The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1897-03-05

United States fleS
are cut by machin-
cry and nothing is heard of lead-pol-
soning among the craft. Hatmakers
are exposed to the danger of mercurial
poisoning, a most distressing condition
popularity known as "salivatiOn.' IN
the manufacture Of mats a strong sOlu-
ton OF acid nitrate mercury IS used
to promote the felting of the hair or
FUR, and the workmen who handle and
shape the hats are especially exposed
to the danger. Mercury is volatile at
ordinary temperature. and the lnhala-
ton OF it's vapOr or dust containing
It's salts produces increased flow OF sa-
Iva, sore mouth, liberation OF the
gums, loss of flesh, tremors, vertigo
and other ills. Prevention in such
cases is difficult, because the
will not take the necessary precau-
lions. The methods are the same as
for lead, prompt removal OF vapors by
exhausts, good ventilation and scrupu-
lous personal cleanliness. Arsenic pro-
duces most of it's evil effects in trades
AAA>AA ShiLlcy Iololo IN
either as an essential constituent or as
an impurity. Some of the aniline col
ors contain arsenic. The chief arsen-
ical pigments are Scheele green (arsen-
lite of copper) and Schweinfurth green
(acete-arsenite Of copper, but thev
also occur in some dull reds. such as
in red-striped bed-ticking. The trades
- -.l-:,1, ol,- ,,,s ,>DfcnrinC
occurs most frequently are the manu-
facture of artificial flowers and of fancy
colored glazed paper for boxes, play
ing cards, etc. Dyers are also exposed
to much danger from this most dis
tressing form of mineral poisoning.
The use of arsenic for coloring wall
D seems to have greatly dimln-
iShed of late years and although 1t can
still be found in many papers 1T is
probable that in most cases it is an
accidental impurity of the colors used.
a fact which does not, however, lessen
the danger to which the workman is
subjected. The same is I OF certain
of the employees engaged in the manu-
facture OF carpets and dreSs-goOds
prints. Dust becomes a serious source
of danger in many trades. Among
coal miners or those engaged in hand
ling fine coal-fremen, stokers, coal
passers and coal dock laborers, etc
the coal becomes deposited in the
tissues of the lungs, producing
what is known as miners lung,
or anthracosis, while the sim
liar deposit found in the lungs
of those who inhale fine particles OF
iron or steel is known as siderosis. In
grinders, file cutters, potters, glass pol
ishers, wool and cotton spinners, quar-
rymen, stone cutters, lime burners,
millers, brass f%inishers, copper heaters,
aluminium rollers, gold heaters and
burnishers tissue changes in the lungs
are usually found after death. Micro
organisms cause a very considerable
part of the diseases which aff1ict men
in any occupation. While no occupa-
ton specifically produces these organ
isms. yet some trades make the work
men more Liable to attack than others.
The bacillus of tuberculosis, which
causes over II per cent of all the
deaths which occur in the United
States, mainly affects those trades in
which workmen are herded together
in Hl-ventilated rooms. One consump-
tive careless about his expectorations
may infect his fellows. Hence the
large proportion of cases of this dis
ease among printers. accountants and