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Tobacco Industry. Under the direction of Dr. Lanahan preliminary steps have been taken for an investigation into the health of workers in this industry. The co-operation of the Albany Medical College, and a cigar firm, having a model factory, has been secured.

Steam Pressing Irons. Upon request a special investigation as to the use of steam pressing irons and its effect upon the workers was undertaken by Dr. Roos, and in connection Mr. Vogt conducted air test examinations.

Diamond Cutters. In view of reported cases of lead poisoning a special investigation was undertaken by Dr. Roos. The cooperation of both the cutters' union and shop owners was secured. After several conferences with the union, a set of regulations was drafted for reference to the Industrial Commission.

Attention was given to the installation of proper first aid kits in all factories visited, and instructions for the use of the kit were drafted and referred to the Industrial Commission for their action.

Bibliography

It is only within a recent period that any literature relative to occupational diseases or industrial hygiene could be found. Many inquiries are directed to the Department for information along these lines and have been referred to me. In the preparation of reports of special investigations, the endeavor has been made to include as complete a list of references to the subjects as possible. With the growth of the work, the importance of a bibliography became apparent, also the fact that such a publication would be of great benefit and help to those interested in the subject. The careful preparation of an extensive work with the limited force and facilities of the section would be well nigh impossible. After a conference with Mr. Wyer, Director of the State Library, the co-operation of the State Library School was secured. Dr. Lanahan was assigned to supervise the work and it is hoped the Departmen will be able to issue a valuable addition to the literature on industrial hygiene and occupational poisonings and disease.

Equipment

To undertake proper physical examinations, it is necessary to have a complete equipment sufficiently portable to be carried in the field. At present the medical inspectors do not possess such an equipment. I would respectfully recommend an appropriation for this purpose.

With the present number of medical inspectors, it is impossible to effectively carry out the provisions of section 76-a. Dr. Schwartz has done efficient and faithful service as an acting medical inspector. I would recommend an appropriation for his appointment as medical inspector.

To conclude the subject, medical inspection is inseparably connected with factory inspection. Any attempt to separate the two would be inadvisable, for medical inspection of factories implies a knowledge of medicine and in addition a knowledge of factory conditions which can only be acquired by practical experience. C. T. GRAHAM-ROGERS, Chief Medical Inspector.

(C) REPORT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEER

To the Director:

I beg to submit my report as chemical engineer of the Division of Industrial Hygiene for the year ending September 30, 1915.

A considerable portion of my time was occupied making special inspections and pursuing investigation of factories and mercantile establishments where dust, gases, fumes, heat and vapors escape into the workrooms in the various processes of manufacture, where by chemical means it was possible to determine whether the quantities existing were of sufficient amounts to be detrimental to the health of the employees working therein. When such proved to be the case, orders were issued and enforced.

A large number of samples of materials were submitted to me by supervising inspectors and medical inspectors for analysis, including wall dust, floor dust, water, oils, paints, dry colors, glazed paper, candy, tin foil, waxes, etc., which, when analyzed and the results obtained, in many cases assisted the physicians in diagnosing cases of industrial poisoning investigated by them.

A number of visits were made to factories in order to solve problems relative to the sanitary disposal of domestic waste, particularly where no sewer systems existed. Prior to the appointment of a mechanical engineer a number of problems were placed with me relative to the guarding of machinery and the operation of exhaust systems, but upon his appointment I was relieved of this work.

During the entire year. I have set apart Tuesday afternoon of each week for consultation with inspectors for the benefit of those who may desire to interview me regarding the use of various substances used in manufacturing, relative to the necessity of issuing orders to proprietors of factories to provide hot water, individual towels, and suitable places where employees may take their meals. Without making personal visits to the places in question, advice was given enabling these inspectors to handle the problems personally.

The demand upon my time for field work involving questions. of ventilation, sanitation and others of a scientific nature became so great that from time to time the assignment of special investigators became a necessity, which allowed a larger amount of work to be accomplished and granted me more time to devote to laboratory work and the preparation of pamphlets and reports.

The Laboratory

A considerable portion of routine work necessitated work to be performed in the laboratory, which though fairly well equipped for the present needs imposed upon it, lacks considerable apparatus for the carrying on of certain work to a successful conclusion. The cost of maintaining this laboratory for the year was less than $4 per month, irrespective of gas used.

I urgently recommend the purchase of a small portable Macbeth photometer used for light measurements. This instrument is now on the market and can be purchased at a cost considerably less than apparatus of a similar nature used for such work made abroad.

I constructed a number of instruments during the year in the laboratory for analytical use, all of which have been employed in work undertaken in the field, it being the object to construct all

apparatus used in such analytical work to be portable, durable, and so arranged as to perform all work in the factory where quantitative analyses must be performed.

During the month of July, I again secured the permission of Professor Victor Chambers, Professor of Chemistry of Rochester University, to use one of the rooms in the chemical building of that institution to perform analytical work in connection with my investigation of the dyeing and cleaning industry; also to perform certain analytical determinations for factories located in the western part of the state. The saving of considerable time resulted, besides greater accuracy being maintained.

Photographs

At the request of various members of the Department, I photographed a number of buildings, guards, sanitary and unsanitary conditions, and devices used in dry cleaning establishments to prevent explosions, electrotypes of which have been made for the production of half tones for a bulletin entitled "Prevention of Fires and Explosions in the Dyeing and Cleaning Industry." The list of photographs added considerably to our present collection of sanitary and safety devices, which has proven useful to inspectors in the past and to those who visited the Department sub-office who desired better conditions in their establishments. The large number of pictures possessed by the Department proved to be of great use in constructing a photographic exhibit for the Panama Pacific Exposition, which I took considerable time to prepare, together with the preparation of an exhibit of dust samples obtained in various factories throughout the state.

Explosions

A number of explosions occurred during the year, investigations of which were conducted in each case, and the causes definitely determined, the major portion of which occurred in the dry cleaning industry. These explosions showed the necessity of undertaking an intensive study into this class of business, with the object of determining the hazards surrounding the workers employed therein. In this investigation I was assisted by Messrs. Nethercott and Caridi, Special Investigators, and Dr.

Schwartz, Acting Medical Inspector, who obtained under my direction, a large amount of data. A report and pamphlet is now ready for publication, through which the dangers in this particular trade are pointed out with suggestions toward fire and accident prevention.

Considerable time was given to other explosions which occurred in Syracuse, Port Ewen and New York City, with a view toward tracing the cause of same. In every case I was afforded every courtesy and assistance by the proprietors to locate the cause. Suggestions were offered which in all cases were adopted to prevent recurrences in these factories.

I am engaged upon the investigation of refrigerating systems, the japanning industry and laundry industry, which I hope to complete as soon as possible and shall prepare pamphlets on each industry investigated.

Accidents

A number of accidents were investigated in and near New York City, in which serious damage was done. The accident in a hotel where an explosion of ammonia gas took place in a refrigerating system showed the necessity of an investigation of refrigerating systems and power plants in hotels, where our present law does not reach. This investigation is yet under way, a preliminary report having already been made.

Following is a recapitulation of the work which I have performed during the year:

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