The occupational diseases : their causation, symptoms, treatment and prevention / by W. Gilman Thompson.

  • William Gilman Thompson
Date:
1914
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The occupational diseases : their causation, symptoms, treatment and prevention / by W. Gilman Thompson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    73/760 (page 43)
    Although the noxious dusts differ somewhat in detailed effects upon the organism, they have certain general effects in common. These may be either acute, causing prompt irritation reflexes, such as cough, increased secretion of tears, etc., or subacute or chronic, causing congestion and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory passages. It is a common experience for workmen when first entering a dusty trade to suffer severely from acute coryza, with sneezing and lacrimation, and sometimes slight febrile reaction. These symptoms pass off after a few days of exposure to the irritant, but may recur on resuming work after a brief holiday or the enforced idleness of a strike. Dusts are irritating to (1) the skin, (2) the eyes and (3) respira¬ tory passages, and may enter (4) the alimentary canal. 1. The Skin.—Upon the hands and arms dusts may give rise to pruritus, erythema and eczema. Mixed with sweat and working into the deeper folds in the skin, they may give rise to ulceration, and, exceptionally, to epithelioma. 2. The Eyes.—The sharp insoluble dusts irritate the cornea, in time giving rise to ulceration. Conjunctivitis, lacrimation, con¬ junctival swelling and ulceration may be produced, and some of the soluble dusts may cause pustular inflammation. The vessels of the elbow) ; inflammation of the synovial lining of the wrist joint and painful, so that in many cases work is seriously interfered with. 3. The Respiratory Mucosa.—The Schneiderian membrane is much irritated. It may become congested and swollen, the hyperse¬ cretion of mucus is common in the earlier stages of irritation. In some cases there is ulceration with formation of dry crusts over the surface of the ulcers which cause bleeding on removal. Some of the soluble dusts are absorbed in the mouth, producing local or constitutional effects of poisoning. The larynx may be irritated. Cough is common and there may be hoarseness. Thirst is also a common symptom. Acute and chronic bronchitis are the usual result of persistent inhalation of irritant dusts. Many dusts do not penetrate very deeply into the lungs, not beyond the first or second bifurcation of the bronchi, but the heavier metallic dusts, such as steel filings, and especially sharp insoluble