Abstract
For the purpose of studying the change of blood picture in the early stage of silicosis and the morbific elements, 32 male workers in a firebrick making factory, i.e., 18 workers in the first grade silicosis and 14 healthy ones with 2 to 13 years of work experience, were examined and an attempt was made to signify the change of blood picture for the diagnosis of silicosis. 1) No marked change in the red blood cell count, the haemoglobin content and the colour index was seen on every worker. 2) A temporary increase in number of the white blood cell was detected among the workers with two to three experience years, while not so with the others. 3) A trend of slight increase in number of basophilic leucocytes and monocytes was found on the workers in the first grade silicosis, and on some of them was found plasma cells which in the formerly reported animal experiment had appeared in the eariy stage and the later stage. On almost all of the workers, eosinocytes increased regardless of years of work experience and the invidual state of health. 4) Neutrocytes and lymphocytes did not show any detectable change in number. 5) Morbidness of silicosis is concidered to depend upon the physical element of individuals, and signs and symptoms are different in each case. However, from the data obtained by the animal experiment and the present medical experiment and the present medical examination it can be concluded that the censecutive examination of blood picture, besides the X-ray examination and cardiopulmonary function test, could give some helpful findings such as plasmacytosis to diagnose silicosis, especially to diagnose whether it is the pre-morbid stage or morbid state.
