Reports to the Secretary of State for the Home department on the use of phosphorus in the manufacture of lucifer matches.

  • Thorpe, T. E. (Thomas Edward), 1845-1925.
Date:
1899
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Reports to the Secretary of State for the Home department on the use of phosphorus in the manufacture of lucifer matches. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    Cv dr. Cunningham’s report. 235 In this an abundant supply of fresh air is perhaps the greatest factor, for in securing this important element you are at the same time being freed of phospho-sulphurous fumes and increasing the quantity of oxygen in rooms as well. While this is a very important point in factory environment, it is only a part of the preventive system, which system must include, among other things, well-arranged and properly located lunch- rooms, a sufficient number of and conveniently-located lavatories and running closets, all of which must be kept in a thorough hygienic condition. A. Operatives in Factories: Rules of Action. While operating the operatives should avoid the putting of their hands up to their mouths for the purpose of picking at teeth or gums, as the fingers are not only covered with sand or glass from boxes, which by lodging in the mouth is very liable to irritate gum margins, but they are also constantly in contact with the phosphoric compound of the heads of matches, particles of which are forced under finger nails. At the same time, the hands and finger surfaces retain certain quantities of this compound, which in picking at teeth or gums there is a liability of particles being left in contact with same. The necessity of refraining from this thoughtless and uncleanly habit is perfectly plain to all thoughtful operatives. B. Lavatory and Lunch Room. Before luncheon, the lavatory should always be resorted to, using utmost care in efforts to free the hands and finger nails of all foreign matter. This need not necessarily require so much time as it requires thoughtfulness as to intent or purpose of the act. The lunches of operatives should never be deposited in rooms or adjacent to rooms where the fumes of the phospho-sulphurous compound has access, for both meats and butter will readily take up or absorb the same, thereby not only X'endering the foods less nutritious, but adding largely to risk of future troubles. Second.—Personal and Home Hygiene. The operatives should upon returning to their homes immediately change their outer clothing at least, after which comes a thorough washing of hands, arms, face and neck, and at least once a week in winter, and twice a week or more in summer, take a full bath, not forgetting at the same time to wash the hair and scalp thoroughly. This is a most important and valuable precautionary measure, as unctuous surfaces of scalp and hair retain the phosphoric odour longer than the body, and possibly hold it in greater quantity than any other surface of the body. Third.—Mouth and Teeth. The thorough cleansing of the mouth and teeth and gums is an absolute necessity, not only to health of same, but to securing immunity from the ravages of necrotic conditions. They must be thoroughly cleansed by use of tooth brush, with castile soap (it being both efficacious and cheap) every morning immediately after breakfast, then again after supper in the evening, preferably before retiring, using a sufficient quantity of the soap to make “ suds,” and while the “ suds ” made from the friction of the brush and soap is in the mouth, make a sort of “ bellows ” out of the cheeks and force the same between and around the teeth, and into every part of the mouth, thereby securing thorough and complete hygienic condition of mouth, gums, and teeth. The teeth must necessarily be kept in comparatively good repair and absolutely free from all deposits. At first symptoms of decay a thorough and competent dentist should be consulted at once. Resume. All persons with scrofulous habits or taint should avoid working in match factories, as they, perhaps more than any other class of people, from the abnormal condition of the blood, are liable to have serious trouble from the phospho-sulphurous fumes. This should be seriously considered by all who propose to enter the employ of match manufacturing companies. A strict compliance with the above rules of action for employees is absolutely necessary to obtain the results desired. It is also true that any deviation from the same will add to the risk of employees in almost exact ratio to the deviation.