Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-01-16
WORKMEN'S DISEASES.
EFFECTS OF WHALING THE DUST
 OF WORKSHOPS AND MILLS
Irritation of the Lung Cells, Which Re- su1ts in Asthma and Consumption-File Makers, Stone Cutters and Glassworkers Occupy Unpleasant Positions.

Occupy Unpleasant Positions.
 There are many occupations in which enor- nous quantities of dust are evolved and float fa the air of workrooms, so that the people employed there are continually inhaling it with every breath. The dust entering the lungs may act in two ways-it may set~np irritation in the mucous membrane, or it may be taken up by the blood and produce acute or chronic poisoning.
 By whatever method the particles reach the interior of the lung cells, their presence Is a constant cause of irritation, resulting In lnfiammatory processes, which produces abscesses, alterations and consu-. .ption. The liability to this disease is greatest in persons who are obliged to sit or stand in bent over position all day. If frequent change of atti- tude were allowable, with plenty of free muscular exercise, the tendency to consump- tion would be greatly diminished ''Hirp" is of the opinion that the inhaling of dust pro- duces acute pneumonia. File cutters work with hammer and cold chisel, holding the blank on the anvil by strap passing under the feet, while putting sand or other dust on the anvil to keep the iron from slipping They have to bend over their work and keep their eyes steadily fixed upon it; they thereby lnhale metallic and mineral dust. 'GRINDERS' ASTHMA" /"
 In making coarse files a large amount of bodily exertion is needed, as the hammers weigh between fvexAnd six pounds The work requires 0 very delicate touch, with Constant variation of the force of the blow, because it is impossible to make all the blanks the same degree of hardness. Consumption is very common among them.
 Grinders, pin pointers needle makers, cut ters, etc, inhale mixtureof metallic and min eral dust. These occupations are among the NCCfl steel and iron implements are pressed upon grindstones revolving at the rate of 2,OOO to 5000 times a minute. The operation requires great physical strength and a very con- strained attitude The danger lies in the amount of dust taken into the lungs and the position of the worknen. It reaches its height in the grinding of forks, which must be done on dry stones to avoid rust Razors. scissors, table knives are ground first on dry and then on wet stones, so the danger is some what lessened. Saws and all the coarse i'm plements are ground on wet stones, and in this instance the danger is at its minimum. The form of phthisis caused by metallic dust is called grinders asthma The disease comes on slowly, and its dura- tion may be extended over four or five years It begins with a dry, hacking cough with lit tie expectoration, and nausea and vomiting in the morning; then comes a dull feeling in the chest, with weak respiration. Could the person abandon work at this time, recovery would be possible in most cases. If work is continued the lung tissue begins to break down. and cavities form near the "apices" or top of the lungs Grinders of steel are liable to injury from flying particles of metal which are intensely heated by friction and scatter in the form of sparks, often causing severe burns of the eye. They should wear plain glasses or fine wire gauge spectacles. Those who work at wet grinding, while relieved from dust dangers arc covered with spat- terings of mud and water and are constantly kept wet and cold thus exposing themselves to pneumonia and rheumatism. A good idea is to have waterproof clothing to cover them.
 There are many conflicting opinions re- garding the inhalation of mineral dust. ''Meinal" says such lungs contain an immense amount of silicic acid; that he found 50. T of the ashes of lung tissue; 41OS of the bron- chial glands was silica and sand, while, ac- cording to Kussmaul, the normal lung con tains from .22 to 173 of this substance
 WORKERS IN POTTERY AND GLASS.
 The workmen who make Portland cement are greatly troubled by the dust caused by shoveling, the mass into sacks after it has been burned and ground They have a persistent cough and often ex- | pccGOTslIe uUCle Jumps or cement. It Is possible for the workmen to continue their labor day after day, consequently they are obliged to take intervals of rest. Stonecutters work with hammer and chisel and they not only inhale quantities of dust, but are liable to 1njure the eyes by the flying chips and sparks from the chisel It is the common opinion of all writers that millstone cutters arc moro affected by their work than any other of this class. Peacock gives the duration of working at this trade about nine years.
 Workers in pottery and porcelain arc ex- posed to many injuries. For instance, sitting and mixing the earth used, then grinding away the uneven places on articles already baked cause great deal of dust. The flat pressers, who force the clay into molds with great loss of muscular strength, are espe- cially affected. So common is emphysema among them that it is called "potters' asthma" To the china scourers the flint dust is 8 terrible irritant and among female workers the mortality is enormous.
 The burners are exposed to temperature of 104 degs. and suffer from sudden changes, which produce acute pulmonary diseases, rheumatism and intestinal disorders The enamels used on the different kinds of porce- lain contain lead, and there are many cases of lead poisoning among the workers in this branch of the business. The mixers of clay are said to be troubled with muscular pains, especially in the tendons of the fingers. Lime and plaster burners in plaster mills are e1- posed to dust, but do not appear to suffer much.
 Men working in glass manufactories, espe- cially those who grind and powder the sil- cious material, inhale great quantities of irri- tating dust and suffer greatly from a constant hacking cough. It is rare to find sound man among them. They cannot work long at this trade. "Hirt" says they should not be allowed to work moro than two or three weeks at a stretch, and should then work at something else, or at least give up this occu- patton for double the working time In this way, by the use of relays, the health of the men may be sustained. 1he most dangerous work is done by the grinders and polishers of cut glass. About 35 per cent. among them have chronic pneumonia, and the average age at death is given from 30 to AZ years Boston Globe.
 A Deadly Railroad.
 Nobody will ever know how many lives tne building of the Canadian Pacific railroad