An outbreak of toxic jaundice due to tetrachlorethane poisoning : a new type amongst aeroplane workers / by William Henry Willcox, M.D., B.Sc. Lond., F.R.C.P Lond., F.L.C., D.P.H., &c.,, physician to St. Mary's Hospital; senior scientific analyst to the Home Office, England.

  • Willcox, William Henry
Date:
[1915?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: An outbreak of toxic jaundice due to tetrachlorethane poisoning : a new type amongst aeroplane workers / by William Henry Willcox, M.D., B.Sc. Lond., F.R.C.P Lond., F.L.C., D.P.H., &c.,, physician to St. Mary's Hospital; senior scientific analyst to the Home Office, England. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    due to some condition associated with his work because ten other workers were affected similarly. On inquiry he stated that aeroplane “dope” was used in the factory, and he thought this was composed of “ collodion, chloroform, ether, and acetone.” He said that men who did not use the dope also suffered from the illness, but several of those who were using the dope had been taken ill. A diagnosis of toxic jaundice was made, and it was thought probable that some constituent of the dope was the cause of patient’s illness. I did not see the patient again, but I heard that on Nov. 14th he was admitted to the Middlesex Hospital and died there on the 26th. The case was referred to Mr. Luxmore Drew, H.M. coroner, and he after careful consideration decided that a post-mortem examination should be held. This was made by Dr. Spilsbury, who found a shrunken liver markedly bile- stained. Dr. T. M. Legge, Medical Inspector of Factories, Home Office, also investigated the case, and it was thought that the condition of the liver might be connected with the action of some poison to which the deceased was exposed during life. A number of animal experiments were conducted by me relating to the possible toxic action of the constituents of the dopes used at the aeroplane factory, and it was clearly demonstrated that one of the constituents—viz., tetra- chlorethane—was a powerful liver and kidney poison, causing fatty degeneration of the cells of these organs. Careful investigations were made by Dr. Legge and myself into the health of other employees at the factory and into the conditions of work there. All the facts were carefully placed before the learned coroner, Mr. Luxmore Drew, who made a most careful and painstaking inquiry into the case, and as a result the jury found that death was due to degeneration of the liver caused by tetrachlorethane present in the cellulose varnish or dope used by deceased and to the vapours of which he was exposed during life. A number of other cases have been carefully examined by me, thus :— Case 2.—Male aged 48. Began work on August 10th, 1914 ; left work on Oct. 19th. He complained of constipa¬ tion, sick headache, jaundice, nausea, and weakness, and some soreness of eyes. The urine was high-coloured • stools were pale. Patient returned to work on Nov. 9th, but gave up work again on the 23rd. On examination on Dec. 10th definite enlargement of liver was noticed ; it was not tender. Slight jaundice was present but definite. Patient made a good recovery on being kept away from his work.