The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1906-02-13

four names for what are probably only
two complaints. the first and second re-
ferring to one disease, and the third and
fourth to another.
In every instance where diseases is adj
mitted, the particular features Of the
work to which it is traeeable are also re-
ported; these are. although stated in
varying phraseology,. all attributed to two
causes, viz, dust from clay mixing and
flint grinding operations, brushing and
scrubbing the biscuited ware, and the
white lead, which, with other material,
compose the dipping mixtures used in the
glazing of ware.
These diseases, according to the re-
ports, manifest themselves in degrees of
intensity that vary according to the meas
ure of attention given by operatives to
hygienic regulations that are in more or
less complete form, a part of the rules
which pottery workmen are required to
observe
Some obey them strictly and thus es-
cape the infections which to often bring
permanent impairment Of health to their
less prudent fellow workmen; but, taken
as a whole, the pottery trade, while still
regarded as to some extent an oceupa-
tion dangerous to health-at least in
some of its branches-s now far bet-
ter condition in that respect than it was
in days gone by. The dangerous fea-
lures of the occupation have been studied
to advantage, and methods have been de-
vised whereby the deadly peculiarities of
certain of it's branches have been totally
abolished or brought under control
The gratifying fact is noted in the re-
port that the incorporate use Of liquor,
which was notably prevalent during the
early years of pottery manufacture in
Trenton, has almost entirely disappear
ed, or at the very least is now no more
prevalent here than it is elsewhere, or in
other occupations. In reference to this
question, firms employing 80 per cent. of
the operative potters report intemperance
among their men as being rare. and
among the number who so report are
some who state positively that intemper-
ance is absolutely unknown in their es-
tablishments In the few instances
where intemperance is reported as being
noticeable, the habit appears to be large
ly confined to n+English-speaking for
eigners.
The opinions of operative potters on
the best. means Of eliminating or at least
modifying such heaIth-impaiI5ng features
of their work as still remain may be
summarized as. follows:-..W Workrooms
should be ventilated by means of suction
fans, and not merely by open windows;
securing of china should be done in boxes
closed as far as possible and provided
with strong suction draughts on the side
furthest removed from the worker, or
| else by revolving brushes driven by pow
er in boxes and similarly provided with
suction draught. At present this work is
for the most part done by hand over open
troughs, into which the ground flint dust
falls as it is brushed from the ware.
Covering in the form of respirators
should be used over the mouth and nose
by operatives, and since the form Of pull
monary disease that affects pottery work
ers develops slowly and may be retard-
ed, if not entirely arrested, in its early
stages, there should be, in the interests of
| the operatives themselves, an examine
ton by doctor at reasonable intervals,
so that those in danger of lung diseases
Draughts might also be applied as a
means of carrying away the coal gases
from the ovens. together with other dis
agreeable and dangerous vapors and
dusts produced by the operations per-
formed in the decorating departments. .
The accident-producing factors pecu-
liar to the industry were found to be very
few careless handling Of the pressing
machines, grinding clay and kiln1placing
being the only ones mentioned in num-
ber of the statements relating to the sub
ject; that, however, these dangers are
| less real than theoretic is shown by the
fact that only three cases of operatives
having been accidentally injured while at
work were reported for the year covered
by the injury.
-
MR. ANN MRS lllvEyREcElVE