During the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the National Wuhan University, Huanghai Chemical Industry Research Institute, and the National Tongji University relocated to southern Sichuan. They encountered an endemic disease, Pa bing (痹病Pa disease), prompting new research into its diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The high barium content in the salt brine and limited salt production technology in southern Sichuan contributed to the prevalence of this disease. This article examines the process of the multidisciplinary interactions and negotiations to control Pa disease, drawing on scientific research reports, journals, and private diaries. Biochemical experiments and clinical diagnoses demonstrated that the disease was the result of “barium salt poisoning”, with the key to its prevention and treatment being the removal of barium from the salt. Huanghai Chemical Industry Research Institute collaborated with local governments to establish safety standards for barium content in salt, developed barium removal technology, and examined barium salt to ensure salt quality. These efforts protected the health and safety of both military personnel and the public in the affected areas and supported the war effort and construction of the southwestern region.
LAN et al. (Sun,) studied this question.