On histamine in cotton dust, and in the blood of cotton workers

Crystalline histamine picrate and hydrochloride have been prepared from cotton dust. The melting-points and crystalline structure found are in agreement with those obtained by other workers. The blood histamines in sixty-five card-room workers have been estimated and compared with the figures found in 103 students and eighteen elderly chronic bronchitics. The figures for the three groups are shown in distribution figures, and the card-room workers have, on an average, a higher blood histamine than both groups of controls. It has, however, to be admitted that the differentiation of card-room asthma from other respiratory diseases on the basis of the level of blood histamine cannot be guaranteed in individuals.