Diameter

DIAMETER (from Greek dia- across and metron measure) of a body, an anthropometric term used primarily to denote transverse and depth (cross-sectional and longitudinal) dimensions. The measurement of diameters is performed with spreading and sliding calipers between strictly defined anthropometric points (see Anthropometry).-The most important diameters are: 1. On the head: longitudinal diameter of the head—from glabella to the occipital point (instrument—small spreading caliper), transverse diameter of the head—between the two temporal points; height of the face—from the nasion to the gnathion point (small sliding caliper), upper width of the face—between the zygomatic points (small spreading caliper), lower width of the face—between the mandibular points, height of the nose—from the nasion to the subnasal point; width of the nose; length and width of the ear. 2. On the torso: shoulder diameter—between the acromial points (vernier caliper or large spreading caliper), anteroposterior and transverse diameter of the chest—at the level of the xiphoid process (large spreading caliper or vernier caliper), pelvic diameter—transverse between the iliac crests (distantia cristarum), longitudinal—between the pubic point and the lumbar point (conjugate externa), anterior—between the sacroiliac points (distantia spinarum), femoral diameter—the greatest width in the thighs, in the region of the greater trochanters (distantia intertrochanterica) (see also Obstetric examination). 3. On the limbs: width of the hand—between the metacarpal points (small sliding caliper), width at the wrist—between the most projecting points of the styloid processes of the radius and ulna; length of the foot—from the calcaneal point to the terminal point (vernier caliper), width of the foot—between the metatarsal points, width at the ankles—between the most projecting points of the ankles.

A. Letavet. Professor of the harmfulness of professions. Diameter is the cause of the specific occupational disease of workers in the fur industry—so-called 'ursolic asthma.' At first, it was considered that the diseases of workers during the dyeing of furs, accompanied by attacks of asthma, represented ordinary intoxication (Criegern). In recent times, Kurschmann raised the question of the anaphylactic nature of 'ursolic asthma,' which was confirmed by subsequent works (Gordon, Mehl). Mehl succeeded in experimentally inducing anaphylactic shock by sensitizing guinea pigs with intravenous and subcutaneous administration of the diameter followed by re-injection of non-toxic doses of the diameter (0.005 per kg). Gordon notes the following features of the disease of asthma in fur industry workers: 1) for the development of the disease, continuous work of a certain duration (from 1/2 year to 10 years) in the industry is required; 2) the disease develops suddenly; 3) attacks recur in connection with a minimal amount of substance; 4) upon removal from the industry, the attacks cease. The clinical picture of asthma attacks from the diameter generally corresponds to the picture of ordinary bronchial asthma (see Bronchial Asthma). To this day, it is not fully clarified which stage of oxidation of the diameter is the cause of the disease; most consider that the toxic properties belong to the diameter itself and quinonediimine, while the final product of oxidation is indifferent to the organism. Based on their experimental work, Kurschmann and Mehl propose applying calcium chloride for the prevention of occupational ursolic asthma. On experimental animals, Mehl succeeded, by subcutaneous injection of a 5% solution of CaCl2, in achieving in two cases complete prevention of anaphylactic shock from the diameter, and in others—significant weakening of its manifestations. In addition to asthma, diaminobenzene also causes skin lesions of varying intensity (ursolic dermatitis).