Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-08-29
RECEPTION IN The EVENING
Sanitation Of Public Buildings
Relation of Health Officers
to Public and Medical In
spection Considered.

Win mastery address upon "()Ccupa-
aonal Diseases, with Special Reference
% the Stone Cutting Industry" delivered
by Dr. George NJ. Kober, professor in
Georgetown University, Washington, D.
c., who contributed much to the school
Of 1911. In the evening there was new
feature of the annual school of instruc-
lion. in the form of reception on tho
roof garden of the Van Ness House, at-
'snded by some 200 health officers. wives
ynd friends. The receiving line was made
sp of Or. Henry ID. Holton of Brattle-
jorO, DR.. and Mrs. C. S. Caverly of
autland, Professor .Kober, Or. and Mrs
!. T. Kidder of Woodstock. Prof. and
Mrs. j. w. Votey, and DR.. and Mrs. d.
y. Stone of this city.
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES.
The morning session opened at $50
Then Dr. C. S. Caverly, presi lent Of
he state board of health, introduce
he chief speaker of the day. Prof.
'eorgc NJ. Kober, NJ. D., of Georgetown
- .t'rtty. Professor Kober's subject
Ms "Occupational Diseases" with spe-
:lal reference to the stone cutting in
justry. He said in part
Health is the chief asset of tbs
@orkingman and no greater calamity
ian befall him than when his earning
capacity Is impaired or arrested by
reason of sickness or disability, mean.
ing in many instances the utter flnnn-
cial rum of his family. 1t is doubtless
one of the most potent causes Of pow
erty and distress Many diseases are
inciient to occupation AMI environ
Nd frl,
earning power can be promoted by ap-
2ropriate safeguards and adequate
protection for men, women and chill
1ren.
In the search for the cause and pre-
ention of diseases the interest of the
rage earners have not been neglected
indeed It may be truly said that a
special department has been created
known as industrial hygiene or social
medicine with a most complete and
satisfactory literature Of its own. As
a result OF these efforts 1t is known
to-day that persons habitually engaged
In hard work. especially in factories
and indoors, present a greater amount
OF sfcnness and higher mortality than
persons moro favorably situated ana
that the character of the occupation
influences to great extent not only
The average expectation of life, but
also the prevalence Of certain diseases.
1t is known that bronchitis. pneumonia
and tuberculosis are much more frequent
IN dust inhaling occupations and that the
sharp angular particles of iron and stone
dust. and mixed animal and vegetable
lust are more liable to produce injury OF
The respiratory passages than COAL flour,
grain and some other form Of dust It Is
also known that workers In lead, mer-
rury, phosphorus and poisonous dyes suf-
fer especially from the injurious effects
and that occupat tons, such IS mining,
railroading and those which necess,tate
working with or around moving machin-
cry involve especial danger to life and
limb.
The treatment of occupational disease
has been shamefully neglected and 1t is
only within the last two years a few of
Inc States have enacted laws requiring
physicians to report on them. Forty-eight
states now have laws designed to provide
the installation of safety devices for the
prevention Of industrial accidents from
moving machinery.
as inimcal to health are bleachers. book
binders, brass founders, compostors. con-
persmlths' electrotypers stone cutters.
gas work employers, white lead workers
potters. match workers, mirror makers
ana workers IN mercury, persons employ
ed in the manufacture of explosives. fire.
men, rupper FACTORY and textile opera
lives.
1t has been suggested that it may be
d interest," TO discuss the relation of dusty
occupations 10 consumption From knowl-
Edge OF the disease We know that while
the tubercle bacilli are not ubiquitous
hey are at least widely scattered, the
modes of invasion are also numerous. and
yet there are large proportion of those
exposed, who do not develop the disease
This shows that in addition to the germ
there must also be suitable soil for its
growth and de elopment.
OF all occupations under the head stone
cutting Is doubtless the most dangerous.
Those who have witnessed its various
opera lions realize that In spite of met
processes and employment In the open
air the workmen are exposed to a great
amount of this irritating dust, especially
those who operate the pneumatic tools. A
collective investigation, published In 1901,
shows that Of every 100 deaths among
stone cutters, polishers and quarrymen,
h were due to diseases of the lungs, in
elusive of % deaths from consumption.
The State of Vermont has never had an
Excessive mortality rate from tuberculosis
and has shown a most commendable de-
crease, The death rate has been the
greatest in the county of Washington
and the lowest in Essex county The
Htone cutting industry is greatest In
Washington county.
Health officers should see that the work
Is carried out under proper conditions.
should also see that the employees arc
properly Informed and will avail them
selves of the safeguards provided by legal
regulation. The heath officers should
also see that the lodging houses and
homes Of these workmen are generally
Ianitary Preference should be given when
practicable to the cottage system or two
story flats with separate entrances and
exits for each family. The state should
insist upon hygienic requirements as re-
CARDS air space, light and ventilation.
In the whole range of social better
ment and sanitation. ;pecially in our
efforts to combat tuberculosis, no field
affords better opportunity for philan-
tb xapjo work. than N tina axAosloA ~