Symptoms.
(1)		Persons Examined.
1905.1907-1908.
Number.
(2)		Per cent.
(3)		Number.
(4)		Per Cent.
(5)
Headache2724·11822·8
Feeling of somnolence109·01721·5
Running of eyes1311·6911·3
Running of nose2825·02028·0
Breathing affected3430·41316·4
Nausea or sickness1311·633·8
Faintness or weakness119·611·2

The later inquiry shows considerable diminution in the amount of complaint as to respiratory trouble. This may have been due to the improved conditions of working, freely acknowledged by the men. Men were examined who had complained of the effects of the wood in 1905, and had continued uninterruptedly at the same kind of work during the interval without any obvious further injury to their health, although they preferred working on other woods.

East Indian boxwood had to be discarded in the shuttle trade owing to its irritant action on the eyes. Sabicu wood from Cuba was stated to give off ‘a snuffy dust under the machine and hand planes, the effect of which upon the worker is to cause a running at the eyes and nose, and a general feeling of cold in the head. The symptoms pass off in an hour or so after discontinuance of work.’ Reference was made in the report for 1906 to eczematous eruptions produced by so-called Borneo rosewood, a wood used owing to its brilliant colour and exquisite grain in fret-saw work. The Director of the Imperial Institute experimented with this wood, but failed to discover injurious properties in it. At the same time experiments with the wood and sawdust of East and West Indian satinwood were undertaken, but also without result.

From inquiries subsequently made it appeared that much confusion existed as to the designation ‘satinwood,’ as under this name were classed both East and West Indian satinwood and also satin walnut. The evidence was clear that East Indian satinwood was more irritating than West Indian. Satin walnut wood is apparently harmless. In the shipbuilding yards of East London, Glasgow, and Bristol affections of the skin were recognised, but susceptibility to the wood varied. One man asserted that merely laying a shaving on the back of his hand would produce a sore place. The injurious effects here seem to disappear quickly. Exhaust ventilation is applied, but there is a tendency to give up the use of the wood.

Isolated cases of illness have been ascribed to working teak and olive wood. In Sheffield the following are held to be irritating: ebony, magenta rosewood, West Indian boxwood, cocos wood. Some kinds of mahogany are said to affect the eyes and nose.

Use of methylated spirit in polishing furniture is said to lead to injury to health although not to set up actual poisoning. Lead poisoning can occur from the sand-papering of coats of paint applied to wood.

In impregnating wood with creosote and tar the effects on the skin noted in the chapter on Tar are observed.

TEXTILE INDUSTRY

In getting rid of the grease from animal wool carbon bisulphide or benzine may be used.