REPRINTED FROM THE MONTHLY JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.
EDINBURGH:
SUTHERLAND & KNOX, 58 PRINCES STREET.
1846.
ANDREW JACK, PRINTER, EDINBURGH.
An abstract of the investigations into the nature of carbonaceousinfiltration into the pulmonary tissues of coal miners, was read by DrMakellar at a meeting of the Medico-Chirurgical Society of Edinburgh,Wednesday, 8th July, 1845, Dr Gairdner, President, in the Chair.
Reference was made, in particular, to the East Lothian coal-miners. Thecarbonaceous disease described, was stated to be caused by theinhalation of substances floating in the atmosphere of the coal-pit,such as the products of the combustion of gunpowder, the smoke from theminer's lamp, and the other foreign matters with which the air of themines is heavily charged, in consequence of their defective ventilation.In the mines in which gunpowder is used, the disease is most severe inits character, and most rapid in destroying the pulmonary tissue. Thecarbon in some cases is expectorated in considerable quantity for sometime previous to death; in others, it is retained, and accumulates to agreat extent in the lungs.
As the disease advances, the action of the heart becomes feeble; and theappearance of the blood indicates a carbonaceous admixture. Thecarbonaceous deposit seems to supersede or supplant the formation ofother morbid bodies in the substance of the lungs—such as tubercle; forin individuals belonging to families in which there exists an undoubtedphthisical diathesis, tubercle is never found on dissection.
The views expressed in this communication called forth the followingremarks.
Professor Christison called attention to the new and important fact, ofthe carbonaceous matter being found in the circulating mass. He attachedgreat importance to Dr Makellar's researches.
Professor Allen Thomson remarked, that the presence of this carbonaceousmatter in the blood, by no means proved, that it was formed in, or fromthe blood.
Dr Hughes Bennett said, that the antagonism of this carbonaceous diseaseto tubercle, was a fact of great interest and importance, especially inconnection with two other recent observations; viz. 1st, That thedepositions of carbon in the lungs of old people, (which Frenchpathologists describe,) are not found associated with tubercle; and, 2d,That under the supposed cicatrices of pulmonary tubercular cavities, alayer of carbonaceous matter is commonly found.
Dr Makellar's paper called forth some interesting observations from thePresident, Professor Simpson, and others.[Pg 1]
Among the many diseases incident to the coal-miner, none come oftenerunder medical treatment, than affections of the respiratory andcirculating organs. While the collier is subject—during his short butlaborious life—to the other diseases which afflict the labouringclasses in this country, such as inflammations, fevers, acuterheumatism, and the