The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-04-24
PROGRESS OF EXAM
M4TION OF CUTTERS
Has Brought Out Some Surprising Dis
coveries-No Cases of tuberculosis
Found Among 21o Examined.

For the past two weeks the medica.
examination of the granite cutters IN
Barre has been in progress and up to
the present writing 2l9 cutters have
been examined, and of this number
none are found to have tuberculosis
contrary to the general opinion that
tuberculosis was of common occurrence
among the cutters.
The work being done now is the
third phase of an investigation of the
industry conducted by the National
tuberculosis association through its
committee on mortality from tuber
culosis in the dusty trades. There are
200 dusty trades and the granite in
dustry was the first one TO be investi-
gated, Barre being chosen because OF
its supposedly high mortality rate from
tuberculosis among granite cutters.
The first phase of the investigation
consisted of securing the cutters oceu-
pational history and this was done by
a representative of the National Tu
berculosis association last summer in
terviewing each man in the industry.
NJ Eit Eduit AtItt u ipi H0 va
raphers was employed at the State
House in Montpelier copying the death
records for the past 90 years of both
sexes over 10 years of age. An analy-
sis OF This data showed an apparent
death rate from tuberculosis among
cutters of Sc per cent in Barre, but il
also revealed two interesting facts. One
was that the manufacturer who had
cut granite at one time dies at the
same age and from apparently the
same cause as the cutter, even though
he had forsaken the cutting end of the
industry for the manufacturing end.
The other was that while the cutters
rause of death was given as tuber
rulosis the death record Of his wife
showed almost invariably that she died
ater in life from some other cause.
These two facts point towards a pro
yressive occupationsl disease rather
han tuberculosis; the conclusion be
ng that if tuberculosis were an end
lisease it was only such and had no
bearing except as a terminal infection
'oming probably from ontside sources
The second phase OF the investiga-
ion consisted Of an exhaustive inquiry
nto the equipment used in producing
inished granite.
The third and last phase consisted of
physical inventory OF each cutter,
his being an effort to get at the real
present stains of each man. The work
) being done by three local doctors
nd the following information is gath
red from each cutter The number of
ears he has been exposed to dust.
The exact granite operation he is fol
owing An his past sickness from
hildhood to present time, his tempera-
ure. pulse, respiration and blood pres
ure Mea asurement of his chest with
alipers. Aseertaining what he eats
or breakfast. dinner and supper. The
inc he goes to bed, the time he arises,
ow many grown people live in the
ouse, how many children and how
lany rooms in the house. An exam
nation OF his eyes, ears, nose and
hr5at is made and a stereoscopie set of |
raw films Is taken OF each cutters |
hest In addition his heart is exam /
ned and his chest carefully gone over.
So far the examination of the 2l9 /
itters shows that as boys they were /
nusually healthy, having very few Of i
he diseases common to childhood. /
hey do not live crowded. Their food 4
surprisingly nourishing, their meals
a well balanced diet on
lr with that Of any family in Barre.
he men are splendid types physical
T.. much above the average, and the
ray and other methods have failed
, reveal tuberculosis in the number
far examined.
At the time of the opening of the
.vestigation by the Natioral Tuber-
llosis association last summer. ,240
ltters were working and II is pro-
Dsed 10 continue the examination un-
at least 1000 are examined. Tu-
,rculosis experts viii be furnished by
Ie National Tuberculosis association
examine doubtful cases and check up
e work generally. The National Tu-
.rculosis association was able to con
ibute 5000 towards the medical phase
the work. but as this would cover
e examination of but a few cutters,
G work has been made possible by 4,
ch cutter paying 81 to the treasurer
the Barre branch of the Granite {
itters' International association, the
sning Of clerical assistance by two
ante manufacturers and the three !
edieal men giving their services with