Pulmonary ventilatory functions of coalminers in various areas in relation to the x-ray category of pneumoconiosis.

Although medical opinion is in general agreed that progressive massive fibrosis can cause pulmonary disability, there is little evidence from unselected populations and there is considerable difference of opinion about simple pneumoconiosis. The early literature on the subject has been well summarized by Gilson and Hugh-Jones (1955), and Higgins, Oldham, Cochrane, and Gilson (1956), Carpenter, Cochrane, Gilson, and Higgins (1956), and Newell and Browne (1955) have added to our knowledge of the subject. In this paper we are attempting another review, based on the surveys already described by Carpenter and Higgins and their colleagues (1956) in the Rhondda Fach and Leigh, the survey at Staveley (Higgins, Cochrane, Gilson, and Wood, 1959), and a new survey carried out in the summer of 1958 in the Rhondda Fach (Higgins and Cochrane, 1961). In addition, for purposes of comparison, we make use of the two surveys carried out in agricultural areas (Higgins, 1957; Higgins and Cochran, 1958).