Los Angeles herald., 1907-09-29
"UNI0N PARALYSIS"
IS W0RKMENS PERIL
ODD DISEASE THREATENS TO
CRIPPLE THOUSANDS
Chicago Finds 1t Is Spreading Rapidly
In the Windy City and No Cure
Has Yet Been Found
for II

CHICAGO, Sept. 2s.-The labor unions
in Chicago are disturbed over the ap-
pearance of a new disease, which threat
ems to cripple thousands of workingmen
and render them unfit for future employ
ment The ailment affects the hands and
forearms and has been pronounced incur
able by prominent Chicago physicians.
In the medical books the malady is
called "Dr Armbruster's disease" but
among the labor organizations 1t is known
as "union paralysis" 1t consists in a
shortening of the tendons of the arm, re-
sulting in a gradual contraction of the
fingers and, in some cases, complete
closing of the hand. The cause is laid to
an extreme strain on the muscles made
necessary through the use of modern
tools and implements of industry.
The spread of the disease in Chicago
has been rapid enough to cause the
steamfitters' union to start an investiga-
tion in the interest of its members.
President John Mangan of the organiza-
tion was one of the first to be afflicted
with the trouble. Mangan is an inspector
employed in the city hall, but for many
years he has been accustomed to grip
ping heavy tools used in cutting pipes
and making steam connections.
Disease an Incurapie One
About three weeks ago Mangan noticed
that two of the fingers on his right hand
were slowly contracting. Gradually a
paralysis seized upon the hand until 1t
became practically useless Alarmed
Mangan consulted DR.. John B. Murphy
The surgeon informed him that the dis
ease was an incurable one. He explained
that the tendons in the forearm had con-
tracted, and in order to allow the fingers
to resume their natural positions 1T would
be necessary to sever the tendons. which
would result, however, in an absolute
loss of control. of the hand.
President Mangan next started inquiries
in the union and discovered more than a
dozen steamfitters who were suffering
from ''Dr. Armbruster's disease" or. as
1t was more familiarly known among the
members, "union paralysis"
Union paralysis" said Mangan yester-
day 'is new menace to the working
man. We have not completed our inves-
tigation. but as far as we have gone 1t
appears certain that the disease is caused
by the use of modern tools. Most of
these require strong grip, and thus di-
rectly affect the hands, l think we have
a potent argument here against the use
of labor saving machinery"
1t is said that the disease has made
its appearance chiefly among machinists,
plumbers, lTOH InOiucib diu CdtPCiitCio.
Secretary Edward Nockels of the feder-
alton of labor said he had heard of the
new complaint. but that nothing has
been done by the central labor body to
ascertain the best way of combating It.
Think flew Company Ally
The striking telegraphers believe they
have an ally in their strike in the new
American Union Telegraph company the
organization of which. on a $5,O00,00O cap
ital basis, is said tt, be under way. An
nouncement was made by L. X. Davis,
who has an office in the First National
Bank building. that the new company
will be ready to start operations by
January l. The plan is to lease tele-
phone wires and use them as telegraph
lines. Among the Chicago men said to
be interested in the scheme are DR..
George b. Lyons, 475S Calumet avenue.
and James Mclean, a constructing en-
gineer. j. P. Hornaday, 27 Williams
street, New York, also is connected with
the enterprise