The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-03-02
mrs. BOOTHS READY AID PLAN
SHE EXPLAINS AND DEFENDS 1T
IN A LETTER TO 1.-THE SUM-"

The Chioroform, Restoratives and Band
ages on the Faster OF Two Trains In
Collision Would Probably Not BE
Wrecked-Little Chl0roform Needed.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sr: THE
sun Of Saturday last gave prominence TO
my suggestion concerning the carrying OF
remedies to alleviate the sufferings OF
wreck victims. l notice that some views
were given regarding the matter which
should be glad to answer II space can be
afforded me,
II is suggested that II a case Of remedies
was on every train or in charge OF each
conductor il would ten TO one be wrecked
with the train
1t il a well-known fact that when a col
lision occurs the train that Is running at
the highest rate Of speed is rarely much
damaged. Take for example the disaster
near Plainfeld, where the local was tele-
scoped and the express left in condition TO
proceed on its way. case OF relief ma
terials on the express would have been
found ready for use. though on the local
they might have boon scattered. The
ether and choloroform, which, by the way,
are only part Of my suggestion dor the
restoratives and bandages for the injured
are quite as important as the anesthetics)
need not be carried in such quantities as
TO make them dangerous II wrecked.
My suggestion was not to carry sufficient
to keep the patient under their influence to
the degree necessary in operations, but
merely to administer enough to deaden
pain. Death comes quickly to the victim
in q burning car, even though the minutes
TO him may seem ages OF agony. II there
was time TO use much choloform there
would equally be time % work at the wreck
age and liberate the victim. ] am not
arguing for such instances. My suggestion.
20 far as the an@sthetics are concerned, is
for quick relief in a hurried emergency.
Small cans Of the anesthetic would be
sufficient.
The question is asked as to whether In
the hands Of the unskilled these remeiies
would not be dangerous. In almost every
trainload Of passengers there is some one
who has had experience IN nursing " no,
where education on these subjects is wide
spread When last in Philadelphia learned
that many employees OF the Pennsylvania
Railroad had attended lectures on First
Aid TO the Injured: One may have the
knowledge, but without the bandages and
and efficient relief.
The chloroform. if administered TO one
victim hopelessly held beneath the wreck
age. would probably render unconscious
those in the vicinity who otherwise might
he able to extricate themselves from the
perilous POSITION is another point rails
against my suggest ion. There is no ground
for any such fear. One does not pour
chloroform over and around the victim.
A little saiurated on a handkerchief or in
lElN
relief from pain in a few seconds, while
another person within two feet would feel
absolutely no effects OF H. | have adj
ministered the drug under doctors dlrec-
tons and know that thisis true in n email
room, 10 in the open air there is nothing TO
fear for those around the sufferer.
I do not argue for ether, chloroform or
any special remedy. ] merely ask IN the
name OF common humanity that something
be done to lesson suffering and that pro-
vision he made TO meet emergencies which
mus, sometimes be faced despite care and
precaution Physicians must suggest the
materials to he carried. Perhaps they could
advise some other Alternatives and un-
doub,edly the whole question could he far
more practically discussed by them. ]
merely raise the question that something
NAV he done 10 rob accidents Of some 81
their most Ghastly horror ] am not
among those Who would complain OF care
l...nass on the part Of the railroads, when
! hear Of accidents IL not 10 me a marvel
that such things occur. but rather that they
are not more frequent When one thinks
of the network 81 iron rails all oyeI our
country. often laid through danger
ou- noun ain tracks, o'e wide n ~
and prairie OF the thousands Of trai.
-u.-.img hi,h.r and thith.r by nigh, aud
day rilId-d by human hand ard hraln-.
81 the NITRATE details u machinery, track.
rpi aud ware, that nlnst De- Their Iar Is-i
fa.fly one must admire H.. care AMI pro-
nreucN that have 80 faI perfected tia
great system of travel which safely oarrias
III. mlllonf. even n occasionally tho lev
lave suffered la thought for the Sussi
ing. Youfs tniy, hLuDb BooIH
Aollutsegr ~ Anefloa Cooper