Chronic Mercurialism in the Hatters' Fur-Cutting Industry

Approximately 2,000 men and women were employed in the fur-cutting industry in 1934, preparing the fur of rabbits and hares so that it could be used subsequently in the manufacture of felt hats. At an early stage in the manufacturing process the pelts are treated with a solution containing mercury dissolved in nitric acid, and at every later stage workmen are exposed to mercury vapor arising from the mercury-treated fur. It has long been known that cases of chronic mercurialism occur in this industry, but there has hitherto been no information concerning the proportion of fur cutters who were affected, and there has likewise been no information concerning the relation between exposure to mercury vapor and the incidence of chronic mercurialism. To help remedy this lack of information a medical and engineering study of five representative fur-cutting factories employing 529 persons was made by members of the Office of Industrial