The rapidly increasing use of high pressure appliances in industry, in which oil or grease under 4,000 to 7,000 pounds pressure is forced through small caliber openings generating an energy when misdirected, will undoubtedly result in severe tissue damage, often resulting in necessity for amputation of fingers or other parts affected.
Two cases have been reported in The Journal,1 both resulting in amputation : one a result of Diesel oil, the other from a grease gun commonly used in garages to force grease and oil laden graphite into spring shackles and other friction parts. This modern appliance is a far cry from the hand grease gun and screw grease cup in common use a few years ago.
The Diesel engine, generally used in small maritime vessels, is rapidly becoming the power engine in many diversified industries. In the oil fields the Diesel oil used is of low viscosity and highly volatile, approaching the consistency of