The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-03-04
Na!lers' consumption.

Nothing is so common amongst nail
crs of late years rs what is known as
ngi!ers' consumption. The rate Of NOR
tality from Diseases OF The lunGs, super
induced by the dust from the grind
stones, is positively fearful. A post NOR
TEN held on CT. w. johnson, who died u
short time ago, which was published in
the daily papers, furnished full descrip-
ton of this so-called "nsilers' consump
ton An attempt has been made in
some of the nail factories TO prevent dust
from circulating, by Introducing power
full fans, with series of pipes, by which
the dust is carried of through the fans by
exhaustion.
Now this is all we'll enough, so far as
il goes, but the fans do not nor is it pos
sible for any known mechanical spPli-
arces to remove all the dust hence sui
flcient dust remains floating IN the At
mosphere to kill in short time persons
whose respiratory organs are not Of the
most healthy and durable character,
Much thought has been given this sub
iect by scientific men, both in this coun-
try and in Europe. The greatest danger
Is TO those workmen whose vocation re-
Jpires the Use of dry grinds.ones. Most
particularly is this the case with nsilers.
Devices, such as moist sponge, worn
over the nose aad mouth, fail to prevent
the complaint. More from the disagree
able character of tho instrument worn
than otherwise. am sorry to say that
in England, in some branches OF some
industry, the operatives refused TO use
such a preventive, for the reason tina: Ii
their occupation were less unheslthy
their wages would be reduced. Now,
this is q very serious matter that deserves
mora attention than has heretofore been
given il. Such large number OF per
sons as are employed in our nsll mills
suffering more or less, and such q large
percentage dying from the above cause,
axcites alarm. The greater the increase
of population, you know, the less VAL
liable life seems 10 be In the grand strug-
ole for existence. And young men seek
those occupations which promise the
greatest reward in money, without re-
card 10 whether they have strong con-
stituuons, or even bylaws. L have
given this subject much consideration,
and although / possess IS good a con-
..,tution, by inheritance, as any man,
sill I sometimes feel alarmed rs to my
own safety while employed IN the nail
factory. | have come TO the following
conclusions in regard to this matter, and
recommend ell persons, affected or not,
TO use the preventive, which Is not pat
ented. nor is it intended to be, by the
undersigned.
Il iss well known fact that by the
friction Of the elements, the atmosphere
is full of dust, lmpeI ceptible, but never.
.beless there. And God in hi: wisdom
has so constructed the nasal organ that
the lungs are protected from bsd results.
| Even ANIMALS which feed from the sur
face of the earth, where the grester
amount OF dust Is likely TO be inhaled,
hsve this Divine protection given by
| tho construction OF the nasal organ.
Now, nature having provided the nos
.rils to supply the lar IS with air, and SO
constructed them as 10 purify the same
during lis passage TO the lungs. 1t fol-
lows hat some artificial preventure must
be used 10 assist the nos.rils IN perform
| inc their functions against dust created
! nv other means than the friction of the
clements. And for this purpose l would
recommend false moustsche so con-
struc.ed that it would ct neatly around
the outer rim of the nose, extending
down below the chin on those who have
no besvd, or correspoudingly to those
who hsve. A light gumelastic string
would hold il on without dissgreesole
feeling. ANY hair not too course would
answer the purpose. Such 50 appliance
would OF disigure the 'sce when worn;
could bo easily adjusted and would save
many poor fellow from sn unumey
grave. ifsry one Will take the trouble
| n look at q hair under q microscope, he
will see how nature hiss Constructed 1t !or
this very purpose. \ feather is very
gcod illustration Of hsir with lis thous-
Snds of bsrbs sll pointing the same way,
catching and holding all floating psrHc'
les that are drawn towards The nosirlls oy
/ inhalation. This subject Is worthy the
a,teDtion of more profound thinkers than
am. snd | would be pleased to hesr
! rom them through your excei!ant paper.
Yours truly,
q. W, SooTT.