MUNITION MALADIES

Evening Star, Issue 16196, 18 August 1916, Page 6

MUNITION MALADIES

The high pressure under which the production ot munitions has had to be per formed has produced what is described bv Chambers Journal' . lfi distinctive maladies These are particularly noticeable in connec lion with tho manufacture, of high expiosivrs. Thus, in handling trinitrotoluol after a long period one becomes drowsy, suffers from frontal headache, loss of app~tito and may even become afflicted wi'h a distinctive eczema. Unless tho operative takes a wetcome rest in time, jaundice may supervene, witn decided danger to life. li, a few in stances death has been directly traced even to the handling of T.N.T TWrvl *i„.„_„ oft a slight dust, which, unless time!™ cautions are taken, leads to iroubfewme eczema. Another medium inimical to health w iho varnish with which the wings and bodies of aeroplanes are treated. Tetrachlorethano enters largely info the prepuation of this varnish, and this throws off a noxious vapor which produces drowsiness and low of appetite, and if work is pcreisM in ulhmawly laumlsce. liver complication*, and coma. In this caso, fortunately, nll alternative varnish Has been discovert, which is tree from the evil constituents; but it has not como into general use, for (.ho Bimplo reason that there are insufficreni «upplies of tho necessary ingredients to meet