Observations on "Caisson Disease" and Its Prevention

Abstract

WHILE the number of men who suffered from caisson disease in the construction of the Greenwich Footway Tunnel was fortunately small, and the whole time occupied in tunnelling with compressed air was very short, namely, slightly under thirteen months, several points of interest to the medical profession were observed from time to time, and some have aot, as far as can be ascertained, been mentioned in the literature upon the subject, and the close observation kept upon all the workmen, fit and otherwise, has prevented, so far as possible, the occurrence of caisson [disease due to previous illness or physical unfitness. SELECTION OF MEN. It may be well to point out, in the first instance, that the position of medical officer to such an undertaking is one of great responsibility. It is twofold. First, in the selection of the men and the after-supervision when they have been passed as fit to work in compressed air; the inclusion of a man who has a defective heart, and especially defective powers of elimination, may mean a most painful illness, or even death, to that individual; and, secondly, the illness of