Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-02-01
How the Man Who Holds the
Throttle May Keep Well
EXACTING LAB0R
Noted Authority Gives Some
simple Rules Which if Fol-
lowed, Will Pay Well

den, DIR. Gilbert, consulting engineer
for the Saxon railroads, delivered an
address ON the subject: What the
Engineer Should do TO Keep His
Health
While the address which DR.. Gilbert
delivered on this subject was doubt
less made from the point of view OF
the extremist, it nevertheless contains
wholesome substance for trainmen IN
general. Especially is this true when
it is remembered that the responsible
ity Of the trainmen is constantly IN
creasing to a degree commensurate
with the marvellous development IN
the ~intricacies Of machinery which ne
is called upon to direct.
DR.. Gilbert is PROFESSIONALLY cor
rect when he asserts that the occupa-
tion OF ths engineer requires as few
others do, a high condition Of health
to sustain the physical exertion, the
constant exercise of the organs OF sen
sation, the sense Of responsibility and
necessity of rapid decisions incident
to it. And yet the very duties of the
engineer makes it impossible for him
To enjoy nourishlaent and rest al reg
ular intervals. Sometimes his rest
comes by day and sometimes by night
Few under any circumstances can en-
joy free and unbroken sleep, His SUI
pefiors realize the fact and devote
much OF their tims to arranging their
services that the the necessity Oh IN
reguiarifies may cause the least pos
sibIe injury. In this way railroad man
ayers have done much 10 make liz
better for the trainmen. But the sery-
ice Is and must remain a trying one
and the engineers health will always
depend more or less upon his own con
duet on and off duty. Dir. Gilbert, the
great German authority, says he must
not have his mind occupied by dis
tracing cares concerning his family
or private affairs. He must avoid
everything that would weaken his
powers or undermine his health. DR..
Gilbert also discussed drinking habits,
so common among men whose occu'
pations are perilous in their nature.
He declared himself to share the opin.
ion of those who believe that wen a
moderate use of alcoholic drinks re
duces mental elasticity and freshness,
while a habitual free use Of them, be-
sides its bad effect on the nervous
system, Injuries such vital organs as
the heart, the liver ami stomach. He
would not only discourage the use Of
such drinks while on duty, but also
regular consumption thereof. The
authorities, Of course. cannot require
this, but they can welcome those who
voluntarily abstain and should take
steps 10 enable engineers and train
men to enjoy other comforts while
off duty as a substitution,
First, That of all employees, train
men are most frequently iii. and on
the average are soonest entitled &C
pensions for disability.
2. The frequency of illness is great
est in the first and in the last yeas
services, showing that the recruits and
those worn out in the service have
least resistance.
3. The frequency of illness In any
one employment rises and fal's WIZ
the amount of service required.
4. The frequency OF Illness IS ma
terially affected BY weather conditions
and chiefly by the temperature, rhii
and moisture having colnpafaliyel!
little effect. An average monthly ieIn
perature of about ~ degrees Fathrsn
heit ii most favorable " health, hot
TIL III colder weather are both favor
able.
.. Rheumatism, nervous diseases, AL
fectipis of The respiratory and espec
ially of the digestive organs--arc more
frequent III traiRmen thaa in people
81 the same age III other occupations
and must he attributed to the demands
of the service. and the irfegularitiei
in taking meals and sleep. Thesi
results of the ayarian statistics DR.
Gilbert confirmed by his ten years Q
observations on the saxon railroads.
This shows that the men themsel
YES should follow the advice of tn
railroad physicians and make JUDI
cious use of the provisions made b.
the railroads for their health and CON
fort. They should make such use Q
their time on duty. Of their days o
rest and OF their yearly vacations a
to really rest and restore their health
They should nourish themselves
BEAUTIFULLY. not a midday meal q col