Lead poisoning and lead absorption : $b The symptoms, pathology and prevention, with special reference to their industrial origin, and an account of the principal processes involving riskLegge, Thomas Morison, Sir
Science
Lead poisoning and lead absorption : $b The symptoms, pathology and prevention, with special reference to their industrial origin, and an account of the principal processes involving risk
Legge, Thomas Morison, Sir
Lead poisoning
The poisonous nature of any lead compound from an industrial point
of view is proportional to (1) the size of the ultimate particles
of the substance manufactured, and therefore the ease with which
such particles are capable of dissemination in the air; and (2) the
solubility of the particles in the normal fluids of the body, such as
the saliva, pharyngeal and tracheal and bronchial mucus, etc., and
the fluids of the stomach and intestine. An instance of the variation
in size of the particles of lead compounds used industrially is the
difference between ground lead silicate (fritted lead) used in the
potteries, and the size of the particles of ordinary white or “raw”
lead. By micrometric measurements one of us [K. W. G.[1]] found the
average size of the particles of fritt to be ten times that of the
white lead particles. Further, direct experiment made with equal masses
of the two compounds in such a manner that the rate of settling of the
dust arising could be directly compared in a beam of parallel light
showed presence of dust in the white lead chamber fifteen minutes
after the fritt chamber was entirely clear. It is found as a matter
of practice that where dust is especially created, and where it is
difficult to remove such dust by exhaust fans, the greatest incidence
of lead poisoning occurs. The association of dusty processes and
incidence of lead poisoning is discussed in relation to the various
trades in Chapters XV. to XVII. Fume and vapour given off from the
molten metal or compounds, such as chlorides (tinning), are only a
special case of dust.
The channels through which lead or its compounds may gain entrance to
the animal body are theoretically three in number:
1. Respiratory tract.
2. Gastro-intestinal.
3. Cutaneous.
For many years most authorities have held that industrial poisoning by
means of compounds of lead takes place directly through the alimentary
canal, and that the poison is conveyed to the mouth mainly by unwashed
hands, by food contaminated with lead dust, and by lead dust suspended
in the air becoming deposited upon the mucous membrane of the mouth and
pharynx, and then swallowed. As evidence that lead dust is swallowed,
the classical symptom of colic in lead poisoning has been adduced, on
the supposition, in the absence of any experimental proof, that the
lead swallowed acted as an irritant on the gastro-intestinal canal,
thus causing colic, and, on absorption from the canal, setting up
other general symptoms. Much of the early treatment of lead poisoning
is based upon this assumption, and the administration of sulphuric
acid lemonade and the exhibition of sulphate of magnesia and other
similar compounds as treatment is further evidence of the view that the
poisoning was considered primarily intestinal.
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