RESUMO
From our survey of respiratory diseases in rural district, we concluded as follows:<BR>1). Prevalence of positive antibody fiter to Thermophilic actinomyces in farmers of one village was 19.4%.<BR>2). Alternaria is one of the most important mold antigen to asthma in rural area. Specific IgE antibody to Alternaria was identified in sera of many patients suffering from asthmatic attack in summer season.<BR>3). Pollinosis in Nagano Prefecture<BR>a). A check of patients by age reveals that the incidence is high among people at ages 20-40.<BR>b). A check of the distrbution of patients by month indicates that the incidences are concentrated during the period of March through October, and this period is classifiable into three seasons-spring tree season, summer grass season and autumn weed season.<BR>c). According to our survey on atomospheric pollen, Japanese cedar, alder, Japanese birch, zercova, walnut, oak family and white mulberry were found in tree season, meadow foxtail, orchard grass, timothy andrice in grass season and ragweed, common mugwort, chrysanthemum, Japanese hop and smooth pigweed in weed season. Of all hayfever plants, Japanese cedar, orchard grass and common mugwort have high antigenicity.<BR>d). We discussed the findings of the survey we have performed on a number of cases of six pollinosis-Japanese birch, walnut, apple, orchard grass, ragweed and common mugwort.
RESUMO
One is inclined to imagine that the incidence of respiratory diseases will be negligible among rural people who live and work in fresh and clean air. On the contrary, however, we have reports on the high incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and on the existence of a variety of specific respiratory diseases which are incidental to farm work. To clarify this situation, the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine organized a special study group and carried out various studies with grants from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. This is the study group's summary report of the four year research project prepared in conclusion of the project.<BR>The actual state of respiratory diseases among rural people, as investigated by the present study group, can be summarized as follows:<BR>1) In rural districts, in spite of its freedom air-pollution, there exist in high percentages people suffering from respiratory symptoms and patients of obstructive pulmonary diseases. As the important cause of this phenomenon, farm operations, especially thrashing, rice-hulling, compost preparation, scattering of agricultural chemicals can bementioned, which invite the development of symptoms and their aggravation.<BR>2) Pathologically, farmer's pneumoconiosis attributable to farm operation dust was evidenced, crying for the necessity of dust prevention measure during farm operations.<BR>3) In connection with atopic asthma the study group proved the antigenicity of rice-straw, wheat-straw, celiae of tea-sprout, young leaves, and chrysanthemum leaves. There are also anumber of already known antigens. It is necessary to establish measures for its prevention and treatment.<BR>4) In rural districts of Japan, esp. in stock-raising farm houses, there are in comparatively high percentages those who react positive to fungous antigens which are the causes of farmer's lung. However, there have hitherto been reported only two cases, and the study group added one more. In the future, more extensive practice of immunological tests and clinical follow-ups of the positive cases will be necessary.<BR>5) In view of the results reported above, it is considered that there are numerous questions concerning respiratory troubles and diseases in rural districts which are awaiting further study.
RESUMO
Five hundred and fifty-six persons associated with dairy farming were surveyed by means of a questionnaire for evidence of farmer's lung. Two hundred and eighty-four of them were evaluated with serological study. Any typical symptom of farmer's lung was not found but precipitating antibody to Thermoactinomyces vulgaris was identified in sera from fifty-five (19.4%). The subjects of the antibody positive group have more frequently cough with phlegm than negative group.
RESUMO
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:<BR>(1) There were a variety of farm operations which produced or increased respiratory symptoms, including thrashing and scatteringof agricultural chemicals;<BR>(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”<BR>(3) Among the cultivators of rush, raw material for Tatami, there existed cases of pneumoconiosis;<BR>(4) There were a variety of agents to produce bronchial asthma, such as rice straw, chaff, tea-leaves and chrysanthemum-leaves;<BR>(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.
RESUMO
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<BR>(1) There were a variety of farm operations which produced or increased respiratory symptoms, including thrashing and scattering of agricultural chemicals;<BR>(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”<BR>(3) Among the cultivators of rush, raw material for Tatami, There existed cases of pneumoconiosis;<BR>(4) There were a variety of agents to produce bronchial asthma, such as rice straw, chaff, tea-leaves and chrysanthemum-leaves;<BR>(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.