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.

12 medium size safety pins.

Equipment for practice drills.

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,

EQUIPMENT FOR EMERGENCY FIRST-AID USE.

First-aid equipment should be kept in or about the mine for actual first-aid work. There are on the market some excellent first-aid cabinets, which contain all necessary equipment. The mine surgeons of some companies prefer to put up their own cabinets. Each cabinet should contain sterile dressings, bandages, cotton, and aromatic spirits of ammonia. The cabinets should be so distributed as to be quickly accessible in case of an accident anywhere in or about the mine.

INSTRUCTIONS TO A FIRST-AID MAN.

Always carry at least one first-aid packet containing a triangular bandage and sterile compress, so as to be ready to go at once when called, leaving word for some one to bring the first-aid cabinet, which should always be kept in a mine for emergencies. In approaching an injured man do not get excited, but quickly and carefully examine him. Send some one immediately with a message for the mine physician, briefly describing the nature of the injury. If there is a flow of blood, stop it at once with pressure on the right spot. (See "Hemorrhage" p. 23.) Place the patient in as comfortable a position as possible, watch him carefully, keep him warm, do not allow him to be overcome by shock. Allow no one near except those who are assisting. If the hemorrhage is severe and a tourniquet has to be used, as soon as the wound has been dressed (see "Dressings" pp. 4951) loosen the tourniquet; if the blood does not begin to flow again, leave the tourniquet loose, but watch it carefully until the doctor arrives. Remember that a word of good cheer is often as good as medical aid in cases of shock and faintness. Always try to cheer the injured and to keep them hopeful.

ANATOMY OF THE HUMAN BODY.

In order that first aid may be rendered intelligently and efficiently, it is necessary for those taking up the work to know something about the anatomy and physiology of the human body. Only a mere outline of the subjects can be given in this circular, because to give a full account would make the circular too big, but the reader will find suggested topics for different members of a corps to prepare and present at a class for discussion from time to time.

Some, as bony

The human body is composed of solids and fluids. The fluids are the blood, lymph, chyle, and secretions of the glands and membranes; they make up the greater part of the total weight. The solids form the framework of the body and are called tissues. tissue, are arranged in hard solid masses which possess great firmness and strength; some are arranged as muscle tissue, nerve tissue, epithelial tissue (skin, etc.), each of which has its own peculiar properties.

THE SKELETON.

BONES OF THE SKELETON.

First cervical

or atlas

Second cervicalor axis

The skeleton (fig. 1) is formed of bones, of which there are four varieties: Long bones, short bones, flat bones, and irregular bones. The long bones serve to support the weight of the trunk and act as levers for bodily movements. Short bones are placed in regions where strength and compactness are required rather than extensive motion. Flat bones serve to protect the parts they inclose, and provide broad surfaces for muscle attachment. Irregular bones such as the vertebræ and the bones of the face have the same structure as other bones, but on account of their irregular shape are put in a class by themselves.

For purposes of description the skeleton is divided into the head, trunk, and extremities.

The head is composed of 22 bones, 8 of which are closely united together forming the cranium, a solid case, inclosing and protecting the brain. Fourteen enter into the formation of the face.

First dorsal

10

11

12

First lumbar

3

2

5

9

The trunk is formed of the spine, thorax, and pelvis; it supports the head and connects the upper and lower extremities. The spine consists of 33 irregular bones called vertebræ joined together by ligaments to form a long flexible column which incloses and protects the spinal cord. (See figs. 2 and 3.) The thorax or chest is formed by the 12 dorsal vertebræ behind, the 12 ribs on either side, and the breastbone in front. All the ribs are fastened behind to the spinal column or backbone. The seven upper ribs, known as true ribs, are attached behind to the dorsal vertebræ and in front to the breastbone by means of intervening cartilage. The five lower ribs are called false ribs; the upper three are attached to the cartilage of the ribs above instead of the breastbone, the lower two have no attachment in front and are known as floating ribs. The breastbone is flat, about 6 inches long, and forms the front wall of the chest. At the upper end it is broad and has a depression on each side into which

FIGURE 2.-Side view of the spina column.

fit the ends of the collar bones; it tapers to a point below. The pelvis is a basin-shaped bony structure connecting the lower extremities with the spinal column. It is composed of four bones: The saccrum and coccyx behind and the two innominate or hip bones, one on either side, in front.

THE TRUNK.

The trunk is divided by a large muscle known as the diaphragm into two cavities, the thorax or chest cavity above and the abdominal cavity below. The thorax or chest cavity contains the lungs, heart, gullet (esophagus), windpipe, trachea, and large blood vessels.

and

The abdominal cavity contains nearly all of the digestive organs: Liver, stomach, spleen, pancreas, and large and small intestines, also a part of the urinary system (kidneys, bladder, etc.).

THE EXTREMITIES.

Each upper extremity consists of 32 bones, as follows: Collar bone, 1 shoulder blade, 1 arm bone, 2 forearm bones, 8 carpal or wrist bones, 5 hand or metacarpal bones, and 14 finger bones or phalanges. Each lower extremity consists of 30 bones, 1 femur or thigh bone, 2 leg bones, 1 kneecap, 7 tarsal or ankle bones, 5 foot or metatarsal bones, and 14 toe bones or phalanges.