The Washington times., 1907-01-18
e MINER DOCTORS
GIVE FIRST AID

Accidents have always been a serious
factor in coal mining. Millions have
been spent in safeguarding workers In
the anthracite mines OF Pennsylvania
And now "a new force has been added
TO the army of men employed TO detect
and ward on the approaching danger
from gas. flood and falling earth. stone.
and coal.
The latest step taken 10 protect the
miner is the establishment OF First aid
10 the injured corps by many of tho
anthracite operators. Formerly an in
Jured man had 10 be carried awkwardly
through the subterTanean passages,
hOisted 70 the surface and conveyed 10
distance before he could get any relief
Now the miner s hurts are first relieved
on the spot, and even broken limbs
can be set and bandaged by the trained
miner doctors always al hand
The FIRST cid corps OF the Philadelphia
and Reading Coal and Iron Company al
its eolleries near Pottsvile, has attained
unusual proficiency From five 10 fifteen
young miners from every colliery Of the
company make up the corps. They are
instructed By DIT ~George h. Halber-
stadt of POttsville. employed by the
company 70 take charge of this Welfate
work
As a result of his instruction the mem
bers OF the corps can set and put spIlnts
on broken limbs. help 10 induce artificial
respiration in cases OF suffocation. stop
quickly dangerous flow Of blood, dress
burns. and bandage wounds with a near
approach 10 the skill OF an experienced
physician. They are taught how 10
carry an injured miner along the steep
gangways and over the distractions in,
the mines to the shaft. Ii the heavy Iit-
Ter OF the army style. with which they
are supplied. is not available. the mem
bers or the corps know how 10 make
one from blankets or clothing After
the injured man IS placed in the cage
atil Itted 10 the surface he is put in an
ambulance which the company main
talns at all of its ColiierIes. aud is taken
10 MS home OF 10 the hospital
one OF The most imperative instruc-
uons Is that the First All man. who al
ways accompanies the miner In the am
buiance, must see 10 il that the driver
never stops on the way 10 the hosDital
Before the advent OF the First Aid corps
me driver generally stopped 10 water
MS mules before a saloon or hotel
which was frequently a reminder that
NE as well rs the mules needed refresh
hrht. w lille he was obtaining il the
injured man had 10 lie neglected. Ere
10y WHISKY MoAlu De given 10 Nun
aIsn' Do such quantities that after a long
ana injurious delay he would reach the
hospital with his mine injuries cOmpli-
Gated by another trouble
Inc WatchlulneSs of the corps man
nov prevents all this. To avoid the dan
ser OF mistakes. the corps is forbidden
20 give any medicine and no stimulaut
may De administered save hot black cof-
Ice-ncVer whisky
~ soon as the injured man is taken
nome me responsibility of the First Aid
corps ceases
To test The understanding of this i'm
poftanL rule br. Halberstadt al a re-
cent lecture asked one Of the corps.
suppose man is burned in the mines
and YOU dress mis- injuries ana accom-
panN him home. What method OF treat
menJ would You adopt when Won visit
him the next day2'
y would not treat him the next dav"
Was the quick reply. because / vgoi5id
be hable 70 arrest for practicng medi-
cine without a license"
This shows that the first aiders have
learned the ethics or their profession ss
well as manual skill in a. They only
act when some member OF the regular /
medical stats are not quickly available