Respiratory Troubles and Diseases caused by Farm Work

It is to be noted that in rural districts where they live and work in fresh and clean air the incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases is as high as in the districts of air-pollution. Besides, there are a variety of respiratory diseases particularly incidental to life-environment and farm work. To be more informed of their actual conditions, the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine organized a special study group and has carried out various studies for four consecutive years with grants from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The major results obtained are as follows (1) There were a variety of farm operations which produced or increased respiratory symptoms, including thrashing and scattering of agricultural chemicals; (2) It became clear that there existed in an advanced age group certain cases of “agricultural pneumoconiosis” which could be regarded as the terminal of the so-called “thrash-bronchitis” (3) Among the cultivators of rush, raw material for Tatami, There existed cases of pneumoconiosis; (4) There were a variety of agents to produce bronchial asthma, such as rice straw, chaff, tea-leaves and chrysanthemum-leaves; (5) In Japan only two cases of farmer's lung were reported prior to this study. One more case was added to the list by this study group. Besides, cases positive to fungous agents were found among farmers in considerably high percentage.