FIGURE 26. Roller bandage applied to right side of head and to knee.... 27. Roller bandage applied to head and jaw. Spiral reverse bandage of 28. Roller bandage applied to elbow, arm, and leg.... 29. Roller bandage applied to chest and back. Spica bandage applied 30. Application of compresses to wounds. 31. Dressing for fracture of the arm....... 32. Dressings for fractures of forearm and jaw..... 33. Dressing for fracture of the collar bone. 34. Dressing for fracture of the thigh or leg.. 35. Dressing for fracture of one or more ribs.. 36. Dressing for broken back and method of carrying injured man. 37. Dressing for fracture of kneecap.... 38. Application of the United States Army tourniquet to the arm. Im PREFACE. This circular is intended to serve as a guide to miners in rendering aid to injured fellow workmen. On the following pages only a brief discussion of anatomy and physiology is presented, but after each general heading suggested topics are inserted for further study if desired. For a discussion of the treatment of contusions, wounds, fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains, and burns and scalds, the reader is referred to the chapters on bandaging and dressings. This plan was thought best for the reason that it brings all the practical first-aid work together in order, thus serving as a more convenient guide for first-aid organizations in doing practice work. In the chapters on bandaging and dressings the different bandages and dressings and their application have been described in more detail than will be found in any first-aid textbook, a feature that the authors think desirable. The authors desire to express their appreciation to Lauson Stone, of the Bureau of Mines, for his interest in the preparation of the photographs and illustrations, and to Dr. W. S. Rountree, surgeon of the Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Co., for his friendly counsel and criticism, and his corrections of the manuscript. M. W. GLASGOW, M. D. 7 FIRST-AID INSTRUCTIONS FOR MINERS. By M. W. GLASGOW, W. A. RAUDENBUSH, and C. O. ROBERTS. INTRODUCTION. Among the effective agencies employed in saving life and in minimizing suffering from accidents, first aid occupies an important and well-recognized place. Education of the miner in first aid was begun in 1899. In 1904 some of the companies in the Pennsylvania anthracite district distributed first-aid packets and instructed the miners how to use them. When the United States Bureau of Mines was established cars had been bought by the Government, equipped with material for instruction, and put in charge of trained mining engineers and first-aid miners; the coal fields of this country were divided into districts; a car and crew were assigned to each district and were moved about from point to point, where lectures and demonstrations were given. During the first 10 months of the work over 100,000 miners attended lectures and received first-aid and minerescue training. To-day the bureau maintains eight cars and six rescue stations engaged in this work. The purpose of the authors of this circular has been not to write a textbook on first aid, but merely to outline methods of organization and a course of instruction similar to that given by representatives of the Bureau of Mines. It is their hope that the circular may prove suggestive and helpful, especially in those mining districts where first aid has not been organized. In any mine the hour may come when the miner who is intelligently prepared can render aid to his fellow worker or to himself, and thus save human suffering and in some cases a limb or even a life. FIRST-AID ORGANIZATION. To make first aid a success and to render it most efficient, it is necessary to have the interest and cooperation of the mine operators, mine surgeon, mine superintendent, and foreman. The operators can be of great assistance by providing a convenient meeting room and fitting it out with first-aid equipment. The surgeon can aid by arranging lectures and acting as director and instructor of the association. The superintendent and foreman can help by encouraging the men to attend the meetings and by attending and taking an active part themselves. 97547°-13-2 The purpose of a first-aid organization should be to instruct and train men to assist those who may be injured or rendered helpless, to promote good fellowship among its members, and to enlist individual and public interest in the social betterment and public health of the town or community. The officers of the association should consist of a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and medical director. The first four officers should be elected annually. Their duties are similar to those of like officers in other associations. The membership can be made up of active and associate members. The active members should be divided into squads or teams of six men, including one captain, one patient, and four stretcher bearers. The election or appointment of the captains of the different squads should be so arranged as to have them well distributed about different sections of the mine. The associate membership should be made up of those of the community who are interested in lectures on public health and social welfare and are willing to help first-aid work but do not wish to take the practice drills. The following committees should be appointed: Executive committee, membership committee, and social committee. Of course, it may be necessary at times to appoint other committees. The executive committee should consist of the president of the association, the mine surgeon, the mine superintendent, and the captains of the different squads. The membership and social committees should be appointed by the president. The executive committee should have charge of the management of the association and arrangements for contests and competitive drills among the different squads. The membership committee should encourage their friends and fellow workers to join the association. The social committee should arrange for entertainments held under the auspices of the association. EQUIPMENT. EQUIPMENT OR MATERIAL NEEDED FOR PRACTICE. Each squad should have the following: 12 triangular bandages. Equipment for practice drills. 12 medium size safety pins. 6 packages of gauze (plain or picric). 6 first-aid outfits. 6 light wood or yucca splints 3 inches wide by 18 inches long. 12 roller bandages, assorted sizes. 2 tourniquets. 2 rolls of cotton, plain or absorbent. 2 blankets (United States Army preferable). 1 stretcher (United States Army regulation). 6 wooden splints for legs and back fractures (see "Fractures," p. 26). 1 or 2 sets of first-aid charts. |