The herald., 1895-12-01

recent atelegraphic dispatch from the
west speaks of an Old employee of Adam
ForepaugL as having been cured of rail-
road paralysis. The item mentions this
Affiictlon as if it were the most comT on
thing in the wolrd and that everybody
knew all abont it, the same as they would
about consumption or hay fever. II has
opened up the question as to whether or
not there is any such thing as railr Dad
paralysis.
An interview with an old-t time railroa Il
man would most assuredly settle 1t that
this atfliction was, or at least ha! bsen in
years past, prevalent among railroad
men. Abe Angle, now a conductor On
the Monon, has been in the railroad bCsi
ness for forty one years. He is 62 years
OLD, but is as male and hearty as any man
he runs with. Mr.. Angle says be has
known of this trouble rs long as he has
been on the road, and, although it is
commonly called railroad rheumatism,
it is in effect the same thing as paralysis.
Mr.. Angle declares he knows of cases
where conductors have been laid up for
life. and that their trouble has been The
result of constant railroad travelling.
"And then there was Catherwood !"
said Mr.. Angle. He bsgan to get lin her
in the legs, and gradually grew worse and
worse, until he was compelled to lay off
for while. Later On he got better. Ind
woulu make an occasional run, but he
was always in fear and have known
him to start from home, feeling all right.
and by the time he should call out a IL
aboard to have mis- legs give out from
| under him. and another man would have
to take out his train"
Abe Angie. of course, has his theory
about this matter. He says that so far
| as he has ever learned, this railroad par
alysis is an aflictlon OF the legs alone
and he attributes it to the Gonsart strain
upon the cords in those members in the
effort to preserve balance on moving
train.
"Wny," said this old timer, "anyone
knows that in walking through the aisle
Of II car there is constant expectation of
| urch from one side TO the other, and
the legs are always i'll braCed or strain
ed position. This cannot but have its
effect in the course of time upon people
of nervous systems. l have heard, too,
that the cause of railroad paralysis was
something to 10 with it. | am the more
convincer that it mas because thee is
not anything like the amount OF trouble
there was-well, say twenty years ago.
Since that time there nave been some
improvements in the railroads of this
country. Tten we used to have short
rail, and the trucks went pumping over
| the joints, making the jar incessant.
Then the roadbeu was shaky and the
coaches would roll from side to side like
| a ship at sea in storm. II these days
we have lone cars and many wheeled
trucks, whit. with heightened rail and
| solid roadbed, do away with much OF
the trouble OF the olden days.
When asked if this railroad paralysis
had been known to extend to engineers
and tremen, lie SAID 1t had, but that they
| also had become practically exempt by
reason of the improvements, not only in
the working parts of tho locomotive,
but in the conveniences of the cab.
"The engineer Of twenty years ago had
no such opportunity to SIT as he has to.
day." said Mr.. Angle; 'the working OF
his machine Kept him ON tis feet most
| of the time tnen, whereas now he not only
has the opportunity to sit, but he has
| spring seats and air cushions for Ais com
fort. This, of cours.', takes away The jaI