The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1908-08-15
HEALTH DEPARTMENT TALKS.
Dangerous Trades and Their Disease.
:. introductory Notes.

It has long been known that GER
tain trades or occupations are dan
gerous to health. As early as 1870
Prof. Ramazzini, a noted Italian sci
enlist, made q study Of certain trades
and the death rates prevailing among
those working In them. This was
probably the first study of the kind
made. and attracted much attention,
being translated into both French
and English and widely circulted.
From that date 10 the present tie
subject Of Industrial diseases has re-
ceived more or less attention, and Is
assuming more and more importance
as its bearing upon human life and
longevity becomes better understood.
It is known that among those who
work In dusty occupations there Is a
high death rate from bronchitis, pneu-
munia and tuberculosis. It Is also
known that mineral dusts are more
liable to produce injury to the lungs
and air passages than are the veg
etable dusts. This is why the death
rate from diseases Of the respiratory
organs among stone and iron work
ers Is much greater than it is among
workers in -four mills and grain eIe-
vators.
Among occupations that are classed
as being dangerous to health are
bleachers, book-binders. brass found
ers, compositors, electrotypers, stone
cutters, white lead workers, gas
works employees, file makers, opera
tives in dyeing and textile establish
ments, rubber workers, and those en-
gagged In the manufacture of explos-
ives.
OF. course, 1t should be borne in
mind that even in the sO-caIled dan
gerous occupations conditions very
greatly. In some establishments
where proper safeguards are employ
ed the danger Is reduced to the min
imum and always with the result |
that there is a corresponding reduc-
ton in the death rate among those |
employed. So It is hardly fair to
characterize certain trades as dan
gerous when experience has shown |
that there are no harmful results
when proper safeguards have been
adopted.
It goes without saying, almost, that |
indoor employment of any kind is not |
as healthful as outdoor work The
air in workshops, stores, factories,
dwellings, Is never as pure as the
outside air, for the reason that it
is polluted by the products of respi-
ration. combustion and decomposi-
tion. The presence Of individuals In
q room tends to vitiate the air with
dust germs and organic matter from
the skin, lungs, clothing.
Unless proper provisions are made
In places Of human occupancy for
proper disposition Of he foul air and
for a plentiful supply Of pure afr
there Win always be conditions which
tend to produce symptoms Of oppres-
sion. headache. dizziness, faintness,
and this Is followed By loss Of ape
lite and bodily vigOr. So II becomes
apparent that the important factor Is
q plsntiful supply Of fresh air.
Among workers IN lead, mercury.
arsenic, phosphorus. poisonous dies.
etc. there are diseases peculiar to
thsse occup1ti0ns. IN addition to the
prscaution Of having It an times
plentiful supply Of pure afr circuIat-
sng n the room. additonA safeguards
have to be ADOPTED Sor the protection
OF the employees.
An this indioatss the importance
d thoroushly studying me cDndIt1oas
aRectink heath n TIE various oocu-
1atioas This should be done a order
lhzt Ne en- dstsrmils ne relative
rlalza q oaeh and tie cznses Of tie
undus rIsgnfnncs 1t certain diseases
b ceri1ln occupations, and t1so 70