The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1945-01-18
Progress In
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records pertaining to the health of
group of 125 employees who had for
many years been engaged in the
manufacture of finely powdered,
metallic aluminium for the paint and
ink industries. The conditions were
such that these employees had inhaled
varying and oft-times very dense con-
centrations of this powder daily over
periods ranging from 6 to % years,
the average for the group being II
years. A-ray pictures of their chests
showed no abnormalities attributable
to aluminium Their general health
seemed better than that of the 5000
workers in other sections of the plant.
In fact, the early films of three en-
ployees in this group of 125 showed
shadows suggestive of minimal tuber-
culosis, which shadows were not dis
cernible in films taken after consider
able periods of exposure to aluminium
powder. The harmlessness of alumni
mum was, by this study, reasonably
well established at the outset, find
ing subsequently verified by Ontario
research on humans.
Proposal To Treat Human Silicosis
Based upon these findings, pro-
posal to treat silicosis with aluminium
was discussed by officials of the Nc
Intyre Mine and the Banting Insti-
tute. The Department of Health and
the Workmen's Compensation Board,
both under the jurisdiction of the
Government of the Province of On
tario, heartily endorsed the proposal
The matter also was referred to the
Ontario Mining Association, which
represents the mine operators of the
Province and which maintains the
Technical Silicosis Research Commit
tee. All parties expressed the opinion
that the course contemplated was the
logical one to follow. Accordingly, it
was decided to establish a clinic for
this purpose in Porcupine, authorized
by and with the full support of the
Department of Health and the Work
mems Compensation Board The clinic
was in due course established, funds
for the purpose being supplies by the
mines of Porcupine.
1t was, at the outset, recognized
that it would probably require years
to demonstrate the efficiency of alumi-
mum as preventive for slicosis in
humans. The research with animals
had disclosed much evidence indicat-
ing that the use of aluminium might
alleviate the clinical symptoms of
silicosis sufficiently to justify its en-
ployment, not only as a prophylactic
but as an agent for treatment. This
premise was based on the belief held
by Denny ct al that functional dis
ability in silicosis (e. g., shortness of
breath), though due in part to fibro-
sis, is caused mainly by widespread
thickening of the walls of the air
sacs within the lung, a condition
which interferes with the gaseous ex-
change Experimentation with ami
.mals had shown that, in silicotic
animals, the extent and degree of this
thickening diminished considerably
after the inhalation of aluminium
powder.
1t was decided, therefore, that the
clinic should conduct thorough and
entirely Independent investigation in
to the value of aluminium in the treat
ment of established pulmonary sill
COSTS in human subjects and that the
Investigators should submit detailed
report when conclusive observations
had been made. 1t was felt that If
the aluminium was effective in this
respect, its utility as prophylacti.
might almost be taken for granted
The clinic was established at st.
Mary's Hospital, Timmins, Ontario,
and was under the direction of an
outstanding authority on chest dis
orders, ID. d. w. Crombie, Medical
Superintendent of the Queen Alex
andra Senatorium, London, Ont. He
was assisted by DR.. J. l.. Blaisdell and
Miss G. MACPHERSON, Pathologist and
Chemist of the same institution. In
order that complete investigation