M a r . , 1917
r
T H E J O U R N A L OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y
303
LABORATORY AND PLANT THE MANUFACTURE OF PICRIC ACID FROM THE MEDICAL STANDPOINT By F. 0. W s w , M . D . , Resident Surgeon New England Manufacturing Company, Woburn, Massachusetts
T h e information concerning fume poisoning has been obtained from 398 cases reported at our hospital, a n d we make a strenuous effort t o have all men so affected come for treatment.
A study of t h e medical complaints of workmen No. of Men.... . . 50 29 25 13 7 2 4 3 2 2 2 Total Cases 398 engaged in t h e manufacture of picric acid has furnished No. of Attacks... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 13 much material t h a t is interesting, a n d some of which, I trust: will be of value t o others. Although this Twenty-nine cases were serious enough t o require investigation has covered t h e short period of nine bed treatment in our hospital ward, for periods d a y t o 3 days. The absence of months, a report is made a t this time because, owing varying from a n y deaths in this series of 398 cases is due, we bet o t h e excellent system of manufacture recently installed, t h e number of accidents from this trade will lieve, t o t h e vigorous method of handling such acbe greatly reduced, A subject as many-sided as cidents. DELAYED ACTION OF FUMES this cannot be fully discussed in a short paper: therefore. as t h e chief danger arises from t h e fumes of nitric Our experience is in accord with t h a t of other oba n d mixed acids, this particular part will be more fully servers in t h a t mild a n d apparently insignificant attreated. tacks may result i n serious consequences, which, at The conditions under which our men work, a n d t h e t h e time, could not be foreseen, and also, t h a t fume vigorous medical supervision, have been important poisoning may have a delayed action. T h e following factors in minimizing t h e accidents of a dangerous case will illustrate both points. One of t h e older emtrade. T h e building devoted t o making picric acid ployees, having become careless a n d believing himself was erected especially for this purpose and is a modern, immune t o fumes, neglected t o report a t t h e hospital substantial structure. T h e systems of lighting a n d after two very slight attacks. When he left work ventilating are adequate; exits are numerous a n d of some time later, there was absolutely nothing t o ineasy access. The new method of manufacture has dicate t h a t he was not perfectly well. He a t e supper almost eliminated t h e escape of fumes in t h e building, and went t o bed in his usual good health. On being a n d has markedly reduced t h e number of acid burns. called t o breakfast, about twelve hours after t h e last Our hospital department, described in a recent pub- attack, he was found t o be semiconscious a n d breathing lication,’ is thoroughly organized a n d completely with great difficulty He remained in this condition equipped. three days, b u t finally recovered a n d soon reported The examination of all new men, a n d t h e reexamina- back t o work. Since then, about three months, he tion of t h e older employees a t frequent intervals, have has worked here b u t in another department, a n d as much t o do with preventing accidents b y weeding out far as we are able t o see, has not suffered from his the unfit a n d discovering intercurrent disease. This experience. work has given much valuable information, a n d has The symptoms given by our cases do not vary from been t h e means of rejecting g per cent of all men ap- those already stated by other observers, a n d will not plying for employment. The reasons for rejection be taken u p in this paper. include: heart lesions, albumin a n d casts in t h e urine, AFTER-EFFECTS O F FUME POISONIKG asthma, bronchitis, aortic aneurysm, mediastinal tumor, arteriosclerosis, a n d alcoholism. As t o serious complications a n d sequelae of fume PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS poisoning, our observations do not include a large Realizing t h a t a permanent a n d well-trained force enough number of cases or extend over a long enough of able-bodied men is of great value in preventing period to warrant making a n y positive statements. accidents a n d illness, much attention has been given Our investigation, however, has not disclosed a n y t o accomplishing this thing. As a result there have cases of pneumonia or a n y predisposition t o affections been many changes in t h e employees of this depart- of t h e respiratory apparatus. Although we have had ment; signs of unfitness a n d inborn carelessness soon 398 cases of fumes, there have been only 7 cases of show themselves. Our records give t h e interesting coryza a n d 7 of bronchitis in this series treated at t h e information t h a t we have had t h e representatives of hospital, a n d t h e men having t h e greatest number of 18 nationalities a n d 4 races among t h e men working attacks of fumes were not more susceptible t h a n t h e with picric acid; moreover, we have recruited from 32 others. Neither do repeated examinations of t h e urine different occupations, varying from laborers t o college show a n y evidence of renal irritation. It has been graduates. None of these men were familiar with noticed t h a t men working where fumes are present this particular trade before coming t o this plant. show a tendency t o headache, constipation a n d indiNo class or race of men seem t o be especially sensitive gestion. How much of these can with fairness be t o t h e dangers of this trade: a strong, healthy, non- attributed t o fumes is problematic, for these workers alcoholic man, free from arteriosclerosis, has proved have changed more frequently t h a n those in other departments of t h e plant, and many “sour stomachs” a good risk, even in regard t o fume poisoning. among men who cannot hold a job for any length of Boslon Medical and Surgical Journal, December 21. 1916.
I> ( I F i.\-ill’.sr’RfAL
304
time can easily be blamed on something clse iicsicles employment. IiE’sIinns
OF TREATING “ E U \ I E S ”
The nietliocl o i handling “Comes” is t h e s i m c i n all instimres regardless of t h e mildness of t h e attaclc, or whether i c e belicvc i t duc t o apprehension or malingering. I‘orcmen arc insiructed to send to the hospital all nicn affcctcd. and t h e hospital (lep;irtment sees t o it t h a t snch inen do not lenvc l l i c plnnt till they have again wpixted. ’I’reatmcnt, wlietlicr t h c iniin is coughing or comp1;iins simply of a slight oppi-cssion i n t h e rhost. is startcil n-itb t h e lnngi have morlifiod sonicwli:it i,o snit our n
ASI) EYE B U R N S
There are other ailments v o r t h y of notc t h a t affect inen in this employment. T h e next most serious class of injuries t h a t we have t o deal with are mised acid burns of t h e eyes; and these nre iliacult t o prevent as t h e incn will not use t h e gofiglcs providcd. It’ is not uncommon, on calling a man t,o account for not wearing his goggles, t o have him s t a t e he had t h e m in h i s poclict. T h c gainhling instinct t o “take a c h m c c ” is responsible for a large pcrcentagc of accidents. Under tlie old method of m:inufoctnrc in earthenware pots, these injuries were numerous and sometimes scrioiis. But i t is marvelous to sce :in eye clear up t h a t has h e n so ixidly liiirncd thai. t.he sclera is edematoiis and lies in folds t h a t prolriiilc hetwcen t h e lids, and has t h e appcarance of the x h i t e of a fried egg, the cornea being at thc same tiinc obscured h y a brownish op:icity. There have bccn 50 acid burns of t h e eyc, rarying in severity, I n only one case, as Par as we Iia\-c heen alble t o learn, has there been resulting interference wi!.h vision. I n our first-aid racks we have a hottlc of limewater t o be used at t h e time of accident. A t t h e hospital t h e eye i s irrigated with a quart of limewater t o make certain t h a t all t h e acid is ncutralized; this is followed with an irrigation of warm Imric acid solution a n d hot boric compresses applied till t h e inflammation subsides. DEKMATITIS
Frc. l-LvaGmo?oI(
M O ~ Z P I GTO D T a m UP A ~ I O N I AFuuss
Instead of using simply air or oxygen, we have so arranged t h a t t h e air takes u p ammonia fumes b y being drawn o\-er t h e surface of aromatic spirits of ammonia. This mixture is so regulated t h a t t h e ammonia fuines can be forced into t h e lungs without causing any great inconvenience t o the patient, a n d can be kept u p indefinitely. l’rolongcil treatment, however, has n o t been necessary, as t h e relief is almost immediate. If oxygen i s used, it is supplied from a small cylinder, a n d not talien from i h e generator t h a t accompanies tlie apparatus. When cough a n d substernal distress arc relieved, the patient is kept under ohscrvation for some time before being allowed to return to work, and from time t o time inhales ammonia fumes from a small bottle of ammonium carbonate cubes. I n ternal treatment consists of aromatic spirits of ammonia and a saline laxative. Chloroform has not been used. The inen are also instructed t o refrain from smoking and t h e u s e of alcohol. Red treatment in our hospital is insisted upon in cases t h a t cause a n y ansicty, or when t h e man lives away from this vicinity and under unfavorable home surroundings. There has been one case of chronic funic poisoning in a man who had frequent slight ncule attacks, a n d was indilierent t o t h e methods used for self-protection. This n i m showed a slight cougli and 1,Iuish lips. He did not report till forced t o b y n severe attack a n d was thus discovered. These symptoms cleared u p when he was put t o work oiitsidc a n d hc s h o w n o ill effects.
Dermatitis of t h e forearms and parts of t h e body t h a t come in contact with dirty hands is very resistant t o treatment. I n t h e summer, when men perspire freely a n d do not change their clothing frequently enough, a dermatitis is set up, apparently due to acid irritation; failure t o keep t h e hands clean carries t h i s troublc t o other parts of t h e body. Treatment consists i n first cleaning t h e part thoroughly with soap a n d water, and then going down t h e list of t h e conventional lotions, ointments, and powders till t h e most beneficial one is discovered. Indigestion, headache, a n d constipation have been very frequent causes for complaint. Whether these are due t o hasty eating, many times to poor lunches, t o alcohol, t o improper attention t o t h e bowels, is hard t o say, but these certainly have been very important factors. I helievc we should be reluctant t o attribute these complaints t o working conditions, till t h e other contributing causes are ruled out. ACTUAI. PICRIC ACID P O I S O S I S C
Filially, there have been very few cases o i a n iiiteresting condition t h a t we have attributed t o picric acid poisoning. These have been men who had been engaged in scraping t h e brick lining of the diluting tanks. Inhalation of t h e dust inade t h e men light. headed, dizzy, and caused them t o s a p things which they were conscious were silly and absurd, but which they could n o t control. At t h e same time thcy were unsteady on their feet. There was no cough, subor praecordial distress. Benzol sternal oppressin:, was not in a n y way concerned. After a short period o i rest i n t h e fresh air, these symptoms disappeared.
Mar., 1917
T H E J O U R N A L OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
Repeated physical examinations of t h e older employees a n d careful inquiry have failed t o discover a symptomcomplex t h a t could be attributed t o chronic picric poisoning. If t h e digestive disturbances above mentioned are evidences of such poisoning, t h e n we must admit t h a t such a condition is very easily a n d rapidly acquired, as many of t h e men with these complaints reported shortly after being employed. T h e men working with this substance for t h e longest time show no predisposition. This is without question a dangerous trade a n d many accidents occur as a natural result. Even though a company makes every effort t o protect its men, trouble will still follow gross carelessness on t h e p a r t of employees; a n d it is entirely proper t o attribute a very large percentage of accidents t o this cause. Also, because i t is a dangerous occupation, a n d t h e men are working with something t h a t is more or less a mystery t o them, they are prone t o find in their work a cause for all their bodily ills, regardless of how absurd may b e t h e relation of cause t o effect. WOBURh'. hIASSACHUSBTTS
A NEW DIRECT READING PRECISION REFRACTOMETER
WlTH UNIFORMLY DIVIDED SCALE By G. W. MOFFITT Received December 18, 1916 1-1
N T R 0 D U C T I 0 iX
I t has long been knomm t h a t t h e value of t h e index of refraction frequently serves as a valuable criterion of t h e qualities of a liquid. T h a t t h e means for testing t h u s afforded is not in more general use seems t o be d u e t o t h e lack of satisfactory means for easily determining t h e index of refraction rather t h a n t o a n y inherent weakness in t h e method itself. If some dependable instrument combining ease of operation with accuracy of results were a t hand i t is probable t h a t there are many who would avail themselves of i t s possibilities. While there are several good refractometers which may be obtained, their use involves a great deal of care a n d skill if results are t o be obtained showing t h e necessary high degree of accuracy. I n some of t h e m t h e operation is long and t h e result is not available without more or less calculation a n d reference t o tables. There seems, therefore, t o be a real demand i n t h e field of food a n d industrial chemistry for a simple, accurate refractometer so simple in operation t h a t one without any special knowledge of optics could obtain accurate results easily a n d with certainty. Such a n instrument has been recently designed by t h e writer1 and a brief description of t h e refractometer and a discussion of its theory are here given for t h e purpose of placing t h e instrument before those who have need of i t in their work. T h e good points of t h e instrument will appear in t h e discussion, a n d may be briefly summarized as follows: I--.\ linear scale calibrated directly in terms of t h e index of refraction of t h e liquid under examination. 1
Physical Review, December, 1916.
305
2-The possibility of so constructing t h e instrument t h a t white light may be used when i t is desired t o determine t h e mean index, t h e instrument still retaining approximate achromatization in many cases. 3-Simplicity, and ease of manipulation. 4-Few adjustments other t h a n those fixed permanently in t h e construction of t h e instrument. 5-Settings obtained by comparing t h e dimensions of a n image with those of a n eye-piece scale-an accurate means of determining t h e proper adjustment. 6-Adequate means for temperature control whenever required. 7-Small amount of t h e liquid required for a determination, a single small drop being sufficient. 8-Ability t o determine t h e index t o one or t w o points in t h e third decimal place-a degree of precision equal to, if not better, t h a n t h a t of t h e t o t a l reflection instruments. T h e entire operation of determining t h e index of refraction of a liquid consists in placing a drop of t h e liquid at t h e proper place on a convex surface, bringing t h e nose of t h e microscope down upon i t , and focusing t h e eye-piece. T h e value of t h e index is then read off directly from t h e uniformly divided scale on t h e focusing t u b e of t h e instrument. I n a n instrument of convenient size t h e change in setting for a change of index from 1.000 t o I.jO0 may be more t h a n I O cm. With a n eye-piece of fairly high power t h e uncertainty in a setting need not be more t h a n 0 . 0 2 cm. I n most cases i t will be less. T h e sensitiveness will, therefore, compare favorably with t h a t of t h e best total reflection instruments. 11-THEORY
CASE 1-Consider t h e arrangement shown in Fig. I. Let a point source of light be placed at C, distant R below t h e surface of t h e liquid. I t s image, due t o t h e refraction a t t h e surface of t h e liquid, will be a t S, so t h a t ST = R/lz, where n is t h e index of refraction of t h e liquid. Let S act as a virtual object at distance K R / n from a converging lens L of focus f , a n d let t h e image of S formed b y this lens be at I, distant fi from t h e lens. T h e n
+
Clearing of fractions, npj knf R j = pkrt Rp. This equation becomes linear in n and p when
+
+
+
n p j = n p k , or when k Equation z then becomes
n
R =
f2
P
R
- j'
=
j.
(2)
(3)
(4)
T h a t is, if Equation 3 is satisfied, t h e position of t h e image depends directly on t h e index of t h e liquid. CASE a-Consider t h e arrangement shown in Fig. 11. Let t h e point source be placed a t C, t h e center of curvature of a spherical lens having concentric surfaces, a n d let a drop of t h e liquid be placed between t h e lens
