Question: What characterized the so-called “phossy jaw” epidemic of the late 1800’s/early 1900’s
Answer: The cited article notes “The infamous “phossy jaw” that created an epidemic of exposed bone osteonecrosis exclusively in the jaws began around 1858 and continued until 1906, with only a few cases appearing since that time. This epidemic of osteonecrosis produced pain, swelling, debilitation, and a reported mortality of 20% and was linked to “yellow phosphorous,” the key ingredient in “strike-anywhere” matches. In match-making factories, workers called “mixers,” “dippers,” and “boxers” were exposed to heated fumes containing this compound. Related to the duration of exposure, many of these workers developed painful exposed bone in the mouth, whereas their office-based counterparts did not. The exposed bone and clinical course were eerily similar to what modern day oral and maxillofacial surgeons see due to bisphospho- nates used to treat metastatic cancer deposits in bone or osteoporosis.” (Marx RE. Uncovering the cause of “Phossy Jaw” circa 1858 to 1906: Oral and maxillofacial surgery closed case files—Case Closed. 2008 J Oral Maxillofac Surg 66:2356-236)