The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-02-15
FINE EXHIBITION OF RESCUE WORK Remarkable Demonstration of
 Methods Given at Wylam. MINERS SHOW SKILL Movement Started by Dr. Rountree
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MINERS SHOW SKILL
Started by pr. Rountree Meeting With Succcss-First Aid to Injured a Humane Necessity
 in Cases of Bad Accidents.
Nv (. H. MANDY.

By C. H. MANDY.
 At an entertainment given last night at the Vivian Masonic hall by the brass band of the First Aid to the Injured corps of mine division No. of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad com pany, a most interesting and instruc- tive exhibition of mine rescue work and first aid to the injured was given by members of the corps. The hall was crowded to its fullest capacity. A most excellent entertainment was given.
 The band rendered 8 number of diff fcult selections in a splendid manner and it is a matter of no little pride to them that every member of the band is also a member of the corps. George Frederick Neil Hutchings sang several solos in a pleasing manner. An fnstru- mental duet by Prof. D. McCrorie and James Brown was well received. The entire programme was much enjoyed by the audience.
 Among those present were Edward H. Coxe, general superintendent of mines and coke ovens; A. F. Elliott, chief electrician mines division; Ed ward Flynn. chief mine inspector; Rob- ert Neill, assistant mine inspector; Dr. R. F. Lovelady, Asa Rountree and eth CTS.
 pr. W. S. Rountree presided and as the rescue exhibitions were pre- sented he explained the methods em ployed. The First Aid corps is com posed of mine workers of all kinds who are being instructed in the prac- tical and scientific meth ods of rem dering first aid to their injured fellow workmen. The movement has the hearty support and cooperation of the Tennessee company, which at great expense has provided suitable rescue apparatus for the use of the corps.
 The first demonstration was by class No. l which rescued man, supposed 10 have been injured by fall of rock, sustaining a fractured thigh, a com pound fracture of the right arm and q gash across the forehead. The class placed the injured limbs in splints and bound up his wound in a most cred itable manner. In this connection boxes are placed in various parts of the mines containing bandages, absorbent cotton, gauge, etc. The class impro- vised litter by using their coats, passing two lengths of pipe through the sleeves.
 The next demonstra tion was a man who, by accident, had fallen on live electric wire, the proper method of re- moving him without danger to his res ouers, and the means applied to restore suspended respiration which often oc- cure in this kind of accidents was shown.
 The next number was an exemplifica- tion of the rescue work after an ex- plosion. This class was under the per ufefa af fake explosion was made in one of the outer rooms.
 The rescuers hastily donned the Draeger rescue helmets, which enable the wearers to enter the mines and work in the most deadly gases and afterdamp. MT Elliott explained to the audience the apparatus and the mode of applying 1t. The res cuers rushed into the supposed mine and brought out man unconscious from gas. The methods of carrying a man in this condition were demonstrated by Angus Brown, who, single-handed placed the man on his shoulders and carried him out Again artificial respiration was brought into service, which included a pulsemeter or breathing apparatus, which supplied the artificial means.
 The closing demonstration was by the boys class, which gave remarkable ex- hibition of skill in bandaging and bind
 
 was one of much interest and denotes the progress already made and the possi- bllities of great service to the suffering by little training.
 The credit for introducing the first aid in the~south Is due to Dr. w. & Roun- tree, who formed a class of IS miners at Wylam two years ago. He succeeded by practical tests in enlisting the support of General Superintendent Coxe In the mn mi Ar hoc crftr support and encouragement, and has at various times recommended the purchase of suitable apparatus by the company The movement has spread throughout the mining district and much excellent work Is being done.
 The methods employed by Dr. Roun- tree have been to give lectures and prac- tical illustrations to the members of the various classes, such as will enable them 10 render efficient aid in an emergency. He avoids technical terms, but teaches in small degree anatomy and physiology. He drills the classes especially in the handling of the injured parts the immed- fate applications of surgically clean cov- ering on wounds, the placing of the in- jured person in a comfortable position, and the prompt summoning of a sur geon.
 A feature superior and more humane is in the manner of bringing the injured men out of the mines. This was formerly done by using the coal cars. but now a specially constructed ambulance' car is provided for that purpose.
 The work is yet in its infancy in the south. but much progress has been made. and with the facilities now provided and the knowledge of the first-aid methods much suffering can be avoided.
 The affair last night was a great sue cess and will tend to further spread this great and humane movement