The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-01-19
X-RAY EXAMINATION OF
STOlNECUTTERS' LUNGS
Proposed as Second Step in Investiga-
tion of Connection Between Tuber-
culosis and Dusty Trades--Dr.
Frederick L. Hoffman
Spoke in Barre.


i A proposal for conducting an May
examination of the lungs of all granite
cutters in the Barre district as the Sec
ond phase of the investigation of tuber-
culosis In relation to dusty trades un-
der the direction of the National Tuber
culosis association was briefly outlined
before meeting of Barre granite man
ufacturers in their hall Saturday after
noon by DIR. Frederick L. Hoffman, a
director of the national association and
also third vice president and statisti-
clan of the Prudential Insurance com
pany of America. The first phase of
the investigation was the collecting and
compilation of statistics of mortality
from tuberculosis in the industry, as
conducted by Sylvester Schattschneider
during the summer of 1919.
This investigation by Mr. Sehatt-
schneider is reported to have been most
thorough, the statistics Of tuberculosis
mortality since 1896 having been Sc
cured, the investigator even going into
the cemeteries and jotting down the
names of heads of families in his pur-
suit of information as to whether wives
followed their husbands in death from
tuberculosis. The records of all deaths
since 1896 are on file in the home office
of the investigator and viii form the
basis for the next step-the physical
examination of the stonecutters to as
certain which ones have contracted the
disease.
A desire to enlist funds for the carry
ing out of this second step was, appar-
emily, the purpose of DIR. Hoffman in
coming to Barre. He first spoke to
members OF the granite cutters union
Friday evening, following it up with
the address before the manufacturers
Saturday afternoon.
DR.. Hoffman did not go into details
of the results of the investigation thus |
far but he emphasized the Importance
of the work and laid particular stress, |
at the outset. on the fact that the Barre |
granite industry was chosen as the first |
field of investigation by the national |
association through a process OF elm
nation, it being decided that Barre, to-
gether with Quincy, Mass. and Hallow-
ell. Me, offered the best opportunity
Tor study of the reason for the develop
ment of tuberculosis among workers in
the dusty trades. And, by the way.
there are something like 200 industries
,lassed as dusty trades, coal mines be-
ing one of the more important
The speaker declared that stonecut-
.ers have lung fibrosis, not the tuber-
,ulosis of common knowledge The
disease is caused by the gathering Of
stone dust in the lungs, and the finer
he particles of the dust. he said, the
more deadly the action of the dust He
vas not prepared TO say to Just what ]
xtent the difference in mortality from
ung fibrosis was due to the different
haracter OF the granite but he left il /
o be inferred that there might be some J
Inference Tuberculosis works with (
-reater rapidity in the people between /
he ages of 20 and p. while lung I
brosis gets in its work in persons of =
lore years between As and CO. {
Dust does not begin TO get in its full n
fleet in the lungs, said the speaker, e
ntil after 20 years of work in granite e
heds. Some people seem to be little n
to the attack of the disease G
nd live TO considerable age while work
ig in the stonesheds a long time be
ond 20 years Breathing through the
ose instead of through the mouth C
ends to prevent the taking of dus, into
le lungs. Respirators OF satisfactory
8ture have not been designed. Dust
'movers are vet in crude state, ac- o
riding to the speaker. Tools must ioe v
evised which win do away with the Z
lst nuisance: and manufacturers of ;
ANTE working tools must be enlisted h
the general movement against stone "
ltters consumption. "
Dr. Hoffman urged that persons A
ould determine whether or not their VI
ngs are affected and that they should Il
Il wait until the disease gets an I'M
akable grip before they begin to take hi
cps to combat the disease. Affected di
rsons should go TO sanitariums and le
4 STAY at home in order to pass the
soase on to tho other members Of the n
mily. In this connection. the speaker
pressed the opinion that too much II
ress had been laid on the possibility "
infection, although he admitted there an
Is chance for infection through lot
reless action.
However. the chief point now is to
event the development Of tuberculosis
I'M dust. and Dr Hoffman pointed ou, n
II il was Barreis investigation now. -
i as much a. il was that Of the Ma
nal Tuberculosis association. II
uld be better. he declared. 10 let the cei
instry announce that i had taken err
, steps 10 wipe out the disease with Iss
{ waiting for compulsion from some w
II pow er like that Of the state II hoi
: TO the interests Of the granite ter
nufscturers. be said. TO have tho Al
rfality rate from stonecutters' tn Fh
'culosis. or lung fbrosis. cut down far
! he thought = fair share Of tbs aft
ociation would b. 10 contribute So. cha
of the S3.eao required He ssid the The
on was prepared to contribute $50 in
the balance would h. easily forth ThI
ning hc thought sou
Il The close q BE address. Dr. Hcf abb
n replied 10 rnauY inquiries made =
various msmhers of the audience. thii
er which adiouruurnt tpek place iuut
bout action beng taken.