[Silicosis in Switzerland. A half century of observation. The physician's viewpoint]. / La silicose en Suisse. Un demi-siècle d'observation. Le point de vue du médecin.

In Switzerland, the first cases of silicosis were recorded by Zangger in 1900. Since 1930, patients with silicosis have been provided with certain services by the "Caisse Nationale Suisse d'Assurances" (i.e. Swiss National Insurance Fund), an organization enforcing the Occupational Accidents and Diseases Bill. However, it took another two years before an effectively organized struggle against silicosis was started. Eventually, by 1938, this specific pneumoconiosis was acknowledged as an occupational disease under Swiss Law. Thus, the CNSA has been concerned with this disease for half a century, and it seems relevant now to take stock of the situation. From 1930 to late 1980, 9690 cases of silicosis were accepted by the CNSA. Nearly one half (46%) of these silicotic patients were still alive on December 31, 1980; another third had died of silicosis and the rest of other affections not related The origin of cases has remained remarkably constant over the course of time. Underground working and the stone-working industry account for the majority of cases (70%), followed by smelting works (16%) and the ceramic industry (5%). The remaining 9% are due to various causes. Silicosis hazards have declined but still remain real. In late 1980, 1287 companies in Switzerland were being monitored from this standpoint. More than two-thirds (67%) belong to the stone-working industry (even though only 30% of hazard-exposed workers are employed in this sector), 10% are involved in underground work (10% of hazard-exposed workers), 10% are smelting industries (36% exposed) and 6% belong to the ceramic industry (17% exposed). Since 1950, the number of hazard-exposed people has fluctuated between relatively narrow limits (i.e. 15,000 and 20,000). Corresponding figures for previous periods are not known. Some facts indicate that silicosis is becoming less problematic: a) The annual incidence rate of silicosis in Switzerland has evolved in three distinct phases. From 1930 to 1940 the number of new cases recorded each year rose regularly. From 1940 to the late 1960s, the incidence levelled off (200-300 cases yearly); then, from 1974, it dropped rather sharply and less than 100 new cases have been recorded yearly since 1978 (97 in 1978, 69 in 1979 and 68 in 1980). b) The average age at diagnosis of silicosis has regularly increased. Until 1940, the average age of recorded silicotic patients was about 40. The threshold of 50 years was reached between 1953 and 1957. More recently (between 1978 and 1980) the corresponding figure was 68.2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Current occupational respiratory pathology in Switzerland]. / La pathologie respiratoire professionnelle de nos jours en Suisse.

The main features of occupational industrial respiratory diseases in Switzerland can be summarized as follows: -Silicosis: 9750 cases from 1930 to 1979. At present low annual incidence (less than 100 cases), age at first diagnosis over 40 years, at death almost 70 years. - Asbestosis: 130 cases from 1939 to 1979. 30 cases of mesothelioma (21 without asbestosis; 9 with), 9 of bronchial carcinoma and 1 of gastric cancer in the 130 cases of asbestosis. - Acute toxic lung (irritant gases such as chlorine, phosgene, nitrous gases), occupational asthma, extrinsic alveolitis and finally occupational chronic bronchitis are the principal diseases also observed.

[Surgical treatment of anastomosis ulcers. 1. Short-term results]. / Die operative Behandlung des Anastomosen-Geschwürs. 1. Kurzzeitergebnisse.

Records of 151 patients from the years 1964--1979 with anastomotic ulcers including relapses of ulcers after vagotomy reveal a total lethality of 3.3 per cent after reoperation. Re-gastrectomy with or without additional vagotomy shows a lethality of 5.7 per cent. If vagotomy alone is carried out there were no lethality and nearly no serious complications. Gastrectomy because of recurrent peptic ulcer after primary vagotomy has also no lethality. With regard to less serious postoperative complications including lethality after vagotomy instead of re-gastrectomy we should favour vagotomy for re-operation. Our further examinations will show whether this attitude is justified by long-term results after re-operation of the stomach in consequence of recurrent pepti ulcer.

[Pharmacokinetic problems in surgery]. / Chirurgie und Pharmakokinetik.

The article deals with the shortcomings of pharmacokinetic models in predicting tissue-concentrations of drugs. Several examples are shown from our group that cooperation of surgeons and pharmacokinetic researchers is necessary to overcome these shortcomings.

[Mechanical ileus. Therapeutic results in 455 patients]. / Der mechanische Ileus. Behandlungsergebnisse bei 455 Patienten.

After presentation of the causes, pathophysiology, diagnostic procedures and therapy, the results of treatment of 455 patients with mechanical ileus operated in the period 1964--1978 are presented.