Diseases of the lungs from mechanical causes : and inquiries into the condition of the artisans exposed to the inhalation of dust / by G. Calvert Holland.

  • George Calvert Holland
Date:
1843
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Diseases of the lungs from mechanical causes : and inquiries into the condition of the artisans exposed to the inhalation of dust / by G. Calvert Holland. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    DISEASES OP THE LUNGS turns of the ages of those who have died in the country, as well as the ages of those at present following the occupation, esta- blish the fact. The returns of the deaths in the country are 22. Ages. Deaths. From 21 to 30, 4 „ 31 to 35, 1 „ 36 to 40, 5 „ 41 to 45, 3 „ 46 to 50, 1 „ 51 to 55, 4 „ 56 to 60, 3 „ 61, 1 These returns are much more favourable than the general re- sults presented. Out of 22 deaths, 5 only are under o5 years of age, and 8 of the deaths exceed 50 years. This is indeed a strik- ing disparity to the prevailing rate of mortality in the branch generally. The adults working in the country, and partly employed in agriculture, are 18. Ages. Persons. 26 to 30, 4 31 to 35, 2 36 to 40, 1 41 to 45, 4 46 to 50, 1 51 to 55, 3 56 to 60, 3 Nearly two-thirds of these are above 40 years of age, showing the duration of life to be far greater than would be indicated j by the same number taken indiscriminately from the 275 adults. The 18 artisans are partly employed in agricultural pursuits. The whole number working in the country is about 50 adults, to- i gether with about 40 apprentices, and are included in the gene- ral returns and calculations ; so that nearly one-fifth of thej grinders are much less exposed than the members generally to j the baneful influence of the trade. Were such deducted, the] rate of mortality in the branch would be greatly increased. Inseparably connected with the preceding inquiries concerning] the mortality and disease of this class of artisans, is their mental condition. A concentration of the entire energies of a class to procure the common necessaries of life, and which are obtained j with difficulty and suffering, is incompatible with intellectual im- provement. Ignorance and physical evils go hand in hand. They react on each other, being both causes and effects.