The prevalence of varicose veins was studied in 504 women cotton workers in England and 467 in Egypt, by a standardized questionary and a specially developed method of examination. The English mill population showed a much higher prevalence of varicose veins than the Egyptian, probably owing to environmental rather than ethnic reasons.Among the European women the prevalence of varicose veins was significantly related to age, parity, body weight, type of corsetry, and occupation-that is, whether or not they stood at their work. After standardizing for the other variables there was a statistically significant excess of varicose veins in women wearing corsets and roll-ons compared with those wearing less-constrictive garments. After a similar standardization a significant excess was found in women who stood at their work compared with those whose jobs entailed walking or sitting.

In a mill spinning coarse cotton the prevalence of byssinosis and other respiratory symptoms, and the F.E.V.1.0, were measured in a group of 29 men and I117 women employed in the winding room. All the men and 95% of the women at risk were included.Dust concentrations, measured with a modified Hexhlet at various work points in the winding room, ranged from i-65 to 6 o5 mg. Jm.3 total dust. These concentrations are higher than I10 mg./m.3, which is the threshold limit value for cotton dust recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. The mean dust concentration was 3-48 mg./m.3 compared with 2 85 mg./m.3 in the card room of the same mill.The prevalence of byssinosis was I8-8% among the women and I3-8% among the men. A comparison among the women showed that those with symptoms of byssinosis had, on the average, significantly lower F.E.V.s than women of similar age without such symptoms. Four women and one man with moderately severe symptoms of byssinosis showed evidence of permanent respiratory disability with effort intolerance and a substantial diminution in F.E.V.1.0. Further studies should be carried out in other winding rooms because, if these findings are repeated elsewhere, they would indicate the necessity for medical surveillance, dust control, and extending the compensation scheme to include winding room workers.In Great Britain, the compensation scheme for byssinosis among cotton workers is restricted to persons employed in opening, blow, and card rooms.

In a mill spinning coarse cotton the prevalence of byssinosis and other respiratory symptoms, and the F.E.V.1.0, were measured in a group of 29 men and I117 women employed in the winding room. All the men and 95% of the women at risk were included.Dust concentrations, measured with a modified Hexhlet at various work points in the winding room, ranged from i-65 to 6 o5 mg. Jm.3 total dust. These concentrations are higher than I10 mg./m.3, which is the threshold limit value for cotton dust recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. The mean dust concentration was 3-48 mg./m.3 compared with 2 85 mg./m.3 in the card room of the same mill.The prevalence of byssinosis was I8-8% among the women and I3-8% among the men. A comparison among the women showed that those with symptoms of byssinosis had, on the average, significantly lower F.E.V.s than women of similar age without such symptoms. Four women and one man with moderately severe symptoms of byssinosis showed evidence of permanent respiratory disability with effort intolerance and a substantial diminution in F.E.V.1.0. Further studies should be carried out in other winding rooms because, if these findings are repeated elsewhere, they would indicate the necessity for medical surveillance, dust control, and extending the compensation scheme to include winding room workers.In Great Britain, the compensation scheme for byssinosis among cotton workers is restricted to persons employed in opening, blow, and card rooms.