Hints on the pathology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of thoracic consumption / by J.C. Hall.

  • John Charles Hall
Date:
1856
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hints on the pathology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of thoracic consumption / by J.C. Hall. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    these cases of chronic bronchial disease there is, in addition to the question of pulmonary irritation, the fact that many of these men are exposed to influences tending to induce the tuberculous cachexia: they pass many hours every day in a confined and deteriorated atmosphere, and the position in which they are obliged to work is unfavourable to the free action of the respi- ratory organs, and many of them are very intemperate. Much of the evil arising from the inhalation of metallic and gritty particles could be avoided by working in rooms where means are provided to prevent the inhalation of grit-dust, &c.; but, singular to relate, these men are so indifferent as frequently not to make use of the means at their disposal for rendering their calling at any rate less injurious. Dr. Alison states, “ there is hardly an instance of a stone-mason in Edinburgh free from this affection of the lungs at the age of 50.* Dr. Forbes states,-]- “ that an immense proportion of the miners in Cornwall are destroyed by chronic bronchitis.” Wepfer J had observed, in his day, the destruction of the miners employed in cutting millstones from the mines of Waldschut, on the Ehine, where all the men are said to have become consumptive. The per- nicious effects of the inhalation of silex in a minute state of division is described by Benoiston de Chateauneuf and M. Clozier ;§ and many years ago Dr. Johnstone, of Worcester, described the injurious effects to the respiratory organs from the inhalation of metallic particles as exemplified in needle- pointing.il * Trans. Med. Chir. Soc., Edinburgh. Vol. 1. t Trans. Provincial Med. Sur. Association. Vol. II. I t Obscrv. dc capitis afifect. § Le Blanc, (Euvres Chirurgicales. Vol. I., p. 68.5. II Memoirs of the Medical Society of London.
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