The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-02-22
Nnilers, Consumnilon.

BELIA1RE, o., February 81, 1873.
Editors In,ellISeueer: ~
Nothing Is so common amongst nailers
OF late years as what Ia known as nailers'
consumption. The rate Of mortality
from diseases Of the lungs, superinduced
by the dust from the grindstones, Is posi-
lively fearful. A post norton held on
G. W. johnson, who died short time
ago, which was published in the daily
papers, furnished a full description OF
this so .called "nailers' consumption"
An attempt has been made in some Of the
nail factories to prevent dust from circu-
lAting, by introducing powerful fans, with
sefies OF pipes, by which the dust Is
carried of through the fans by exhaus-
tion.
Now this Is all well enough, so far as
II goes, but the fans do not, nor Is II pos
sible for any known mechanical appli-
ances to remove all the dust; hence suf.
ticient dust remains floating In the
atmosphere to kill in "a short time persons
whose respiratory organs are not OF the
most healthy aud durable character.
Much thought has been given this subject
by scientific men, both 10 this country
and in Europe. The greatest danger 10
to those workmen whose vocation requires
the use Of dry grindstones. Most partie.
ularly Is this the case with nailers. De.
vice., such as moist sponge, worn over
the nose and mouth, fail 10 prevent the
complaint. More from the disagreeable
character OF the instrument worn than
otherwise. | am sorry TO say that In
England, in some branches OF such indus.
try, the operatives refused 10 use such
preventive, for the reason that II their
occupation were leas unhealthy their
wages would be reduced. Now, this is
very serious matter that deserves more
attention than has heretofore been given
It, Such large number Of persons as
are employed In our nail mills, suffering
more or less, and such large percentage
dying from the above cause, excites
alarm. The greater the increase Of pop.
ulAtion, you know, the less valuable life
seems to be in the grand struggle for ex-
istence. And young men seek those occu.
pations which promise the greatest res.
ward in money,Without regard 10 whether
they have strong constitution,or even by.
laws. have given this subject much
consideration, and although l possess as
good constitution, BY inheritance, as
any man, still sometimes feel alarmed
as to my own safety while employed III
the nail factory. Ihave come 10 the fol-
lowing conclusions in regard 10 this mat.
ter, and recommend all persons, affected
or not, TO use the preventive, which is
not patented, nor Is Il intended 10 be, by
the undersigned.
Il 70 we'll known fact that by the
friction Of the elements, the atmosphere
is full Of dust, imperceptible, but
nevertheless there. And God In his wis.
dom has 30 constructed the nasal organ
that the lungs are protected from bad re.
suits. Even animals which feed from the
surface Of the earth, where the greater
amount Of dust il likely to be inhaled,
have this Divine protection given by the
construction OF the nasal organ, Now.
nature having provided the nostrils to
supply the lungs with air, and 90 con-
strucled them as to purify the same dur
ing its passage 10 the lungs. Il follows
that some artificial preventive must DO
used to assist the nostrils insperiorming