The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-02-25
OCCUPATION AND DISEASE.
Affections Which Are Peculiar t til
Various Trades.

from lead poisoning, because they cut
the files by hand, resting the hand on
IA block of lead. In the United S ties
files are cut by machinery, and tn
ing is heard of lead poisoning an ng
the craft.
Hatmakers are exposed TO the d lger
OF mercurial poisoning, a most dis
tressing condition, popularity known as
''saliyation." In the manufacture of
hats a strong solution of acid nitrate
mercury is used to promote the felt
ing of the hair or fur, and the worl5men
who handle and shape the felt aIe es-
pecially exposed to the danger. 'Mer-
curry is volatile at ordinary tentpera-
ture, and the inhalation of it's vanor or
dust containing its salts, produces
increased fow of saliva, sore mouth,
liberation of gums, loss of fiesh,s tre-
Elors, vertigo and other ills.
Prevention in such cases is difficult,
because the workmen will not take the
necessary precautions. The methods
are the same as for lead, prompt re-
moval of yapors by eNhausts, good ven
tilation and scrupulous personal clean
illness.
Arsenic produces most of its evil eff
fectsA in trades which employ colors
whiGM contain it, either as an es y
constituent or as an impuTity. Some
of the aniline colors contain arsenic.
The chief arsenical pigments are
Scheele green (arsenite of copper and
Gal,XK.ai 70 To IF
copper, but they also occur in some
dull reds, such as red-striped bed
ticking.
The trades in which chronic arsenical
poisoning occurs most frequently are in
the manufacture of artificial flowers
and of fancy colored glazed paper for
boxes, playing cards, etc. Dyers are
also exposed to much danger from this
most distressing form of mineral poi
sOniug. The use of arsenic for cOloring
wall paper seems to have greatly di-
unfinished of late years, and although it
can still be found in many papers, it
is probable that in most cases it is an
accidental impurity of the colors used,
fact which does not, however, lessen
the danger to which the workman is
subjected. The same is true of certain
Of the employees engaged in the manu-
facture of carpets, and dress-goods
prints.
Dust becomes a serious source of
danger i'll many trades. Among coal
miners or those engaged in handling
fine coal-tiremen, stokerS, coal passers
and coal dock labOrers, etc.---the coal
becomes deposited in the tissue Of the
lungs, producing what is known as
miners lung" or anthracosis, while
the similar 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
polishers, wood and cotton spinners
quarrymen, stone cutters, lime burn
ers, millers, brass finishers. copper
bcaters, aluminium rollers, gold beate1s
and burnishers tissue changes in the
lungs are usually found after death.
Heterogeneous cause Il very con-
siderable part of the diseases which Af-
fict men in any occupation. While
no occupation specifically produces
these organisms, yet some trades make
the worllmen much more liable to at
tacI, than others. The bacillus of
tuberculosis, which causes over II per
cent. of all the deaths which occur in
the United States, mainly affect those
trades in which workmen are herde@
together in lll-ventilated rooms. Che
cOnsumptive careless about his e1rSec-
torations may infect his fellows. Hence
the large proportion of cases of this
disease among printers, accountants
and clerks, and the dressmakers, seam
stresses and clothing workers, who are
crowded into sweatshops in the large
cities.
The preventive is in proper ventila-
ton, disinfection of premises and Gus
pidors, in open-air exercise and the
avoidance of positions in which the
chest is cramped and constrained.
The special dangers to the health of
brain workers, that is, persons who
use their brains rather than their mus
Giles in their occupation, are due-frst,
to excess of emotions, especially anN-
iety, worry, etc; second. to irregular
habits as to eating and sleeping; third
10 excuses in eating, drinking, smok-
ing, etc, fourth, to want of physical
exercise.
The diseases to which brain work
ers are most liable-dyspepsia, in
somnia, liver and kidney disorder,
nervous irritability or prostration, IT.
ritahle heart, apopleAy and paralysis,
etc.-arc by no means peculiar to them,
as they are seen in idle loungers quite
as often. They are due not so much
to excessive brain work as to bad hab.
its OF various kinds. =
Generally the patient feels fabby
the secretions are disordered, he feels
as if he needed more air. The causes
are many; too much tobacco, too little
exercise, a moist air with low barome.
ter and a cloudy sky. Under the cir.
cumstances there is nothing to do but
to drop the work, but avoid "a stimulant
San Francisco Examiner.