Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ If it be considered an established fact, that carbon is inhaled, possessing all the chemical qualities of that substance found floating in the air of the coal-mine, and either expectorated from the lungs during life, or retained in those organs till after death, we cannot but conclude, that the black matter is the result of an external cause, and that that cause is the sooty matter. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ In the course of my investigations in regard to pulmonary carbonaceous infiltration, I was led to consider the circumstances of those engaged in other occupations than coal-mining. Any one who has carefully examined the structure of the human bronchial glands, at different epochs of life, must have been struck with their appearance in those who, from their vocation, are compelled to breathe a sooty atmosphere, or who have lived in ill ventilated dwellings. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ To those acquainted with mining operations, an explanation of the coal and stone hewing process is unnecessary; but, for the sake of the uninitiated, I may be allowed to state, in explanation, that, previous to any coal hewing, it is needful to remove various strata of stone, to open up road-ways, and break down obstructing dykes, by the aid of gunpowder. All coal-miners are engaged exclusively with one or other kind of labour; that is either in removing stone or coal: and the peculiar disease to which each class is liable, varies considerably, according to the employment. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ It is to be hoped, that the interesting facts in regard to disease, which this recent most necessary investigation has laid open, will be the means of directing the attention of scientific men to the subject, with a view to obviate, as far as human efforts can, the evils which have been exposed. It may at first appear difficult, to point out the means of removing effectually the causes of the pulmonary carbonaceous disease of miners, but, be the difficulties what they may, humanity encourages us to make the attempt. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ It is no uncommon occurrence, in examining the pulmonary structure of those who have resided in large and smoky towns, to find both the substance of the lungs and bronchial glands containing black matter; and this is the case especially with persons who, in such situations, have passed the prime of life. But few, though not living in crowded towns, have not, at some period of their life, come in contact with smoke, and been obliged to breathe it, minutely combined with the air. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ After examining a considerable number of lungs, and finding that the division of the black matter into three kinds was not founded upon observation, and that the descriptions of them given by the best authorities were insufficient to enable us to distinguish them from one another, I begin to think, that in every instance in which black matter is found in the lungs, it ought to be considered morbid. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ It is my impression, that a phthisical person, engaged in the operations of a coal-pit, similar to those in Haddingtonshire, would come under the influence of the carbonaceous disease, instead of the true phthisis; for, in all the post-mortem examinations which I have conducted, connected with this pulmonary affection, I have never found tubercular deposit:—while other members of the same family, having a like predisposition, and who never entered a coal-pit, have died of phthisis. Can carbon inhaled destroy a tubercular formation? ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ Previous to the late legislative act, the tender youth of both sexes were at an early age consigned to the coal pit, and obliged to labour beyond their feeble strength, in circumstances ill adapted to their years. Such early bodily exhaustion soon produced in them a pallid countenance, soft and relaxed muscular fibre, and predisposed much to disease as they advanced in life. The miner on this account was generally from his youth, thin; in fact, you never see a fat and healthy-looking collier, and, according to the advance of pulmonary disease, with them, so is the progress of emaciation. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ Between the age of seventy and a hundred, the lungs are generally infiltrated with fluid black matter, which can be expressed from the cut surfaces, and stain the hands black.""There are many circumstances which favour the accumulation of this black matter in the lungs; for instance, long-continued living in a smoky atmosphere, like that of this city, the inhalation of coal-dust, as in the case of colliers, or of charcoal-powder, as in the case of iron-founders. There can be no doubt that we inhale foreign substances along with the atmospheric air. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ It has been supposed by many that this carbonaceous affection was caused by inhalation of coal-dust. Now, when it can be proved, that there is as much coal-dust at one coal-work as at another, the question comes to be, why should colliers, labouring at one coal-work, be subject to the disease; while those engaged at another, escape? For instance, there is as much coal-dust at Penston and Huntlaw, where there has never been black spit, as there is at Pencaitland, Preston-Hall, and Blindwells. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ If we examine the lungs at different stages of life, we find as a general rule that the quantity of black matter increases with age. In young children we find no traces of it, the lungs being of a reddish colour. At the age of ten years the black matter makes its appearance in the outer surface of the lungs, and in the interlobular spaces. At the age of thirty or forty, the lung presents a greyish or mottled appearance, and the bronchial glands contain more or less black matter. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ In the first stage of the affection, there is an incessant dry cough, particularly at night, and all the prominent symptoms of bronchitis are present. Indeed, from the time a man becomes a coal-digger, and inhales this noxious air, [6] there is ever after a manifest irritation in the lining membrane of the respiratory passages, which is apparent before carbon in any quantity can be supposed to be lodged in the lungs. The mucous membrane of the air passages, by its continually pouring out a viscid fluid, has the power of removing any foreign matter that may be lodged in them. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ BLACK PHTHISIS, OR ULCERATION INDUCED BY CARBONACEOUS ACCUMULATION IN THE LUNGS OF COAL-MINERSAmong the many diseases incident to the coal-miner, none come oftener under medical treatment, than affections of the respiratory and circulating organs. While the collier is subject—during his short but laborious life—to the other diseases which afflict the labouring classes in this country, such as inflammations, fevers, acute rheumatism, and the various eruptive diseases, he, at last, unavoidably, falls a victim to lesions within the cavity of the chest, arising from the nature of his employment. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ I cannot pass from this subject without an observation on the beneficial results which have been the consequence of Lord Ashley's valuable colliery Act. The female Labourers, and particularly the unmarried, have improved not only in their appearance, but also in general physical development, since they have abandoned the unhealthy labour of the coal-mine. They are no longer the squalid, filthy, and ill-favoured race they formerly were. There is now exhibited on the face of the collier girl the bloom of health and cheerfulness ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ The majority of colliers, soon after they engage in their mining operations, become afflicted with bronchial disease to a greater or less extent.Those who are hereditarily predisposed to pulmonary irritation, are, it is my decided belief, more liable to "black phthisis" than others; but I cannot suppose it possible, that any constitution, however robust and sound, could resist the morbid effects resulting from carbon deposited in the lungs. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ Having long entertained the belief that the lungs of chimney sweeps, for example, would, in all probability, be found to contain carbon, within the last few months two cases, of an exceedingly interesting character, connected with the present inquiry, have presented themselves,—the one of pulmonary disease, evidently resulting from the bronchial and lymphatic glands being impacted with inhaled carbon derived from soot,—the other a case of melanosis occurring in a young person. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ The carbonaceous disease described, was stated to be caused by the inhalation of substances floating in the atmosphere of the coal-pit, such as the products of the combustion of gunpowder, the smoke from the miner's lamp, and the other foreign matters with which the air of the mines is heavily charged, in consequence of their defective ventilation. In the mines in which gunpowder is used, the disease is most severe in its character, and most rapid in destroying the pulmonary tissue. The carbon in some cases is expectorated in considerable quantity for some time previous to death ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ From this remarkable fact, does it not appear probable, that when carbon is once lodged in the pulmonary structure by inhalation, there is created by it a disposing affinity for the carbon in the blood, by which there is caused an increase in the deposit of carbon, without any more being inhaled. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ In tracing the progress of the disease, it is my belief, that immediately after the carbon is established in the air-cells, the absorbents become actively engaged, and the glandular structure soon partakes of the foreign substance. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ After labouring beyond a given time in those confined situations, there is a much freer action of the respiratory apparatus, the oxygen is considerably exhausted, and to make up for this deficiency, the volume of air inspired, (impure though it be,) is much greater. Every now and then, there is a disposition to draw a deep breath, followed by a peculiar and gradual decrease of strength. Therefore, in these forcible expansions of the chest, it is to be expected that a considerable quantity of the floating carbon will be conveyed to the cellular tissue. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ On removing the left lung, it seemed large, and felt partially consolidated, and on dividing it throughout both lobes, it contained a mass of semi-fluid carbon, of a bright black colour, similar to paint. In this lung, the air-cells were almost entirely disorganized, unfitting it for the function of respiration. The upper lobe was divided into a variety of cysts, filled with carbonaceous matter in a fluid state, into which many of the smaller bronchi opened, and through which various blood-vessels passed uninjured. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ It is his belief that death in such cases is owing, in all appearance, more or less to a suppression of the circulation of air and blood by the black substance. His impression is, "that the carbon is not procured from without, but naturally deposited, as life advances, in the substance of the respiratory organs; and that this deposit of carbon causes death, by rendering the lungs irrespirable, while, at the same time, it has much influence in modifying the progress of tubercular disease ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ Again, he says, "I think the charcoal in the pulmonary organs is introduced with the air in breathing. In the air it is suspended in invisible small particles, derived from the burning of coal, wood, and other inflammable materials in common life. It is admitted that the oxygen of atmospherical air passes through the pulmonary air-vesicles or cells into the system of blood-vessels, and it is not improbable, that through the same channel various matters contained in the air may be introduced. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ There has been, within the last few years, a very searching investigation as to the employment of women and children in coal-mines; and by the laudable exertions of Lord Ashley—a nobleman whose name shall ever be honoured among miners, and by all who have the true interests of that community at heart—an Act of the Legislature has been passed, declaring it unlawful for any owner of any mine or colliery whatever, to allow any female to work therein ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ A robust young man, engaged as a miner, after being for a short time so occupied, becomes affected with cough, inky expectoration, rapidly decreasing pulse, and general exhaustion. In the course of a few years, he sinks under the disease; and, on examination of the chest after death, the lungs are found excavated, and several of the cavities filled with a solid or fluid carbonaceous matter. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ It is evident, from the symptoms and history of the above case, that the patient had contracted the disease of which he died at an early period of his life, and that during the fifteen years he refrained from mining operations, the pulmonary structure retained the carbon inhaled while labouring in the coal-pit, and this is one of the many cases which can be produced as examples of the fact that the foreign matter once deposited in that structure originates a process of accumulative impaction and ultimate softening of the organ, which is gradually carried on till it is entirely disorganized. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ Penston coal-work is exceedingly well ventilated, and the miners who labour there seldom, if ever, suffer from the black expectoration, owing to the evolved smoke of every kind being freely carried off from its underground works, while it is quite the contrary at Pencaitland, where many colliers, on leaving Penston, are seized with the disease. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ The coal-miners—those in whose behalf I would now solicit the intervention of science—are most valuable in their place, and their exhausting labours promote, in no small degree, our domestic comforts. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ Bichat supposes the black matter in the lungs "to be owing to small bronchial glands extending along the surface of the pleura." Breschet believes that it is formed by the blood exhaled into the cellular tissue, stating that its chemical composition leads him to that conclusion. Trousseau says that it is produced by a misdirection of the natural pigments of the body, resulting from age, climate, or disease. Andral says, that the black appearances are the result of secretion, and that it is more manifest as the individual advances in life. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ Dr Brockmann makes three divisions of the morbid appearances, "The essential (wesentliche) , accidental (zufällige) , and secondary. The first shows an entirely black (pechschwärze) colour of the lungs through its whole substance, enclosing not only the air, blood, and lymph vessels, but also the connecting cellular tissue, the nervous substance, pleuræ pulmonalis, and bronchial glands." In such a state, it is usual for the lung to remain perfectly normal, and to exhibit the greatest varieties. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ In tracing the divisions of the bronchi more minutely, from the root of the lungs into their substance, clusters of glands were observed filled with inky fluid, and narrowing considerably the air-passages, and in washing carefully a portion of the upper lobe of the right lung, and removing as far as possible the carbonaceous matter, several lymphatic glands were seen with the aid of the magnifier, imbedded in the interlobular cellular tissue, resembling small black beads. The tracheal glands when examined, contained black fluid, similar in appearance to what was found in the bronchial glands. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ Again, those who labour as coal-bankers at the mouth of the shaft, are obliged to inhale much coal-dust in shovelling and arranging the coal received from the pit, and have the sputum tinged to a certain extent by it—which resumes its natural appearance when the collier leaves the labour producing it. They are not subject to the miners' cough, nor is there carbonaceous infiltration found in the lungs of such labourers after death. ”
Archibald Makellar, An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis
“ For instance, the disease is more severe and more rapid in those who work in the stone, than in those engaged in what is strictly coal-mining, while, at the same time, both ultimately perish in consequence of it. ”
