Histological studies of the effects of beryllium oxide (glucine) on animal tissues.

The toxic action of beryllium eompounds has been studied extensively in the last few years. In many such compounds the harmful effect is due to the anion. An example is seen in the case of the double fluoride of sodium and beryllium which is often used in industry. However it is quite certain that the action of such compounds has an action of its own which was observed long ago (Siem, 1886; Comar, 1935). Its specific effect seems to be on the histiocytes (reticulo-endothelial system), the beryllium ion causing hyperplasia and hypertrophy of these cells thus leading to the granulomata so characteristic of berylliosis. I have lately carried out histological investigations into that property of beryllium to try to establish more precisely the action of beryllium oxide as it is used in the electrometallurgical preparation of beryllium alloys. The researches concerned the reaction of subcutaneous connective tissue and the cells of the peritoneum and lung to dusts of beryllium compounds.