Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-10-06
Railroad Mems Ears.


The necessary legislation is hardly
secured for protection against the dGu-
gers of color blindness before a new
trouble arises in the ear affections OF
those who must depend largely upon
the organ Of hearing in order to assure
the safety of the many lives intrusted
to their care and skill. The sharp
crack Of broken crank, the dull thud
OF shatterad connecting rod, in short
any of those often obscure noises which
signalize the approaching disability of
a great machine, and any Of those acci-
dents which interfere with smooth run
ming, may often, if readily discovered,
save largely both of life and property.
A veteran engineer says that two
years ago . slight difference in the ag-
gregate quality OF the tones which came
to his ear caused him to stop his train
and look over the engine. "I found
the trouble" said he, "to be due to the
loosening nuts of two cylinder heads
which had been put in place without
the usual precautions TO prevent their
working of. Had they done so, l
would have carried in crippled train,
and changed the whole business of the
road for some hours"
"Then, you consider quick and reli-
able hearing Of importance to the loco
motive engineer"
"No man." he replied, "has q right
on an engine who has not all his senses
in perfect RAINING order. The very
feel of an engine when she in going
fast is of the highest imports ice. A
moment of dullness on the part of an
engineer might, in some instances, lose
MIN his engine"
The driver Of Hudson River railroad
locomotive said "I was affected with
deafness but once. There was some
heavy artillery firing in Yonkers, which
lasted about ten minutes; my ears were
very sensitive made SO, think,
through the habit of careful listening
and the moment I started up I felt
there was something wrong about my
hearing. At the end of ten days put
myself under the care of doctor. He
found trouble considerable distance
inside, and told me tho conclusion OF
the air had affected me. was all right
again in ten days.
This deafness, being acquired, Is moro
dangerous than color blindness, because
its approach is often slow and insidious.
and sometimes Is Lot known to the vic
tim until q cold or some accident di.
minishes his hearing before he is aware
of 1t. On the other hand, most ear
affections such, ut least, as arc brought
about through mans occupation ARE
susceptible Of treatment, and with proper
care do not result in permanent dis
ability. Professor Moos, OF Heidelberg,
in calling attention to this subject, cites
ten cases of marked disturbance OF hear.
ing In locomotive engineers and firemen,
all Of which came under bis observation.
The form most prevalent was cattarh
OF the middle ear. Investigation showed
this disability was most prevalent on
tunneled roads, and was generally nc.
companied by frequent colds, pains,
roaring and ringing in both ears. Sub
iectiye noises, or these having appar.
eniiyno exterior cause, and an obstinate
partial deafness were commonly com.
planned Of. These troubles were invnri.
ably verse after journey on the loco
motive.
DR.. Burkner, Of Gottingen, observed
similar troubles in six locomotive
engineers, two firemen, and sixteen
other railway employees. Both writer's
agree that the condition Of tile sense Of
hearing should be made a matter Of
special cas by ell railway employees,
and that they should be subjected TO
regular inspection b. the company's