The Studies of Lead Encephalopathy in Infants in Acta Paediatrica Japonica from 1927 to 1930 When the Ministerial Ordinance Was Revised (the latter part)

Abstract

An idiopathic disease with meningitis-like symptoms in infants, so-called meningitis named tentatively in infancy (SCMI), was endemic in Japan during the period of about 30 years from the mid Meiji era to the late Taisho era (early 20th century). In 1923, Professor Ikutaro Hirai at the Kyoto University reported that SCMI was a chronic lead-poisoning caused by the mothers’ cosmetic powder containing lead. In 1930, regulation of cosmetics including lead was stipulated in the Ordinance of the Ministry of Home Affairs. We previously reported the analysis of the articles published in a pediatric Journal, Acta Paediatrica Japonica, from 1927 to 1930, dealing with review articles, case reports, articles on clinical symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and pathology/autopsy of SCMI. Continued in the first part, this paper deals with articles on laboratory examinations and experimental findings published in the same period.