The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1889-02-06
W0RKMENS DISEASES.
EFFECTS OF INHALlNo THE DUST
or WORKSHOPS AND MILLS.


Irrltation Of the Lung Cells, which Re-
suits IA Asthma and Consumptfon-Eilo
Makers, Stone Cutters and GlassworIsers
Occupy Unpieasant 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 inhaling It
with every breath. The dust entering the
lungs may act In two ways--it may set up
Irritation in tho mucous membrane, or IL may
DO taken up by the blood and produce acute
or chronic poisoning.
By whatever method the particles reach
the interior Of tho lung cells. their presence
is constant cause Of irritation, resulting
in inilammatory processes. which produces
assesses, alterations and consumption. The
liability TO this disease Is greatest in persons
who are Obliged to sit or stand In bent over
position all day II frequent change of atti-
tude were allowable, with plenty Of free
muscular exercise. the tendency 70 consuuaps
ton would be greatly diminished sHirpr IS
| OF tho opinion that the inhaling OF dust pro-
duces acute pneumonia Flo cutters work
with hammer and cold chisel, holding the
blank on tho 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 1t, they thereby
inhale metallic and mineral dust
.GRINDERs' ASTHMA
In making coarse files a 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 tho force of the blow,
because it Is impossible to make all the blanlrs
the same degree Of hardness Consumption
Is very common among them.
Grinders, pin pointers, needle makers, cut.
ters. etc. inhale mixture OF metallic and min
oral dust These occupations are among the
most dangerous that can be followed. The
steel and iron implements ere pressed upon
grindstones revolving at the rate of 1900 TO
5000 times minute The operation requires
great physical strength ana very oon-
strained attitude Tho danger lies In the
amount Of dust taken into the lungs and the
position of tho workmen It reaches ftx
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 tho danger Is some
| what lessened. Saws and all the coarse I'm
| PIGMENTS 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 or FIVE years,
It begins with dry. hacking cough with lit
Ito expectoration, and nausea and vomiting
In tho morning, then comes dull feeling In
the chest, with weak respiration. Could tho
person abandon work at this time, recovery
would DO possible In most cases. II work Is
continued the lung tissue begins to break
down, and cavities form near the "apicesn or
top Of tho 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 tho eye. They should wear plain
glasses or flno wire gauze spectaeles. 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. A good idea
Is 10 have waterproof clothing to cover
| them.
There are many conflicting opinions re-
| garding tho inhalation OF mineral dust.
"Meinaln says such lungs contain nm immense
amount Of silicie acids that he found 80. n Of
| the ashes of lung tissue; 4l.0S of the bron-
chial glands was silica and sand, while, &c
cording to KuSmaul, tho normal lung con-
tains from f.22 to IT'S Of this substance.
WORKERS IN POTTERY AND GLASS.
The workmon who make Portland cement
arc greatly troubled by tho dust caused
by shoveing tho mass into sacks after
IL has been burned and ground. They
have a persistent cough and often ex-
pectorate little Jumps of cement. It Is Inn
m
labor day after day, consequently they are
obliged 10 take intervals OF rest Stonecutters
work with o 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 1t Is the common
opinion OF all writer's 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 OF.
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. Tho Aat
pressers, who force tho clay into molds with
o great loss OF muscular strength, are espe-
cially affected SO common Is emphysema
among them that 1t is called .potters'
asthma" To the china scourers the flint dust
is a terrible irritant, and among female
workers tho mortality Is enormous.
Tho burners are exposed TO a temperature
OF l04 dogs. and suffer from sudden changes,
which produce acute pulmonary diseases,
rheumatism and intestinal disorders. The
enamels used or the different kinds OF porce.
lain contain leai, and there are many cases
OF lead poisoning among the workers In this
branch of the business. Tho mixers of clay
are said to be troubled with muscular pains,
especially In tho tendons OF tho 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, inhaie great quantities of irri-
tating dust and suffer greatly from a 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 stretch, and should then work at
something else, or at least give up this occu-
/ patton for double tho working time. In this
| way, by tho 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 ut death Is given from 30 to 40 years
Boston Globe.
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