In our hospital we have treated cases of simple silicosis during these seven years since July, 1960, 176 cases of which were observed for rather long period as to their courses of treatment. The following is a summary of the findings we obtained on these 176 cases. (1) The distribution of qualitative features in "small opacities" (according to the International Classification of Pneumoconiosis, Geneva, 1958) of all the 176 cases, was: p 35%, m 56%, and n 9%. 81% of all the cases belonged to the type "large opacities" (classified as type IV according to the Japanese Pneumoconiosis Act, 1960) including type A by 22%, type B by 41%, and Type C by 18%. (2) Overall results of treatment were: cases improved 14%, those which showed no change 53%, and those which became worse 33% (including cases of death by 14%). Of the improved cases 75% were found to have had functional narrowing of the air-passages. (3) The percentage of the improved cases among the treated was highest in the p group, yet showing only 21%; that of the cases becoming worse or of deaths was found high in the n group and in the C group. (4) The more advanced, therefore, in the type of pneumoconiosis, and the more advanced in age and length of employment, the higher was the percentage of aggravation. (5) Since cases aggravated due to complications, such as pneumothorax, chronic bonchitis, chronic emphysema, and others occupied so much as 41% of the total aggravated cases, much importance should be attached to the treatment of the complication. (6) Silicosis showing small opacity n and m usually found in workers working in quarrying, metal mining, and preparing pottery material were higher in the percentage of bad prognosis than those found in workers working in pottery and metal making.

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