Severe sequolao are unconar.on and occur only after severe intoxication. The history of expesuro and estimation of its magnitude are of greatest importance in tho diagnosis. Therapy is general and supportive." maustric hygiene digest - Occupational Injuries. R.P. Ferrari. Med. Klin., 56, 1005-100 7, (1341). (Sernai. A review is included cf recent v;cri in the Italian literature on dangers to th health of eiectrowelders and their prevention, asbestcsis, silicosis, changes J3 the uppor air passages produced by electron dust, anaphylactic asthma in a rayon factory, caisson disease, nasal injuries produced by chrcmiuc, chronic mangane| poisoning, lead in the blood, 'urine and feces cf normal persons and in lead :x poisoning, toxicity of mercury vapors, fatal poisoning from tetraethyl lead, :<= sulfhemcgiotir.emia after cleaning natal fibers impregnated with rubber with warm nitrobenzene, blood diseases from the chronic action of benzene, and poisoning in printing establishments from the action of the fumes of a mixture of benzene end xylene used in cleaning. 33 Cyanogen Poisoning:. Brucndincier. Budap. irv. Ujsag. p. 24 (1940) . (Hungarian) ; led. Klin., 26, iOSO (1940). (German). Cyanogen poisonings occur more frequently with the increased use of cyanogen gas for fumigation. Ten per cent of all poisonings .ore cyanogen poisonings. A case is reported of a b-ycar-oid bey who was poisoned by cyanogen gas pouring from the v.-indovrs of a neighboring dwelling into a court. Details of the progress cf the poisoning are given and probable effects are discussed. Recovery followed in 5 weeks. (It is not clear from our information whether "cyanogen gas" refers to cyanogen it self or to hydrogen cyanide. At least the factor of 1Q^> must refer to hydrogen cyanide, as it is much more frequently used than cyanogen.) 39 Industrial Exposure to Toxic Chemicals. T.H, Foulger and A.J. Fleming. J. Am. ;ied. Asset., 117, 331-336 (September 6, 1941). The authors claim to have demonstrated that the first effects of exposure to toxic substances ore the same, no matter what the chemical structure of the com pound involved, provided they have systemic effects. The symptoms are: easiness of fatigue, hoadache, gestro-enteric disturbances, vertigo, precordial pain, pain or tingling in extremities and dyspnea on slight exertion. The first signs of exposure to toxic chemicals are definite ehenges In pulse rate and blood pressure. On the basis of this belief the authors have developed a scheme for medical con trol of industrial health, which is described briefly. It begins with a compre hensive prcemploymont examination used for selection and never for elimination. An equally thorough examination should be made when an employee is transferred to another job or released frem employment. Blood pressure tests are frequently made, especially when symptoms of toxic exposure are present, and a deviation of more than from normal is taken as an indication of illness. An elaborate sys tem of scoring, with mathematical charts, is used to determine effects of expo sures, A program of preventive medicine is built up on that basis. The authors minimize the importance of chemical and engineering control. They admit that air analysis is important in determining the mechanical efficiency of operating equip ment and ventilating systems, but believe that the present tendency is to rely too much on air analyses and safe-level concentrations of gases, vapors, fumes or dusts. In important cases injuries arise from absorption of materials through the skin rather than by inhalation. The unorthodox beliefs and methods of the authors merit further study. The elaborate system of rating and control has apparently been of great value in their hands, but it will be known whether it is a really valid technic only after it has bean used by many physicians and under varying industrial conditions. 40 Toxicity of Dichlorobenzene. Queries A Minor Notes. J, ac. Med. Assoc., 117, 2C17 (December 6, 1941). It is asked whether there is danger in the use of dichlorobenzene in closets which arc frequently opened, and whether it is carcinogenic. Paradichlorobenzene is extensively used in therapeutics, in agriculture and in preserving clothing, and Industrial Hygiene Digest N fflft-B fiM B it is only recently that its toxic possibilities have become of interest, ence is made to the recent 'work of Berliner (Abstract lie. 266, March, 1940 Dige .vho found cataracts and serious toxic effects to fellow inhalation of paradichl benzene vapor. Confinement in a close space with high concentrations may cause deleterious effects but there is no evidence that cccasitnal shert exposures mn cause untoward reactions. when used as a spray, the solvent may be carbon tetr chloride, benzene, chloroform and carbon disulfide, the dangers cf whi c r. c.r known. Present kr.cv,-ledge dees not indicate dichicrobenzene as being a c^rci^o- genic agent. A oasc of dermatitis from orthodichlorober.zone h.as been :reported (see Abstract No. dec, October, 1933 digest). Although the ha a the di- chlorobenzenes is apparently slight, industrially or otherwise, they m:ight well be watched carefully in view of their chemical constitution and widesp:read 'use under varying conditions. 41 Changes in the Reactivity of the Body Co-used by Hydrogen Sulfide. S.M. Pavlenko. Arch. sci. bid. (H.c.i.F.,, SC. No. 3, 55-64 1194C). (Busziani. Various aoses of hydrogen sulfide (300 mg. per 1. of saline solution) were in jected into the bleed stream of rabbits. The effects on blood pressure are pro duced via the vasomotor center. Hydrogen sulfide causes a brief lowering of blood pressure, previously raised by adrenalin, which later returns to the high level. It prolongs the pressor action of adrenalin. Preliminary doses of hydro gen sulfide markedly strengthen the pressor action of subsequently administered adrenalin. Small doses (loc.) of hydrogen, sulfide raise the reactivity of the animal tc subsequent doeos cf potassium chloride. Hydrogen sulfide increases the vagus sensitivity to electrical excitation. Preliminary treatment with hydrogen sulfide of sensitized animals intensifies the anaphylactic shock, and the effect is lethal in more casos than in controls. The reaction of vogotative centers to hydrogen sulfido varies according to their initial physiological state. 42 Human life and Death at High Pressures. j.B.S. Haldane. Nature (London) 148. 458-460 (October 13, 1941). The subject is discussed ziainly with reference to escape from a submarine, but most of the paper is also of industrial interest. The subjects discussed are: mechanical effects, nitrogen intoxication, carbon dioxide intoxication, o^-gen intoxication, after-effects of cerbon dioxide, bubble formation during decom pression,and cold. Nitrogen is a narcotic at pressures of 10 atmospheres and higher. Argon is more narcotic than nitrogen, but the higher inert gases have net been investigated. Helium and hydrogen are not narcotic, but it is probable that they would be so at 20 atmospheres. Carbon dioxide in the nozaal percentage in air causes unconsciousness at 10 atmospheres. Oxygen is a convulsant at 7 atmospheres. Bubble formation is a hazard that has been known for some time. It can be avoided if the decompression is conducted slowly. There is much individ ual variation in the safe speed of decompression. The author regards helitn as of value in avoiding nitrogen intoxication, but is doubtful of its value against "bends." This failure, which is supported by his experience, throws some doubt on current theories cn the cause of "bends." The problem demands a systematic experimental study with a number of gases. 43 Dark Adaptation end Miner1s Nystagmus. I. Campbell. Brit. Mod. J., Zj 726-727 (November 22, 1341). Night blindness has long been known to be a characteristic symptom of miner's nystagnus. A series of observations show that in a selected group of miners, a deficiency of vitamin A, as demonstrable by the dark-adaptation test, was present, and by the administration of vitamin A over a limited period the power of dark adaptation was considerably improved. Industrial Hygiene Digest vo -r- 44 Benzene Hazards to A rkcrs ir. Vulcanizing Shoes for Tire Repairing. -dur.per-,-- diack. Ibl. f. Gcweroehyz. , I3_, 55-66 (1541;. [Gcrnazi. In recent decades many mail .vrrkshops fer tire repairing have opened. (The T author is writing; ah :ut Germany, but the sane conditions apply here and probably will to s greater extent.. They ore frequently established in unsuitable reensj* and various solvents for the so.ution of rubber are employed. cone of the rubbe? solutions contain snail ar.runts :f benzene, nnd the solvents themselves often con tour. as much as 30;.. `'cnzcr.e. The author examined workers fro:., sere of these es tablishments and found, especially among those exposed to benzene, several wcTi ers with o high relative lymphocytosis, positive R.unpci-Lcde symptoms, and com plaints of nervousness tni irritability. He recommends the use of benzine (naphtha, iow-cciiir.g gasoline; instead of benzene, tetter ventilation and peri odic medical examinations. 45 studies v.jth Purachonyler.odiai.lne in Pur Acrkcrs. M.G. Gilverbcrg and H.Heimann. Tour. Invest. Ism.., 4_, 133-253 (1341). Abctr. from Biol. Abstr., 15., 2019 (November, 1341). Scratch end patch tests with porophcnylcnediamine and related dyes and scratch tests with animal epidermis were performed on 10 asthmatic fur workers, only one of when also rove a history of oometitis. Sighty-five fur workers 'without astixia, including 11 with a history of occupational dermatitis, were patoh-tosted as controls. Glycerinetod protein extracts of fur and danders (horse, cat, muskrat, squirrel, rabbit, racoon, dog, goat, skunk, beaver, sheep) and paraphenylencdior.ine (dissolved in serum and in water in various concentrations) were used for scratch tests. For patch tests 2% pnraphonylenedianine in vaseline was used. Scratch tests with paraphcnylonedianine in the asthmatics were all nega tive. In 1 of 10 asthmatics, scratch tests with animal epidezmals (cat and hea ver) were positive. Four of the asthmatics, only 1 of whom gave a history of dermatitis, reacted by patch test to paraphenylenediamine. In the control group 3 of 10 workers with a history of occupational dermatitis reacted to the patch teats with paraphonyienediamine. No such positive tests wore found in fur work ers without a history of astiiua or occupational dermatitis. In asthma possibly due to paraphcnyienediairlnc the scratch test gives no evidence of hypersensitivity but a number of asthmatic fur workers without a history of dermatitis react to the pcraphonylcnodiamiae patch test. 46 Hypersensitivity to Turpentine and its Substitutes. A. Sciaiidt. Dermatol. Vohnschr., 112, 369-590 (1941)". (German). Turpentine substitutes differ so widely that any test of sensitivity should be made with a sample of the suspected material and not with any laboratory samples. The author found that of 59 persons suffering from eczema with positive reactions for turpentine or its substitutes, 3 reacted positively to turpentine alone, 3 to substitutes alone, but the remaining 53 reacted to both. 47 The Occurrence and Prevention of Occupational Diseases among Women, 1935 to 1938. II.T. Mettcrt. TJ.S.Dept. of Labor Women's Bureau, 3ull. No. 184, 1941. Price 1Q. The material presentod, derived from agencies of 9 States, gives a fairly good idea of the range of occupational diseasos among women. It is difficult, however, to compare conditions in the reporting States. Mere days are lost on account of illness by women than bp men, ana since their wages are lower, compensation awards to women arc lower. As among male workers, dermatitis is the commonest industrial disease, and caused by z number of materials. Repetitive motion causes tenosyno vitis, felons and bursitis. Load poisoning is widespread; systemic poisoning due to benzene, radium, hydrofluoric acid, com, dyes and gas fuzes were reported. Ither discuses reported word chrome ulcerations, silicosi3, asbestos!s and heat stroke. Some ,,f the special surveys and studies in single industries are reviewed briefly. As the number c-f industrial hygiene units increases, more data on occu pational disoases of women will be available. > .; Industrial Hygiene liras: - le. 43 rounds of Prevention. R.n. Helly and L.A. V;art. Monsanto Mae. , --- l 15-1S (December, 1541). The paper is an exposition in a popular style of toe tcxicc ct^fc by Monsanto Chemical Company or. new products so that injury wl sl occur may be prevented. The principal toxicological v-erk f formed at various lending universities which are mentioned " t ICC ` - -si the National Institute of Health. The concluding paragraph "In its toxicological investigations, industry comes closer S etlvc tive than in any other phase cf its operations. There is a formation between the workers at DuPont's Haskell Labornttr Company toxicologists, the Carbidenr.d Carbon group at hello other agencies, all of v.'hnm arc working toward a common end 0 vnnee the frontier of cur -understanding end to pare the way products which flow from the research laboratories." 43 Some Common Health '.-D. cards in the Electroplating Industry. H. G. Dyictor. Monthly P.ev. Am. Eleetropietcrs' Soc., 27, 597-61C (194C). The health iiazards involved in chromium plating, solvent degreasing, lacquering, pickling and in polishing operations ore discussed. For safety, the concentration of chromium trioxide in the air should bo below 1 mg./lC cu. m. If the chromium plating tanks are ventilated by slots, the air velocity should be at least 15CC feet per min. The risk of silicosis is discussed, and it is concluded that it is slight among metal polishers. 5C Observations on Orthodlchlcrbcnzcne. K. Riedel. Arch. f. Gewerbepath., 10, 546-549 (1341). (German) . The author found orthedichlorbenzene to be very irritating to the human skin. Mice, exposed to an atmosphere saturated -with the substance, became excited and died on the following day. Rats died after a few paintings of their abdomens wits. it. However, a large dog showed no abnormal results af-fer 2 weeks' exposure where 2 cc, orthodichlcrbenzcno was spread daily for 2 hours. Vapors blow-n near a flame yielded chlorine and perhaps also phosgene. These results indicate the danger in using orthedichlorbenzene a a solvent. 51 Acute Poisoning from Aniline Cll. G.P.. Bcr.tcn and G.J. LaBarge. Ind. Mod., 10. 556-559 (Decomber, 1341). Commercial aniline oil is a mixture of aniline, toluidine, nitrobenzene and other benzene derivatives. It is extensively used in manufacturing processes and is often encountered as an active ingredient of shoe dyes, hair dyes, insoluble mark ing ink, lithograph ink, mimeograph ink and floor polishes. Most caso3 of acute poisoning from aniline oil result from direct absorption through the unbroken skin. Symptoms in sevoro cases include dark blue cyanosis of the skin, a slow bounding pulse, booming heart sounds on auscultation, symptoms of air hunger, sometimes nausea and vomiting, very low blood pressures, and sudden and extreme prostration. Convulsions sometimes occur. The toxic dose cannot bo estimated as thcro 13 no formula for measurirg the index of absorption. Use of alcohol tends to facilitate absorption. Most cases occur as a result of accidental con tact with shcc dyes cr marking inks or the ingestion cf contaminated liquor. A case is reported in detail in which a soldier suffered severe aniline poisoning as the result .f a practical jcko. Throe days in an oxygen tent greatly assisted recovery, which was complete in 13 days. The clinical pathological changes may be grouped os fellows: (1) the excessive formation of mothemcglobln with a re sulting cyanosis and anoxemia; (2) the effects cf the anxemia and of the aniline -and nitrobenzene upon the central nerveus system; and (3) the hemolytic effect cf the nitrobenzene upon the cells of the circulating blood. Oxygen therapy and transfusion arc the best hiss cf treatment. Aniline spots on the skin may bo re moved by Vk acetic acid followed by a lukewarm shower bath. Intravenous fluids, particularly 10# glucose in normal saline, favor the elimination ef aniline and nitrobenzene from the blood stream. !t / U Industrial Hygiene Digest - i . "V. 52 endulant fever in Packing House Bsployoes. N.Y. City Dept, of Health Quarterly:! Bulletin 9_, 7? (November, 1341;. The report to the Deparhaent of Health during 1341 of four eases of undulant ^ fever among 22C employees of one of the large hog-packing houses was unusual enough to initiate a detailed study cf the exact hazards to which these employes are subject. It v.eas found that after the hogs are slaughtered, they '.`.'ere moved :* to the floor bclov; s'ospondcd separately on e movable trolley. Cn this floor, the carcasses arc dipped for a period of ten seconds each into a hot resin solution. They arc then placed on a table where the rosin, and with it, the heir is pulled off manually, leaving the hide clean. All of the cases occurred in employees en gaged in this specific rosir. method cf hair removal. In a similar establish ment employing approximately the same number of workors where the steam method of hair removal is being used, no eases have boon reported. Inquiry throughout the country to determine whether similar experiences with the resin method have been reported indicates that no such hazard has yet been noted, although this method of hair removal, because of its rapidity and efficiency, is widely usod. 53 The Resistance of Hats to Nitrochlorobenzono under Various Conditions of Diet. II. Y.A. Levin and S.H. Tubashinskeya. Bull. biol. med. cxptl., 'J.S.3.R., 6, 664-666 (1933). (Russian). Rats poisoned by aitrochlorobcnzenc (mixture of o and p compounds) wars found tc recover to a much greater extent on a meat diet than on one cf bread. The meat diet reduced the fail in temperature caused by the poisoning. 54 Is there a Connection Bcr.vson the Benzpyrene Content and the Carcinogenic Rffoct of Tor? G. idicscher cna others. Schweiz, mod. Wchnsahr. 71, 1002-1007 (1941). The authors examined the benzpyrene content of ga3 tax in various Swiss towns. The tars were then purified and their carcinogenic effoct was detemlned by paint ing on mice. The investigators then, usod a statistical method to evaluate the re sults, in order tc overcome the difficulty that many mice die In the long period needed for the experiments. They find a simple, regular relationship betwoen the benzpyrene content and the carcinogenicity of the tar. 7> 55 Toxicity and Actions of Trimethylene Glycol. W, Van Nlnkle, Jr., J. Pharmacol., 72. 227-232 (1941). The acute end chronic toxicity of trizsethylene glycol for rats is about twice that cf propylene glycol. Cats are more sensitive, and rabbits are less sensitive, than rats. Trinethylono glycol showed no glycogenic action in rats. It is quite unsuitable for use as a solvent in food and drug products. 56 Flake Naphthalene and Aural Symptoms. Queries & Minor Notes. J.Am.Med.Assoc., 1-7. 1222 (October 4. 1941). A case is reported in which an employee packing clothing had hissing noises in his ears, but hearing was normal. The question whether naphthalene might be respons ible is practically ansv/erod in the negative. The only known ill effects havo been limited tc manipulation of naphthalene in the hot or molten states or in high concentrations. NCfhthaione has been toe widely used in flake form for any effects such ?.s that described to pass unnoticed. 57 Effects of Synthetic Resins. Queries k Minor Notes. j.Aie.Med.Assoc., 117, 2013 {December 6, 194i). At. employee of a company using Plaskcn melding compound complains of a dry ccugh. Bronchitis and ether respiratory inflarsnaticrs have occurred in hotmolding work, probably en account of evolution cf fomaldoliydo. Dermatitis is the best known of injurious actions, although cases arc infrequent compared to some other plastic rosins. Industrial Hygiene Digest - 15. C*v- 58 Toxicity of ''iitrcnaraffins in Paint Removers. Queries & Minor Notes. J.Am.MeiJ Assoc., 117, 976 (SeptemberTf, 1941). -- A paint rartover used by the Air Corps contains 25- nitroethane, the remainder do ing ethyl alcohol, ethyl methyl ketone, ethyl formate and toluene. InfcmaticdT' on toxicity, especially of the r.itroparaffins is requested. The reply states <gat all the given constituents, except ethyl alcohol, any be harmful under seme cin* cumstanccs. Ethyl formate is rated as a miner skin irritant and no safety limrlFs can be fixed. The conclusions reached by recent investigators cn the toxicity of nitroethsne, methyl ethyl ketone and toluene are summarized briefly. 59 Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning and Muscular Atrophy. Queries & Miner Notes. I. Am. Med. Assoc., 117, 1X7 (October 11, 1941). One of three employees of a dry cleaning establishment who suffered from carbon tetrachloride poisoning and recovered, has developed a classic case of spinal muscular atrophy. There was nc sensory disturbance and the spinal fluid was nor mal, Information is requested cn the possibility that the condition may be the result of the tetrachloride exposure. No similar case can be found cn record which can be attributed to carbon tetrachloride, although nervous forms -.Tith polyneuritis have followed liver injury from that chemical, and changes in the optic and sciatic nerves have been observed in rats and monkeys after prolonged exposure. If all ether possible causes can. be excluded and symptoms and signs persist, the possibility of carbon tetrachloride exposure being the exciting cause cannot be excluded although it would be extremely unusual, 60 Some Fhamacclogical Propertius of the "Tcrgitol" Penetrant3. H.F. Smyth, lr., J. Seaton and L. Fischer. J. Ind. ITyg. & Tox., 23, 478-433 (December, 1941). "Tergitol" penetrants arc sodium aicctol sulfates of high surface activity which arc- widely used industrially, especially in textile technology, to obtain spread ing and penetration of aqueous solutions. Their toxicity was studied by means of animal experiments. They have only moderate toxicity in single doses, and in the usual effective concentration of C.Oo to 2ji their acute toxicity is of no Impor tance. A large excess taken by mouth irritates tha digestion tract and affects the kidney. In repeated doses the "Tergitols" have slight cumulative action, be ing somewhat more injurious than castilc soap and somewhat less so than sodium lauryl sulfate. Their chief site of attack is the kidney. On the skin and mucous membranes, the action of "Tergitol" is similar to liquid soaps and somewhat less than that of some other wetting agents. 61 Formaldehyde. Queries S: Minor Notes. J. Am. Med. Assoc., 117, 1834 (November 22, 1941). The inquirer requests elucidation of some points in the earlier reply entitled "Masks for Protection against Formaldehyde Gas," (Abstract No. 784, September, 1941). Bronchitis and other mucous membrane irritations have been suspected but never actually proved, to be caused by formaldohyde. As for as con bo determined, if good ventilation exists and if the concentration of formaldehyde does not ex ceed 0.025 mg. per liter or 20 parts per million during the entire work period, the worker will not suffer any harmful effects oven though he does not wear pro tective masks. That concentration is higher than can easily be obtained when there is ventilation. Special protective masks arc advised when cleaning out tanks when the ventilation is poor. Paraformaldehyde has the sane effect as formaldehyde, sc far as indicated by available information. As regards cutaneous injury, formaldekydo is a strong sensitizing agent, and Sr% is usually the upper limit for patch tests. Irritations may vary from extensive vesicular dermatitides in more sensitive, ta dryness, thickness and fissuring of the skin in less sensi tive individuals. Industrial Hygiene digest - 13. A 62 Health Hazardsin ?ur Garment Making 3hops. 1..M. McMahon. State Dept. Labor, Ini. Hull.., 20, 299-3C2 i October, 1941'. Nearly all fur garment she;.3 are in tenant factories, and the trade is even .teres diversified than the dyeing and dressing industry. The garment snaps covered ih"5 the survey employed 5 to 200 peepie and handled many hinds of fur. The princie4S preventable hazard is dust, .;hich is released with hair and fuzz ir. nearly all :x operations, which include cutting, operating (sowing;, finishing, hand or mac hi rE beating, drumming, cleaning or hi owing, clipping, crushing, combing and steam glazing, "'tier hazards a: shin, me to oils, naphthalene r.c paradickiorbenzone. eanitary conditions in general are nat very good. Recur" mdutions include exhaust ventilation, respir- aters, general good housekeeping and cleanliness. A detailed report cf the med ical findings on physical examination v.-iii appear later, but it can be said at this point that there is no higher general incidence of disease in fur workers, either in garment miking or in dyeing md crossing, than in the industrial popu lation ns a v.-holo. inceptions or: exposure to dyes and other chemicals causing dermatitis. 63 Investigations of Professional Deafness ir. Shipyard and Machine- Factory Laborers. 3. Larsen. Acta Ctoicryngcl. , Supp. 3j3, 3^225 ' 1939) . (Danish) . The introduction of pneumatic hand-tools has greatly increased the danger of deaf ness, long recognized omens, boiler makers and riveters. The deafness is associat ed with degeneration of the organ of Corti and a decrease of the number cfganglion cells in the spiral ganglion. Such changes have been produced experimentally in animals. A group of 123 boiler makers who were not subject to other causes of deafness was studied. Extent and degree cf deafness increased with advancing age. The cut standing feature of the deafness was reduction of hearing for whispor, but other impairments wore present in advanced cases. Improvement was noted in hear ing for whispor, after periods of unemployment, even for one day. Suppurations were not found to exert much influence cn the dogroe of doafness. Bone conduction of vibrations can play un important auxiliiary part in causing deafness. As re gards prevention, ear-plugs and the like arc of little value; reduction in noise is the only remedy. The degree of invalidity found due to the deafness was slight. 64 Zinc and Zinc Oxide. National Safety Council. Industrial Data Shoet No. D-Mol2. Nat. Safety News 44, 38-40 (August, 1941). The principal hazard of zinc and its oxides is metal fume fever. Another problem is fire and explosion if powdered zinc comes in contact with water or acids. Der matitis from zinc chloride is also a possibility. The symptoms of metal fume fever, most common in brass foundry work, arc feeling of general illness, ertrome fatigue, severe thirst, leg pains, congestion in the head, dryness and tickling of the throat and respiratory passages, and cough. In severe cases thero may be chills end a fever up to 104F, nausea end vomiting. The disease is not a metal poisoning but tlx; result of dehydration of superficial colls and the absorption of proteins from the dead cells. There is no kno-.vn fom of chronic zinc poison ing. Metal fume fever may also bo caused by, finely divided copper, manganese and magnesium, home v.nrkors acquire a considerable degree of immunity. Although the disease is transitory, the possibility of poisoning by lead, arsenic, etc., that may be present as impurities, calls for the usual precautions against hazard ous forces., including local exhaust systems and general cleanliness. 65 Spinal Ccr-d and Peripheral Nervous System in Chronic Manganese Poisoning. A Con tribution tc thy Tcchelty-:al Anatomy of Men-anesc Poisoning. H. Voss. Arch,f. Gewcrbopath. , 13_, 5;'3-56e il9iiTT (German) . The author discusses animal experiments and four cases that have coao to autopsy, in their bearing or. the question of the effect of manganese poisoning on the ner vous system. The results fnr.\ the small number of cases are inconclusive, and Industrial Hygiene ripest - c- . further ing and research is necessary. There amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. may be c relation between marganeso o1 oisorfua*r. 66 Phosphorus ("hiteS. National Safety Council. *nnustrial Tata Sheet No. D-3hem.:o 39. Net. Safety Nev.-s 43_, 92,54 (Ictcber, 1541), ,i, The hazards cf exposure to phaspoorus are dermatitis cr caustic turns due t; c:rm tact cf phosphorus >.ith the shin, and necrosis cf the jawbone and general bcr.e * chnr.rcs due to respiration of tic fvines. There is also the nsznrd ;f acute pci- sar.ir.g if phosphorus is ingested. '''Lite (commercially called yellow, phosphorus is one of the more serious industrial poisons. Its use in match manufacture hoc ioasca, cut it is used in metallurgy and the manufacture of phosphoric scid, phosphorescent paint, incendiary projectiles and smoke scrc-en shells. Phosphorus ir. contact with the skin sets up locally n painful lesion that heal3 very slowly. In acute poisoning, onset is slow, and characteristic symptoms ere garlic-like taste, pain, in the abdominal region, nausea, vomiting, hemorrhages end 'hiccoughs. The vcmitus is black with a garlic odor end may be phosphorescent. There is usually a subsidence cf symptoms followed by relapse, after which recovery or doath may take Lace. Chronic poisoning may produce similar symptoms, with loss cf appetite, shortness of breath, soreness ir. throat and increased susceptibility to bronchial diseases. However, necrosis of the jawbone or "phossy jaw" nay be also present. Individuals '..1th sound teeth are about 1/3 losslikely to contract this disease. Prevention involves cleanliness, not eating, or chewing near phosphorus, physical examinations, exhaust systems and respirators. Phosphorus must always be stored under 'water, and fireproof construction, is necessary. First aid measures include shower baths or other quick washing for skin or eye contacts. Cases of poisoning from ingested phosphorus are rare in industry, but if phos phorus is swallowed, a physician should be called, vomiting should be induced, ccppor sulfate (2 grams in 100 cc.) and largo quantities of water and 5 to 10 cc. of oxidized turpuntinc should be given -- net milk or white of egg. 67 Factory Smoke Containing Manganese as Predisposing Cause in Epidemics of Pneumonia in cr. Industrial District. 5. Flstad. Noraisk Mod., _3, 2527-2533 (1939). The author presents seme preliminary results of his researches into the pneumonia conditions in a Norwegian industrial district. While the district in earlier days was noted for its healthful climate with only rare cases of pneumonia, it has during the past 15 years, since the beginning of the industrial activity, had a pneumonia morbidity 4 times as largo as that of the whole country and a mortal ity 3 times ns largo. The situation cannot be explained in relation to the social and climatic conditions existing. The bacteriological state, as to the type of pneumococcus, shows nothing unusual. A prophylactic vaccination, started in 1940, has so far not been able to check the epidemics. The industrial products cf the place are alloy's of manganese produced by electrical melting. This operation gives off a considerable amount of smoke. The smoke contains manganese; an anal ysis cf lung tissue from dissected individuals shows a considerable increase in manganese content. 66 Thallium Poisoning. Dusitrescu-Mante and CiorsDciu. Bull. Soc. mod, hop. 3ukarcst, V; (Roumanian); Med. Klin., 36, 1131 (1940). {German). In addition to the well-known symptoms of thallium poisoning (polyneuritis, less cf hair, folliculitis, etc.), a series of symptoms originating from the vegetative nervous system arc described: sweating in tho lumbar region, dryness in the mouth with constant sensation cf thirst due to inhibition of tho activity of the salivary pianos, sinus tachycardia through vagus stimulation, increase in blood pressure, transitory nnisoccria and pain in the eyeball, us well as transitory signs of spasmophilia. Ail-symptoms disappeared after injection of vitamin Bq, potassium iodide and sodium thiosulfate. C?1 -TT< Industrial Hygiene riH ffli-u filW t/Y Neurasthenia from Mercury (Tcxic Encechalcpachia or Neurosis)? H. Steck. *^ev* mud", de la Suisse rum. 60 , 649-655 (1940). The author has observed about 40 cases of neurasthenia following mercury pci sen ing, over a period of 10 years or aero, and is convinced that the illness is caused by mercury. The chief symptoms are great fatigue, great muscular v.-eajeic daily in the Legs, enervation, but first cf all pronounced irritabii i which may develop to point of maniacal attacks. Intolerance tt lee hoi, erethism, mercurial tremor, and Parkinsonism often appear De_ ocsit; of mere ury may be mobilized by other poisoning or by infection; in such cases mercury a x Ti v IlC s^i* X 110 * 71 Toxicity of Orally Ingested Tungsten Ccr.pc'unds in the Pat. F.W. Kinard and 0, Yen dc Ervc. T. Phnrmc.cci.. 72, 19C-SCI (1941). When added to the diets cf ycurg rats, tungstic oxide and ammonium puratungstate having an equivalent of 0,5?; tungsten, caused the death of SC and 60^. of the rats, respectively. Higher concentrations produced correspondingly higher mortality. 71 Toxicology cf Selenium. YT. effects of Subacute Exmsure tc Hydrogen Selsnide. H.C. Tudley and JVA'. Miller. J.Ind.Hyg. &. Tox., 23, 470-477 (December, 1941) . After a description of a new sampling device made necessary by the longer expo sures, the author reports a study of the effects on guinea pigs of 3lngle expo sures to hydrogen sele-nide for 2, 4, and 8 hours. For single 8-hour exrposures a concentration of 0.001 to 1.004 mg. hydrogen selenide per liter produced death in 50? of the aninal3 so exposed. In man a concentration of 0.C05 mg. per liter is intolerable, producing eye and nasal irritation. At 0.001 mg. per liter no eye cr nasal irritation is produced in men, although olfactory fatigue is so rapid that the odor quickly disappears. Pathological findings indicate that the initial pulmonary irritation of exposure to low concentrations of hydrogen sele nide is sufficiently damaging to causa pncimionitis, which may persist in a sub acute form. The early liver damage (fatty metamorphosis) subsides, while the spleen changes progress to a remarkable degree, 73 Acuto Lead Poisoning. An Experimental Contribution to tho Question of the Tox icity of Lead Compounds by Quantitative Experiments. G. Tartler. Arch. f. Hyg,, 125. 273-292 (1941). The author poisoned guinea pigs by oral doses of lead compounds increased daily in such a way that doath occurred after 4^ days when tho most poisonous was used. If the minimum lethal dose is taken as a measure, the following decreasing scale of toxicity was established; lead nitrate, chloride, lactate, red lead, oleate, carbonate, stearate, sulfide and sulfate. Lead phosphate was found to be nonpcisonous. In poisoning from lead carbonate, extremely severe cramps were the dominating symptom. Examination of the organs showed that tho lead content of the whole brain of poisoned animals never exceeded the normal (10 gamma), oven when doath occurred. The lead content of the liver Increased quickly and marked ly, while that of tho bones increased much more slowly and with greater individ ual variations. 73 Manganese. F.L. Smith, 2nd and T.K. Rntijnell. The Cyclopedia of Medicine Surgery, and Specialties. F.A. Davis Co., Philadelphia, Pa. (1939). A review covering physiological action, pathology, and toxicity of various com pounds. Pharmaceutical preparations and dosage are included. 74 Production of Tumors by Tobacco Tars. C.M.Flory. Cancer Res., 262-276 (1941). Groups of rabbits were painted on the ears with three tobacco tars, one produced by the destructive distillation cf tobacco at 35C-7C0C., anothor produced simi larly at 130-350, and the other obtained by smoking tobacco in pipes. With each of the tars, tumors were produced in all or nearly all the rabbits. Mice were found less sensitive. Hm u B 8 0 1 0 1 !/ 6- Industrial Ifygiene Digest - 11. Caynh*. ~j 2^1d. Z't -ti s in. rznk* r with Dlear.ir.i Fluids. Queries H Minor Notes. I. Am. lied. Assoc,, 117, 111 [ --oa'stcer 2C , * 94u ,, .-. esse cf onychia, most severe :n the thumbs, associated with a rash cn the ban is described. The patient had formerly handled a solvent used in the cleaning business. After the demutiti; occurred, he was careful r.ot to c:r.e in contact 1th the solvent, and his com: tier, improved. The question was whether inhala- .o inflaro.'.atory process active. In the reply the ribc-d, and it is agreed that onychia, a nail 76 Ir.jderr.cTihytia Ir.tcrdigitulis chnsohr. 112, did-del (1341) Statistics cn th~ fungus -is;, .so epidermophytia arc presented. Its incidence is rather high among miners; the anthers fauna ZZ?% cf underground nine workers affected in. a particular Gem n coining district. A percentage cf 57.1 has been reported anong '.verhers ir. a 1; panose spinning rill. The workers pay nc attention tc the shin affection, v.hich he authors believo to be caused by the moist and hot nine atmosphere. 7 7 onycholysis in Fur Norkers. H. Heine.an and M.G. oilverbcrg. Arch. Derr.. & Syph. , 441 42c--425 ( noptemoer, 1341). C.nycholysis consists of a separation of the -tail from the nail bed sau its ulti mate loos, ulth rcgrc..th of - new nail, which nay also become involved. It is generally considered rare, but.in a study of the fur industry recently completed by the Division of Industrial Hygiene of the New York State Deporteicnt of Labor, the aisense was found in 70 of 91 fur floshors. Erosion of nail plates was also scon in sure workers. There was no complaint of pain or discomfort except after returning tc work after an absence. The condition is not disabling but is dis figuring. No relation v.es found between the degree of onycholysis and the length -f continuous employment. None had an infection of the finger nails or dermatitis. If the 70, 33 had more than 3 fingers affected. Prevention is dependent on the use of tools instead of finger nails in removing the coriian from the fur pelt. Gloves arc not feasible for this work becauso they materially impair efficiency. The disease occurs in some other industries and may be caused by constant wetting cf the hands in brine end by mechanical trauma. *75 Treatment of Skin Injuries from Hydrofluoric Acid. F. Flury, Eraegcr-Hefte, No. 20 6, 4393 ~ (1940). I German). The treatments recommended arc long-continued washing v.ith much water followed by repeated rubbing with magnesia-glycerol paste. In severe cases the injection of 10?J solutions of calcium gluconate is recommended. All cases should receive the usual medical aftor-treatments. The nature end mechanism of hydrofluoric acid burns are described. 79 Phenyl Mercuric Dlco.te. Skin Irritant Properties. C.P. McCord, S.F, Meek and T.A. Neal. I. Ind, Hyg. & Tax., 3_, 466-469 (December, 1941). A laboratory investigation cf the skin irritating properties of phenyl mercuric eleate, an industrially used wood preserving agent, indicated its capacity to produce skin irritation in both humor, beings and animals, below, at, and abovo the incustriuiiy used level of Z.2p. S3 Dermatitis from "Sic-a-Doo." Queries . Minor Notes. J. Am. Med. Assoc., 117, 155 (July 12, 1941!. A skin eruption after use of a paint cleaner called "Dic-a-Dco," is attributed largely to its alkaline constituents, trisoditn phosphate and sodium carbonate. Industrie! Hygiene digest - 31 Trauma and Cutanecus Canter. C.L. Levin and H.I. Lehmann, -no. Med., 10_, _ 519U525 (December, 1941). 2 The author reviews the subject of cutanecus canter, especially in its industrial aspects and its relation to trauma. There are few types cf cancer that do nctJS show a relationship to seme fern cf pre-existing trauma. 'A hot.ter malignancy cj* occur following a single injury to a part is a debatable subject but a very impor tant one legally. There has been no increase in cancer attributable to industry as a whole, but ar. increase has occurred among those working with tar, petroleum, radium and derivatives. After presenting the history cf experimental cancer, the authors list injuries that may result in cancer: (1) physical, including heat, sight, electricity, roentgen rays and radium; (2) mechanical, including friction, pressure and direct injury; (3) chemicals, especially carbon disulfide, arsenic compounds, soot, coal tar, and petroleum. Cancer from the first two chemicals is rare. The composition cf ter and petroleum in relation to cancer is discussed, the principal carcinogenic constituents of tar heist iibenzanthrecene, benzepyri- iine and pyridine, raid of petroleum the aromatic-hydrocarbons. All these causes v.rv in their effect oa individuals, and the factors of age and immunity must be taken into account. The rcedico-lcgal aspects -are discussed briefly, regarding accidental injury as a cause of cancer and injury aggravating and accelerating cancer, both cf which are recognized legally. Among preventive measures the most important is cleanliness. Protective ointments arc cf value. Pre-employment ex aminations should exclude those with a history of skin or allergic conditions. Curative treatment must begin early end depends cn the type of cancer. Cleansing measures, bland local remedies, change cf occupation, roentgenotherapy and radical therapy have their places according to the severity of the disease. 32 A Comparison of the Carcinogenic Effects of Tobacco Tar and Coal Tar. A.K.Roffc, Bol. Inst. Med. Exp(Buenos Ayre3). 1?. 690-730 (1940), (Spanish). Coal tar and tobacco tar, painted on the ears of rabbits, produce similar cancer ous lesions, with a difference consisting only in the greater activity, and there fore groeter malignancy, of those produced by tobacco tar. 83 Dermatitis Venenata Due to Naii Lacauer. E.D. Osborne, T.W. Cordon and P.C. Campbell, Arch. Derm. &. Syphilol., 44, 604-615 (October, 1941). Nail lacquers are highly complex mixtures containing many ingredients which arc potentially eczamntizing. Similar laccuers are `widely used in industry and are applied to the surface of many objects in common usage. Their importance as eezemstizing agonts should not be overlooked. Dermatitis due to nail lacquer is common and will probably become more so, especially in men. Nail lacquers are the most froquent cause of dermatitis about the eyelids in women and should be considered as possible causes of dermatitis of the face, neck, cheeks, ears, car canals, shoulders, chest end lips. In all cases of dermatitis of obscure causa tion nail lacquer should be suspected and eliminated. This form of dermatitis is usually of a patchy crythemstosqucmous (rod and scaly) variety. Macroscopic vesiculaticn (visible pimples) is the exception r-ther than the rule. Patch tests in cases of dermatitis due to nail lacquer are of doubtful value. They should not supplant careful clinical observation. 34 Experimental Phosgene Poisoning. E, Rcthlin. Reported in letter from Switzer land. J. Am. Med. Assoc., 117, 1633-1639 (November 8, 1941). In experiments on rats the author found that in phosgene poisoning calcium ther apy must be instituted and calcium must be given in large doses. Earlier investi gators considered the lungs a barrier to phosgene, but the present experiments do net support this idea. A component of the central nervous system must be assumed t; be the cause of pulmonary edema as well as a pulmonary reflex with the vagus end the sympathetic. The uxpcria.eats also indicate that phosgene is not as easily neutralized in water as was formerly held. Industrial Hygiene Digest - 5-1. I nW 33~ uuH i4/ 35 Dermatitis from Cuttinu Til: chwartz. Pub. Health F.epts., 56, 1947-19; (October 3, 1941 The composition :f tutting oils, their action on the skin, types of deraatitis, prevention, di^ erentiai. ciagnocis and treatment ire briefly discussed. The ac- tion of the oils on the Ln includes defatting, clogging the pores, and sensiti nation by rancid vegeettaalble or animal oils, phen; is and nitrobenzene. Iteel slivers i used oils may '/ V, r" " C V ? ^ ^ Follicuiitin and other infective dermatoses arc *:.n the resui t of exposure to utting oils, tut the author he lieves that the acteria rests nsitle come from the skin, not from the oil. Fathc- genic bacteria not grow in most cutting oils soase mineral oils produce kara- tesis, anc a few cases of skin ler thc United States have been caused by mineral oils. Allergic eczemas ar; the least frequent types of cutting oil der- mstitis, and arc caused by hypitorrsseennsi tivity to the animal or vegetable oil or in- hibitor, or by uilorgy induced the disinfectant which is added when the oil ,,ccones rancid, Dermatitis nt;. .sc bo caused by harsh soaps, bleaches and sel vents used in washing hands after work. Cleanliness is the most important item in prevention; protective ointments arc desirable but ere of secondary Importance. 7,'crkcrs using cutting oils should be instructed in the hazards. Cutting oil , folliculitis end boils must bo distinguished from similar disturbances of non-occu- nations ;rigi: They are treated by cleanliness and antiseptics. Allergic types arc best handled by removing the affected worker. Antiseptic lotions should be used for the moist types of dermatitis and ointments for the dry, chronic types. 86 Fulminate of Mercury. Motional Safety Council. Industrial Data Sheet D-ChcE,40. Nat. Safety Nows 44_, 38, (December, 1341), In the manufacture of fulminate cf mercury, the prinicpal hazards are the possi bility of nitric acid burns, mercury poisoning, dermatitis, fire, explosion, and possible illness from the fulminate cf mercury. During the manufacture of per cussion caps, the hazards are domatitis, systemic poisoning, fire end explosion. The processes cf making the fulminate and the caps are described. Fulminate workers have shown local symptoms of the skin, constitutional disorders such as inflammation of the mouth (stomatitis), headache, nerve troubles, and blackening and brittleness of teeth. The systemic affects are those generally caused by mercury. Protective measures include good housekeeping and cleanliness, no dry sweeping, ventilation, protective clothing, powder uniforms, and removal of affected workers. Precautions against fire and explosion must be observed. 37 The Relation Petweer. the Chemical Composition of War Gases and Their Physiological Action. S. Vuedling. Svcnska Laekartidn. No. 51, 6 pp. (1940J, The irritating powers of tear gases increase v.lth the atomic weights of the halo gen used, but the toxicity values are in the reverse order. Increasing the num ber of halogen atoms already present in a molecule decreases the tear potency and increases the toxicity of sora^ tear gases. Examples of each case are given, and a list of 9 war gases containing arsenic is included. Mono-and dichlorofoimoxines are so-called "nettle gases." They arc extremely effective lachrymatory gases, frequently causing blindness. 38 Investigations of Poisoning by Trotyl, Totryl and Fulminating Mercury Among Work ers in the Munition Factories of Finland. L.Noro. Acta med. Scandinav., Supp. No. 20, 95 pp1. {1941}. The author reviews the literature and experience of the first World War and than reports on his cwx investigations after the Flnnish-Rus3ian war, involving ovor 500 workers in munitions plants. In general the symptoms were the same, whether the exposure was to trotyl (TNT), totryl (tetrardtromethylaniline) or fulminating mercury* Skin diseases wore common, especially in the early history of exposure. After a longer period, loss cf weight, fatigue and headache appeared. Anemia was present in 109 persons, mostly in a slight degree. Illnesses and complaints were less numerous in a well equipped factory. Industrial Hygiene Digest - 5. 39 The T.N.T. Health Hazard. H.M. Heberts. Srit. Med. _, 647-649 (November 8^ 1941). m The manufacturing process end forms of T.N.T. (trinitrotoluol) are briefly desk?: cribed. Exposure may consist of (1) inhalation of fume, (2) inhalation of dus^ with subsequent ingestion, end (3) skin absorption. Signs of absorption include staining of the skin, pallor, color of the lips, net blue as in cyanosis, but J rather lilac. Among symptoms of poisoning are jaundice, nausea and headache, and constriction below the sterns Deferences are viver. to fuller deocrintion of symptoms, pathology and treatment. A schedule for control of the hazard includes: (1) selection of -workers; (S) record of physical condition on entry; (3) record of sick absences; (4) periodic examination for signs of T.N.T. absorption; (5) record of T.N.T. strains in grades; (9) cooperation -with the plant chemist in carrying out the '.'.'ebstcr test; (7) arrangements with foremen and supervisors to cell attention to possible cases; (8) insistence on cleanliness and protective clothing; (9) ether work for those that must be laid off. Each point is discussed. 90 Clinical Manifcstatic as of Tctryl and Trinitrotoluene. J. Hilton and C.V. ov.-anr.ton. Brit. Med. J., _, 3C9-51C (botcher 11, 1341). Beth materials stain the skin s deep orange, but the staining has no relation to toxicity. New workers complain of tingling of the nose and sneezing, which pass es off with exposure. Dermatitis is common with tctryl workers, starting as erythema followed by a papular eruption accompanied by exfoliation. The face is particularly affected with gross edema of the eyelids, but other parts may also be concerned. Constitutional symptoms are rare but epigastric pain, nausea and vomiting sometimes occur. Removal from exposure is followed by recovery, after winch immunity is established, and exposure may be resumed without trouble. On the other hand, T.N.T. is highly toxic, in addition to causing dermatitis. The latter nay appear in the form of a sago-grain eruption, for instance between the fingers. Desquamation may be severe with complete exfoliation of hands and feet. Irritation is intense. T.N.T. reacts with hemoglobin to form nethenoglobin and nitric oxide hemoglobin; hence cyanosis -with grayish-mauve lips, tongue and mucous membranes. Toxic gastritis may develop, with epigastric pain, nausea, anorexia, and constipation; ouch cases should be permanently removed from contact with T.N.T. Rare late end 'usually fatal complications are Jaundice and aplastic anemia. With reasonable care all these affects may be avoided. 91 Ozone in Ventilation and Air Conditioning. J.A. Robinson. Heat., Pip., & Air Cona,, 13, 759-780 (December, 1941). The author describes, with illustrations, an ozonator in which only corona dis charge is used, according to the method advocated by Thorp (Abstract No.92, this digest), and v.-hich produces ozone free from oxides of nitrGgen. The author reports three cases in which he claims that industrial odor problems have beon solved by the use of this ozonator and that the odors have been destroyed and net merely masked. 92 Influence of Nitrogen Oxides on the Toxicity of Ozone. C.E. Thorp. News Ed. (Am" Cham. 3oc,) 19, 636-363 (June 25, 1941). Ozone produced by the common nocal-glass-metal type of ozonizer using a brush-type discharge contains 47^ nitrogen oxides. An ozonizer using a phenol-foimaldehyde plastic as the dielectric produced ozone containing no nitrogen oxides. Physio logical tost3 were made on humans, field mice, B.coli aeregenes, flour weevils and green algae. 93 Influence of Nitrogen Oxides ^n the Toxicity of Czone. A.W. Ewell. News Ed. (At.. Cher.. Sec.; l, 11C2 (-Cctcbor 1C, 1941). The author's criticism of Thorp's paper, (Abstract No. 92, this digest) and the latter's reply immediately following, deal with a number of points but do not >1 -v Hygiene Tigs sc - 36. threw light on tie question '.nether ozone, ..ith cr 'without oxides of nitrogen present, has sufficient =ter;li_ation value except at concentrations at which it is potentially injurious, or ot least disagreeable, to human beings. 94 Occupational Pcrmotitis. F, 164-157 (1341). A discussion of dermatitis, of dermatitis soused by nail picric acid, cinnamon end eh rubber ore described. Gastineau. 1. Indiana State led, Asscc,, 34., ocinlly occupational dermatitis in Indiana, Cases lisii, mercury tad che new mercury compounds, 1-te, Brazil nuts, lacquer, chronic acid and red --i Methccis of detection and I'eccrmi nation 95 Betamination of Lead in Biological Material. A Pclarograohic Method. J.Choiok and K, Bambach. Ind. Png. Chon., Anal. Ed., 13, 533-566 (August, 1941). A polarographic method is described for the estimation of land in biological material, based on electrolytic isolation and concentration of lead, followed by stripping into very smell volumes of solution. Tiro methods of concentration are presented: (1) a purc-ly electrolytic technic, and (2) an initial dithizene con centration, followed by electrolytic concentration when very small quantities of lead are present. An adaptation from spectrographic analysis of the internal standard principle permits the deviation of stable working curves, which are not affected by variations in tenparnture, drop size or rate, viscosity or composi tion of the solution to be polarized, or by changes in the recordor sensitivity used. The accuracy and practical sensitivity of the method approach those of the spectrographic and ditlizcne methods. 96 Applications of the Spectrograph to Toxicological Investigations. C.Vf. Rankin. 1, Optical Soc. Am., 3i_, 644-647 (1941). The spectrograph has long proved its value in forensics involving bullet traces, paint analysis, etc., but its applicability to the study of metallic traces where much organic material is present, i.e. to toxicological investigations, has rare ly been tested. Toxicological cases are described in which ottimwl tissues, etc., ore successfully analyzed for arsenic, lead, barium, phosphorus or mercury by spectrographic methods. 97 An Aid In the Dithizcr.c Method. A Mechanical Shaker for Separating Funnels. L.3. Crisp and S.H. Webstar. 1. lab. and Clin. Med,, S7, 269-TO~(November. 1941). A mechanical shaker which expoditas analysis and provides more uniformly vigorous shaking in dlthizone tests far load is described. 93 The Determination of Load in Biological Materials. F.L. Smith, 2nd and others. Am. 1. Clin. Path., 11_, 653-568 (August, 1941). In tils paper the authors correlate their earlier work and include rocant changes in the ditr.izone procedure far l^ad in blood, spinal fluid, urine, tissue and cones. Reagents, cleaning procedures, specimen collection and load determination are described. Tho metned consists essentially of a wet digestion of tho sample, extraction with aithizono and a titrimetric ond point. The superiority of wet digestion, in the authors' opinion, lies principally in the time required for ccmpleto oxidation. Industrial Hygiene Digest - 27. ho 39 The Significance of Urinary Mercury. I. Occupational Mercury exposure. II. Mercury Absorption from Mercury-Bearing Dental Fillings and Antiseptics. :s S.D, Storlazzl and E.3. Elkins. J.Ind.Hyg. & Tex. , 23., 459-415 {December,134i5" A modification of Stock1s method for the determination of mercury in urine is described. The concentrations of mercury found in the urine cf workers in var ions occupations with mercury exposure were measured and positive results were'c obtained in nearly all oases. The ratio cf 'urinary to atmospheric mercury (the former being expressed in milligrams per liter and the latter in milligrams per 10 cubic meters) was found tc be about G.26. Mercury was found in the urine of certain persons several months after their exposure had ended. Mercury may be found in the urine of persons with recent amalgam dental fillings or of those who have recently had mercurial antiseptic applied tc the skin. After 10 days the urine is usually practically free of mercury. The amounts absorbed arc- toe small tc cause poisoning. 100 Bacteriological Air Analysis by the Cloud-Chamber Method. S.D. Elliott. Lancet 41, 514 (November 1, 1941). " The method was developed in order tc obtain bacteria in a liquid medium rather than dry as in customary methods. The essential features are the trapping of suspended particles by drawing the sample through a water-vapor mist, and the condensation of wator on any particles loft in suspension by cooling the satur ated air. This method indicated a fairly high degree of atmospheric pollution after spraying tho air of a room, in contrast tc the settling plate method which gave very low values after spraying. 101 Determination of Benzene in the Air of Industrial Plants. M.V. Alekseeva. Okhrana Truda No.8, 38 (1929). (Russian). Cham. Ahsts. 35. 6537 {October 10,1941). Checking cf the colorimetric method of Stepanow resulted in the development of a modified procedure, which is given in sufficient detail in the Chemical Abstracts reference. 102 Determination of the Vapors of Organic Compounds In the Air by the Combustion Method. S.L. Ginzburg. Lab.Prakt. (U.S.S.R.) 16. No. 3. 23-27 (194li. The air to be tested i3 forced from a gas pipette into a quartz or porcelain com bustion tube, 2.5 - 9.C mm. in diameter, by means of a stream of hot air rather than by the hydrostatic pressure of sodim chloride solution. The tube contains a platinum spiral to serve as catalyst. Tho contont of organic compounds in the air is determined from the carbon dioxide formed by combustion, which is absorb ed in a measured voliaae of standard barium hydroxide solution and the excess is determined by titration with acid to a phenolphthalein end point. Eight refer ences. 103 Determination of Carbon Monoxide with Iodine Pentoxide. R. Kattwinkel. Glueckauf. 77, 22-23 (1941). (German). An improvement on the epparatus of Winter and Braukmann is described in which the gas is passed through the iodine pentoxide instead of over it and an aluainum-block oven is substituted for the oil bath. A tube of NCT3 steel is used in place of a quartz combustion tube for holding the copper oxide. 104 New Method of Determining Djchloroethane Vapor3 in the Air. P.I. Bogatkov. Zavodskaya Lab. 10, 319 (1941). (Russian). Chem. Absts. 35. 7318 (November 10, 1941). The method is based on the reaction between dichloroethane (ethylene bichloride) and manganese dioxide, which proceeds quantitatively at 300C. Pull directions arc given in the Chemical Abstracts reference. Industrial Hygiene Digest - ic . (NJ 05 105 Development of* a Method for the Determination of Small Amounts of Naphthalene !3 In Air. V.V. Dobrovolskaya. Lab. Prakt. (U.S.S.R.) Samnelband 95-37 (1939). ^ The air is passed through a nitrating mixture at a rate not exceeding 10 1. pe hour. This absorbing fixture is poured into water and the deposited trirutrc naphthalene is dissolved in ether. The residue loft from the evaporation of this ether solution is dissolved in boiling water and the solution is transfers red to a tube for colorimetric comparison. One cc. of a solution of 5 drops of 0.2^ methyl red corresponds in color to C.CG5 mg. of trinitronaphthalere. The changes in the standard solutions within 5 and 10 minutes are tabulated. 10 Colorimetric Method for Determining Small Quantities of Pyridine in Air. H.P. Daroga and A.G. Pollard. I.Soc.Chem.Ind., K] 207-210 (July, 1941/. Cham. Absts., 3^, 7363, (November C, 1341). The proposed method was developed for the p'urpcse of determining small quantities of pyridine in an air current and in moist soil. After a study of existing methods, an adaptation of Sutherland, Daroga and Pollards method for determining nicotine was worked out. Fuui details are given in the Chemical Abstracts refer ence. ,11^1 ( 0 ) `\v / ' ( 107 A Slit Sampler for Collecting and Counting Air-Eorno 3acteria. R.B. Bourdiilon and" others. J. Hyg., 41. 197-224 (September. 1941) . ' The authors have adopted the principle of the Owens jet dust counter in design ing their sampling device. Air is drawn through a slit 0.25 mm. wide, 27.5 mm, long and 3 mm. deep onto tho surface of agar or other culture medium contained in a Petri dish placed just below the slit. The Petri dish is slowly rotated during sampling, either by hand or mechanically in such a way that the bacteria are deposited in an annular ring leaving a clear space of 18 am. diameter in the center. The method is very rapid and simple, and it has appeared to be more efficient than other methods against which it has been tested. The finest bac- teria-carrying particles are collected almost as efficiently as coarser ones. Petri-dishes in open air collect the larger particles 200 times as efficiently as the single washed bacteria. 108 Colorimetric Method for the Determination of Minute Quantities of Carbon Tetra chloride and Chloroform in Air and Soil. R.P. Daroga and A.G. Pollard. J.Chcan. Ind. , 21S-222 (August, 1941). Tho Fujiwara pyridine tc3t for chloroform has been modified and applied to the determination of carbon tetrachloride. In the determination of carbon tetra chloride in air the vapor is absorbed in 50 cc. of acetone in a fritted bubbler at 1 liter per min. An aliquot portion of this solution is added to 20 cc. of pyridine and 10 cc. of 20?6 sodium hydroxide, and the mixture is immersed in a boiling water bath and constantly shaken for 5 minutes. After cooling 2 min utes the pyridine layer is separated and its color is road. The color is stable for several hours if the sodium hydroxide layer is separated from the pyridine. The color is much stronger v;hen acetone is used for absorption than when ethyl alcohol is used. The quantities of carbon tetrachloride measured ranged from 0.03 to 0.5 mg. Chloroform is absorbed in 0.05 normal hydrochloric acid, but the rest of the procedure was the same as for carbon tetrachloride. The deter mination of these substances in soil is also described. 109 Determination of Small Quantities of Nitrogen Oxides. V.V. Dobrovolskaya. Lab. Prakt. (U.S.S.R.) Samr..olband, pp. 93-95 (1959). Tho content of oxides of nitrogen in the air can be determined as follows: draw the air through 2 wash bottles containing soii'jc hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide. After the absorption, boat v.ith zinc dust or Dcvarda's alloy, absorb the liber ated ammonia in acid and measure the color produced with Kessler's reagent. riH ub'-ffa I0/83 i Innustrial Hygiene Digest - 29. An Apparatus for Continuously Measuring ana Recording Hydrogen Sulfide and Darbci Disulfide la Atmosphere. T.I. DcackLcuse and 3. Reynolds. safety Practice Bull. No. 29. Penna. Deft, of Later k Industry, t pp. (November, 1941). : The hydrogen sulfide recorder consists essentially of three parts: (1! a satrpl- ing and absorption system -*lth e reagent; () a photoelectric colorir.eter with ; its electrical system; and (3) a potentiometer chart recorder. The range of the apparatus may be varied te suit the application. A tentative range cf C to 3 ' been used for purified distribution gas. The recoraer will respond to concentration changes ;-g _ .p..n... T.h...e....r.e..-..a. g...ent develops blue-green shades presence of hydrogen sulfide and is specific fer that substance. The inter y is pro portioned to the ccr. centrati on, and t ne color is in the range where the n^hhectct-efcei iccccttric ceills a-JTrcC mTTiDo5stt scaennnsiittive. The recorder is calibrated by use cclor st nndards made iy fiddi.ng known amounts definite ;Iltl 11^5 cf the reagent. A number of industrial apulica- are mentioned. Detaile cf carbon disulfide detetminatisns arc not given. Ill The Hectror MicrO'Sccoc. 3. niilier and H.E. Rhea. Safe Practice Bull., No,87, Fenra. Dept, of Labor and Industry. 6 pp. (September, 1941). The history of the microscope is reviewed briefly, culminating in the invention cf the electron microscope. The theory of the electron microscope is presented briefly, and the instrument is described with diagrams and illustrations. It will have numerous applications in industry and modicine in the latter including the study of filterable viruses and other bacteriological fields. The importance to industrial hygiene is indicated in the introduction, by R.L. Houtz. The sub micron size3 cf silica and other dusts, which are admitted to be among tiw most dangerous, can be readily studied. 112 Testing for Sensitivity to Dyes. Queries end Miner Notes. J. Am. Med. Assoc., 117, 1056 (September 20, 1941;. An inquiry is made regarding tests for sensitivity to and tolerance of the com ponents cf aniline dyes, especially methyl cyanide. Such tests are chiefly limited tc cutaneous irritants. Some finished dyes are in that class, but a larger number of irritants are likely to be found among intermediates and basic materials. Patch or contact tests for cutaneous irritants are valuable under many circumstances, but the determination of precise causes of irritation is often difficult. References for directions for patch tests are given and some precautions are mentioned. For non-cutaneous exposure, there are no known prac tical methods for measuring tolerance cf individuals but fairly well accepted standards exist for tolerable limits cf many substances. 113 Solubility of Carbon Disulfide Vapor la Body Fluids and Tissues. R.W. McKee, d. Ind. Hyg. & Tox., 23, 434-489 (December, 1941). A technic fer determining carbon disulfide solubility in tissuos and fluids is given. Solubility coefficients are presented for water, saline, urine, whole blood, blood plasma, red cells, bile, brain, liver and kidney. The relationship between lipid content and carbon disulfide solubility is shown, with no particu lar affinity of carbon disulfide for any one type of tissue fat. In vivo blood and 'urine coefficients correspond well with the tonometer determinations. The rate of saturation and desaturatioa is quite rapid. Saturation time checks well with the in vitro time. j riHiiti-Oii MMS'i Industrial Hygiene Digest itrol Methods 114 Micro-51sandiness in tie hash Poem. C.F. '.inittingtcn. Nat. Safety News. 43., 54, 75 (December, 1941,-. Hypo chlorites (solutions of sodium or calcium hypochlorite) arc reccmmendod as the nest effective disinfectants, lacy are iion-tcxic, destroy odors rather than massing thorn and destroy filterable viruses. Solutions for various purposes vary in available chlorine content from 100 to 5000 p.p.m. In general it is best to make a solution containing 10,000 p.p.m. available chlorine and to dilute it as needed. Various applications are described. 115 The Destruction of Anthrax Spores In the Single-Bath Chrome Tanning Process. G. Hast. Quench. Ticrartzl. V.hch., S3, 05- 09 etc., (1938). {Gexroan"n Nearly all imported hides collected through ordinary trade channels are to be regarded as probably infected. Most disinfectants either are ineffective or spoil the hides. The chemicals used in removing hairs and epidermis kill anthrax spores in 35-43 days and chrome alum in 27 days. Their rate of killing is much too slow to be effective in the time taken by the tanning process but the sue, cessive stages ir. treatment by these chemicals and others that arc equally effec tive may give sufficient sterility by the end of the tanning process. It is most important tc disinfect the water used in the preliminary washing process, as anthrax spores arc always likely to be present. 116 Disinfection cf Anthrax-Infected Equipment in Leather Factories. I.A. Igorov, Sovyet Vet. Nc. , 48-51 (1939). (Russian}. Despite the variety of treatment given, raw leather in tanning processes, anthrax spores survive and remain virulent in the equipment of leather factories, where they can contaminate products end effluents and infect workers. Hussian official instructions proscribe the use of chloride of lime, for disinfection, but the author criticizes thorn on the ground that it reacts with various ch<aticals used in processing, and recommends it only for cleaning appliances used in soaking. Caustic soda is recommended for appliances used in liming, dyeing, drying and finishing departments, and either acid or alkali in tanning departments. In gen eral the concentration of these materials should be under ICfji. 117 Prevention of Calcium Cyanamlde Dermatitis. Queries & Minor Notes. J. Am. Med. Assoc., 117, 977 (September 13, 1941). The question is what precautions can be taken to prevent cutaneous irritations appearing in men handling calcium cymomidc, which is used as a fertilizer and in the preparation of a number cf ether compounds. The preventive measures recommended include totally enclosed methods of manufacture, wearing of protec tive clothing with change from outside clothing, 3hower baths, respirators. Pro tective clothing may consist of the new synthetic resins. In the absence of respirators, a little petrolatum in the nostrils is of benefit. 118 Protection of Droplet-Borne Infections by 3oray. D.S. Middleton and I.C. Gilliland. Lancet 241, 598-593 (November 15, 1941). A controlled expcrir.ent using the most elementary and simple form, of spraying with a hypochlorite solution affords some evidence that this method is capable cf diminishing the spread of droplet-borne infections within a military unit. The method achieves its best results during epidemic periods. ..< = Industrial Hygiene digest - 119 Protection of sin fr-rnorr ':leaning Compounds. aeries A Minor Metes. :d Am. Medr Assoc., 117, Oo vSeptembeer t, 1941) . Tie Air Corps uses large puantities of cleaning compounds for the cleaning of ; airplanes and engines. . % formula for the removal of carbon from engines iuaos creosote oil (about 5t= p -.oncisj, orthottluioine, diethane!amir.e, oleic acid an*ij*j. ethylene glycol, the crc rsote oil constituting SO-1- of the whole. It is gonerai- ly diluted i to 5 with w itor or serosene. information ;n caustic and irritating properties and pemissibble limits -.e e constituents is requested. Ail the sub stances mentioned are oi rect cutaneous irritants cr sensitizers seme oersons. If kerosene is used as t he diluent an additional exposure is introduced. Any dilution practicable in metal cleaning will probably exceed the strength necess- ary to produce cutaneous in:ury, and any change in formula would only increase the concentration cf cne potentially, hazardous material at the expense of another. Therefore, ski : protection is the only solution of the problem. Gloves and aprons should be wer n T^nthetic rubber, especially neoprene, may be the best rr.ati.rini '..'here kero ;ene is used. Some protective creams may bo beneficial, but their -_ffoot must be determined by trial and error. Careful skin hygiene must be maintained. I sc iropyi alcohol is recognized at a solvent for removal cf treesets from the skin. ISO Removal of 3y-Product Gases from Cored Carbon Arcs in a Moving Picture Projection Sooth. R.L. RLcutz. Safe Practice Bull., No. 34, Penna. Dept, of Labor and In dustry. 4 pp. (December, 1941). ccnc projection machines are equipped with a rear shutter in addition to the usual front shutter. The additional shuttor assists in cooling the machine parts and thus reduces the fire hazard, but it has an undesirable affect In caus ing carbcn-arc by-products to pass from the opening of the lamp house into the projection room, precipitating smoke-like deposits on the sound-track mechanism and also causing u potential health hazard to the operator. This escape of funes is not prevented by the conventional ventilating system for the lamp housing. To overcome this difficulty, a tightly-fitting plate of Pyrcx glass is placed be tween the rear shutter and the lamp house. This has proved effective in practi cal use. The ventilation system of the lamp housing is described. 121 The Problem of Deep Mine Air Conditioning. H.l.M. Larcombe. Mining Mag., (London) 5, Ij.1-121 (September. 1941). The author stresses the importance of atmospheric conditions as controlling fac tors in deep mines. The use of wot drilling, although necessary for dust con trol, increases the humidity to about 99je at a temperature of 90P, which is at the limit of labor efficiency and health. Wetting of mine walls and muck piles also contributes to the humidity. As mines go deeper the silicosis hazard re mains about the same but the humidity hazard increases. One proposed solution is dry mining, using drills without compressed air, with an exhaust system. The difficulty with this plan is removal of the dust. Dry cyclonic separators do not efficiently remove the finest dust, and wet cyclones add to the humidity. The bag separator gives better results. Electrical precipitation is used in South African mines but has the limitation that the outfit is not transportable. Bag filtration is also useful for removing dust from blasting. Magnesium chlor ide solution instead of water for wotting dust has been proposed. Air cooling is now practiced successfully in several deep mines. Three general methods are used: (1) refrigeration plants on the surface; (2) refrigeration plants under ground; and (3) the use of compressed air in air motors for all underground drives. The relativo merits cf the three are discussed. Compressed air cooling is the most economical. Too silicosis problem is reviewed briefly. Industrial Hygiene Digs; Tfaa Hffect of Humidity cf Air on the Disinfection Csnaclty cf Mechanically Atomized and Heat-Vclati.med Germicidal --ercscls. A.H. Baker and 0,0. Twert. J~.' Hvg.'',~ 4Trn>.lXUe^an:tcr, 1941I1. The tumidity of an atmosphere being disinfected by means of germicidal aerosol has a marked effect on the efficiency of the operation. T.ie number of iacteri able to survive for a given time may boeu duecreasedu greatly by raising .e rciativc hisnidity from 40 tc SCv or higher. The ccr.ditic 3 fi *. r lidity, germicide and method of -tuseratiag aerosol for maximum disinfoc n r.'r-c. The Gas-Mask Filter. H. Mchier. Prctar, _?> 69-32 i 1^41) . ( Gorman). The term gas-mask fii :er includes the charcoal filter for gases and vapors and the fibrous filter ft aerosols. The article is a theoretical discussion cf the mechanism by which these two classes cf impurities are removed from air. For gases and vs iors the boiling point is the most important factor in removal. For mists ani sn fcas (iicuid and Sulid aerosc1 particles) the particle site is the most imports it factor, come methods for circumventing the gas mask arc discussed briefly. 124 A 3astericlorical Study of a New Sanigenlc Flooring. h.L. Mailman. J.Am.Med. Assoc., 117, 344-34 7 (September 6,'l34l), "Kubbeilite" is a new cement floor surfacing material containing cupric oxychlor ide, and is claimed to destroy bacteria. It was tested by: (1) introducing fragments of the fleer into water; (2) smearing bacteria and melds on the floor ing; and (3i ccmpiring the bacteria and mold counts with those on ordinary cament. Results of ell those tests lead to the conclusion that the use of hubbeULte floors is an aid in the control of floor-borne infections of the feet. 125 Control cf Dust and Smoke. S.C. Blacktin, Chan. Products. 4^ 53-59 (1941). A discussion of dust and smoke determination and control, physical analysis of particles by dispersion, newest advances, stationary and rotating records, count ing particles in the original medium and applications in the manufacture of per > fumery and photographic products. Twenty references. <; 126 Reduction of Dust-Bcrne Bacteria. J.C. Thomas. Lancet 241. 123-127 (August 2, 1341). The effect of spindle oil on wood floors has been tested over a period of months, both in a crowded canteen and in hospital wards. In every case the author reports a reduction by about 80$ in the nunber of organians projected in to the air by sweeping. This reduction applies both to tho common dust sapro phytes and to pathogenic streptococci. 127 Sterilised Air Cuts Illness, Gives us Better Products. H.C. Jackson. Factory Man. & Main. , 99_, 81-82 (December, 1341). Thu installation of bactericidal lamps in the factory of Bristol-Myers Company is described. Over 99$ of the total bacteria are removed, and operators in the finishing department are freer from colds and respiratory ailments. Contamina tion of the products is also eliminated. 128 Air Purification by Hynechlorous Acid Gas. A.T. Masterman. Chem. Products, 4, 22-24 (Januory-Febru.iry, 1341) , Tho author discusses tho use of hypochlorites for germicidal spraying, which was first used ir. 1916. He presents several points in support of his view that hypochlorous acid is the germicidal agent. Carbon dioxide increases the germici dal power, but it is lowered by alkalies. Objections of other authors to the use of the method are answered. r?\ -Z/- Industrial Hygiene Digest - 33. .3 129 Germicidal Aerosols. A.H. Baker. Chea. Products, .4 , 25-28 (January-Februarfi 1941 f.' , There is ample proof that diseases of the respiratory tract and possibly = rgin virus diseasos arc spread oy dnplots, which remain suspended in the air a laeg time. Any germicidal aerosol should be capable of effectively sterilising aS droplets or droplet nuclei which are small enough to travel is a mere or less horizontal direction for r. distance of about 3 feet. Mo aerosol has been produc ed T.'hich will effectively deal v-ith large droplets during their brief presence in the atmosphere. Many phenolic gonticides have a rapidly Lethal action on bacteria, but are toxic to nun, have an undesirable odor, or irritate the nos trils. Hypochlorites are cheap but are subject to possible objections on account of odor, blenching action, and corrosion of metals. "Smokes" can be produced easily from numerous cheap substances end -without the expensive apparatus requir ed for generating tha other aerosols. The pleasant odor cf balsamic aerosols nay bo also usoful psychologically as a mask for unpleasant odors. 130 Purification of Air and Coses. Anonymous. Ind. Chemist. 1_7, 117-119 (May,1941). The Traughbcr flotation filter is described. A smoothfaced cylinder, rotating at a suitable speed in contact v.dth the surface of a liquid, picks up a film of the liquid and spreys it with considerable force in the form of a fine mist, sending it splashing with the gas to be cleaned, against the sides cf the filter. The character of the mist, the density of the droplets, thoir size and the volume cf mist can be regulated. On the surface of the pool of liquid a minute quantity of another liquid of low surface tension is allowed to drop at predetermined in tervals, so that every mist drop is covered with an infinitesmal film of the lowsurface- tension liquid. As the spray and mist reduce the temperature of the incoming gas, the volume and consequently the velocity are reduced, condensation upon the particles in suspension is accelerated and the low-surface tension oil insulates them electrically. The final stage of purification is achieved by bubbling the gaoes in fine streams through a layer of water upon which the lowsurface tension oil forms a froth as tho gases blow through. This froth layer is the ideal equivalent of a filter cloth of constant, adjustable texture and resistance. Any froth entrained by tha gas is arrested by low resistance laby rinth rings. The circulating fan is placed botind tho filter, and tho filter therefore operates under reduced pressure. Other details of construction ore described and illustrated. 131 Second Supplement to Information Circular 7030R. tJ.S. Bureau of Mines, November 28, 1941. The following respiratory protective devices have been approved by the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, since the first supplement to Information Circular 7030R was issued (April 30, 1941). SCHEDULE 21 -- Dispersoid (Dust, Fume and Mist) Respirators Typo A. -- Pneumoconiosis-producing and Nuisance Dust Respirators 26. Willson Respirator No. 10. Approval EM-2146, issued to Willson Products, Inc., September 11, 1941. Toxic Dust Respirators 9. A.Q.R-9100 T respirator. Approval *-2144, issued to the American Optical Company, May 19, 1941, for toxic dusts. 10. Hygeia Reef #12 resnirator. Approval EM-2145, issued to the Hygoia Filtering Corporation (formerly tho Kygeia Respirator Company), July 15, 1941, for toxic dusts. --> rs ---V Industrie! Hygiene Digest - 34. < g 132 An Improved Method of iTolur-ting Dust leakage frcm Air filters. L.K. Acheson and H.A. Shumaker. Heav., Pip., an! Air Ccr.d. , 13_, i4-d2 November, 1941). 1 Thu not hod was originally designed fur testing vac-nun sweepers but can, be m applied to any type ;f air filter. The method is based primarily upon the dis^ coloration of a white porous Lir.tine target, the mount of discoloration being measured by photo-electric moans, inly the filtered air is tested, thus giving a measurement of the total leakage, -unaffected by variations in dust concentra tions in the room air. The standard test loot consisted of Cottrell precipitate and v.hito sand. Full details ^f the notlscd are given. Industrial Medical Practice 133 Placement of the border. T.L. Kazlott. Ir.d. Med., 1C_, 335-536 (December, IS41). A uniform examination of "11 applicants has often been coraricn practice. However, with the varying types of strength, skill ar.d ability, and varying health hazards to which the worker is exposed, a uniform examination system is no longer suffi cient. The purpose of the pro-employment examination is to fit the '-.-orker proper ly into the job which his physical qualifications warrant. Complete rejection of the worker should net even be a secondary purpose. The plant physician should be familiar with the hazards of the industry; if detailed knowledge is impossible, jcb-specificaticn cards should be used for the information of the employment, production and medical departments. The physician's copy should contain full information on tho known hazards of the job. Complete personal history is desir able for the pre-cmplcyment examination. Classification of the examinations will depend upon the industry, cut in a suggested classification for a fabricating industry, examination Nc. 1 would be the general type, possibly including a fluoroscopic examination, chest x-ray and a 'Washerman; Ho. would include a chest x-ruy, as it is necessary for dusty occupations; No. 3 a complete blood examination (particularly for exposures to metals and solvents), and No. 4 patch tests. In the author's experience, the system of grading men for fitness for particular jobs, as now practiced permits placement of many workers formerly thought unfit for any job. 124 A Syphilis Control Program for Industry and its Integration with the Community Program. F.G. Gililcksnd J! BuxclI. Ind. Med., 1C, 548-552 (December, 1941). Tho activa participation by industry in syphilis control work involves certain responsibilities to the employee as an individual, as an integral part of the in dustrial organization, and as a member of the coimuunity. As an. individual and a part of the industrial organization, the employee's active voluntary coopera tion can best be solicited and obtained by guaranteeing the security of his position in industry and in society through sound medical and administrative policies and through maintenance of strictly confidential physician-to-patient relationship. As i member of the community tho industrial worker cannot be ex pected to rise suddenly above the health standards of his environment and to maintain this high level. An industrial program for syphilis control should, therefore, be actively integrated in and coordinated with the community's syphilis control program. Industrial Hygiene Digest - 3s. tr< 135 Industrial Nursing and Community Resources. H.H. Kessler. Nat. Safety News, 43. 34-36 (December, 1941). ;s The author lists 1C official agencies which contribute to a rounded health pre^ gram from the U. S. Public Health Service and Department of Labor to the far.iijj physician. The opportunities of the nurse arc briefly discussed. Among the * obstacles and problems that tho industrial nurse faces are those found in the:c policies of management, the attitudes of unions, the resistance of the worker, the apathy of some social writers and her ov.n lack of training. Cooperation -,.ith the various agencies v.lll aid in overcoming such obstacles. 136 V.'ar and Health in Britain. V.. Jameson. Am. J. Pub. Health, 31, 1253-1262 (December, 1941). This abstract is confined to tho section on "The Industrial Worker." The diffi culties of housing, lighting, ventilation, time for shopping, care of children, etc. ere discussed and then, more fully, working hours and fatigue. After the evacuation of Dunkirk end the collapse of France in May, 1940, a tremendous effort was put forth by industry. Longer and longer hours were worked, and in many fac tories there was a higher hourly output at the same time. This situation could not last, and gradually output began to fall as a result of strain and fatigue. Time began tc be lost through sickness and injury and workers became stale. Accordingly, hours were reduced and holidays resumed. Apparently 60-65 hours per week for men and 55-SC hours for woman constitute a limit beyond which there is more to lose than to gain. Certain industrial poisonings have increased, es pecially those from T.N.T., aniline, nitrous fumes and carbon monoxide. Medical supervision and nursing and welfare services can be made compulsory when neces sary in any munitions factory. 137 Am Industrial Medical Care Plan. C.5. Bray. Medical Care 1, 344-349 (Autumn, 1941J, - The medical service program of the American Cast Iron Pipe Company, employing 1500 persons, is described. The staff consists of 3 full-time physicians, a laboratory and x-ray technician, 2 dentists, 12 part-time specialists, and two full-time nurses. Medical service is free to al.l employees and their families, at a cost tc the company of $125,000 per year. During 1940 73,017 distinct services were rendered. In addition to regular services which are described, a study of cold vaccines was mode with 500 employees cooperating. Thorough pre- employner.t examinations are given, and the company has cooperated with other agencies in providing rehabilitation for those who are rejected. The loss of man days through illness during 1940 was 0.87$, and through accidont 0.73$, both of which are r.uch below tho national average. Statistical data can not be prac tically presented, but tho company feels that the working efficiency of the em ployees is increased to such an extent that more money is saved than the total cost of the medical services. Also, the efficient working life spaa is probably increased, and the company is making a more helpful and efficient contribution to national defense than it would otherwise. 138 Recommendation Regarding the Organization of a Medical and Social Service and security Comittee in Establishments Mentioned in Article 65, Book II of the Labor Code. Med. du trav., 13 , 68-84 (1941). (French). The Frer.cn Minister of Labor recommends that in every plant employing 2000 work- _ ers, a full time medical service should be provided; in plants with 500-2000 workers, a half time physician and full tine nurse. The physician should be trained in industrial medicine, should give examinations to all applicants and periodically tc all young or endangered workers, and should supervise plant hygiene. In factories wit:, more than 1000 workers there should be 7 rooms for the medical service and an ambulance, and at least 2 rooms in factories with 100-1300 workers. A social service organisation should cooperate with the physi cian; there should be a hygiene committee cf at least 7 persons, and a security committee. n ifB B -m iio 'm ) Industrial Hygiene Digest - 36. 139 Medical Care in Industry. F. Goldman. Medical Care. 3C1-312 (Autumn, 1941). The author has made an intensive study of four medical service plans, conducted by large employers located at different parts of the country. Non-industrial injuries and diseases are included as well as industrial injuries and occupatic el disease, in all the plans. The following points are common to all four? (l! physician's care includes the services of general practitioners as well as specialists; (2) hone nodical caro it provided; (3) nospital care is an integral part of the plans; and (4) preventive services for apparently well persons arc made available; (5) the basic diagnostic services such as clinical laboratory -and roentgenological services are furnished through -well-equipped clinics or hospitals; (c) physical therapy services are provided in special divisions equip ped v.lth ell essential apparatua; and (5) appliances, with certain exceptions, are excluded from coverage. Points of difference include the amount and period of hospitalization, which i3 limited in two of the plans; provision for tubercu losis, financing plans, and allocation of expenses. The cost per eligible per son per year varies from $19.75 {in a group of 100,000 eligible persons) to $23.40 in a croup of 5,000. 140 Dependence of Results of apicutancous Skin Tests on the Localization and Condi tion of the Eczema. C. Carrie and R. itfachmann. Dermet. Wchnschr. 112, 237-246 (1941). (Gert.au/. Thu authors first state that the degree of reaction in allergic oczemas is alter ed by the cause of the illness. They examined cases of acute universal, local ised, and chronic eczemas to determine whether the non-specific reection of sensitivity as well as the specific allergic reaction, depends upon the state of eczema. If 3 or more substances out or their standard series of 20 caused a positive reaction, they diagnose the case no one of increased non-spocific sen sitivity. They found that such was the caso in 11 out of 14 cases of acute eczema, and in about half of the other forms. They point cut that testing of this non-specific sensitivity is useful for expert testimony as well as in giv ing advice about change of occupation, 141 Employment of Handicapped Persons. J.B. Knox. Management Record, Z, 151-154 < (December, 1941'. Practices regarding employment of handicapped persons vary greatly, and a suffi ciently large number of corporations (ono-feurth tc one-third) employ such per sons to indicato that it is practical. The experience of companies which have employed hendicapped persons, using careful selection procedures, seems to have been uniformly good. The number of handicapped persona (probably 6 million adults) is large enough to constitute a considerable labor supply, and a-consid erable social problem if not employed. Social philosophies regarding employment seen to vary greatly, and may be mere important than experience in determining policies. Study of each company's selection practices may reveal points at which they can be revised withprofit tc the company in this emergency and to the pub lic in more normal times. . 142 History and Present Status of Oxygen Therapy and Resuscitation. R.M. Toveli and G.E. Reclingcr. J.Am.Mec.Ascoc,, 117, 1933-1944 (December 6, 1941). This paper is a general review of oxygen therapy and of resuscitation. Anoxia (lach of oxycea in the system) is classified and the treatment of each form is discussed. The use of oxygon after major surgical procedures is increasing, as is oxygen therapy in general. The common manual and mechanical types of resus citation arc described briefly. 'The patient asphyxiated with carbon monoxide presents a rather complex problem. The best treatment involves the use of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Theuse of helium with oxygen fortreatment of asthma has been found successful. ] E Industrial Hygiene Digest - 3~. 143 Symposium c~ Industrial Health Held at the Medical CclLe{a.o of Virginia, Richmsad, Va., September ul and 1, 1141. Reported by C.C. Sappington. lad. L'ed., 10, 53 537-542 (December, 1341). Five Virginia organizations, representing the State, medicine and industry co-:3 operated in making thin symposium possible. Twenty papers were presented on various phases cf industrial health. Seme ct these in the fields covered in :a this Bulletin nearly duplicate other papers by the same authors, that have bee* abstracted recently. Dr. Haziett's paper on Placement of the Worker is abstract ed separately in this Bulletin. Dr. addition, the following three arc of interest. Tuberculosis ir. Industry: The Use of Mass X-Raying. 2.C. Harper. Hass x-raying .-.ith a 35-."r.. apparatus costs about 25 cents per person, ana re quires 30 minutes. Muss surveys have been made in the tobacco, explosives, life insurance, steel, recreation and amusement products, and coal mining industries. The results show a percentage of C.56 cases active and 2.15? old healed tubercu losis. Approximately 50,000 mere persons will be examined next year. Respiratory Pisceses and Air Conditioning. W.J. McConnell. Adequate and proper maintenance of air conditioning can be a factor in the con trol of upper respiratory diseases. Statistics by the Metropolitan and by Bristol show little difference in incidence of sickness, absenteeism and respir atory disease due to air conditioning. On the other hand, colds and other dis eases =re contracted because the body docs not adjust itself to changed condi tions, and air conditioning provides uniform conditions. Pneumonia has been re duced to one-fourth by preventing hazardous exposures. Thermal radiation of the body and comfort arc also discussed. The Evolution of Industrial Health. D.E. Cummings. The author discusses the history of industrial health for the last 20 years, with the great changes that have arisen, including attention to prevention of accidents and occupational diseases, development of control measures, beginning of industrial hospitals, the period of fixed salaries for medical men in indus try, the attitude of suppressing information on silicosis, and the gradual abandoning of that attitude. The present place of the engineer and physician and the basis for their cooperation are also discussed. 144 Industrial Safety ana Health from an Executive Viewpoint. J.J. Porter. Ind.lied., 10, 542-546 (Deccmbor, 1341). The author first recounts accident prevention work sponsored by the Portland Cement Association, the report of the N.A.U. Healthful Working Conditions Com mittee, and the study of silicosis in the cement industry, made by the Saranac Laboratory. He then discusses the attitude of workers toward safety problems, and urges the employer to sell safety to the men rather than to adopt a tone of defeatism on the influence of the 'unions. Next is considered the part of the government in securing industrial health. The first steps wore legislative and have accomplished great good. The government's present function in inspection and safety recommendation is net always satisfactory, as 3ome inspectors are in competent and politically appointed. The means for accomplishing safety and health cam be safely left ir, the hands of the management which in the great - _= majority of cases is far more competent to organize and direct safety and health programs than any government bureau can possibly be. Figures an the improvements ir. safety and industrial health demonstrate that industry in general is capable of accomplishing much. 145 Disabling Morbidity among Industrial Workers, Third Quarter of 1941. W.lt. Gafafer. Pub. Health Repts., 5, 2428-2429 (December 19, 194ll". ~ The usual quarterly report on disabling morbidity among industrial workers is presented in tabular form. There are only two outstanding differences from the regular course of disease frequency. One Is an Increased rate for diarrhea and enteritis, and the other is the pneumonia rate, which approximately equals the previous year's high record. 5; < Industrial Hygiene Digest - 38. CNj 146 Responsibility cf Government Labor Officials In the Defense Program. F. S. ^ Miller. N.Y. State Dept, of Labor, ind. Bull., 0_, 243-248 (September, 1941). The three major areas in which government labor officials can contribute most to defense include conservation of the worker's health, maintenance and exton-5^ sion of labor standards, end conservation of worker's income. Under normal :a operating conditions occupational diseases and accidents cause a loss of ij TM billion man-hours, and it is increasing'with the current expansion. The subjects of new hazards, effect of noise, readeptation of fermer employees, preemplcyment examinations, overcrowding and lack of trained industrial physicians arc discuss ed. Labor officials have a unique opportunity for safeguarding health and safe ty cf employees. . 147 Appraisal cf Disability Resulting from Occupational Diseases. hi.R. Meyers, if. Y. State Depp. Labor. Ind. Bull.. 20. 31-254 (September,1941). Ths author discusses the difficulties in appraising a disability due to occupa tional disease. The starting point of any such appraisal is the "normal" which involves factors varying with the job. Among several particular difficulties mentioned, one is disagreement among physicians regarding percentage disability, especially when occupational disease is the cause of the disability. Another is the question cf returning to work in 'which the patient has contracted the occu pational disease. In some cases, such as silicosis and aniline bladder tumors, the disease progresses whether the occupation is continued or not. There are cases of decreased sensitivity, such as to carbon tetrachloride after working with the same material, and increased sensitivity, for instance to carbon tetra chloride after chlorinated naphthalene poisoning, and the common allergies. Psychological disturbances, such as those caused by carbon disulfide and lead, are also considered. In conclusion. Dr. Mayers lists some of the pitfalls to be avoided in the collection and interpretation of laboratory data on occupational diseases. 148 Morbidity Trends and Trade Cycles. L.E. Bodnar. Int. Labor Bov., 43, 515-541 (1941). Using data from the sick fund statistics of Germany, Scotland and Czechoslovakia, the author shown a close correlation between morbidity and changing economic conditions, the recorded morbidity falling during economic depression and rising during prosperity. However, n rise in recorded morbidity is not in itself a sign of deterioration in health nor of malignancy. It is, on the contrary, a natural corollary of any improvement in the standard cf living. If sickness insurance is not to defeat its purposo measures should bo taken to prevent these trends as far as possible. One possible method would be to avoid restriction of benefits or tightening control during depressions, graduating the rates of sickness bene fits on a scale inversely proportional to wages. 149 Clarity of Detail in X-Ray Screen Pictures. E. Schopper. Veroeffentl. wiss. Zentral-Lab. phot. Abt. AGFA jj, 134-138 (1939). (German). The 2.5-fold increase in sensitivity of the new x-ray Fluoropid film brings about an improvement in the energy relation. Comparison of radiographic methods shows that the clarity of dota.il increases in the order: fluorescent screen photography, use of paper, use of x-ray film. 150 Follow-up of 1,?41 Tuberculous Patients. il.G. Stephens. Am, Rev. Tuberc., 44, 451-462 (October, 1941). The study was made to detormine the status of tuberculosis patients on particular anniversaries of the date of admission to a sanatorium, end the chances that tuborculosis will recur after a patient has completed his cure and resisted em ployment. Naturally the minimal cases had a more favorable experience than the advanced cases, On the 5th anniversary of the completion of cure, 90$ of the minimal cases were at work or able to work as compared with 75$ of the advanced cases. 20? Industrial Hygiene Digest-39. a m o .O' 151 Comparison of Miniature P.oer.tgenograns and Full Size Films in Serial ExarninatldSfe of Workers Exposed tc Dust. 2. Saupe. Fortschr. a. d. Geb. Hoentgenstrahl., cm 62. 145-159 (1940). (German) . More than 25,000 vrarkers in the cersmic industry and mines of Saxony have beenTM examined. The author presents I pairs of pictures of roentgenograms; one is a* reduction of a largo film, the other an enlargement of a miniature, both the :c same final sine. It is possibio to recognise silicosis in stage (snow-storm or mottled lung; , but not always silicosis in stage 1, and osbestosis in severe or medium oases buthardly ever in early cases. The miniatures ( 22 x 24 mm.) com pared with the normal shov; the details simplified and coarsened, the sharpness lost and the finest details invisible. Much has bean accomplished by the use of miniatures but they must bo improved. 152 Physical Type in Pneumoconiosis. 2.A. Aslett and ethers. J. Hyg., 41, 169-179 (September, 1941). The authors nede an investigation of the population of an anthracite colliery in South Wales to test whether susceptibility to pneumoconiosis is related to physical type. The ratio of the standing height to the lateral diameter of the chest seemed to be to some degree correlated with susceptibilities to pneumocon iosis. The ratio was rather lower in the normal subjects than in those with major consolidation. However, the correlation was not sufficiently close to forecast with a useful degree of accuracy whether or not an individual is likely to develop pneinoconiosis. 153 The Causes Undorlvinp; the Recent Increased Incidence of and Mortality tram Tuberculosis in Glasgow. S. Laidlaw and D. MacFarlane, Brit. Med. J., 2, 436-437 {September 27, 1941). The annual number of recorded cases of tuberculosis in Glasgow, which was fairly stable up to 1939, (around 1600), rose to 1,906 in 1940 and 2,190 in 1941. The deaths correspondingly increased from an average near 960, to 1,177 in 1940 and 1,342 in 1941. (The 1941 figures are based on the record for the first half of the year.) The author rejects the following as possible important causes of the increase: (1) increased virulence of the tubercle bacillus; (2) malnutrition and deficient diet; (3) tubercle bacilli in milk; (4) examination by military medical boards; (5) exertion or strain of army life; (6) long hours in shelters; (7) overcrowding in factories. The eighth possible cause, namely long hours, overwork, strain and curtailed rest is accepted on the basis of distribution by age groups and other factors as the predominating factor in the increase of tuberculosis. 154 Why Not T.B. Tests for All? Anonymous. Factory Man. & Main., 99. 55, 164 (June, 1941), The local Anti-Tuberculosis League tested 3,300 employees of a large factory in Cleveland with fluoroscope and x-ray for chost and heart ailments. Active tuberculosis germ3 were found in O.Sfie of the total number. Fluoroscopic examin ation should be a part of hiring procedure. In the Ohio courts tuberculosis allegedly contracted from a fellow employee was the basis of a compensation suit. Although it '.ras rejected and tuberculosis is not usually compensable, fluoroscpic and x-ray tests aid in defense against unfair suits and are also valuable in supervision of employee health. INDEX {January,1542) .r analysis bacteriological 100-107 benzene 101 carbon disulfide 110 carbon monoxide 103 carbon'tetrachloride 108 chloroform 108 dichlorethane 104 hydrogen 3ulfide 110 naphthalene 105 nitrogen oxides 109 pyridine 106 organic compounds 102 Aniline oil 51 Anthraccsis pigpent 24-33 Anthrax 115-116 Barium carbonate 23 Benzene 44 Cancer tar 54-74-82 treumatic 81 Carbon disulfide in body fluids 113 Carbon tetrachloride 32-59 Cyanogen poisoning 38 Deafness, occupational 63 Dermatitis calcium cyanamid 117 cleaning compounds 119 cutting oil "Dic-a-dco" 85 80 nail lacquer 83 occupational 94 skir. tests Dichlorethane 14-0 determination 104 Dlchlorobenzene 40-50 Disability, appraisal 147 Disinfectants 114-118-122-124-126 127-128-129-130 Disease, industrial general 37 pulmonary 20 women Dust 48 control 125 disease 22 experiments 19 rouge 31 Dyes, sonsitivlty 112 Electroplating hazards 49 Epidermophytia 76 Examination, y fjftpi- O./tHGHX 133 Fatigue, chronic 35 Formaldehyde 51 Fur ivo r^rs 62 Gas os v;ar 87 Gasoline 36 Glycol, trimethyiene 55 Hand-, c acred, employment of 141 Hoalth, indus trial general 144 in wartime 136 labor dept., rol* of 146 program 39-48-137-138-139 symposium 143 Hydrofluoric acid 78 Hydrogen sulfide 41 Lead determination 95-97-98 poisoning 72 Lymphogranuloma benlgna 30 Manganese general 73 pneumonia 67 Mercury determination 99 fulminate 86 poisoning 69 Microscope, electron 111 Munition hazards 86-89-90 Naphthalene 56 Nltrochiorobenzene 53 Nitroparaffins 58 Nitrogen, elimination 23 Nursing, industrial 135 Nystagmus, miner's 43 Onychia, solvent 75 Onycholysis in fur workars 77 Ozone 91-92-93 Paraphenyldiamine 45 Phenyl mercuric oleate 79 Phosgene 34 Phosphorus poisoning 65- 66 Pneumoconiosis physical type 152 Pressure, abnormal 42 Projection booth fumes 120 Resins, synthetic 57 Respiratory protection approved 131 gas mask 123 Resuscitation 142 Selenium 71 Silicosis general 21-29-34 miners 6 Spectrograph 96 Statistics morbidity & mortality 145-148 Sulfur 27 Syphilis 134 "Tergitol" 60 Thallium poisoning 68 Tuberculosis experimental 25 general 150-151-153-154 Tungsten 70 Turpentine 46 Undulant foyer 52 Ventilation filter test 132 In mines 121 X-ray 149 Zinc 64 nHBB-0O 10<t9ti ,,< : riW B B -0010*i5 i