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adjustment he should use but one hand, if possible. He should also try to place his body so that the involuntary recoil from a possible shock will remove his hands from the apparatus instead of causing them to grasp it.

The use of rubber tape on the handles of pliers, screw drivers, and wrenches can not be depended on unless the tape has been freshly and carefully applied. Rubber coverings for the handles of such tools are a protection if the coverings are new and in good condition, but even then the chances are great of touching the hand or the fingers to an uncovered part. Insulated tools should not be trusted to give entire protection.

There is one practice that can not be condemned too severely, and that is the willful giving of electrical shocks to others. This may be done impulsively or may be deliberately planned, but it is always dangerous. The effect of such a trick can not be foreseen because there are so many things to consider. The person who is given the shock may be so placed and so constituted that serious and even fatal results will follow.

EXPLOSIVES AND ELECTRICITY.

Great care should be used in handling explosives near electric current. It requires only a very small electric spark to set off powder. An exceedingly small current passed through the powder itself will explode it.

In carrying explosives in mine cars care should be taken to keep the packages off the floor of the car and away from the iron fittings, as these frequently receive current from the drawbars, especially when the motorman is using sand on a slippery rail. Packages of explosives should be kept closed, and should not be taken into cars that are near the locomotive, as sparks are often thrown down from the trolley wheel.

The safest thing to do is to keep explosives as far away as possible from all electric current. If explosives must be handled near the current, use every precaution to protect the packages.

SOME SUGGESTIONS.

The following of the suggestions given below will help to lessen the number of electrical accidents.

(a) SUGGESTIONS FOR MINE FOREMEN.

Don't allow the men to ride electric locomotives.

Don't allow inexperienced men to handle electric wires.

Don't fail to protect the trolley wires at crossovers and partings.
Don't allow wires to be installed in a slipshod manner.
Don't fail to have wires promptly repaired after roof falls.
Don't allow explosives to be carried in cars near the locomotive.

(b) SUGGESTIONS FOR ELECTRICIANS.

Don't fail to set a good example for less experienced men to follow. Don't work on live apparatus if it is possible to cut off the current. Don't stand directly on the ground and work upon live apparatus of any kind get something dry to stand on.

Don't rely upon gloves for protection, unless they are perfectly dry, free from holes, and without metal parts.

Don't, under any circumstances, work on live apparatus that is charged with a voltage greater than 650 volts.

Don't handle wires carelessly just because they are insulated. Don't send an inexperienced man to work on or about live apparatus.

Don't neglect to inspect your equipment regularly.

Don't ever cause anyone to receive an electric shock.

(c) SUGGESTIONS FOR MINERS.

Don't think that it is smart to get an electric shock. Every time a man gets a shock it shows that he has been lacking in care or knowledge.

Don't be ashamed to be careful. You owe this not only to yourself but to others who may follow your example.

Don't handle wires or electrical apparatus of any kind unless you are told to do so.

Don't get off or on trips from the trolley-wire side.

Don't carry tools on your shoulders when crossing under the trolley wire or when traveling in the same entry with it.

Don't travel in the same entry with the trolley wire if you can avoid doing so.

Don't get your explosives near electric wires.

Don't allow packages of explosives to come in contact with the metal parts of cars.

Don't carry explosives in cars near the locomotive.

Don't ever cause anyone to receive an electric shock.

Don't ride on electric locomotives.

Don't fail to report when you find that electric wires are down. Don't install temporary lights-leave that work to the electrician. TREATMENT FOR ELECTRIC SHOCK.

When a man has received an electric shock that leaves him senseless, two things should be done as soon as possible.

First, remove the victim from contact with the electric wire. Second, revive him or "bring him to " by getting him to breathe. While removing the victim from the electric circuit, be careful not to get a shock yourself. If there is a switch right at hand, cut off the current at once; but if there will be any delay in cutting off the current, remove the body from the circuit by means of a piece of dry wood, used either to roll or push the body aside or to lift from the

body whatever is carrying current to it. Tools with dry wooden handles, such as picks or axes, may be safely used for this purpose. The body of the victim can be safely grasped if your hands are protected by several thicknesses of dry cloth, or if you stand upon a piece of dry wood.

When you can do nothing else, you may be able to short-circuit the line with which the victim is in contact, and thus blow the circuit breaker or fuses which protect that part of the electric system.

A short circuit may be made by placing an auger or drill or a piece of pipe so that it will connect the two sides of the electric circuit. For example, in case the victim is in contact with a trolley wire, the auger, drill, or pipe should be thrown across the trolley wire and track rail, so as to be in contact with both. In doing this, be sure that the auger, drill, or pipe leaves your hand before it touches the current-carrying part of the circuit, as otherwise you will get a shock yourself.

When the victim has been removed from contact with the current, turn him on his back, loosen the clothing from around his neck, chest, and abdomen, and place a small log, a rolled-up coat, or something of similar size and shape under his shoulders in such a way as to throw his head back and his chest up.

The next thing to do is to draw out the victim's tongue, which can best be done by grasping it with a piece of dry cloth. This act clears the windpipe, and unless it is done, the victim can not be made to breathe. (See Pl. I.) If the rescuer is alone, he will have to keep the tongue in this position by tying it with a handkerchief or a bandage passed over the tongue and under the jaw.

The tongue must be held in this position while giving artificial respiration.

There are several methods of giving artificial respiration, but the one most commonly used is the Sylvester method. Kneel behind the head of the victim, grasp his forearms just below the elbows and draw them slowly backward until they are extended as far as possible over his head (see Pl. II) and hold them there for about one second. Then slowly push the elbows forward and downward until they are in the position shown in Plate III. Next press the elbows firmly against the chest and hold them there for about one second so as to drive out the air from the lungs.

Do not perform these movements hurriedly; pumping the arms up and down is a waste of time. To complete one series of movements should take about four seconds. A very good way to time yourself is to count, very slowly, "one, two, three, four," while making the movements. Count "one" as the victims arms are being extended, count "two" while they are held above his head, count "three " while his arms are being returned to his side, and count "four" while exerting pressure on his chest.

Usually a victim of electric shock can be made to breathe within an hour, and the artificial respiration should be continued at least that long, even if the patient does not show any signs of being "brought to."

If other persons are at hand, have them assist by relieving you at short intervals, and have them keep the victim warm by covering him with coats or anything else that may be at hand. After the victim begins to breathe the assistants should rub his limbs briskly and toward the heart, keeping their hands under the covering while doing so. This will help to restore the circulation of the blood, which has been for a time suspended.

While arrangements are being made for removing the injured man to his home or to a hospital, treat any injuries that the victim has received: Treat electric burns exactly as ordinary burns. Before the arrival of a doctor it is proper to cover the burnt place with several thicknesses of picric-acid gauze. This gauze is now being used in nearly all mines and hospital emergency rooms.

In case no picric-acid gauze is at hand the burns may be covered with clean gauze, preferably taken from sterile packages, and covered with vaseline, carbolized vaseline, olive oil, linseed oil, or what is known as carron oil, which is a mixture of linseed oil and limewater.

Cover these dressings with plenty of cotton and protect this in turn from the outside air with oiled paper or anything that will keep out the air while the victim is being taken home or to a hospital.

Bandage all dressings lightly so as to cause as little pressure as possible upon the injuries.

PUBLICATIONS ON MINE ACCIDENTS AND EXPLOSIVES.

The following Bureau of Mines publications may be obtained free by applying to the Director, Bureau of Mines, Washington, D. C.: BULLETIN 17. A primer on explosives for coal miners, by Charles E. Munroe and Clarence Hall. 61 pp. 10 pls. Reprint of United States Geological Survey

Bulletin 423.

14 pls.

BULLETIN 20. The explosibility of coal dust, by George S. Rice, with chapters by J. C. W. Frazer, Axel Larsen, Frank Haas, and Carl Scholz. 204 pp. Reprint of United States Geological Survey Bulletin 425.

MINERS' CIRCULAR 2. Permissible explosives tested prior to January 1, 1911, and precautions to be taken in their use, by Clarence Hall.

1911. 12 pp.

MINERS' CIRCULAR 3. Coal-dust explosions, by George S. Rice. 1911. 22 pp. MINERS' CIRCULAR 4. The use and care of mine-rescue breathing apparatus, by J. W. Paul. 1911.

24 pp.

TECHNICAL PAPER 4. The electrical section of the Bureau of Mines, its purpose and equipment, by H. H. Clark. 1911. 13 pp.

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BUREAU OF MINES

ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION. DRAWING FORWARD THE TONGUE.

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