Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-02-08
WORKMEN'S DISEASES.
EFFECTS OF lNHALING THE DUST
OF WORKSHOPS AND MILLS.

@~AAsaseAoAA Va ShO Lung tclls, w uCh Asc'
suits in Asthma and Consumption-File
Makers, Stone Cutters and Glassworkens
Occupy Unpleasant Positions.
There are many occupations in which enor-
NOUS quantities of dust are evolved and float
IN the air Of workrooms, so that the people
employed there are continually inhalirg it
with every breath. The dust entering the
lungs may act in two ways-it may set up
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 infammatory processes, which produces
assesses, alterations and consumption. The
liability to this disease is greatest in persons
who are obliged to sit or stand in a bent over
position all day. If frequent change of atti-
tude were allowable, with plenty Of free
muscular exercise, the tendency to consump-
ton 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 a 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
inhale metallic and mineral dust
s'GRINDERs' ASTHMA"
In making coarse files q large amount of
bodily exertion Is needed, as the hammers
weigh between five and six pounds. The
work requires a 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
tiers, ETC., inhale mixture of metallic and min
eral dust. These occupations are among the
most dangerous that can be followed. The
steel and iron implements are pressed upon
grindstones revolving at the rate Of 1000 to
5000 times minute. The operation requires
great physical strength and very con-
strained attitude. The danger lies in the
amount of dust taken into the lungs and the
position of the workmen. 1t 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
plenents 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-
ton may be extended over four OF five yearz
It begins with 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 ID most cases. If work Is
continued the lung tissue begins to break
down, and cavities form near the "apicesh or
top of the lungs. Grinders Of steel are liable
toinjury 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 gauze spectacles. Those
who work at wet grinding, while relieved
from dust dangers, are covered with spat-
terings of mud and water, and are constantly
kept wet and cold, thus exposing themselves
to pneumonia and rheumatism. 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 80. II of
the ashes Of lung tissue; 41.OS of the bron-
chial glands was silica and sand, while, ac-
cording to Kussmaul, the normal lung con-
tains from 422 to 17.3 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 persistent cough and often ex-
pectorate little Jumps of cement. It is i'm
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 injure the eyes by the flying chips and
sparks from the chisel. It is the common
opinion of all writers that milestone cutters
are more 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 are ex-
posed to many injuries. For instance, sitting
and mixing the earth used, then grinding
away the uneven places on articles already
baked cause a great deal of dust. The fat
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 a terrible irritant, and among female
workers the mortality is enormous.
The burners are exposed to a temperature
Of 104 dogs. 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 ex-
posed to dust, but do not appear to suffer
much.
Men working in glass manufactures, espe-
cially those who grind and powder the sill
cious material inhale great quantities of irri-
Eating dust and suffer greatly from constant
hacking cough. 1t is rare to find sound
man among them. They cannot work long
at this trade. ''Hirt" says they should not
be allowed to work more 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. The most dangerous
work is done by the grinders and polishers of
cut glass. About IS per cent among them
have chronic pneumonia, and the average
age at death is given from so to AZ years.
Boston Globe
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