The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-05
SOLVING .Absenteeisnt

In large stores, it now is generally appre-
ciated, absenteeism due to accident or illness
forms a serious problem. To cope with it,
special medical services have been instituted
in numerous establishments, and necessarily
surveys have been made to ascertain the
principal causes of absenteeism.
These surveys have brought out facts of
interest to all manner of storekeepers. For
they emphasize the great Importance, not
merely of sanitation in stores large or small,
but also of educating and encouraging store
workers to take particular pains to keep
physically fit.
In the main, it has been found mercantile
absenteeism results from maladies dependent
on a lowered physical condition. In contrast
with factory absenteeism the percentage
caused by accidents is small. On the other
hand, the percentage from sundry infectious
diseases is exceedingly high.
In special, colds, influenza and tubercu-
losis take a heavy toll of store workers. DIR.
Arthur B. Emmons, I'd. in Boston, surveying
health conditions among 1000 workers
for single month (November) found PAT
per cent of absenteeism caused by acute in
fections of the upper respiratory tract. For
a six month period March 1 to August 81 }
DR.. Charles A. Swan, in Cleveland, found
an even higher percentage due to this cause,
1914 per cent.
AS to the prevalence of tuberculosis among
store workers, it would seem that the occur
renee is chiefly among female employees,
though male workers suffer heavily too. One
table of tuberculosis mortality according to
occupations (Kober's table, gives sales
women a mortality rate of 1871 and book
keepers and accountants of 22.5, as con-
trasted with Sc rate among >lumbermen.
Commenting on this the industrial hygien-
lists, Drs. Hope, Hanna and Stauybrass, have
expressed the view that industrial employ
-. r IT.
for the development of tuberculosis" What
this factor is would seem to be plainly indi-
Gated in some remarks by DIR. Emmons, re-
marks which also summarize other principal
health hazards of store work:
1.-The hazards of stores are largely those
of indoor city life. Man has come from an
active life in his natural habitat, the woods,
the fields and the hills, to work and reside
quietly in cities. His physical activity and
sometimes his spiritual needs are subjugated
by his mental occupations.
This change of environment leads nat
urally to degeneration of physique and a
heightened nervous strain. The dangers are
First. infection of the upper respiratory
tract, colds, sore threats, tonsilitis, bron-
chitis; next. Indigestion, including constipa-
ton, gastritis, entritis; third, fatigue from
fear, worry and anxiety, or from physical
causes such as noise, eyestrain, long standing
or sitting, as well as hazards of dust, smoke
and poorly ventilated, often ,Overheated, over
humid or underhumid rooms.
ITO study the signs of weakness and fail
ure. to relieve the suffering, but above all,
to supply a daily program of personal by
glene designed to meet these common dangers
to teach the habits which fortify the body
in short to erect barriers of immunity against
city life-this is the problem of mercantile
hygiene"
And, of course. to provide as hygienic
conditions as possible in every store, whatever
its size, that, too. is incumbent ON all who
would lessen the evil of mercantile absentee
ism and suffering from ill-health. Right liv-
ing habits on the part of the workers must
have the reinforcement of the right kind of
working place.