Diseases of unusual occupations: an historical perspective.

A compilation of conditions deemed unusual from previous eras serves to highlight now obsolete jobs and remind that even relatively prevalent occupational disorders of today will be viewed retrospectively as strange in the proximate future. Discussed are coal miners' nystagmus, scrotal cancer in chimney sweeps, phossy jaw, hatters' shakes, painters' colic, potters' rot, chauffeurs' knee, glanders, caisson disease, and others.