An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis

An Investigation into the Nature
of Black
by Archibald Makellar

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Title: An Investigation into the Nature of Black Phthisis or Ulceration
Induced by Carbonaceous Accumulation in the Lungs of Coal Miners
Author: Archibald Makellar
Release Date: June 23, 2007 [EBook #21907]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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PHTHISIS ***

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AN INVESTIGATION
INTO THE NATURE OF
BLACK PHTHISIS;
OR
ULCERATION INDUCED BY CARBONACEOUS
ACCUMULATION
IN
THE LUNGS OF COAL MINERS,
AND OTHER OPERATIVES.
BY
ARCHIBALD MAKELLAR, M.D., F.R.S.S.A.,
FELLOW OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS OF
EDINBURGH; MEMBER OF THE MEDICO-CHIRURGICAL
SOCIETY, OF THE HARVEIAN SOCIETY, OF THE
OBSTETRICAL SOCIETY, ETC. ETC., AND ONE OF THE
PHYSICIANS TO THE NEW TOWN DISPENSARY OF
EDINBURGH.
REPRINTED FROM THE MONTHLY JOURNAL OF MEDICAL
SCIENCE.
EDINBURGH:
SUTHERLAND & KNOX, 58 PRINCES STREET.
1846.

ANDREW JACK, PRINTER, EDINBURGH.

PREFACE.
An abstract of the investigations into the nature of carbonaceous
infiltration into the pulmonary tissues of coal miners, was read by Dr
Makellar at a meeting of the Medico-Chirurgical Society of Edinburgh,
Wednesday, 8th July, 1845, Dr Gairdner, President, in the Chair.
Reference was made, in particular, to the East Lothian coal-miners. 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; in others, it is retained, and accumulates to a
great extent in the lungs.
As the disease advances, the action of the heart becomes feeble; and the
appearance of the blood indicates a carbonaceous admixture. The
carbonaceous deposit seems to supersede or supplant the formation of
other morbid bodies in the substance of the lungs--such as tubercle; for
in individuals belonging to families in which there exists an undoubted
phthisical diathesis, tubercle is never found on dissection.
The views expressed in this communication called forth the following
remarks.
PROFESSOR CHRISTISON called attention to the new and important
fact, of the carbonaceous matter being found in the circulating mass. He
attached great importance to Dr Makellar's researches.
PROFESSOR ALLEN THOMSON remarked, that the presence of this
carbonaceous matter in the blood, by no means proved, that it was

formed in, or from the blood.
DR HUGHES BENNETT said, that the antagonism of this
carbonaceous disease to tubercle, was a fact of great interest and
importance, especially in connection with two other recent observations;
viz. 1st, That the depositions of carbon in the lungs of old people,
(which French pathologists describe,) are not found associated with
tubercle; and, 2d, That under the supposed cicatrices of pulmonary
tubercular cavities, a layer of carbonaceous matter is commonly found.
Dr Makellar's paper called forth some interesting observations from the
President, Professor Simpson, and others.

BLACK PHTHISIS,
OR
ULCERATION INDUCED BY CARBONACEOUS
ACCUMULATION IN THE LUNGS OF COAL-MINERS
Among 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. In the present communication, it is proposed to lay before
the profession a series of remarks, which I have been enabled to put
together, with a view to elucidate the cause and progress of that very
peculiar pulmonary disease, incident to coal-miners, which I shall
denominate BLACK PHTHISIS, or Ulceration induced by
Carbonaceous Accumulation in the Lungs.
The rise and progress of the malady may be thus sketched: 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