About 7, 000 workers migrated from Kochi Prefecture in 1965. Recently the number of patients with pneumoconiosis and vibration syndrome has increased among these persons who worked on constructing tunnels. To investigate the health status of these workers, we interviewed 73 of these workers with regard to history of migration, work situations, health condition and so on in Niyodo Village in Kochi Prefecture. Thirty workers were examined for pneumoconiosis and vibration syndrome. Geographical distribution of the areas from which these workers had migrated were also analysed by using the statistical data of Kochi Prefecture in 1965.
The results were as follows:
1) Numerous migrant workers come from the mountain villages along the Shikoku Mountains. In the middle-northern areas, included Niyodo Village, the number of migrant workers was large.
2) Their working conditions in the tunnel were poor and measures for prevention of pneumoconiosis, such as wearing of a dust respirator and drilling the rock with water, were poorly carried out. Vibrating tools were also used for long periods of time.
3) Of 73 workers, 40 have been given the compensation follwing a diagnosis of pneumoconiosis or vibration syndrome.
4) In 23 examinees, silicosis was detected in the chest X-ray examination. Classifications included 13 of type 1, 7 of type 2, and 3 of type 4. Also examinees had subjective symptoms and/or objective findings of vibration syndrome. Eighty seven percent were classified as Grade III according to the criteria of Andreeva-Galanina. Thus, most of migrant workers involved in tunnel construction work had complications of pneumoconsosis and vibration syndrome.

We report a case of sleep terrors complicated with sleepwalking. The patient was 9-year-old boy who suddenly woke up, walked, or screamed in his sleep. These symptoms were sometimes induced by such as fever elevation or school events. In order to prevent injury while sleeping, he was suggested taking medicine to suppress the nocturnal behavior. After taking shokenchuto based on his findings of qi deficiency, the episodes gradually disappeared and the frequency of fever elevation decreased. In this report, we present the improvements of sleep parameters provided by overnight polysomnography, performed before and after treatment. Shokenchuto is known as one of the curative medicines for sleep terrors, but this is the first report showing objective therapeutic effects using overnight polysomnography.

We report a case of obstructive sleep apnea improved with the treatment both of Kampo medicine and Western medicine. The patient aged 52 years old was struggling with daytime drowsiness. Through the sleep test, he was diagnosed as severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and was received a continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP). Generally, positive air from CPAP applies through the nose and usage reports were recorded in the device. If having nasal congestion, it may be hard to continue CPAP. In this case he had a severe nasal congestion, and he nearly became CPAP failure. It was clear from the poor usage reports. Using Eppikajutsuto for nasal congestion, he felt decrease of nasal congestion. By switching to Shoseiryuto or kakkontokasenkyusin’i from Eppikajutsuto with reference to CPAP usage and nasal CT images, CPAP was continued effectively. Eventually, his daytime sleepiness disappeared.To continue CPAP, which is one of Western medicine, Kampo medicine was useful. On the other hand, to evaluate the effectiveness of Kampo medicine, Western medicine was necessary. CPAP reports and nasal CT images, which are Western medicine, contributed to the switch to Kampo medicine. This case showed the worth of the combined therapy of Kampo medicine with Western medicine.

We report two cases in which insomnia successfully treated with sansoninto alone or in combination and the effectiveness could be objectively evaluated with the portable sleep test. Case 1 was 40-year-old man who had suffered from arousal during sleep and daytime fatigue for several years. After taking sansoninto with ninjinto, his symptoms improved. Case 2 was 60-year-old woman who had suffered from a lack of deep sleep and daytime sleepiness. After taking sansoninto, she could get a deep sleep and could have less daytime sleepiness. In this report, we present that portable sleep test conducted before and after treatment confirmed that sleep quality improved. Sansoninto is one of the curative medicines for insomnia, but we believe this is the first report showing objective therapeutic effects using portable sleep test.