Phosphorus Poisoning
The industrial poison of next importance is phosphorus. This poisoning is confined almost entirely to the match industry. There are two kinds of phosphorus, the yellow or white, and the amorphous or red. The yellow is poisonous and is used in making the “strike anywhere” matches. This, however, is being replaced by the non-poisonous, or more harmless red phosphorus. The safety matches contain no phosphorus and are harmless.
Phosphorus poisoning produces gastric disturbances, bronchial catarrh and caries of the teeth with necrosis of the lower maxillary. Other bones of the body may also be affected by necrosis.
Brass, copper, zinc, and bronze workers are also affected by the dust and fumes from these poisons. Brass workers suffer with brass founders’ ague in which there are chills, vomiting, headache and general depression.