LEAD POISONING or PLUMBISM, a "disease of occu pations," which is itself the cause of organic disease, particularly of the nervous and urinary systems. The workpeople affected are principally those engaged in potteries where lead-glaze is used; but other industries in which health is similarly affected are file making, house-painting and glazing, glass-making, copper-working, coach-making, plumbing and gasfitting, printing, cutlery, and generally those occupations in which lead is concerned.
The poison affects the entire body but especially the nervous system and the blood-forming tissues. Its victims become pallid, digestion is deranged, appetite fails and painful colic with con stipation supervenes. The loss of power is generally shown first in the fingers, hands and wrists, and the condition known as "wrist-drop" soon follows, rendering the victim useless for work. The palsy will extend to the shoulders, and shortly after to the legs also. Other organs frequently involved are the kidneys, which
become fibrotic (granular kidney). Owing to optic atrophy the sight is weakened or even lost.
In England the Home Office authorities have from time to time made special rules for workshops, with the object of minimizing or preventing the occurrence of lead-poisoning; and in 1895 noti fication of cases was made compulsory. New special rules were imposed in 1899 and strengthened subsequently prohibiting the employment of persons under fifteen in the dangerous processes, ordering a monthly examination of all women and young persons working in lead by the certifying surgeon, with power to suspend those showing symptoms of poisoning, and providing for the more effectual removal of dust and the better enforcement of cleanliness. (See LABOUR LAW.)