The Washington herald., 1908-08-03

ease disease that has been found re-
sponsible fer the anemic condition Of the
agricultural people Of Porto Rico. Ions
attributed TO occupation and poor food.
The highest rate Of morbld.ty and
mortality among wage-earners is found
among the bleachers. bOokbinders. brass
founders. compositors. coppeTsmitls. ster-
eotypers, stonecutters. gas work en-
ployes. white lead workers. match work
ers, persons employed in the manufacture
Of explosives. firemen, potters. file max
ers. and operatives in rubber factories
Absolutely accurate data in regard 20
these occupations cannot be obtained in
the United States. In England reports
on certain occupations are compulsory by
law The German industrial insurance
Institutes AFFORD even better facilities for
gathering information An effort IS be
ing made by the Department OF Com
n'erce and Labor 10 secure such stats
tics from all over the country. and IN
clude with vital figures such necessary.
relative information as the conditions
under which the work Is done, the safe
guards set about the operative for his
protection, his habits, home life, food.
and environment. On such data future
improvements viii be based
Generally speaking, outdoor work IN
pure air is conducive TO longevity, indoor
employment provocative OF disease ard
short life Air IN workshops Is lnvari-
ably heavy with the impurities OF vItiat-
ed ar. filed with germs. dust. or,cnie
matter from mouths, skins, and lungs q
Cther workers. and from perspiraticn-
laden clothing. Immediate results OF the
loss Of oxygen from the air may be seen
IN headaches. dizziness. and faintuess
among the workers More lasting effects
are found IN q gradual loss OF physical
and mental vieor. q loss Of appetite and
q general anemic condition To the na-
J.olaI disregard Of the need OF fresh air
much OF the tuberculosis Of the past half
century can be directly traced From
widely diversified list OF pIaces-dveIlinss
workshops. public buildings. battle ships.
prisons. and military barracks-consUmp-
ton took an enormous toll until the re-
Gently awakened sentiment in favor of
fresh air
Danger lies IN many unsuspected places
PoIishers and grinders os cutlery inhale
the fine dust and become victims TO bron-
ch!t!s. asthma, and tuberculosis. Respl-
rators and enforced ventllations are be
ing used 10 lessen this Tobacco factories
eageuder disease Of the eyes and re
spiratOry organs. and the workers. by
vvetting with thei- tongues the cigars on
which they ere working. send COmmunI-
cable diseases out 70 the smoker AMI
nal dust Affects the operatives IN boot
and shoe factories and in the places
where bone. hog bristlss. horns. wool.
feathers. fur hair. silk. and ivory are
manufactured into uerchantsble articles
Paper mills are subject 10 epIdeuics OF
various contagious diseases brought n by
the rags they use Wool s0rIers suffer
an anthrax infection from the sheep
from whose backs the wool was taken
Fringe makers have been poisoned BY
the sugar Of lead used in the silk dye.
and makers OF artificial flowers glazers
Of pottery. enamelers, and other work
ers who must use lead in auy fashion
suffer painful sickness OF death from lead
poison or lead cole. To correct as far
as possible these and other evils that be
set factory workers as inevitably as dan
gers 70 life and limb await the miner
and railway worker. the thoughtful peo-
pie Of the nation are working New fac
tory laws are being enacted 10 protect
their health when at work. pure food
laws 10 protect them when al home
CCopyrsat, lss. r. Frederic : Hzski,}