The Health bulletin [serial] - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

June, 1951 The Health Bulletin 29III. Court hearings 3329 hearings testified by Dr. Swisher4 hearings testified by Dr. DavisThese court hearings included employees from the following plants:Asheville Mica Carpenter & Phillips Mica English MicaD. T. Vance Mica Carolina Marble & Granite Feldspar ProducingCole-Willard Stone Bradley Mining Union AsbestosHarris Clay Glascock Stove Works Wysong-Miles FoundryThe following diagnoses were given in these court hearings:3 silicosis, first stage19 silicosis, second stage (one with questionable tuberculosis).7 silicosis, third stage (one with questionable tuberculosis).3 asbestosis, second stage1 essentially negativeSuperior Court cases(employee of Palmer Stone Works, with diagnosis of silicosis,first stage with old healed tuberculosis lesions, inactive in bothapices).Cases settled out of court 5Cases continued , 3Cases postponed^IV. Pre-employment x-rays and statements submitted 133Number re-takes (x-ray) made during year 9V. Conferences with Medical Advisory Committee 11Since the adoption of the new policy especially true of the asbestos industry)for more rapid x-raying of employees in Permission is granted only after carefiilthe dusty trades, there has been a little study of the employee's physical andmore than double the number of exami- medical findings by the Advisory Medinationsand x-rays made by this Sec- cal Committee. Employees whose physitionduring the year 1950 over that of cal findings indicate progression of thethe previous year. Under the new policy, disease are not permitted to return tothe field work is handled directly by work in the dusty trades.Dr. C. B. Davis, Senior Public Health a Hewson Clinitron was purchasedPhysician, the employees of the dusty and installed in our mobile x-ray unittrades x-rayed, occupational histories during the month of December. Thistaken, and the x-rays processed at this equipment is used for rapid processingoffice. Those employees found to have of employees for determination of diadustpathology are called in to this betes and is coupled with dusty andoffice for a complete physical examina- non-dusty trade surveys carried out bytion after which the findings are again this Section. As this Section does notreviewed by the Advisory Medical Com- employ the necessary personnel to opermitteeand the advisability of their con- ate the Clinitron, the local health detinuingtheir employment in a dusty partment in the county in which intradedetermined. dustry is under survey takes charge ofEmployees with a first or second stage the program. To date, there have beenasbestosis or silicosis are permitted to approximately 12 cases of diabetescontinue their employment in a dusty foimd. These have been referred to theirtrade under the following circumstances: physicians for medical care.1 ) No progression is shown in path- During the year a senior general clerkology over a period of years; (2) No was employed by this Section and provedclinical findings or symptoms that to be very proficient in helping with thewould warrant their removal from dust; x-ray work on the mobile unit after the(3) the individuals agree to wear a res- resignation of our senior photofluoropiratorwhile exposed to dust (this is graphic operator.^