INDUSTRIAL POISONING

FROM FUMES, GASES AND POISONS
OF MANUFACTURING PROCESSES

INDUSTRIAL POISONING

FROM FUMES, GASES AND POISONS
OF MANUFACTURING PROCESSES

BY
DR. J. RAMBOUSEK
PROFESSOR OF FACTORY HYGIENE,
AND CHIEF STATE HEALTH OFFICER, PRAGUE

TRANSLATED AND EDITED BY
THOMAS M. LEGGE, M.D., D.P.H.
H.M. MEDICAL INSPECTOR OF FACTORIES
JOINT AUTHOR OF ‘LEAD POISONING AND LEAD ABSORPTION’

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS

LONDON
EDWARD ARNOLD
1913

TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE

I undertook the translation of Dr. Rambousek’s book because it seemed to me to treat the subject of industrial poisons in as novel, comprehensive, and systematic a manner as was possible within the compass of a single volume. Having learnt much myself from Continental writings on industrial diseases and factory hygiene, I was anxious to let others also see how wide a field they had covered and how thorough were the regulations for dangerous trades abroad, especially in Germany. A praiseworthy feature of Dr. Rambousek’s book was the wealth of references to the work of foreign writers which is made on almost every page. To have left these names and references, however, in the text as he has done would have made the translation tedious reading, and therefore for the sake of those who desire to pursue inquiry further I have adopted the course of collecting the great majority and placing them all together in an appendix at the end of the volume.

Dr. Rambousek as a medical man, a chemist, and a government official having control of industrial matters, is equipped with the very special knowledge required to describe the manufacturing processes giving rise to injurious effects, the pathology of the lesions set up, and the preventive measures necessary to combat them. In his references to work done in this country he has relied largely on abstracts which have appeared in medical and technical journals published on the Continent. I have only thought it necessary to amplify his statements when important work carried out here on industrial poisoning,—such as that on nickel carbonyl and on ferro-silicon—had been insufficiently noted. Such additions are introduced in square brackets or in footnotes.

In his preface Dr. Rambousek says ‘the book is intended for all who are, or are obliged to be, or ought to be, interested in industrial poisoning.’ No words could better describe the scope of the book.

The work of translation would never have been begun but for the assistance given me in Parts II and III by my sister, Miss H. Edith Legge. To her, and to Mr. H. E. Brothers, F.I.C., who has been to the trouble of reading the proofs and correcting many mistakes which my technical knowledge was insufficient to enable me to detect, my best thanks are due.

I am indebted to Messrs. Davidson & Co., Belfast, for permission to use figs. 46 and 48; to Messrs. Locke, Lancaster & Co., Millwall, for fig. 27; to Mr. R. Jacobson, for figs. 30, 33, 37, 38, and 43; to Messrs. Siebe, Gorman & Co., for figs. 32, 39, and 40; to Messrs. Blackman & Co. for fig. 47; to Messrs. Matthews & Yates for fig. 54; to H.M. Controller of the Stationery Office for permission to reproduce figs. 52, 53, and 54, and the diagrams on p. 284; and lastly to my publisher, for figs. 41, 42, 43, and 49, which are taken from the book by Dr. K. W. Goadby and myself on ‘Lead Poisoning and Lead Absorption.’

T. M. L.

Hampstead, May 1913.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

The attempt to systematise from the scientific standpoint the mass of material that has been collected about poisons is a very heavy task, even for the toxicologist who desires to treat his subject comprehensively. How much greater is the difficulty of writing a systematic book on industrial poisoning keeping practical application in the forefront!

Technical considerations which are decisive in the causation and prevention of industrial poisoning are here of especial moment, and must naturally influence classification of the subject-matter when the object is to assist those concerned in factory hygiene.

Bearing this in mind, I have divided the subject into three parts. The arrangement of the first, which gives as complete a statement as possible of the occurrence of industrial poisoning, into industries and processes was determined on technical grounds. The second, which amplifies the first, attempts to summarise the pathology or symptoms of the various forms of poisoning. The references to the literature of the particular subjects—as exhaustive as I could make them—will lighten further study. To these two parts, following on knowledge of causation and symptoms, the third, in which preventive measures are outlined, is linked.

The apparent drawback in use of the book is that one form of poisoning has often to be referred to in three places. But, I hope, this is more than counterbalanced by the completeness of the scheme which results from the subdivision of the subject.

The pathology of industrial poisoning necessitates frequent repetition when describing the branches of industry giving rise to the intoxication, as one and the same form can occur in the most varied processes. The numerous instances of actual cases of poisoning quoted must therefore be regarded as conforming to the same pathological type. Similarly, preventive measures require separate systematic treatment in order to avoid constant repetition which would otherwise obscure the general survey. Quite a number of means of prevention apply equally to several industries in which the same cause is at work. The success attained by thus simplifying the issues is the greater because such common measures are the easier to carry through and to supervise.

The method therefore has been adopted only after serious reflection and has been directed mainly by practical considerations.

Recent cases which have either been reported or come to the knowledge of the author have been given, with particulars as exact as possible. Cases dating back some time have been omitted intentionally so as to exclude everything which did not correspond with the present conditions of industry and trade. Historical facts only receive consideration in so far as they are fundamentally important and necessary for the sake of completeness.

The details given in Part I of actual instances will supply material for fresh efforts, renewed investigation, and new points of attack.