Manganese poisoning in Moroccan miners.

when Couper of Glasgow observed the first cases among five manganese ore crushers. He described a series of nervous phenomena: muscular weakness, paraplegia, tremor of the extremities, a tendency to lean forward while walking, whispering speech, and salivation. Since then a number of writers have made further observations and recognized manganese as a poison affecting the central nervous system. It is less well known than other metallic poisons. It continues to be rare since only a limited number of workers come in contact with manganese in a dangerous form. The symptoms, which progress as a rule to total disablement, render it one of the most serious occupational hazards. It poses important social problems, as much concerning the rehabilitation of partially incapacitated labourers, as the care of the sick man and his family by the community.