AN OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE AMONG ZINC WORKERS

Any toxic properties of zinc resulting in chronic industrial disease are commonly denied. Recognition is given to an acute form of zinc poisoning under such designations as "spelter chills," "zinc fever," "brass founders' ague," "smelter shakes," etc. As early as 1888, Simon¹ in his description of this acute zinc poisoning records the absence of any chronic manifestations. Hayhurst² states, "The physician must get away from the idea of attempting to diagnose chronic zinc or brass poisoning, as there probably is no such condition." Later this statement is mitigated in discussing the possible chronic effects of brass poisoning²: "In Chicago the fact that 85 per cent of 1,761 foundry workers (brass) were under 40 years of age, and only 1 per cent over 50 years, was explained by employers as due to `slowing up' or beginning decrepitude, and by workmen, as gradual incapacitation from the inhalation of brass fumes and the