Miners’ Circular 26 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 
FRANKLIN K. LANE, Secretary' 
BUREAU OF MINES 
VAN. H. MANNING, Director 
MINERS’ SAFETY AND HEALTH ALMANAC 
FOR 1920 
Published in cooperation with the 
UNITED STATES PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
COMPILED BY 
R. C. WILLIAMS 
Assistant Surgeon, United States Public Health Service 
WASHINGTON 
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 
J919 The Bureau of Mines, in carrying out one of the provisions of its organic 
act—to disseminate information concerning investigations made—prints a lim- 
ited free edition of each of its publications. 
When this edition is exhausted, copies may be obtained at cost price only 
through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Wash- 
ington, D. C. 
The Superintendent of Documents is not an official of the Bureau of Mines. 
His is an entirely separate office, and he should be addressed: 
Superintendent of Documents, 
Government Printing Office, 
Washington, D. C. 
The general law under which publications are distributed prohibits the giving 
of more than one copy of a publication to one person. The price of this pub- 
lication is 10 cents. 
Persons desiring for lecture purposes the use, free of charge, of lantern slides 
of the illustrations in this publication,, should make request of the Director of 
the Bureau of Mines, Washington, D. 0. 
2 
First edition. December, 1919. CONTENTS. 
Page. 
Introduction 
Influenza and pneumonia 6 
First aid g 
Safety first 7 
Safety and the English language 8 
Keep well 9 
Nature of miners’ consumption 10 
Avoid the rock dust H 
Going into the mine with a safety lamp 12 
Miners’ nystagmus 12 
Health and safety 12 
Peace gardens 13 
Contagious diseases among children 14 
Seven deadly sins against the baby 15 
Methods of preventing coal-dust explosions 16 
Drinking water underground ' 16 
Vaccination U 
Malaria . 
The prevention of the breeding of mosquitoes 18 
Fish as destroyers of mosquitoes 18 
Good teeth 19 
Flies— — 20 
Acceptable drinking water for mining camps 20 
Education versus force 21 
Physical examination for the whole family at regular intervals 22 
Typhoid fever 22 
Safety measures 23 
School inspection ' 24 
Adenoids t 24 
Thrift 25 
Patent medicines 26 
Accident prevention 27 
Prevalence of miners’ consumption • 28 
Fight venereal diseases 28 
Care in handling detonators 29 
Sanitary housing . 30 
Dust and ventilation in mines 32 
Mine gases : 34 
Average height, weight, and age for men and women 35 
The sanitary pail privy 37 
Construction of sanitary privy box 37 
A concrete-vault sanitary privy 40 
Construction of sanitary concrete-vault privy 42 
Method of use 43 
Final disposal of excreta 43 
Advantages of the sanitary privy 43 
Headquarters of mine-rescue cars 44 
Headquarters of mine-rescue stations 45 
Publications of the Bureau of Mines 47 
Publications of the United States Public Health Service 49 
3 ILLUSTRATIONS. 
Page. 
Figure 1. “ Emblem ” of the Bureau of Mines 5 
2. Keep the “ Safety ” lamp burning 8 
3. It is folly to expose yourself needlessly to disease 26 
4. Don’t go about blindfolded 31 
5. Watch for danger in the mine 33 
6. If a miner, like a cat, had nine lives, he could afford to take 
chances 36 
7. Sketch showing sanitary privy box with stack 38 
8. Sketch showing installation of sanitary box in privy !_ 39 
9. Sketch showing house and vault of sanitary privy 40 
10. Plan and elevation of concrete-vault privy 41 
11. End section of concrete-vault privy 42 
12. New all-steel mine-rescue car of the Bureau of Mines 44 
13. Mine-rescue truck of the Bureau of Mines 45 
14. Miner wearing self-contained mine-rescue breathing appa- 
ratus, front view 46 
15. Miner wearing breathing apparatus, back view 46 MINERS’ SAFETY AND HEALTH ALMANAC FOR 1920. 
Compiled by R. C. Williams. 
INTRODUCTION. 
This Miner’s Safety and Health Almanac, for the calendar year 
1920, is the second of a series published by the Bureau of Alines, the 
first, for the year 1919, having been issued as Miners’ Circular 24. 
Besides being useful as a calendar, this almanac contains informa- 
tion on different diseases that cause much sickness and death among 
miners and their families, and points out how such diseases can be 
kept from starting and spreading. Also, it describes some of the 
more common causes of accidents in mines and shows how the miner 
can lessen the risks of his work. 
Every miner owes it to himself and his family to keep healthy. 
Sickness means loss of time and money, and often it means death, 
permanent incapacity, or reduced efficiency. By carefully observ- 
ing the health hints set forth in the following pages, the miner can 
do much toward protecting himself and family against the diseases 
mentioned. 
Accidents in mines are not always avoidable, but by care and 
watchfulness many of the accidents that daily happen in mines could 
be prevented. By studying the safety precautions in this booklet 
the miner will learn how to make his work safer and how to better 
guard himself and his fellow miners against accident or disaster. 
FIGURE 1.—■“ Emblem ” of the “ battalions ” of the Bureau of Mines. 
5 6 
miners’ safety and health almanac. 
INFLUENZA AND PNEUMONIA. 
Among the diseases to be avoided by miners and their families 
are influenza and pneumonia. These diseases are in a large measure 
preventable if the proper precautions are followed. 
In guarding against disease of any kind it is important that the 
body be kept strong and thus able to fight off disease germs. This 
can be done by keeping the body well clothed and by eating enough 
wholesome and properly selected food. 
Influenza and pneumonia are sputum-borne diseases. By this is 
meant that the disease is spread by the transfer of secretions from 
the mouth, nose, and throat of a person who has the disease or still 
lias the germs in his body to a noninfected person. It is a disgust- 
ing, but, nevertheless, important fact that sputum is very widely 
spread by getting on the various articles that we handle every day. 
Many times each day our hands travel to our mouth or nose and 
without our thinking of it carry to other objects the secretions from 
the mouth, nose, or throat. Articles handled by several persons, such 
as door knobs, mining tools, shovels, and common drinking cups, 
may be the means of spreading this sputum from one to another. 
In. observing precautions to protect against sputum-borne disease, 
these should be kept in mind: 
1. Have plenty of fresh air in your living room, sleeping room, 
and working place. 
2. Avoid excesses of any kind, loss of sleep, and excessive fatigue 
3. Keep in good physical condition. 
4. Avoid sudden chilling. 
5. Provide enough ventilation. 
6. Avoid close contact with persons suffering from the disease. 
FIRST AID. 
Every man employed in or around mines should be familiar with 
the fundamental principles of first aid to injured persons. Many 
times has first-aid training proven of value in affording temporary 
relief and preventing further harm to injured miners. 
First aid is not expected to supplant or interfere with the treat- 
ment to be given by the physician or surgeon, but has a special 
usefulness in caring for the injured person until medical aid can be 
obtained. 
“ Every man in or around the mines a first-aid man ” is an 
excellent motto. miners’ safety and health almanac. 
7 
First Month. 
JANUARY. 
31 Days 
moon’s phases. 
Fullmoon 
Last Quarter 
New Moon .. 
First Quarter 
EASTESN TIME. 
D. H. M. 
... 0 9 5 A. M. 
...12 12 9 p.m. 
...20 5 27 P. M. 
...28 3 38 p.m. 
To obtain moon’s phases 
in— 
Central time 
subtract 1 hour. 
Mountain time 
subtract 2 hours. 
Pacific time 
subtract 3 hours. 
This table is calculated for 
Washington, I). C., Virginia, 
Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, 
Colorado, Utah, Nevada, 
and central California. Ex- 
act time for rising and setting 
of sun may vary 2 to 30 
minutes, more or less, from 
this table in other sections of 
the United States, depending 
on the parallel of latitude 
uoon which a given place is 
situated. 
Day of 
month. 
Day of 
week. 
SAFETY HINTS AND HISTORICAL EVENTS. 
Sun 
rises. 
Sun 
sets. 
1 
Thu. 
New Year’s Day. Begin the year right. Ventilate. 
7.19 
4. 48 
2 
Fri. 
Wear plenty of clothing to keep warm. 
7. 19 
4. 49 
3 
Sat. 
Fresh air helps to prevent influenza and pneumonia. 
7.19 
4.50 
4 
Sun. 
Never remove a safety flag, sign, or notice. 
Roentgen announced discovery of X ray, 1896. 
7.19 
4. 51 
5 
Mon. 
7 19 
4.52 
6 
Tue. 
Ex-President Theodore Roosevelt died, 1919. 
7.19 
4. 53 
7 
Wed. 
Assist your fellow workmen to catch the safety habit. 
7.19 
4. 54 
8 
Thu. 
Keep in good condition; this helps to ward off pneu- 
monia. 
7. 19 
4. 54 
9 
Fri. 
British forces evacuated Gallipoli, 1916. 
7.19 
4. 55 
10 
Sat. 
Safety first, last, and always. 
Z. 19 
4. 56 
11 
Sun. 
Avoid intimate contact with persons who have a cold 
or la grippe. 
7.19 
4. 57 
12 
Mon. 
Fresh air does not necessarily mean cold air. 
7.18 
4. 58 
13 
Tue. 
Now abideth Efficiency, Rapidity, and Safety, but 
the greatest of these is Safety. 
7. 18 
4. 59 
14 
Wed. 
Report all births and deaths in your family to the 
local registrar. 
7.18 
5. 01 
15 
Thu. 
Constantly refresh your memory on first-aid training. 
7.18 
5. 02 
16 
Fri. 
Sufficient heating is as important as sufficient ven- 
tilation. 
7.17 
5. 03 
17 
Sat. 
Cases of communicable disease must be reported to 
local health officer. 
7.17 
5. 04 
18 
Sun. 
Do not use turpentine on wounds, iodine is best. 
7.16 
5. 05 
19 
Mon. 
“Safety first. ” Always keep it in mind. 
7.16 
5, 06 
20 
Tue. 
Iodine is the best first-aid antiseptic. 
7.16 
5. 07 
21 
Wed. 
United States Government takes over Dutch ships 
in American ports, 1918. 
7.15 
5. 08 
22 
Thu. 
Treat colds promptly; they often lead to pneumonia. 
7.14 
5. 09 
23 
Fri. 
Be careful; help prevent accidents. 
7.14 
5.10 
24 
Sat. 
United Mine Workers of America organized, 1890. 
7.13 
5. 12 
25 
Sun. 
Harwick mine disaster, Cheswick, Pa., 1904; 179 
deaths. 
7.13 
5.13 
26 
Mon. 
Has your mining camp a first-aid team? 
7.12 
5.14 
27 
Tue. 
Samuel Gompers, President American Federation of 
Labor, born 1850. 
7.11 
5.15 
28 
Wed. 
Learn first aid thoroughly. 
7.10 
5.16 
29 
Thu. 
President William MpKinley born, 1843. 
7.10 
6. 17 
30 
Fri. 
Keep physically fit; you are less likely to get pneu- 
monia. 
7. 09 
5.18 
31 
Sat. 
Germany announces unrestricted submarine warfare, 
1917. 
7. 08 
5. 20 
SAFETY FIRST. 
Most men always think of accidents as happening to the other fellow. Did you ever figure 
that YOU have an even chance of being this “ other fellow ? ” 
You can reduce this chance by thinking and talking safety. 
SELECTED 8 
miners’ safety and health almanac. 
SAFETY AND THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 
The frequent occurrence of accidents that are the result of miners 
not being familiar with the English language brings out clearly the 
need for every man who goes underground to understand English. 
A foreign-born miner may prefer to speak his native language, 
because it is much easier for him to talk and to think in that lan- 
guage. However, as most of the settlers in this country before the 
year 1860 came from countries where the English language is used 
it was naturally adopted as the common language of this country. 
Probably 75 per cent of our people use and understand no other 
language. 
A miner speaking a foreign tongue seeks employment from a 
foreman who can talk to and direct him only in English. He goes 
underground, where all printed danger signs are written in English. 
He receives spoken warning of dangers and of dangerous conditions 
from an underground boss, also in English. If he does not make 
an earnest effort to learn this language he not only puts his own life 
in danger, but his mistakes through misunderstanding orders may 
imperil the lives of his fellow workers. Two or three hundred words 
of English learned will enable a man to understand and be under- 
stood by those who have regard for his safety and their own. 
Do not forget that the great majority of the men who come to 
this country remain here and become citizens. They are just as 
responsible for and may have just as much part in the running of 
the local and National Government as the wealthiest citizen of the 
town in which they work. Therefore to become a good useful citizen 
each she aid know the English language. 
So for the sake of greater safety everywhere in mines and for 
better mining-town conditions and government every miner in this 
country should try to learn the English language. 
E. A. Holbrook, 
Mining Engineer, 
Federal Bureau of Mines. 
SAFETY FIRST 
FIGURE 2.—Keep the “ Safety ” lamp burning. 
!3 Ul\ <? Un a (V miners’ safety and health almanac. 
9 
Second Month. 
FEBRUARY. 
5>9 Days. 
This table is calculated for 
MOON’S. PHASES. 
EASTERN TIME 
Washington, D. C., Vir- 
D 
H. 
M. 
To obtain moon’s phases 
ginia, Kentucky, Missouri, 
Full Moon 
... 3 
8 
42 A.M. 
in— 
Central time, 
Kansas, Colorado, Utah, 
Nevada, and central Cali- 
Last Quarter 
....11 
8 
49 A.M. 
subtract 1 hour. 
Mountain time 
fornia. Exact time for 
rising and setting of sun 
New Moon 
...19 
9 
35 A.M. 
subtract two hours. 
Pacific time 
may vary 2 to 30 minutes, 
more or less, from this 
First Quarter 
...20 
11 
50 P. M. 
subtract 3 hours. 
table in other sections of 
the United States, depend- 
ing on the parallel of lati- 
tude upon which a given 
place is situated. 
Day of 
month 
Day of 
week. 
SAFETY HINTS AND HISTORICAL EVENTS. 
Sun 
Rises. 
Sun 
Sets. 
1 
Sun. 
Foreign-born miners should learn to speak English. 
“Ground hog” Day. 
7.07 
5.21 
2 
Hon. 
7.06 
5.22 
3 
Tue. 
United States severed relations with Germany. 
Ambassador dismissed, 1917. 
7.05 
5.23 
4 
Wed. 
Registration of German aliens in United States began, 
1918. 
7.04 
5,24 
5 
Thu. 
Keep the whole family in good health. 
7.03 
5.25 
6 
Fri. 
Many accidents can be avoided if all men who work 
underground understand English. 
7.02 
5.27 
7 
Sat. 
Many diseases as well as accidents are preventable. 
7.01 
5.28 
8 
Sun. 
Report all births and deaths to the registrar. 
7.00 
5.29 
9 
Mon. 
To become a good American, learn English. 
6.59 
5.30 
10 
Tue. 
By persistent effort any foreign-born miner can learn 
to speak enough English to be understood. 
6.58 
5.31 
11 
Wed. 
Every citizen has a part in the government of our 
Nation. Become a citizen. 
6.57 
5.32 
12 
Thu. 
Abraham Lincoln born, 1809. 
6.56 
5.33 
13 
Fri. 
Prevention is better than cure; this is true of acci- 
dents and diseases. 
6.55 
5.35 
14 
Sat. 
St. Valentine’s Day. 
6.54 
5.36 
15 
Sun. 
President Wilson sailed from France, first return, 
1919. 
6.52 
5.37 
16 
Mon. 
Learn English; it will help to prevent accidents. 
6.51 
5.38 
17 
Tue. 
Personal cleanliness is the first step toward keeping 
well. 
6.50 
5.39 
18 
Wed. 
Be sure you understand the boss’s directions. 
6.49 
5.40 
19 
Thu. 
Help foreign-born miners to learn to speak English. 
6.47 
5.41 
20 
Fri. 
Virginia City (Ala.) mine disaster, 1905; 108 killed. 
6.46 
5.42 
21 
Sat. 
Germans begin attack on Verdun, 1916. 
6.45 
5.43 
22 
Sun. 
George Washington born, 1732. 
6.43 
5.45 
23 
Mon. 
President Wilson reaches United States after first trip 
to Europe, 1919. 
6.42 
5.46 
24 
Tue. 
France proclaimed a Republic, 1848. 
6.41 
5.47 
25 
Wed. 
Cleanliness is always desirable. 
6.39 
5.48 
26 
Thu. 
1 .earn the English language. 
6.38 
5.49 
27 
Fri. 
Report communicable diseases to the health officer- 
6.36 
6.50 
28 
Sat. 
Keep in good health. ,x 
6.36 
5.51 
29 
Sun. 
An additional day; use it to advantage. 
6.35 
5.52 
Soapsuds and a scrubbing brush, which cost little, and sunshine and fresh air, which cost 
nothing, often make large expenditures for doctors and medicines wholly unnecessary. A 
tan skin and freckles, with the flush of health, produce a type of beauty that all the cosme- 
tics in the world can not imitate. No rouge or powder can produce a complexion that nature 
makes by the skillful admixture of sunshine, fresh air, cleanlineess, and wholesome living. 
KEEP WELL. 
142902°—19 2 
ILLINOIS HEALTH NEWS. 10 
miners’ safety and health almanac. 
NATURE OF MINERS’ CONSUMPTION. 
Continuous breathing of the very fine, sharp particles of flint that 
constitute the dust in many metal mines produces a mechanical in- 
jury to the lungs, causing a disease peculiar to the mining industry, 
and known as miners’ consumption, miners’ phthisis, miners’ asthma, 
silicosis, or, more accurately pneumoconiosis due to siliceous rock 
dust. 
Being mechanically produced, miners’ consumption is neither 
contagious nor infectious. The lung, irritated, inflamed, and in- 
juied by the hard-rock dust, becomes fibroid—that is, there is de- 
veloped throughout it a scar-like tissue, which interferes with the 
normal elasticity of the lung and prevents proper breathing. The 
disease may attack one or both lungs, but is usually evenly distributed 
on both sides. Miners’ consumption has long been recognized in the 
mines of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, in the Bendigo district 
of Australia, in Cornwall, and elsewhere. As this form of con- 
sumption becomes established, there is gradual impairment of work- 
ing ability, owing to shortness of breath, with coughing, loss of 
weight, and weakness. There is also a disposition to “ catch cold ” 
easily, and the cold is apt to settle on the chest. The intensity of 
miners’ consumption varies, all grades of severity being seen, de- 
pending on the nature of the dust and the length of time spent under- 
ground, or rather the extent of exposure. It may persist for years, 
and tends gradually to produce total disability. 
There is, however, a deeper menace than gradual disability. As 
the vitality of the whole body is lowered, the injured lung presents 
an ideal site for the development of tuberculosis. When this hap- 
pens, not only is the miner threatened with an early death or, at 
least, a more hopeless future; but, having now a contagious disease, 
he becomes a source of danger to others—his fellow workmen and 
his family. A tuberculous infection may take place at any stage 
of miners’ consumption, and it is the opinion of the writer that prac- 
tically no cases die without its being present. All cases examined 
that were obviously in a hopeless or dying condition showed tubercle 
bacilli in the sputum. In other cases, either where the men were still 
working, or where they were disabled, tubercle bacilli were present 
in some and not in others. 
A. J. Lanza, 
United States Public Health Service. 
Passed Assistant Surgeon, MINERS ’ SAFETY AND HEALTH ALMANAC. 
11 
Third Month. 
MARCH. 
31 Days. 
MOON’S phases. 
Full Moon 
Last Quarter 
New Moon 
First Quarter 
EASTERN TIME. 
D. H. M. 
..4 9 13 A. M. 
.12 5 57 A. M. 
. 19 10 53 P. M. 
. 26 6 45 P. M. 
To obtain moon’s phases 
in— 
Central time 
subtract 1 hour. 
Mountain time 
substract 2 hours. 
Pacific time 
subtract 3 hours. 
This table is calculated for 
Washington, D. C., Virginia, 
Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, 
Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and 
central California. Exact 
time for rising and setting of 
sun may vary 2 to 30 minutes, 
more or less, from this table 
in other sections of the 
United States, depending on 
the parallel of latitude upon 
which a given place is situ- 
ated. 
Day of 
month. 
Day of 
week. 
SAFETY HINTS AND HISTORICAL EVENTS. 
Sun 
rises. 
Sun 
sets. 
1 
Mon. 
What are you doing to aid in preventing rock dust? 
6. 34 
5. 52 
2 
Tue. 
Lay land (W. Ya.) mine explosion, 1915; 112 killed. 
6. 32 
5. 53 
3 
Wed. 
Brest-Litovsk treaty signed, 1918. 
6. 32 
5. 54 
4 
Thu. 
President Wilson inaugurated second term, 1917. 
6. 29 
5. 55 
5 
Fri. 
Do not fill your lungs with rock dust. 
6 28 
5. 56 
6 
Sat. 
Inform the local health officer of communicable disease 
6. 27 
5. 57 
7 
Sun, 
Use the water drill in overhead drilling. 
6. 25 
5. 58 
8 
Mon. 
Keep the rock dust down. 
6. 23 
5. 59 
9 
Tue. 
Americans wipe out a mile of German trenches, 1918. 
6 22 
6. 00 
10 
Wed. 
Secretary of War Baker visits American front, 1918. 
6. 20 
6. 01 
11 
Thu. 
Protect yourself from rock dust. 
6. 19 
6 02 
12 
Fri. 
Russian Revolution began, Czar deposed, 1917. 
6. 17 
6. 03 
13 
Sat. 
The wet drill for overhead drilling is troublesome, but 
worth the trouble. 
6. 16 
6. 04 
14 
Sun. 
Miners’ consumption was known to the ancients. 
6. 14 
6. 05 
is 
Mon. 
Take proper care of the feet. 
6. 13 
6. 06 
16 
Tue. 
Breathing rock dust produces miners’ consumption. 
St. Patrick’s Day, 
6. 11 
6. 07 
17 
Wed. 
6. 09 
6. 08 
18 
Thu. 
Tuberculosis often accompanies miners’ consumption. 
6. 08 
6. 09 
19 
Fri. 
First telephone message across the Atlantic, 1919. 
6. 06 
6. 10 
20 
Sat. 
Wear shoes that fit; tight shoes cause corns. 
6. 05 
6. 11 
21 
Sun. 
Somme defensive began, 1918. 
6. 03 
6. 12 
22 
Mon. 
Coal miners very rarely have miners’ consumption. 
6. 02 
6. 13 
23 
Tue. 
Each miner can do much to reduce the dust hazard. 
6. 00 
6. 14 
24 
Wed. 
Take good care of your lungs; they are useful. 
5. 58 
6.15 
25 
Thu. 
Report births and deaths to the local registrar. 
5. 57 
6.16 
26 
Fri. 
Ancient records speak of “the metal digger who 
breathes with difficulty and is of a pale, wan com- 
plexion.” 
5. 55 
6. 17 
27 
Sat. 
Using the wet drill prevents rock dust. 
5. 54 
6.18 
28 
Sun. 
Avoid working in dry rock dust as much as possible. 
5. 52 
6, 19 
29 
Mon, 
Foch chosen commander in chief of the Allied forces, 
1918. 
5. 51 
6. 20 
30 
Tue. 
Resnirators are of little use in fine siliceous dust. 
5. 49 
6. 21 
31 
Wed. 
If you work in rock dust, have your lungs examined 
regularly. 
5. 47 
6. 22 
AVOID THE ROCK DUST. 
What can the miner do to avoid breathing dust? Water drills are being used more and 
more. In dry drilling with machines it is possible to lay the dust by water lines or by 
using a squirt gun and water from a bucket, but often men drill with the hole dry rather 
than turn on the water, because it spatters on them, or makes the place sloppy. If you are 
drilling overhead, and the water has to come back on you, wear a rubber hat and boots, and 
if necessary a rubber coat. This is a bother, but it is also a bother to observe all the rules of 
« safety first ” which save lives. Do not breathe hard-rock dust day after day, because if 
you do it will disable you in time. Men who can “ eat rock dust ”—like the men who can 
“ breathe gas ”—die young. 
A. J. LANZA, 
Passed Assistant Surgeon, United States Public Health Service. 12 
MINEKS’ SAFETY AND HEALTH ALMANAC. 
GOING INTO THE MINE WITH A SAFETY LAMP. 
Each miner, upon receiving his lamp, should examine it carefully 
to detect any possible oversight in assembling it. At the entrance 
to the mine an experienced safety-lamp man, usually a fire boss or 
foreman, should examine each lamp taken into the mine, and should 
not permit any lamp to be taken in that shows defects or is im- 
imoperly assembled. 
When lamps that do not have internal igniters go out within the mine, 
they should be taken to the relighting station to be relit. Lamps 
that have internal igniters requiring special electrical appliances 
should also be taken to a relighting station. Before an attempt is 
made to relight a lamp equipped with an internal igniter that may be 
worked by the miner, the lamp should be taken to fresh air or to a 
place where other lamps are burning, especially if the lamp was 
extinguished by being filled with gas. If the lamp was put out by a 
sudden jar or by overturning, it may be safely relighted on the spot, 
provided another lighted lamp is at hand, so that the extinguished 
lamp can be examined to determine that it is not damaged. The 
other lamp should be used to test for the presence of gas before the 
“dead” lamp is relighted. 
James W. Paul, 
Mining Engineer, Federal Bureau of Mines. 
MINERS’ NYSTAGMUS. 
Miners’ nystagmus is a disease of the eyes which is sometimes 
found among miners who have been working underground for a 
number of years. The disease is more common among the miners 
of England than in this country. It is thought to be due to the 
defective light with which miners work and to the strained position 
in which much pick work is often done. Miners affected with the 
disease complain of objects dancing before the eye, and headache. 
Other symptoms are rapid movement to and fro of the eyeball, 
giddiness, and tremors of the head and face. 
The condition may be prevented and improved by the use of good 
lights for underground work. If the trouble persists, the miner 
may have to give up working by artificial light and work only by 
daylight. 
HEALTH AND SAFETY. 
The “ safety-first ” movement has made the miner feel that each 
man is responsible for not only his own safety, but the safety of all 
around him. The same principle is true in preventing sickness. 
Each person is responsible for not only his own health, but the health 
of those around him. When he neglects or breaks one of the common- 
sense rules of health he endangers not only himself, but his family 
and the men who work near him. miners’ safety and health almanac. 
13 
Fourth Month. 
APRIL. 
30 Days, 
MOON’S phases. 
Full Moon 
Last Quarter 
New Moon 
First Quarter 
EA.STERN TIME. 
D. H. M. 
2 10 55 P. M. 
. 11 1 21a.m. 
..IS 9 43 a.m. 
..2.3 1 23 A.M. 
To obtain moon’s phases 
in — 
Central time, 
subtract 1 hour. 
Mountain time, 
subtract 2 hours. 
Pacific time, 
subtract 3 hours. 
This table is calculated for 
Washington, D. C., Virginia, 
Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, 
Colorado, Utah, Nevada,and 
central California. Exact 
time for rising and setting of 
sun may vary 2 to 30 minutes, 
more or less, from this table in 
other sections of the United 
States, dependingon the par- 
allel of latitude upon which 
a given place is situated. 
Day of 
month. 
Day of 
week. 
SAFETY HINTS AND HISTORICAL EVENTS. 
Sun 
rises. 
Sun 
sets. 
1 
Thu. 
April Fools’ Day. 
5. 46 
6. 23 
2 
Fri. 
Good Friday. 
5. 44 
6. 24 
3 
Sat. 
Raise a garden and lower the cost of living. 
5. 43 
6. 25 
4 
Sun. 
Easter Sunday. 
5. 41 
6. 26 
5 
Mon. 
At end of first year of war with Germany, the Ameri- 
can Army totaled more than 1,500,000 men. 
5.40 
6. 27 
6 
Tue. 
United States declared war on Germany, 1917. Third 
Liberty loan offered, 1918. 
5. 38 
6. 28 
7 
Wed. 
Miners’ safety lamp was first invented by an English- 
man, Sir Humphrey Davy. 
5. 37 
6. 29 
8 
Thu. 
Banner mine disaster. Littleton, Ala., 1911; 128 killed. 
5. 35 
6. 30 
9 
Fri. 
Lys defensive began; American troops participated, 
1918. 
5. 34 
6. 31 
10 
Sat. 
Coal miners working in gaseous mines should thor- 
oughly understand safety lamp. 
5. 32 
6. 32 
11 
Sun. 
The local registrar desires reports of all births and 
deaths. 
5. 30 
6. 33 
12 
Mon. 
Gas and coal dust explosions are often the result of 
carelessness. 
5. 29 
6. 33 
13 
Tue. 
Approved electric safety lamps are used in many 
gaseous mines. 
5. 28 
6. 34 
14 
Wed. 
Willard Parker, first American surgeon to advocate 
5. 26 
6. 35 
operation for appendicitis, born 1867. 
Miners’ nystagmus is a disease of the eyes. 
15 
Thu. 
5. 25 
6. 36 
16 
Fri. 
Working in the garden is excellent to teach children 
to be industrious. 
5. 23 
6. 37 
17 
Sat. 
First American division in battle line at Montdidier, 
1918. 
5. 22 
6. 38 
18 
Sun. 
Never unlock a safety lamp in the mine. 
5. 20 
6. 39 
19 
Mon. 
Observe every precaution when in a gaseous mine. 
5. 19 
6. 40 
20 
Tue. 
Communicable diseases are dangerous; report them to 
the local health officer. 
5.17 
6. 41 
21 
Wed. 
Victory Liberty loan offered, 1919. 
5.16 
6. 42 
22 
Thu. 
Allies land at Gallipoli, 1915. 
5. 15 
6. 43 
23 
Fri. 
William Shakespeare born, 1564. British Navy ‘ ‘ bot- 
tles” Zeebrugge, 1919. 
5.13 
6. 44 
24 
Sat. 
First American newspaper printed, 1704. 
5. 12 
6. 45 
25 
Sun. 
The Bureau of Mines has approved certain types of 
5. 11 
6. 46 
electrical safety lamps. 
5. 09 
26 
Mon. 
Confederate Memorial Day. 
6. 47 
27 
Tue. 
Mine disaster, Hastings, Colo., 1917; 122 lives lost. 
5. 08 
6. 48 
28 
Wed. 
Eccles (W. Va.), mine explosion, 1914; 181 killed. 
5. 07 
6. 49 
29 
30 
Thu, 
Fri. 
Plantagarden and enjoy your own vegetables. 
George Washington first inaugurated President, 1789. 
5. 05 
5. 04 
6. 50 
6. 51 
PEACE GARDENS. 
Around most mining camps there is usually a great deal of ground that can be used as 
gardens. Many mining companies encourage the planting of gardens by miners or their 
families. The war gardens demonstrated that large amounts of foodstuffs can be produced 
on a comparatively small area of ground. 
Every miner should have a peace garden and raise his own vegetables. This will not 
only furnish a needed variety of vegetables for his dinner pail and food for his family, but 
will be a considerable factor in reducing living expenses. 
Plant a peace garden and increase the food production. 14 
miners’ saeety and health almanac. 
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES AMONG CHILDREN. 
The spread of most contagious diseases is caused through igno- 
rance or carelessness. As contagious diseases often can not be dis- 
tinguished from the noncontagious, it is wise to separate children 
from every sick person, young or old, until the true nature of the 
illness is known. If the disease is contagious, the separation must 
be kept up. This separation consists in placing the patient in a 
room by himself and giving him separate wash cloths, towels, and 
dishes. One person only should care for the patient, and the cloth- 
ing of this person should be protected by a gown or long apron or 
sheet when in the patient’s room. After caring for or handling the 
patient, the caretaker’s hands should be carefully washed with warm 
water and soap. 
Every person should cooperate to the fullest extent with the local 
department of health in its efforts to limit the spread of communi- 
cable diseases. Do yourself what you would desire of another 
parent whose child might be a source of danger to your own family. 
So-called colds, such as running nose, sore throat, bronchitis, and 
the like are easily communicated to children and may be especially 
serious for the baby. 
Do not sneeze or cough in the baby’s face. A mother should pro- 
tect the baby from catching her own cold by tying a handkerchief 
or piece of cheesecloth over her nose and mouth when nursing or 
caring for her baby. She should not kiss the baby. 
Tuberculosis very often gets its start in infancy. Every effort, 
therefore, should be made to protect the baby from infection. Com- 
mon ways of infecting the baby are by kissing it, coughing or sneez- 
ing near it, or by allowing it to sit on the floor where it has a good 
chance to pick up tuberculosis germs with the dust on its toys or 
other objects and thus get them into its mouth. 
It is a good plan to have a separate room or at least part of a 
room fenced off as the baby’s play room, and to cover the floor with 
a clean sheet each day. Milk from tuberculous cows may also be the 
cause of tuberculosis in the baby. 
Public Health Reports, 
United States Public Health Service. miners’ safety and health almanac. 
15 
Fifth Month. 
MAY. 
31 Days. 
MOON’S PHASES. 
EASTERN TIME. 
D. H. M. 
This table is calculated for 
Washington, I). C., Virginia, 
Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas 
Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and 
central California. Exact 
Full Moon 
.. 2 
1 
47 P. M. 
To obtain moon’s phases 
in— 
Last Quarter 
.. 10 
5 
51 P. M. 
Central time, 
subtract 1 hour. 
time for rising and setting of 
sun may vary 21) 30 minutes, 
New Moon 
.. 17 
6 
25 P. M. 
Mountain time, 
subtract 2 hours. 
more or less, from this table 
in other sections of the 
First Quarter 
.. 21 
9 
7 A. M. 
Pacific time, 
subtract 3 hours. 
United States, depending on 
the parallel of latitude upon 
which a given place is situ- 
ated. 
Day of 
month. 
Day of 
week. 
SAFETY HINTS AND HISTORICAL EVENTS. 
Sun 
rises. 
Sun 
sets. 
1 
Sat. 
Peace Conference receives German credentials. 
5.03 
6.52 
2 
Sun. 
Children require plenty of fresh air. 
5.02 
6.53 
3 
Mon. 
Was the birth of your baby recorded? 
5.01 
6.54 
4 
Tue. 
Third Liberty loan oversubscribed, 1918. 
4. 59 
6.55 
5 
Wed. 
Never kiss a child if you have a cold. 
4.58 
6. 56 
6 
Thu. 
Do not neglect “cross eyes ” in a child. 
4.57 
6.57 
7 
Fri. 
Terms of peace treaty presented to Germans, 1919. 
4.56 
6.58 
8 
Sat. 
When baby is fed with a bottle be sure the milk is clean. 
4.55 
6.'58 
9 
Sun. 
Keep your children at home if they have a contagious 
disease. 
4.54 
6.59 
10 
Mon. 
Victory Liberty loan oversubscribed, 1919. 
4.53 
7.00 
11 
Tue. 
Never deceive a child. 
4.52 
7.01 
12 
Wed. 
Florence Nightingale born, 1820. 
4.51 
7.02 
13 
Thu. 
See that your child attends school regularly. 
4.50 
7.03 
14 
Fri. 
First Liberty loan offered, 1917. 
4.49 
7.04 
15 
Sat. 
Children with cross eyes should be taken to an eye 
specialist. 
4.48 
7.05 
16 
Sun. 
First transatlantic flight began by American aviators, 
1919. 
4.47 
7.06 
17 
Mon. 
Edward Tenner, discoverer of vaccination, born 1749. 
4.46 
7.07 
18 
Tue. 
President Wilson signed selective service act, 1917. 
4.45 
7.08 
19 
Wed. 
Mining should be regarded as one of the skilled trades. 
4.45 
7.09 
20 
Thu. 
Promptly report communicable diseases. 
4.44 
7.09 
21 
Fri. 
Give the baby some water every day. 
4.43 
7.10 
22 
Sat. 
Milk for the baby should be kept cool. 
4.42 
7.11 
23 
Sun. 
Children are great imitators; set a good example. 
4.42 
7.12 
24 
Mon. 
The two most important events in every life, birth and 
death, should be recorded. 
4.41 
7.13 
25 
Tue. 
Every child should be vaccinated by the time it is 1 
year of age. . 
4.40 
7.14 
26 
Wed. 
If you teach your boy to be a miner, teach him to be a 
good miner. 
4.40 
7.14 
27 
Thu. 
Aisne defensive began, 1918, American troops helping. 
4.39 
7.15 
28 
Fri. 
Humphrey Davy, inventor of safety lamp, died 1829. 
4.38 
7.16 
29 
Sat. 
Many children are undernourished, even those from 
wealthy homes. Have your child eat a balanced 
diet. 
4.38 
7.17 
30 
Sun. 
Decoration Day. Surg. Gen. Rupert Blue, U. S. 
P. H. S., born 1867. 
4.37 
7.17 
31 
Mon. 
American aviators complete first transatlantic flight, 
1919. 
4.37 
7.18 
1. Dirty head. 
2. Dirty fingers. 
3. Pacifiers. 
SEVEN DEADLY SINS AGAINST THE BABY. 
5. Shoes too small. 
6. Bulky, wet, and irritating diapers. 
7, Uncomfortable clothing. 
4. Wrong food. 16 
MUSTERS’ SAFETY AND HEALTH ALMANAC. 
METHODS OE PREVENTING COAL-DUST EXPLOSIONS. 
The methods of preventing coal-dust explosions, according to the 
means used, may be grouped under six heads, as follows: 
1. Lessening the production of coal dust. 
2. Preventing coal dust, whether necessarily or unnecessarily made, 
from being spread through the mine. 
3. Preventing coal dust from being ignited. 
4. Preventing coal dust from being raised into the air by a con- 
cussion or an air blast. 
5. Making coal dust, in dry mines, harmless by mixing or covering 
it with rock dust or fine ashes. 
6. Using secondary checks, or safeguards, such as are now known 
as “ rock-dust barriers,” as well as preventive measures. 
The employment of methods coming under the last three heads is 
under the control of the mine management, but the personal safety 
of the miners is concerned, and they should therefore note whether 
the method adopted is being thoroughly carried out. If it is not, 
then their duty is to bring the deficiency to the attention of the 
proper mine officials, in a friendly way; or if the conditions are seri- 
ous, to call them to the attention of the State mine inspector. 
The miner is deeply concerned in the first three methods, inas- 
much as he can greatly assist in lessening both the production and 
the distribution of the coal dust, and he is largely responsible for 
ignition or nonignition of the dust. 
George S. Rice, 
Chief Mining Engineer, 
Federal Bureau of Mines. 
DRINKING WATER UNDERGROUND. 
The drinking water used by miners underground is of as much 
importance as that in use on the surf ace. The water used for drink- 
ing purposes underground should be free from filth or contamination. 
A public drinking cup should not be used. Many diseases are spread 
in this manner, among which are common colds, influenza, pneu- 
monia, and syphilis. Each miner should have his own drinking cup, 
or in mines where drinking water is piped underground a simple 
sanitary device may be arranged by means of a pipe, with a union 
on the end too big to be placed in the mouth. It is better so to place 
the union on the end of the pipe that the water will not come in an 
upright stream, but pour out on the side. MINEKS’ SAFETY AND HEALTH ALMANAC. 
17 
Sixth Month. 
JUNE. 
30 Days. 
MOON’S PHASES. 
Full Moon 
Last Quarter 
New Moon 
First Quarter 
Full Moon 
EASTERN 
D. H. 
..15 
.. 9 0 
..16 1 
..22 6 
..30 8 
TIM". 
M. 
18 A. M. 
58 A. M. 
41 A. M. 
50 P. M. 
41 P. M. 
To obtain moon’s phases 
in— 
Central time, 
subtract 1 hour. 
Mountain time, 
subtract 2hours. 
Pacific time, 
subtract 3 hours. 
This table is calculated for 
Washington, D. C., Virginia, 
Kentucky, Missouri, Kan- 
sas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, 
and central California. Exact 
time for rising and setting of 
sun may vary 2 to 30 minutes 
more or less from this table 
in other sections of the 
United Ftates, depending on 
the parallel of latitude u)x>n 
which a given place is situ- 
ated. 
Day of 
month. 
Day of 
week. 
SAFETY HINTS AND HISTORICAL EVENTS. 
Sun 
rises. 
Sun 
sets. 
1 
Tue. 
Germans cross Marne, 46 miles from Paris, 1918. 
4.37 
7.19 
2 
Wed. 
Vaccination prevents smallpox. 
4.36 
7.20 
3 
Thu. 
William Harvey, discoverer of the circulation of the 
blood, died 1657. 
4.36 
7.20 
4 
Fri. 
Help make coal dust harmless. 
4.36 
7.21 
5 
Sat. 
Registration of all males in United States between 21 
and 31, 1917. 
4.35 
7.22 
6 
Sun. 
American marines take part of Belleau Wood, 1918. 
4.35 
7.22 
7 
Mon. 
Every person should be vaccinated against smallpox 
at least every seven years. 
4.35 
7.23 
8 
Tue. 
Mine fire, Butte, Mont., 1917; 164 lives lost. 
4.34 
7.23 
9 
Wed. 
Montdidier-Noyon defensive began, 1918, American 
troops participating. 
4.34 
7.24 
10 
Thu. 
Watch the top! 
4.34 
7.24 
11 
Fri. 
Eventually, why not now? You must get the safety 
habit. 
4.34 
7.25 
12 
Sat. 
Always do a thing the safe way. 
4.34 
7.25 
13 
Sun. 
If the drinking water underground is not clean, take 
in your drinking water with you. 
4.34 
7.26 
14 
Mon. 
National Flag Day. 
4.34 
7.26 
15 
Tue. 
First Liberty loan oversubscribed, 1917. 
4.34 
7.27 
16 
Wed. 
First nonstop transatlantic flight completed, 1919. 
4.34 
7.27 
17 
Thu. 
Neglected coal dust is often the cause of mine explo- 
sions. 
4.34 
7.27 
18 
Fri. 
The local registrar should be assisted in recording all 
births and deaths. 
4.34 
7.28 
19 
Sat. 
Dust, disaster, destruction. 
4.34 
7.28 
20 
Sun. 
Never use a public drinking cup. 
4.34 
7.28 
21 
Mon. 
Take no chances; a chalk mark will not hold up the 
4.34 
. 7. 29 
22 
Tue. 
top. 
When drinking water is piped underground, some 
sanitary device should be provided. 
4.35 
7.29 
23 
Wed. 
The presence of coal dust is an accident hazard. 
4.35 
7.29 
24 
Thu. 
Speed+carelessness=accident. 
4. 35 
7. 29 
25 
Fri. 
Communicable diseases should be reported to the local 
health officer. 
4.35 
7.29 
26 
Sat. 
Clean drinking water is important on the surface and 
underground. 
4.36 
7.29 
27 
Sun. 
Universal vaccination will banish smallpox. 
4.36 
7.29 
28 
Mon. 
American troops land in France, 81 days after the 
declaration of war, 1917. Peace signed by Allies 
and Germany, 1919. 
4.36 
7.29 
29 
Tue. 
President Wilson left France for return to America, 
1919. 
4.37 
7.29 
30 
Wed. 
John Barleycorn died, 1919. 
4. 37 
7. 29 
Do not forget that the earlier a child is vaccinated, the sooner it is protected against 
smallpox. No one can forsee when and where an outbreak of smallpox will take place. 
It is well, therefore, to be prepared. s 
The best time to have a baby vaccinated is in its first year. If the baby is healthy it may 
be vaccinated as early as the third or fourth month. 
VACCINATION. 
142902°—19 8 18 
MIHEEs’ SAFETY AjSTD HEALTH ALMANAC. 
MALARIA. 
Malaria is a disease which though preventable is still prevalent in 
many parts of the United States. 
Malaria is spread from infected to noninfected persons only by the 
bite of a certain variety of mosquito. 
The prevention of malaria, therefore, depends upon two things: 
(1) Prevention of mosquitoes by destroying their breeding places. 
(2) Thorough and persistent treatment of all cases of malaria 
until cured. 
THE PREVENTION OF THE BREEDING OF MOSQUITOES 
The anopheles mosquito is the only variety that spreads malaria. 
The breeding of these mosquitoes may be prevented if— 
(1) Standing water in pools and other places is drained off. 
(2) The surface of ponds, etc., is kept cleared of vegetation and 
debris, the banks cleaned and cut down vertically, giving a smooth 
margin; and 
(a) An abundance of suitable fish introduced; or 
(b) A complete film of oil applied; or 
(c) Swift flow of water set up to carry off or destroy larvae. 
(8) The water is treated with an effective larvicide. It is impor- 
tant to choose the proper method to suit local conditions. 
FISH AS DESTROYERS OF MOSQUITOES. 
Small fish, usually known as “ top minnows,” technically known as 
Gambusia affinis, have been found by experiments conducted by the 
United States Public Health Service to be valuable in destroying 
mosquito larvae and wiggletails. This fish is especially suitable for 
antimosquito work, because— 
{a) It seeks its food at the surface. 
(b) It is very prolific. 
(c) It gives birth to well-developed young, therefore requiring 
no special environment for depositing and hatching the 
eggs. 
(d) It lives and thrives under a large variety of conditions and 
frequents areas especially suitable for the support of the 
mosquito larvae. 
(e) It usually lives and multiplies in ponds stocked with pre- 
dacious fishes providing it has very shallow water for 
refuge. miners’ safety and health almanac. 
19 
Seventh Month. 
JULY. 
31 Days. 
MOON'S PHASES. 
EASTERN TIME. 
D. H. M. 
This table is calculated for 
Washington, D. C., Virginia, 
Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, 
Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and 
central Cali fornia. E xact time 
Last Quarter 
.. 8 
5 
G P. M. 
To obtain moon's phase 
in— 
New Moon 
.. 15 
8 
25 A. M. 
Central time, 
subtract 1 hour. 
for rising and setting of sun 
may vary 2to 30minutes, more 
First Quarter 
.. 22 
7 
20 A. M. 
Mountain time, 
subtract 2 hours. 
or less, from this table in other 
sections of the United States, 
Full Moon 
.. 30 
11 
19 A. M. 
Pacific time, 
subtract 3 hours. 
depending on the parallel of 
latitude upon which a given 
place is situated. 
Day of 
month. 
Day of 
week. 
SAFETY HINTS AND HISTORICAL EVENTS. 
Sun 
rises. 
Sun 
sets. 
1 
Thu. 
Bureau of Mines established, 1910 
4.38 
7.29 
2 
Fri. 
Bad teeth are the source of many ills. 
4.38 
7.29 
3 
Sat. 
Report all communicable diseases to health officer. 
4.39 
7.29 
4 
Sun. 
Independence Day. 
4.39 
7.29 
5 
Mon. 
Malaria can not be spread without mosquitoes. 
4.40 
7.29 
6 
Tue. 
Dr. Pasteur gave first antirabies treatment, 1885. 
4.40 
7.23 
7 
Wed. 
First aid to digestion—good teeth. 
4.41 
7.23 
8 
Thu. 
PresidentWilson arrived from France, 1919. 
4.41 
7.28 
9 
Fri. 
Mobilization of National Guard ordered, 1917. 
4.42 
7.23 
10 
Sat. 
Drain stagnant water. 
4.43 
7.27 
11 
Sun. 
Keeping the teeth clean prevents their decay. 
4.43 
7.27 
12 
Mon. 
Eleven American divisions on battle line, 1918. 
4.44 
7.26 
13 
Tue. 
J. A. Holmes, first Director Bureau of Mines, died, 1915. 
4.45 
7.26 
14 
Wed. 
French Bastille Day, 1793. 
4.45 
7.26 
15 
Thu. 
Champagne-Marne defensive began, 1918, American 
troops participating. 
4.46 
7.25 
16 
Fri. 
United States Public Health Service established, 1793. 
4.47 
7.24 
17 
Sat. 
Surrender of Santiago to Americans, 1898. 
4.48 
7.24 
18 
Sun. 
Aisne-Mame offensive began, 1918, U. S. troops there. 
4.48 
7.23 
19 
Mon. 
Germans began retreat across Marne, 1918. 
4.49 
7.23 
20 
Tue. 
Destroy mosquito breeding places and help banish 
malaria. 
4.50 
7.22 
21 
Wed. 
Treat malaria until thoroughly cured. 
4.51 
7.21 
22 
Thu. 
“Top minnows” will destroy mosquito wigglers. 
4.51 
7.21 
23 
Fri. 
Read Deut. 23:12-14 for sanitary law of Israelites. 
4.52 
7.20 
24 
Sat. 
If you have toothache, see the dentist at once. 
4.53 
7.19 
25 
Sun. 
Record all births and deaths with local registrar. 
4.55 
7.18 
26 
Mon. 
Clean your mouth daily. 
4.55 
7.17 
27 
Tue. 
Oiling prevents mosquitoes in undrained places. 
4.56 
7.17 
28 
Wed. 
Many cases of indigestion result from poor teeth. 
4.56 
7.16 
29 
Thu. 
French and Americans advance on 20-mile front, 1918. 
4.57 
7.15 
30 
Fri. 
When brushing your teeth, scrub in all directions. 
4.58 
7.14 
31 
Sat. 
Malaria is spread only by the anophelme mosquito. 
4.59 
7.13 
GOOD TEETH. 
The proper care and preservation of the teeth is a most important consideration in the 
protection of the health. Digestion of food begins in the mouth, and unless the food is 
properly chewed digestion will be interferred with materially. 
Children should early be trained to realize the great necessity for regular and careful 
brushing of the teeth. Such training is best impressed by a good example of the parents. 
Careful inspection of the teeth every six months by a capable dentist is necessary in order 
to detect any small cavities or needed dental work. Clean teeth seldom decay. The teeth 
should be brushed daily. 20 
miners’ safety and health almanac. 
FLIES. 
Every miner knows that the common house fly is a filthy, annoying 
pest. It is also important to realize that flies are dangerous as well 
as disagreeable, for numerous diseases are spread through the agency 
of the common filth fly. Tuberculosis, typhoid fever, the diarrheal 
diseases of children, dysentery, and other diseases are spread by flies 
carrying germ-laden filth from sick to well persons. 
Thus it is readily seen that the prevention and destruction of flies 
is an important means of preventing the diseases spread by flies. 
Efforts directed toward killing flies, as trapping or swatting are 
good, but measures that prevent their hatching and breeding are 
better. Flies hatch, breed and live in filth, much of their food is 
obtained from filth, so the cleaning up and removal of filth means 
the chances for flies to breed are greatly decreased. Stables, cow 
lots, garbage heaps, and open privy vaults furnish inviting breeding 
places for flies. All such places should be cleaned at regular in- 
tervals, at least every 10 days. Stable manure if scattered will dry 
and not furnish a place for flies to hatch. Garbage may be disposed 
of by burning or other suitable means. 
Abolish the breeding places of flies, and thus prevent them rather 
than try and destroy them. 
ACCEPTABLE DRINKING WATER FOR MINING CAMPS. 
The problem of clean drinking water for mining camps is one 
which is often overlooked. Clean drinking water for mining camps 
and towns is just as essential as clean food, clean air, or clean homes. 
The source of drinking water is of prime importance, and should 
be carefully protected from contamination or pollution. If the 
source is a stream it may be necessary to allow the water to settle 
and treat it chemically before being ready for use. All lakes or 
streams used as sources of drinking water should be protected from 
pollution. 
Water obtained from shallow surface wells very often contains 
filth. Deep wells, those that penetrate an impervious strata of rock, 
are properly curbed and have a pump, are usually safe. No shallow 
wells are safe. 
Bacteriological examination of any and all sources of drinking 
water should be made at least every six months. Boiling will render 
any water safe for drinking. miners’ safety and health almanac. 
21 
Eighth Month. 
AUGUST. 
31 Days. 
MOON’S phases. 
EASTERN TIME. 
D. IT. M. 
This table is calculated for 
Washington, D. C., Virginia, 
Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, 
Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and 
central California. Exact 
Last Quarter 
... 7 
0 
51 A. M. 
To obtain moon’s phases 
in— 
New Moon 
...13 
3 
44 P. M. 
Central time, subtract 1 
hour. Mountain time, 
time for rising and setting of 
sun may vary 2 to 30 minutes, 
First Quarter 
...20 
10 
52 P. M. 
subtract 2 hours. 
Pacific time, subtract 
more or less, from this table 
in other sections of the 
Full Moon 
...29 
1 
3 A. M. 
hours. 
United States, depending on 
the parallel of latitude upon 
which a given place is situ- 
ated. 
Day of 
Month. 
Day of 
week. 
SAFETY HINTS AND HISTORICAL, EVENTS. 
Sun 
Rises. 
Sun 
Sets. 
1 
Sun. 
Flies breed in filth. 
5. 00 
7. 12 
2 
Mon. 
Swat the fly’s winter quarters—the stable and can lot. 
5. 01 
7.11 
3 
Tue. 
Water may be grossly polluted, yet sparkling. 
5. 02 
7. 10 
4 
Wed. 
Belgium invaded by Germany, 1914. 
5. 03 
7. 09 
5 
Thu. 
American troops land at Archangel, Russia, 1918. 
5. 04 
7. 08 
6 
Fri. 
Report births and deaths to the local registrar. 
5. 04 
7. 07 
7 
Sat. 
Public health education is more important than pub- 
lic health legislation. 
5. 04 
7.05 
8 
Sun. 
Somme offensive began, 1918. Americans there. 
5. 05 
7. 04 
9 
Mon. 
Francis Scott Key, born, 1780. 
5. 07 
7. 03 
10 
Tue. 
Clean up all filth and destroy breeding places of flies. 
5. 08 
7.02 
11 
Wed. 
Wells in villages or towns are usually not safe. 
5. 09 
7. 01 
12 
Thu. 
The presence of flies means the presence of filth. 
“The Star Spangled Banner,” written by Francis 
Scott Key, 1814. 
5. 10 
6. 59 
13 
Fri. 
5. 11 
6. 58 
14 
Sat. 
Gold discovered in Alaska, 1896. 
5. 12 
6. 57 
15 
Sun. 
National registration day of males, Great Britain, 1916. 
5. 13 
6. 56 
16 
Mon. 
Bacteriological examination of all drinking water 
should be made at regular intervals. 
5. 14 
6. 54 
17 
Tue. 
Protect wells and springs from surface drainage. 
5. 14 
6. 53 
18 
Wed. 
Oise-Aisne offensive began, 1918. U. S. troops there. 
5. 15 
6. 52 
19 
Thu. 
Ypres-Lys offensive began, 1918. Americans there. 
5. 16 
6. 50 
20 
Fri. 
Anopheline mosquito first noted by Dr. Ross, 1897. 
5. 17 
6. 49 
21 
Sat. 
Every well should be properly curbed and have a 
5.18 
6. 48 
22 
Sun. 
pump. 
Manure makes a splendid place for breeding flies. 
5. 19 
6. 46 
23 
Mon. 
Inform local health officer of communicable diseases. 
5. 20 
6. 45 
24 
Tue. 
The public must be educated to realize the importance 
of community sanitation. 
5. 21 
6. 43 
25 
Wed. 
A near-by privy usually means the well is polluted. 
5. 22 
6. 42 
26 
Thu. 
Clean out the stable regularly. 
5. 23 
6. 40 
27 
Fri. 
Van. H. Manning made Director Bureau of Mines, 1915. 
5. 24 
6. 39 
28 
Sat. 
Typhoid, diarrhea and dysentery are spread by pol- 
luted drinking water. 
5. 24 
6. 37 
29 
Sun. 
Get the fly early. 
5, 25 
6. 36 
30 
Mon. 
Boil drinking water of doubtful punty. 
5. 26 
/? 6. 34 
31 
Tue. 
1.533,000 American troops in France, 1918. 
5. 27 
6.33 
•-* • * 
EDUCATION VERSUS FORCE. 
In the enforcement of health regulations or sanitary laws, two methods present them- 
selves: One that of education and persuasion; the other that of force, or the resort to prose- 
cution under the terms of the law. The choice of which of the two will be most effective, 
and at the same time accomplish the most permanent results will, as a rule, depend on 
whether or not special or personal interests are involved. If there are not special financial 
interests involved and only the welfare of the community or public as a whole is to be taken 
into consideration, then the educational method is at once the most effective and most per- 
manent in results. 
KANSAS STATE BOARD OF HEALTH. 22 
miners’ safety and health almanac. 
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY AT 
REGULAR INTERVALS. 
Every miner and his family should keep in the best possible 
physical condition. A good miner always takes care to keep his 
working tools in excellent shape, in order that he may do effective 
work. He also carefully observes the danger signs that are seen at 
various places. 
In order to keep in good physical condition, every person should 
undergo a thorough physical examination at least once every year, 
better still, once every six months. This applies not only to the 
miner but to every member of his family as well. These periodical 
physical examinations should be made even if the person • is ap- 
parently in good health. The physical examinations of young men 
by the draft boards showed that one of every three men examined 
was unfit for military service. The same condition of general health 
probably exists among the young women of the country. 
{' . . . . 
Many diseases begin without sufficient symptoms to attract atten- 
tion. Tuberculosis, Bright’s disease, and some diseases of the heart 
may progress for some time before the victim is aware of it. Thor- 
ough physical examination at regular intervals is the best means of 
detecting diseased conditions. Such periodic physical examinations 
show whether grown persons are in satisfactory physical trim, and 
also show the growth and the physical development of children. 
Early knowledge of a disease coming on enables the person af- 
fected to take the proper steps in the correction of diet, habits, or 
occupation to arrest the progress of the disease. 
Early treatment of tuberculosis affords a much better opportunity 
of checking the disease. The same also applies to diseases of the 
heart and kidneys and to cancer. 
Complete periodic physical examinations are important for every 
person, particularly miners and their families. 
TYPHOID FEVER. 
Typhoid fever is a germ disease and preventable. The germs 
of typhoid fever escape through the bowel and kidney discharges of 
the patient. Carlessness in handling these washes is the principal 
way in which this sickness is spread. Typhoid germs may be swal- 
lowed in water, milk, or food, especially the first two. If the dis- 
charges from a typhoid patient are thrown on the ground or into a 
leaky privy the first rain may wash the germs into a well or spring. 
Typhoid vaccination is successful. Take it if you have a chance. miners’ safety and health almanac. 
23 
Ninth Month. 
SEPTEMBER. 
30 Days. 
MOON’S PHASES 
Last Quarter 
New Moon 
First Quarter 
Full Moon 
EASTERN TIME. 
I). H. M. 
5 7 5 a.m. To obtain moon’s phases 
in— 
.. 12 0 52 a.m. Central time, 
subtract 1 hour. 
.. 19 4 55 p. M. Mountain time, 
subtract 2 hours. 
.. 27 1 57 p. M. Pacific time, 
subtract 3 hours. 
This table is calculated for 
Washington, D. C., Virginia, 
Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, 
Colorado, Utah, Nevada, 
and central California. Exact 
time for rising and setting 
of sun may vary 2 to 30 
minutes, more or less, from 
this table in other sections of 
the United States, depending 
on the parallel of latitude 
upon which a given place is 
situated. 
Day of 
Month. 
Day of 
Week. 
SAFETY HINTS AND HISTORICAL EVENTS. 
Sun 
Rises. 
Sun 
Sets. 
1 
Wed. 
If you have a good safety suggestion, tell the foreman. 
5.28 
6.31 
2 
Thu. 
Better be safe and sure than crippled and poor. 
5.29 
6.30 
3 
Fri. 
J. A. Holmes appointed first director of the Bureau of 
Mines, 1910. 
5.30 
6.28 
4 
Sat. 
Watch the top. 
5.31 
6.27 
5 
Sun. 
First National Army troops go to camp, 1912. 
5.31 
6.27 
6 
Mon. 
Labor Day. Battle of Marne began, 1914. 
5. 33 
6. 24 
7 
Tue. 
Many diseases begin insidiously; watch for them. 
Obey the warnings of the “Danger” signs. 
5. 33 
6.22 
8 
Wed. 
5.34 
6.21 
9 
Thu. 
Report births and deaths promptly to the registrar. 
5.35 
6.19 
10 
Fri. 
Miners must obey safety orders. 
5.36 
6.17 
11 
Sat. 
Cooperate in accident prevention. 
5.37 
6.16 
12 
Sun. 
All males 18 to 45 in United States register, 1918. 
5.38 
6.14 
13 
Mon. 
Gen. John J. Pershing born, 1860. 
5.39 
6.13 
14 
Tue. 
Americans take 15,000 prisoners, 1918. 
5.40 
6.11 
15 
Wed. 
Ex-President Taft born, 1857. 
5.41 
6.09 
16 
Thu. 
United States rejects Austrian peace overtures, 1918. 
5.42 
6.08 
17 
Fri. 
Periodic physical examinations detect the beginning 
or presence of diseases. 
5.42 
6.06 
18 
Sat. 
St.Mihiel offensive terminated, 1918. Americans there. 
5.43 
6.05 
19 
Sun. 
A careful man is the best safety device. 
5.44 
6.03 
20 
Mon. 
Have a physical examination once a year. 
5.45 
6.01 
21 
Tue. 
Eternal vigilance insures safety. 
Watch for “Danger” signs. 
5.46 
6.00 
22 
Wed. 
5.47 
5.58 
23 
Thu. 
Report contagious diseases to local health officer. 
5.48 
5.57 
24 
Fri. 
Get the “safety’’ habit. 
5.49 
5.55 
25 
Sat. 
Many diseases can be checked if recognized early. 
5.50 
5.53 
26 
Sun. 
Meuse-Argonne offensive began, 1918. The Ameri- 
cans were there. 
5.51 
5.52 
27 
Mon. 
Children should be given physical examinations at 
regular intervals. 
5.51 
5.50 
28 
Tue. 
Mining risks can be lessened by obeying safety rules. 
5.52 
5.49 
29 
Wed. 
Endeavor to reduce accidents. 
5.53 
5.47 
30 
Thu. 
Bulgaria surrenders to Allies, 1918. 
5.54 
5.45 
In view of the wonderful attainments of the safety movement in the past few years, dur- 
ing which time the hazard of certain industries has been greatly reduced, it is believed that 
all risks can be lessened. Personal injuries will always accompany industrial activities. 
Mining will never be free from accidents, for many of its hazards are inherent to the industry, 
but the progress already made gives assurance that all such hazards can be greatly reduced. 
Safety measures are not intended to eliminate, the need of personal thought and alertness, 
as careful men are always better than safety devices, but are essential for the protection of 
workmen who carelessly or unavoidably expose themselves to existing dangers. Besides, they 
have a marked tendency to cause men to cultivate habits of care. 
SAFETY MEASURES. 
11. M. WILSON and J. R. FLEMING, 
Federal Bureau of Mines. 24 
miners’ safety and health almanac. 
SCHOOL INSPECTION. 
Many children are seriously handicapped in their school work 
because of physical defects. Sometimes a child is considered dull or 
stupid in school when, as a matter of fact, the child has defective 
hearing or impaired eyesight, or other serious physical condition 
which requires correction before satisfactory progress can be made 
with the school work. 
Schools in the majority of the larger cities and towns have some 
form of medical inspection for school children. Every school child, 
whether in mining camp, country, town, or city, should have the 
benefit of medical inspection while attending school. 
When defects are found, the parent is advised to take the child 
to a physician or dentist as the case requires. 
Medical inspection of schools not only provides careful super- 
vision of the physical condition of the children, but it also assures 
that the school building and grounds will be carefully looked after. 
The buildings and grounds of every school should always be 
kept in a cleanly condition. Heating, ventilation, and lighting of 
the schoolroom are important. Adequate provision for lavatories, 
sanitary drinking facilities, and sanitary toilets or privies are abso- 
lutely imperative. No public towel should be permitted in any 
school. The drinking water used should be safe and clean. A large 
playground should be provided when possible. 
ADENOIDS. 
Many children, about 1 in every 10, have adenoids. Adenoids 
are growths of tissue in the back of the nose and throat; this tissue 
interferes with the normal breathing of the child. 
The first symptorp noticeable from adenoids is the labored mouth 
breathing of the child, especially while sleeping. Children with 
adenoids are almost invariably under weight, hollow-chested, stoop- 
shouldered, and anemic. Facial deformity often is a result, the 
upper teeth protrude and are crowded out of shape. 
After proper treatment for adenoids the improvement is usually 
marked. miners’ safety and health almanac. 
25 
Tenth Month. 
OCTOBER. 
31 Days. 
MOON’S PHASES. 
EASTERN 
TIME. 
This table is calculated for 
D. 
H. 
M. 
Washington, D. C., Virginia, 
Last Quarter 
.. 4 
12 
54 p.m. To obtain moon’s phases 
in— 
Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, 
Colorado, Utah, N evada, and 
N ew Moon 
.. 11 
12 
50 p. m. Central time, 
subtract 1 hour. 
central California. Exact 
time for rising and setting of 
First Quarter 
.. 19 
12 
29 p. m. Mountain time, 
subtract 2 hours. 
sun may vary 2 to 30 minutes, 
more or less, from this table 
Full Moon— 
.. 27 
2 
9a.m. Pacific time, 
subtract 3 hours. 
in other sections of the 
United States, depending 
on the parallel of latitude 
upon which a given place is 
situated. 
Day of 
month. 
Day of 
week. 
SAFETY HINTS AND HISTORICAL EVENTS. 
Sun 
rises. 
Sun 
sets. 
1 
Fri. 
Second Liberty loan offered, 1917. 
5. 
55 
5. 44 
2 
Sat. 
Save on everything—food, clothing, and luxuries. 
5. 
56 
5. 42 
3 
Sun. 
Lend your support toward securing medical inspection 
for your school. 
6. 
57 
5. 41 
4 
Mon. 
To the local registrar should be made reports of births 
and deaths. 
5. 
58 
5. 39 
5 
Tue. 
Teach the children thrift. 
5. 
59 
5. 38 
6 
Wed. 
General Pershing made a full general, 1917. 
6. 
00 
5. 36 
7 
Thu. 
Red Cross first incorporated in America, 1881. 
6. 
01 
5. 35 
8 
Fri. 
Learn the value of thrift. 
6. 
02 
5. 33 
9 
Sat. 
Defective teeth often impede the progress of children 
in school. 
6. 
03 
5. 31 
10 
Sun. 
Thrift is always commendable. 
6. 
04 
5. 30 
11 
Mon. 
If you suspect your child of having adenoids have him 
examined. 
6. 
05 
5. 28 
12 
Tue. 
Columbus discovered America, 1492. 
6. 
06 
5. 27 
13 
Wed. 
Edith Cavell, British nurse, executed by Germans, 1915. 
6. 
07 
5. 25 
14 
Thu. 
Saving is as important as earning. 
6. 
08 
5. 24 
15 
Fri. 
See that your child attends school regularly. 
6. 
09 
5. 23 
16 
Sat. 
Every school child should be kept in good health. 
6. 
10 
5. 21 
17 
Sun. 
Help make thrift a national trait. 
6. 
11 
5. 20 
18 
Mon. 
Do not delay treatment for adenoids in children. 
6. 
12 
5. 18 
19 
Tue. 
United States rejects Austrian peace plea. Fourth 
Liberty loan oversubscribed, 1918. 
6. 
13 
5. 17 
20 
Wed. 
Keep your child at home if it has a contagious disease. 
6. 
14 
5.16 
21 
Thu. 
Do not stop saving food. 
6. 
15 
5. 14 
22 
Fri. 
Dawson (N. M.) mine explosion, 1918; 263 killed. 
6. 
16 
5. 13 
23 
Sat. 
Every school should have sanitary privies if sewer con- 
nections are not available. 
6. 
17 
5. 11 
24 
Sun. 
Patriotism and thrift should be taught every child. 
6. 
18 
5. 10 
25 
Mon. 
Inform the local health officer of the presence of com- 
municable diseases. 
6. 
19 
5. 09 
26 
Tue. 
The schoolroom should be properly ventilated. 
6. 
20 
5. 08 
27 
Wed. 
Act creating Reserve Corps of Public Health Service 
approved by President Wilson, 1918. 
6. 
21 
5. 06 
28 
Thu. 
Adenoids are curable. 
6. 
22 
5. 05 
29 
Fri. 
Teach children to be courteous and respectful. 
6. 
23 
5. 04 
30 
Sat. 
Turkey surrendered to Allies, 1918. 
6. 
24 
5. 03 
31 
Sun. 
Provide a large playground for the school. 
6. 
25 
5. 01 
The earning of money is not the main economic task of the miner. Spending money 
wisely is the greatest test of the ability of the miner and his famiy in the management of 
business affairs. The war helped to impress upon us the importance of thrift. The habit 
of thrift Should be continued in peace as well as in war. “ Save carefully and spend wisely ” 
should be the motto of every miner. 
THRIFT. 
142902°—19—-4 miners’ safety and health almanac. 
26 
PATENT MEDICINES 
In these days of the high cost of living, all unnecessary expenses 
should be cut down. While doing this do not lose sight of the fact 
that patent medicines are not only unnecessary but useless. The buy- 
ing of any patent medicine is a waste of money. Most patent medi- 
cines owe their popularity to the fact that they contain a high per- 
centage of alcohol. When in need of medical care go to a capable 
physician, and do not waste time nor money on patent medicines. 
FIGURE 3.—lt is folly to expose yourself needlessly to disease. miners’ safety and health almanac. 
27 
Eleventh Month. 
NOVEMBER. 
30 Days. 
MOON’S PHASES. 
Last Quarter 
New Moon 
First Quarter 
Full Moon 
EASTERN TIME. 
D. H. M. 
2 7 35 P. M. To obtain moon’s phases 
in— 
. 10 4 5 a. m. Central time, 
subtract 1 hour. 
. 18 8 13 A. M. Mountain time, 
subtract 2 hours. 
.25 1 43 P. M. Pacific time, 
subtract 3 hours. 
This table is calculated 
for Washington, D. C., Vir- 
ginia, Kentucky, Missouri, 
Kansas, Colorado, Utah, 
Nevada, and central Cali- 
fornia. Exact time for 
rising and setting of sun 
may vary 2 to 30 minutes, 
more or less, from this 
table in other sections of 
the United States, depend- 
ing on the parallel of lati- 
tude upon which a given 
place is situated. 
Day of 
month. 
Day of 
week. 
SAFETY HINTS AND HISTORICAL EVENTS. 
rises. 
Sun 
sets. 
1 
Mon. 
Final Argonne advance began, 1918. 
C. 27 
5. 00 
2 
Tue. 
The safe way is the right way. 
6. 28 
4. 59 
3 
Wed. 
Austria signs armistice with Allies, 1918. 
6. 29 
4. 58 
4 
Thu. 
Mine rescue apparatus first used in mine, Portskewett, 
England, 1890. 
6. 30 
4. 57 
5 
Fri. 
Safety measures are efficiency measures. 
6. 31 
4. 56 
6 
Sat. 
Be careful all the time. 
6. 32 
4. 55 
7 
Sun. 
Record all births and deaths with the local registrar. 
6. 33 
4. 54 
8 
Mon. 
Many accidents are due to negligence. 
6. 34 
4. 53 
9 
Tue. 
The house in which you live should have plenty of 
windows. 
6. 35 
4. 52 
10 
Wed. 
The ex-Kaiser flees to Holland, 1918. 
6. 37 
4. 51 
11 
Thu. 
Armistice signed with Germany by Allies, 1918. 
6. 38 
4. 50 
12 
Fri. 
Emperor Charles of Austria abdicated, 1918. 
6. 39 
4. 49 
13 
Sat. 
St. Paul No. 2, Cherry, 111., mine fire, 1909; 259 lost. 
6. 40 
4. 48 
14 
Sun. 
Report all violations of safety rules. 
6. 41 
4. 48 
15 
Mon. 
Every miner has a part in the prevention of accidents. 
6. 42 
4.47 
16 
Tue. 
Keep your house well ventilated. 
6. 43 
4. 46 
17 
Wed. 
In case of doubt, adopt the safe course. 
6. 44 
4. 45 
18 
Thu. 
Contagious diseases must be reported to the local 
health officer. 
6. 45 
4. 45 
19 
Fri. 
A good miner should endeavor to be a good citizen. 
6. 46 
4. 44 
20 
Sat. 
Examine the top frequently. 
6. 48 
4. 43 
21 
Sun. 
German fleet surrendered to Allies, 1918. 
6. 49 
4. 43 
22 
Mon. 
W. G. McAdoo, Secretary of Treasury, resigned, 1918. 
6. 50 
4. 42 
23 
Tue. 
American Army crosses into Germany, 1918. 
6. 51 
4. 42 
24 
Wed. 
Nature’s laws are no respecters of persons. 
6. 52 
4. 41 
26 
Thu. 
Thanksgiving Day. 
6, 53 
4. 41 
26 
Fri. 
Own your own home. 
6. 54 
4. 40 
27 
Sat. 
Rules are made to be followed, not disobeyed. 
6. 55 
4. 40 
28 
Sun 
All German troops had left Belgium, 1918. 
6. 56 
4. 39 
29 
Mon. 
Nothing is a substitute for alertness and watchfulness. 
6. 57 
4. 39 
30 
Tue. 
A miner who owns his home is usually a better miner. 
6. 58 
4. 39 
The safeguarding of machines has to do with the safety of the individual employees. 
Mining requires safeguards that have to do with the safety of the entire working force, such 
as guarding against mine fires and explosions. Given a sufficient number of conditions favor- 
able to an explosion or fire, there may arise at any moment a combination of circumstances 
that can furnish the additional factor necessary to initiate a frightful disaster. Safety meas- 
ures against such conditions are highly desirable. These include for coal mines adequate 
ventilation, improved safety lamps, explosion-proof motors, permissible explosives, safe methods 
of handling explosives, restricted use of electricity in gaseous mines, immunizing or eliminating 
coal dust, use of incombustible material in construction work, adequate fire protection, and 
mine rescue and first-aid organization. 
ACCIDENT PREVENTION. 
H. M. WILSON and J. R. FLEMING, 
Federal Bureau of Mines. 28 
musters’ safety and health almanac. 
PREVALENCE OF MINERS’ CONSUMPTION. 
Men employed underground are not the only ones to be affected 
with miners’ consumption, the disease has been found among mill men 
and others who shovel in rock dust or work where rock dust is 
prevalent. Investigations show that the disease is caused by dust 
rather than impure air, although the latter may in some cases be a 
factor in intensifying the trouble. Statistics in various countries 
show that coal miners and iron-ore miners are not subject to pul- 
monary troubles more than the average of men in the general occu- 
pations. In fact, mortality among coal miners from pulmonary 
tuberculosis and pneumonia is less, so that it is thought that there 
is some protective influence exercised by coal dust. The fresh coal 
dust is sterile, and the particles do not irritate the lungs, in spite of 
the fact that the lung tissue of workers may be blackened. Pennsyl- 
vania anthracite dust, however, although not causing miners’ con- 
sumption, does appear to produce asthma, possibly owing to the 
hardness and the sharp edges of the particles. 
Geo. S. Rice, 
Chief Mining Engineer, 
Federal Bureau of Mines. 
FIGHT VENEREAL DISEASES. 
The menace of venereal diseases as a public-health problem has 
long been recognized, but it took the war with the mobilization of 
the Nation’s man power and the pressing demand for increased pro- 
duction in all the industries, to bring us to a full realization of the 
fact that venereal diseases are widely prevalent and their annual cost 
in time, money, and physical incapacity is enormous. 
Miners should join in and cooperate with the campaign to banish 
venereal diseases. Every man should live as clean a life as he de- 
mands of the women of his family. 
Persons suffering from venereal diseases should persist in treat- 
ment until thoroughly cured. This is important, otherwise the dis- 
eases may be spread to other persons. 
Pamphlets telling of the fight against venereal diseases and giv- 
ing such facts about sex as are essential for the welfare of the public 
may be obtained by addressing requests to the following address: 
A. For young men. D. For parents. 
B. For officials and the general E. For girls and young women. 
C. For boys. 
public. F. For education. 
U. S. Public Health Service, 
228 First Street, A7TP., 
Washing ton. D. C. miners’ safety and health almanac. 
29 
Twelfth Month. 
DECEMBER. 
31 Days. 
MOON’S PHASES. 
Last Quarter 
New Moon. 
First Quarter 
Full Moon 
Last Quarter 
EASTERN TIME. 
D. H. M. 
2 4 29 A. M. 
9 10 4 P. M. 
.. 18 2 40 a.m. 
.25 0 38 A. M. 
..31 4 35 P. M. 
To obtain moon’s phases 
in— 
Central time, 
subtract 1 hour. 
Mountain time, 
subtract 2 hours. 
Pacific time, 
subtract 3 hours. 
This table is calculated for 
Washington, D. C., Virginia, 
Kentucky, Missouri, Kansas, 
Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and 
central California. Exact 
time for rising and setting of 
sun may vary 2 to 30 minutes, 
more or less, from this table 
in other sections of the 
United States, depending on 
the parallel of latitude upon 
which a given place is situ- 
ated. 
Day of 
month. 
Day of 
week. 
SAFETY HINTS AND HISTORICAL EVENTS. 
Sun 
Rises. 
Sun 
Sets. 
1 
Wed. 
Careless handling of explosives costs many lives. 
6. 59 
4. 39 
2 
Thu. 
Use great care when taking explosives into the mine. 
7. 00 
4. 38 
3 
Fri. 
A careful miner is usually a good miner. 
7. 01 
4. 38 
4 
Sat. 
President Wilson sailed from New York for Brest, 1018. 
7. 02 
4. 38 
5 
Sun. 
Join the war on venereal diseases. 
7. 03 
4. 38 
6 
Mon. 
Yellow fever was banished hy fighting in the open. 
7. 04 
4. 38 
7 
Tue. 
United States declared war on Austria, 1917. 
7. 05 
4. 38 
8 
Wed. 
Safety is the first consideration when using explosives. 
7. 06 
4. 38 
9 
Thu. 
Asphenamine is the same drug as Salvarsan. 
7. 07 
4. 38 
10 
Fri. 
Never handle explosives carelessly. 
7. 07 
4. 38 
11 
Sat. 
First wireless across Atlantic, 1901. 
7. 08 
4. 38 
12 
Sun. 
Samuel Gompers first elected president A. F. L., 1886. 
7. 09 
4. 38 
13 
Mon. 
President Wilson arrived at Brest, 1918. 
7. 10 
4. 38 
14 
Tue. 
Keep open lights away from explosives. 
Van. H. Manning, Director Bureau of Mines, born 1861. 
7. 10 
4. 39 
15 
Wed. 
7.11 
4. 39 
16 
Thu. 
Watch your step when using explosives. 
7.12 
4. 39 
17 
Fri. 
Sir Humphrey Davy horn, 1779. 
7.13 
4.39 
18 
Sat. 
Using open lights about explosives has caused many 
accidents. 
7. 13 
4. 40 
19 
Sun. 
Darr mine (Jacobs Creek, Pa.), disaster, 1907; 239 lost. 
7.14 
4. 40 
20 
Mon. 
Write the U. S. P. H. S. for pamphlets dealing with 
the control of venereal disease. 
7.14 
4. 41 
21 
Tue. 
Always exercise great care in handling explosives. 
7.15 
4.41 
22 
Wed. 
The surface powder house should be safely locked. 
7. 15 
4. 42 
23 
Thu. 
There must be no truce with venereal diseases. 
7. 16 
4. 42 
24 
Fri. 
A competent man should be in charge of the powder 
house. 
7. 16 
4. 43 
25 
Sat. 
Christmas Day. 
7. 17 
4. 43 
26 
Sun. 
Carry dynamite only in special canvas bags. 
7.17 
4. 44 
27 
Mon. 
Accurate record should be kept of all explosives used. 
7. 18 
4. 44 
28 
Tue. 
President Wilson born, 1856. 
7.18 
4.45 
29 
Wed. 
Use electric safety lamps when handling explosives. 
7.18 
4. 46 
30 
Thu. 
Venereal diseases cause loss of time and health. 
7. 18 
4. 47 
31 
Fri. 
Do not carry dynamite in a box which has protruding 
nails or bolts. 
7. 19 
4. 47 
CARE IN HANDLING DETONATORS. 
The importance of carrying and storing detonators separately from explosives is often 
overlooked. In numerous instances Bureau of Mines engineers have observed the practice 
of detonators being carried in the same sack with dynamite or stored in the same box with 
dynamite or permissible explosives. There should be a special container for detonators. If 
the detonators are carried in the original container they should be so placed in a pocket in 
the clothing that they can not strike against timber or a car, or better still, they should be 
carried in a padded sack or special bag. 
GEO. S. RICE, 
Chief Mining Engineer, Federal Bureau of Mines. 30 
MINEKS’ SAFETY AND HEALTH ALMANAC. 
SANITARY HOUSING. 
The dwelling house has a definite effect upon the health of the 
miner and his family. Living in a house which is not well lighted, 
and is badly ventilated or without sanitary fixtures, is damp or in 
disrepair, or unclean, lowers the vitality, injures the health, and 
causes sickness. The effect of such conditions largely depends upon 
how long the occupant is exposed to them. The housewife and 
younger children, who often live indoors 20 to 24 hours a day, are 
almost always the first to suffer. It is important that dwellings be 
built and kept in a sanitary condition. 
Dwellings should never be built on damp marshy land, nor on 
made soil unless it is of clean earth. In laying out a new section 
of a mining town the streets should be laid out in accordance with 
the best practice as to grading, width, water supply, and drainage 
pipes, and in such a way as to permit of ample light and ventilation 
in and about buildings. Lots should be at least 50 feet wide and 
150 feet deep. Such a sized lot permits proper placing of the 
house for light and ventilation for all rooms, with yard space on all 
sides and room for a small garden. Too large a yard encourages 
the accumulation of rubbish; too small a yard forces the children to 
play on the streets. 
Single houses are preferable, tenements or barracks should be 
avoided. In buildings housing several families privacy can not be 
maintained and disease spreads more rapidly. For average-size 
families, houses with four, five, or six rooms and bath are most 
suitable. 
The house should have plenty of window space, never less than 1 
square foot to 10 square feet of floor area, and 1 to 8 is still better. 
Sunshine is the best germ destroyer known. It will do little good 
to provide windows, however, if the housewife keeps the curtains 
down, or the blinds closed. Let the sunlight in. 
Opening both the upper and lower sashes makes better ventilation. 
When each is partly opened, the fresh air will come in at the bottom 
and the stale air go out at the top. If windows are so built that 
with doors between rooms open a current of air can be started the 
ventilation is improved. Windows do not provide fresh air, if they 
are kept closed. Bedroom windows should be open at night. 
Too many persons occupying one room is unhealthful. Close 
sleeping quarters help to spread disease through contacts of persons 
and clothing or through spitting, sneezing, or coughing. There 
should be 600 cubic feet of air space (roughly 8 by 8 by 10 feet) for 
every sleeper in a bed room. Even this may not be enough unless 
the windows are kept open at night. Crowding the home by taking 
in boarders should be discouraged. musters’ safety afd health almanac. 
31 
Every dwelling should have water pipes, kitchen sink, toilet, bath 
tub or showers, if running water is available. Where sewers are not 
accessible, there should be double cesspools in the yard, carefully 
placed to avoid polluting the water supply if it is drawn from a well. 
All waste water from the house should drain to such cesspool or 
sewer. Plumbing once in, should be kept repaired. 
Garbage should be 
placed in tightly covered 
cans. Where there is no 
collection system, the con- 
tents of the can should be 
buried or burned, but 
never thrown on a rubbish 
heap. Garbage attracts 
and breeds flies. Eubbish 
and ashes should be 
burned or disposed of and 
not thrown in an unsightly 
heap. Don’t let puddles 
form in the yard or alley. 
They breed mosquitoes. 
No matter how well 
planned a house may be, 
it will be insanitary unless 
kept clean. Dirt attracts 
vermin and insects. Keep 
insects out by keeping the 
house clean and by screen- 
ing the windows and 
doors. 
Always remember the 
house is a home and not 
merely a place in which 
FIGURE 4.—Don’t go about blindfolded; keep on the 
lookout. 
to live. If it is improperly built, lacks adequate sanitary facili- 
ties, or is in unhealthful surroundings, move out. If it has been 
properly built and equipped, keep it in a sanitary condition. The 
condition of a home is a fairly good index of the character of its 
occupants. 
Bernard J. Newman, 
United States Public Health Service. 
Sanitarian {Reserve), 32 
miners’ saeety ahd health almahac. 
DUST AND VENTILATION IN MINES. 
Prevalence of dust and lack of ventilation constitute two of the 
greatest causes of sickness and death in mining to-day. Coal dust 
is responsible for the extent and violence of many explosions in bitu- 
minous coal mines. In metal mines, especially those having ores or 
walls composed largely of siliceous material, such as quartz, quartzite, 
and granite, the breathing of air containing the very fine particles of 
silica dust injures the lungs and induces miners’ consumption. 
Operations that are likely to produce a dangerous amount of dust 
are the dry drilling of upper holes, shovelling and handling dry 
finely-divided ores, and blasting dry material when men are on shift 
or are about to come on. 
Lack of ventilation is not common in coal mining, as bitter experi- 
ence has convinced everyone of the heavy human and financial cost 
of failing to supply perceptible moving air currents to all working 
faces. Moreover, because of the special dangers from gas, the laws 
of most coal-mining States provide for liberal quantities of air enter- 
ing the mines, and coal-mine inspectors generally interpret the laws 
in such manner as to require moving air currents at the working 
faces and working places. As a result, coal miners of any consider- 
able experience are acquainted with practical methods of conducting 
air through mines and are aware of the necessity of having air well 
distributed underground. In metal mining, on the other hand, lit- 
tle attention is usually paid to air distribution. The metal miner 
frequently works under ventilation conditions that would not be al- 
lowed in coal mines. 
The occurrence of dust frequently depends on ventilation and this 
relationship is somewhat contradictory; currents of moving air are 
likely to absorb moisture from the surrounding wTalls, floors, etc., 
thus causing finely divided material to become dry and light. In 
this state bituminous coal dust becomes highly inflammable and 
dangerous, and finely divided rock dust is readily thrown into the 
air to be breathed by underground workers. On the other hand, 
the moving air currents will to a large extent remove from the mine 
air the very fine dust particles that constitute the greatest menace to 
the miners’ lungs in metal mines. 
In mines that are naturally dusty, or are made dusty through re- 
moval of moisture by ventilation currents, adequate precautions should 
be taken to prevent dust being made, and to facilitate its removal. 
Such measures include continuous systematic sprinkling of walls, 
timbers, floor, etc., of main intake air courses, working faces and 
places, ore chutes, etc., or other methods of humidification. A rela- 
tively high humidity is not injurious to the health and comfort of 
underground workers if the air moves perceptibly and is compara- miners’ safety and health almanac. 
33 
tively cool. Dry rock-drilling should be eliminated, and to insure 
this, the cooperation of the underground worker is an absolute neces- 
sity. Use of excessive quantities of explosive in bringing down 
either rock or coal should be discontinued; no shooting of any kind 
should be done when men are on shift, and after firing of shots ample 
time should be allowed for the dust to clear from the working places 
before workers enter them. 
Although efficient ventilation depends almost wholly on the mining 
companies in the use of proper equipment and methods, the miner 
must be relied upon chiefly to eliminate the dust menace by consci- 
entious use of dust-allaying systems and devices furnished him by 
the companies. These include the use of wet drills exclusively, the 
exercise of care, and attention to watering or spraying devices, obe- 
dience to rules on shooting, etc. Hence, in bringing about healthful 
dust and ventilation conditions in mining, the cooperation of under- 
ground employees and of mining companies is absolutely essential. 
D. Harrington, 
Mining Engineer, 
United States Bureau of Mines. 
FIGURE 5.—Watcli for danger in the mine. 34 
miners’ safety and health almanac. 
MINE GASES. 
The most common gases met with in coal mines are: First, methane 
or marsh gas, also called fire damp. This is carbureted hydrogen and 
is expressed by the chemical symbol CH4. Second, carbon dioxide, 
commonly called black damp, and expressed by the chemical sym- 
bol C02. Third, carbon monoxide, sometimes called white damp, 
and expressed by the chemical symbol CO. 
Of these, marsh gas, because of its more general occurrence in 
mines, is by far the most dangerous to the life and safety of the miner. 
Marsh gas is a colorless, tasteless, nonpoisonous gas, and is present 
in nearly all coal mines, although in varying amount. In some coal 
mines the gas is given off in such small quantities that it can not be 
detected by ordinary means, as by an oil safety lamp, and the mines 
working in these formations are said to be free from gas or non- 
gaseous; whereas in other places the coal-bearing formations con- 
tain large quantities of the gas, in some instances under considerable 
pressure. 
Pure marsh gas, or methane (CH4), when ignited in the presence 
of air burns with intense heat without violence. However, when the 
gas is mixed or diluted with air until the mixture contains 14.5 
per cent methane, the ignition is accompanied with a slight explo- 
sion. As the dilution increases, the explosions become more violent 
until the mixture contains about 9 per cent methane. As the dilution 
increases beyond this point the violence becomes less until the mix- 
ture contains only 5.5 per cent, at which point it ceases to ignite. 
Owing to the grave danger of accumulations of this gas forming 
in a coal mine if ventilation is interrupted, sufficient air should be 
forced into the mine at all times to keep the gas diluted well below 
the lower explosion point. In mines where open lights are used there 
should never be more than 1 per cent methane in the mine atmos- 
phere. 
Metal mines are usually free from the dangers of this gas, as it is 
rarely present in such mines. However, in some mines marsh gas 
has been encountered which was given off by the rock formations; 
also it has been found in old workings, usually after unwatering, 
from the decay of timber. 
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is usually present in all coal mines. It is 
given off by the coal, by decaying timber, by open lights, and in the 
exhaled breath of men and animals. As it is one of the products of 
combustion, it is always present after a fire or explosion. It is also 
found in the gases given off in blasting. 
With less than 3 per cent carbon dioxide in the mine atmosphere, 
no marked distress is felt; as the percentage increases, however, diffi- 
culty is experienced in breathing, which grows until the point of MINERS ’ SAFETY AND HEALTH ALMANAC. 
35 
suffocation is reached at about 10 per cent. Carbon dioxide will 
neither burn nor support combustion. 
Carbon monoxide (CO) is colorless, odorless gas and is the prod- 
uct of incomplete combustion. It is found in mines following fires 
or explosions, and is also found in the gasfes given off in powder 
blasts. It is extremely poisonous and dangerous to human life in 
quantities as low as two-tenths of 1 per cent. For this reason, the 
miner should avoid breathing fresh powder smoke. Carbon mon- 
oxide is combustible and will explode when mixed with air in mix- 
tures ranging from 13 to 73 per cent of CO. 
Owing to their limited blood supply, small animals such as birds 
or mice show marked distress in atmospheres containing as low as 
0.15 of 1 per cent of carbon monoxide, and should always be carried 
alona to give warning whenever it is proposed to enter an atmos- 
phere suspected of containing carbon monoxide. As soon as the 
small animal shows signs of distress, a retreat should be made to 
fresh air or oxygen breathing apparatus should be worn. 
C. A. Herbert, 
Mining Engineer, 
Federal Bureau* of Mines. 
AVERAGE HEIGHT, WEIGHT, AND AGE FOR MEN AND WOMEN 
[lf you are more than 25 pounds below the average for your height and age, you are thin, 
and probably undernourished.] 
(For a man add 2 pounds to the average; for a woman, subtract 2 pounds.) 
Ages. 
15-24 
25-29 
30-34 
35-39 
40-44 
45-49 
50-54 
55-60 
Feet. 
Inches. 
5 
0 
120 
125 
128 
131 
133 
134 
134 
134 
5 
1 
122 
126 
129 
131 
134 
136 
136 
136 
5 
2 
124 
128 
131 
133 
136 
138 
138 
138 
5 
3 
127 
131 
134 
136 
139 
141 
141 
141 
5 
4 
131 
135 
138 
140 
143 
144 
145 
145 
5 
5 
134 
138 
141 
143 
146 
147 
149 
]49 
5 
6 
138 
142 
145 
147 
150 
151 
153 
153 
5 
7 
142 
147 
150 
152 
155 
156 
158 
158 
5 
8 
146 
151 
154 
157 
160 
161 
163 
163 
5 
9 
150 
155 
159 
162 
165 
166 
167 
168 
5 
10 
154 
159 
164 
167 
170 
171 
172 
173 
5 
11 
159 
164 
169 
173 
175 
177 
177 
178 
6 
0 
165 
] 70 
175 
179 
180 
183 
182 
183 
6 
1 
170 
177 
181 
185 
186 
189 
188 
189 
G 
2 
176 
184 
188 
193 
194 
196 
194 
194 
6 
3 
181 
190 
195 
200 
203 
204 
201 
198 
Keep Well Series No. 1 
U. S. Public Health Service. MINERS ’ SAFETY AND HEALTH ALMANAC. 
ONE LIFE LOST BY 
CARELESSNESS ON 
THE CAGE OR TR\P, 
HE TRIED TO PLAY 
AT THE WRONG 
Tine: 
ONE LIFE LOST BY 
HEMORRHAGE 
FROM A SEVERED 
ARTERY, H\s 
COMRADES DIO NOT 
KNOW FIRST AID 
ONE LIFE LOST BY 
A FALL OF ROCK, 
HE FAILED TO TEST 
THE TOP, 
ONE LIFE. LOST BY 
AM EXPLOSION 
OF FIRE OAWP, HE 
LIGHTED YIATCHES 
in 6 AS. 
ONE LIFE LOST BY 
MINERS CONSUMPTION, 
HE "ATE ROCK* AND 
would not use 
THE WATER DRILL, 
ONE L\F£ LOST BY 
ELECTRICAL SHOCK, 
HE FORGOT TO WATCH 
FOR LIVE WIRES. 
ONE LIFE LOST BY 
AN ACCIDENT, HE. 
DIO NOT WATCH 
TVIE'DANtER” SIGNS. 
ONE LIFE LOST BY 
A BLAST OF POWDER, 
HE WAS ROT 
CAREFUL IN HANDLING- 
EXPLOSIVE S, 
50 NOW HE VV\LL 
BE CAREFUL AS 
EVERY WINS F? 
SHOvID 
FIGURE 6.—If a miner, like a cat, had nine lives, he could afford to take chances. (Drawn by 
G. P. Boardiuan.) miners’ safety and health almanac. 
37 
THE SANITARY PAIL PRIVY. 
The sanitary need of mining camps everywhere is sanitary privies. 
The expression “Filthy as a mining camp” has become common be- 
cause many mining towns have absolutely no system of sewage dis- 
posal or scavenger service. Insanitary privies are repulsive to the 
sense of decency as well as dangerous to health. 
“A sanitary privy is a labor-saving device for convenient and com- 
fortable use in the safe and cleanly disposal of human excreta.” 
A sanitary privy must conform to the following specifications: 
1. Be fly-proof. 
2. Have water-tight receptacle. 
3. Be well ventilated. 
The accompanying plans for the construction of a sanitary box, 
which can be set up in any privy building, have been devised by 
officers of the Public Health Service. These sanitary boxes have 
been used in many mining camps and industrial villages. They can 
be made at small cost and put into any privy building already in use. 
4. Be easily accessible for cleaning. 
This type of sanitary privy is particularly suited to the milder 
climate of the Southern and Southwestern States. 
Construct the sanitary privy box of sound, seasoned lumber, 
CONSTRUCTION OF SANITARY PRIVY BOX. 
tongued and grooved, free from knot holes and cracks, and dressed on 
at least one side. Nail the box securely, and make all joints tight. 
Inside dimensions for the box with single seat (can 15 by 15 inches), 
and for box with double seat are as follows 
Box with Box with 
single seat, double seat. 
Length inches 22 48 
Breadth, inches 18 18 
Depth, inches 17 17 
The lid of the box forms the seat for the privy. Make this lid of 
sound lumber, and let it project 1 inch over the front and both ends 
of the box; nail four strips 1 inch square to the under side of this lid 
in such manner that they will project on the inside of the box, form- 
ing a fly-proof joint. 
Put the front edge of the seat hole not less than 4 inches back from 
the front edge of the lid. Hinge the lid at the back so that it may 
be raised when the can is removed. 
Make a cover to the hole so that it overlaps the hole not less than 3 
inches in all directions. Use ordinary strap hinges to hold the cover 
in place. 
Bore a horizontal series of eight holes 1 inch in diameter 1 inch 
from the floor in the front wall of the box. Cover these holes with 38 
MINERS* SAFETY AND HEALTH ALMANAC 
FRAME OF BOX 
FIGURE 7.—Sketch showing sanitary privy box with stack, (a) Galvanized pail, 15 inches high 
and 15 inches in diameter; (b) blocks to hold pail in position; (c) bottom of box; (d) 
1-inch holes, 1 inch from bottom, to be covered with screen wire; (e) opening to stack, to be 
covered with screen wire. 
good screen wire-gauze of at least 14 meshes to the linear inch. In 
the back wall make an opening 4r| inches square for the ventilating 
flue. 
Let the ventilating flue measure at least 4 inches square, inside 
measurement. Make the short arm of the flue about 2 feet long, ex- 
tend the long arm about 1 foot above the roof of the privy, and join 
it to the short arm at right angles. Attach the ventilating flue 
securely to the outside wall of the privy. 
Tack small blocks of wood 2 inches thick to the bottom of the box 
to hold the can in its proper place. miners’ safety and health almanac. 
39 
FIGURE B.—Sketch showing Installation of sanitary box in existing privy building, (a) Screen- 
wire vent; (b) galvanized iron pail, 15 by 15 inches in size. 
Fasten a block of wood inside of the back wall of privy to prevent 
the lid of the seat hole reaching a perfectly vertical position, thus 
making it self-closing. 
The can for use in the sanitary box should be constructed of gal- 
vanized iron of No. 22 to No. 26 gage, and should be 15 inches in 
diameter and 15 inches in height. Handles should be attached to the 
sides of the can. 40 
MINEES* SAFETY AND HEALTH ALMANAC. 
A CONCRETE-VAULT SANITARY PRIVY. 
Figures 9, 10, and 11 show a type of privy that is recommended by 
the United States Public Plealth Service. This privy has a water- 
tight concrete vault, and is fly-proof, well ventilated, and economical. 
FIGURE o.—Sketch showing house and vault of sanitary privy. Dimensions are approxi 
may he varied, (a) Screened vent over door. 
late and 
The concrete-vault privy has several desirable features 
1. It is permanent. 
2. It requires less scawenger service. 
3. It is less likely to need repairs. 
4. It is especially useful in colder climates. 
The concrete-vault privy is strongly recommended to companies 
or persons who wish lasting sanitary improvements. MUSTERS ’ SAFETY AND HEALTH ALMANAC. 
41 
DETA/L OF(e) 
FIGURE 10.—Plan and elevation of concrete vault privy, (a) Back wall of house; (h) vent, 4 
inches square, inside house, screened at bottom; (c) Ko. 24 gauge galvanized-iron hinge; 
(d) concrete section in front of hole cut to 2 inches; (e) 2 by 4 Inch timber extends 1 inch 
over walls; (f) 2 by 4 inch timber; (g) vent, 4 inches in diameter; (h) |-inch anchor bolts, 
8 inches long; (i) house floor; (j) door to vault, should be waterproof; (k) ground line; 
(1) inside surface of vault finished water-tight with neat cement; (m, m) seats 12 by 18 
inches. Dimensions are approximate and may be varied. 42 
miners’ saeety and health almanac. 
FIGURE 11.—End section of concrete-vault privy. 
CONSTRUCTION OF SANITARY CONCRETE-VAULT PRIVY. 
2. Dig the hole in the ground 5 inches larger than the outside di 
mensions of the vault. 
1. Study tlie designs carefully. 
3. Make suitable forms corresponding to the inside dimensions of 
the vault. 
4. Pour the bottom of the vault and allow the concrete to “ set.” 
5. Place the forms accurately in the hole, leaving a 5-inch space on 
all sides. 
6. Pour the walls, using barbed wire for reinforcing, and put in the 
anchor bolts. 
7. When sufficiently dry, remove the forms and plaster the inside 
of the vault with rich concrete to make it positively water-tight. 
8. Put on a new privy seat, flue, back lid, and covers over the seat 
holes, all to fit fly tight. musters’ safety and health almanac. 
43 
9. Nail screen wire over the bottom of the flue and over the inside 
of the three vent holes. 
10. Remodel the old privy house and fit it over the vault or built 
a new privy house. 
MATERIALS NEEDED FOR CONSTRUCTION. 
For the vault. Lumber for seat, lids, back door, and flue. 
8 sacks of cement. - 50 feet, board measure, 1-inch boards, 
i cubic yard of sand. One 1-inch board, 56 inches long by 12 
1 cubic yard of gravel. inches wide. 
8 i-inch anchor bolts, 8 inches long. Two 2 by 4 inch timbers, 20 inches long. 
50 feet of barbed wire. Two 2 by 4 inch timbers, 31 inches long. 
One 2 by 4 inch timber, 48 inches long. 
One 2 by 4 inch timber, 56 inches long. 
Two 2 by 4 inch timbers, 12 inches long. 
2 hinges for back door. 
4 hinges for seat covers. 
METHOD OE USE. 
Nail down one seat cover and use only one hole until the compart- 
ment is full; then nail down the seat cover over the full compartment, 
and use only the other side until that is full. Then the first compart- 
ment is ready for cleaning. 
The advantage of this method is that the excreta has had time to 
dry, and is less offensive to handle. When using the privy, add a 
little dry earth from time to time to help absorb the moisture. 
FINAL DISPOSAL OF EXCRETA. 
Bury the vault contents in a shallow furrow, as far as possible 
from any source of water supply. 
ADVANTAGES OF THIS SANITARY PRIVY. 
Flies can not gain access to the excreta. 
Filth is not scattered around the premises. 
It is easily accessible for cleaning. 
It has no disagreeable odors. 
It is cheap to install and operate. 
It prevents disease and death. 
(From pamphlet used by United States Public Health Service In extra- 
cantonment sanitation. Chattanooga. Tenn.) 44 
miners’ safety and health almanac. 
HEADQUARTERS OE MINE-RESCUE CARS. 
The following are the districts and station headquarters of the 
mine-rescue cars of the Bureau of Mines. Communications to any one 
car should be addressed to the headquarters given below for that 
car. In case of mine disaster, wire the Bureau of Mines, Pitts- 
burgh, Pa. 
Car 1. District of California and Nevada. Headquarters, Reno, 
Nev. 
Car 2. District of Arizona, New Mexico, and southern Colorado. 
Headquarters, Raton, N. M. 
Car 3. District of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Headquarters, Pitts- 
burgh, Pa. 
Car 4. District of Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, and west- 
ern Missouri. Headquarters, Pittsburg, Kans. 
FIGURE 12.—Kew all-steel mine rescue car of the Bureau of Mines. 
Car 5. District of Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, North 
Dakota, and South Dakota. Headquarters, Butte, Mont. 
Cars 6 and 7. In reserve. 
Car 8. District of West Virginia, eastern Kentucky, and western 
Virginia. Headquarters, Huntington, W. Va. 
Car 9. District of Indiana, Illinois, western Kentucky, eastern 
Missouri and lowa. Pleadquarters, Terre Haute, Ind. 
Car 10. District of northern Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. 
Headquarters, Ironwood, Mich. 
Car 11. District of Idaho, Wyoming, and northern Colorado. 
Headquarters, Rock Springs, Wyo. miners’ safety and health almanac. 
45 
BUREAU OE MINES RESCUE STATIONS. 
In addition to the 11 mine-rescue cars operated by the Bureau of 
Mines, there are 9 rescue stations situated in important mining cen- 
ters in various parts of the country. A mine-rescue station is 
equipped with first-aid supplies, rescue apparatus, and other safety 
devices. A motor truck is used to transport the crew of the station 
FIGURE 13.—Mine rescue truck of the Bureau of Mines. 
and the necessary equipment to various parts of the district for the 
training of classes in first aid or for rescue work at mine disasters. 
The following are the rescue stations of the Bureau of Mines: 
Pittsburgh, Pa. 
Norton, Ya. 
Evansville, Ind. 
Yincennes, Ind. 
Berkeley, Calif. 
McAlester, Okla. 
Birmingham, Ala. 
Jellico, Tenn. 
Seattle, Wash. 46 
miners’ safety and health almanac. 
FIGURE 15.—Miner wearing breathing apparatus, back 
view. 
FIGURE 14.—Miner wearing self-contained mine-rescue 
breathing apparatus, front view. PUBLICATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF MINES. 
A complete list of the publications issued the Bureau of Mines 
may be obtained by addressing the Director, Bureau of Mines, Wash- 
ington, D. C. 
The following is a list of publications dealing with sanitation and 
safety. 
BULLETINS. 
Bulletin 87. Houses for Mining Towns, by J. H. White. 1914. 
Bulletin 93. Miners’ Nystagmus, by F. L. Hoffman. 1916. 
Bulletin 99. Mine Ventilation Stoppings, with Especial Reference to Coal 
Mines in Illinois, by R. Y. Williams. 1915. 
Bulletin 131. Approved Electric Lamps for Miners, by H. H. Clark. 1917. 
Bulletin 132. Siliceous Dust in Relation to Pulmonary Disease in the Jop- 
lin District, Missouri, by Edwin Higgins, A. J. Lanza, F. B. Laney, and G. S. 
Rice. 1917. 
Bulletin 139. Control of Hookworm Infection at the Deep Gold Mines of the 
Mother Lode, California, by J. G. Gumming and J. 11. White. 1917. 
TECHNICAL PAPERS. 
Technical Paper 11. The Use of Mice and Birds for Detecting Carbon 
Monoxide after Mine Fires and Explosions, by G. A. Burrell. 1912. 
Technical Paper 21. The Prevention of Mine Explosions, Report and Recom- 
mendations, by Victor Watteyne, Carl Meissner, and Arthur Desborough. 1912. 
Technical Paper 29. Training with Mine-Rescue Breathing Apparatus, by 
J. W. Paul. 1912. 
Technical Paper 33. Sanitation at Mining Villages in the Birmingham Dis- 
trict, Alabama, by D. E. Woodbridge. 1913. 
Technical Paper 39. The Inflammable Gases in Mine Air, by G. A. Burrell 
and F. M. Seibert. 1913. 
Technical Paper 56. Notes on the Prevention of Gas and Dust Explosions in 
Coal Mines, by G. S. Rice. 1913. 
Technical Paper 75. Permissible Electric Lamps for Miners, by LI. H. Clark. 
1914. 
Technical Paper 77. Report of the Committee on Resuscitation from Mine 
Gases, by W. B. Cannon, G. W. Crile, Joseph Erlanger, Yandell Henderson, and 
S. J. Meltzer. 1914. 
Technical Paper 82. Oxygen Mine Rescue Apparatus and Physiological Ef- 
fects on Users, by Yandell Henderson and J. W. Paul. 1917. 
Technical Paper 97. Saving Fuel in Heating a House, by L. P. Breckenridge 
and S. B. Flagg. 1915. 
Technical Paper 102. Health Conservation at Steel Mills, by J. A. Watkins. 
1916. 
Technical Paper 103. Organizing and Conducting Safety Work in Mines, by 
H. M. Wilson and J. R. Fleming. 1917. 
47 48 
miners’ safety and health almanac. 
Technical Paper 105. Pulmonary Diseases in the Joplin District, Missouri, 
and Its Relation to Rock Dust in the Mines, by A. J. Lanza and Edwin Higgins. 
1915. 
Technical Paper 116. Miners’ Wash and Change Houses, by J. H. White. 
1915. 
Technical Paper 182. Underground Latrines for Miners, by J. H. White. 
1916. 
Technical Paper 150. Limits of Complete Inflammability of Mixtures of 
Mine Gases and Industrial Gases with Air, by G. A. Burrell and A. W. Gauger. 
1917. 
Technical Paper 153. Occurrence and Mitigation of Injurious Dusts in 
Steel Works, by J. A. Watkins. 1917. 
Technical Paper 156. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in the Steel Industry, by 
J. A. Watkins. 1917. 
Technical Paper 167. Men Who Received Bureau of Mines Certificates of 
Rescue Training, July 1, 1914, to June 30, 1916, compiled by D. J. Parker. 1917. 
Technical Paper 190. Methone Accumulations from Interrupted Ventila- 
tion, With Special Reference to Coal Mines in Illinois and Indiana, by H. I. 
Smith and R. J. Hammon. 1918. 
miners’ circulars. 
Miners’ Circular 4. The Use and Care of Mine-Rescue Breathing Appa- 
ratus, by J. W. Paul. 1911. 
Miners’ Circular 5. Electrical Accidents in Mines, Their Causes and Pre- 
vention, by H. H. Clark, W. D. Roberts, L. C. Ilsley, and H. F. Randolph. 
1911. 
Miners’ Circular 7. Use and Misuse of Explosives in Coal Mining, by J. J. 
Rutledge, with a preface by J. A. Holmes. 1913. 
Miners’ Circular 9. Accidents from Falls of Roof and Coal, by G. S. Rice. 
1912. 
Miners’ Circular 10. Mine Fires and How to Fight Them, by J. W. Paul. 
1912. 
Miners’ Circular 11. Accidents from Mine Cars and Locomotives, by L. M. 
Jones. 1912. 
Miners’ Circular 'l2. Use and Care of Miners’ Safety Lamps, by J. W. 
Paul. 1913. 
Miners’ Circular 13. Safety in Tunneling, by D. W. Brunton and J. A. 
Davis. 1913. 
Miners’ Circular 14. Gases Found in Coal Mines, by G. A. Burrell and 
F. M. Seibert. 1913. 
Miners’ Circular 16. Hints on Coal-Mine Ventilation, by J. J. Rutledge. 
1914. 
Miners’ Circular 17. Accidents from Falls of Rock and Ore, by Edwin 
Higgins. 1914. 
Miners’ Circular 18. Notes on Miners’ Carbide Lamps, by J. W. Paul. 
1915. 
Miners’ Circular 19. The Prevention of Accidents from Explosives in Metal 
Mining, by Edwin Higgins. 1914. 
Miners’ Circular 20. How a Miner Can Avoid Some Dangerous Diseases, 
by A. J. Lanza and J. H. White. 1915. 
Miners’ Circular 21. What a Miner Can Do to Prevent Explosions of Gas 
and of Coal Dust, by G. S. Rice. 1915. miners’ safety and health almanac. 
49 
Miners’ Circular 22. Dangerous and Safe Practices in Bituminous Coal 
Mines, by Edward Steidle. 1919. 
Miners’ Circular 28. Elementary First Aid for the Miner, by W. A. Lynott 
and D. Harrington. 1916. 
Miners’ Circular 24. Miners’ Safety and Health Almanac for 1919, by R. C. 
Williams. 1918. 
HANDBOOKS. 
Advanced First-Aid Instructions for Miners, a Report on Standardization, by 
a Committee of Surgeons: G. H. Halberstadt, A. F. Knoefel, W. A. Lynott, 
W. S. Rountree, and M. J. Shields. 1917. 
Rescue and Recovery Operations in Mines After Fires and Explosions, by 
J. W. Paul and H. M. Wolflin. 1916. 
CHARTS. 
Resuscitation from Gas Asphyxiation, Drowning, and Electric Shock, compiled 
by Yandell Henderson. 1919. 
Chart of Properties of Mine Gases, by G. A. Burrell. 1918. 
PUBLICATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE. 
The following publications of the United States Public Health 
Service are of interest to miners. They may be obtained by ad- 
dressing the Surgeon General, United States Public Health Service, 
Washington, D. C. 
PUBLIC HEALTH BULLETINS. 
35. The Relation of Climate to the Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis, 
by F. C. Smith. (Revised Edition, 1916.) 
36. Tuberculosis: Its Nature and Prevention, by F. C. Smith. (Revised 
Edition, 1917.) 
37. The Sanitary Privy: Its Purpose and Construction, by Prof. C. W. Stiles. 
1910. 
68. Safe Disposal of Human Excreta at Unsewered Homes, by L. L. Lums- 
den, C. W. Stiles, and A. W. Freeman, April, 1915. 
69. Typhoid Fever; Its Causation and Prevention, by L. L. Lumsden. May, 
1915. 
70. Good Water for Farm Homes, by A. W. Freeman. May, 1915. 
71. Studies in Vocational Diseases. 1. The Health of Garment Workers, by 
J. W. Schereschewsky. 2. The Hygienic Conditions of Illumination in Work 
shops of the Womens’ Garment Industry, by J. W. Schereschewsky and D. H. 
Tuck. August, 1915. 
73. Tuberculosis Among Industrial Workers: Report of an Investigation 
Made in Cincinnati, with Special Reference to Predisposing Causes, by D. E. 
Robinson and J. G. Wilson. March, 1916. 
76. Health Insurance: Its Relation to the Public Health, by B. S. Warren 
and Edgar Sydenstricker. March, 1916. 
78. Influence of Occupation on Health during Adolescence. Report of a 
Physical Examination of 679 Male Minors Under 18 in the Cotton Industries of 
Massachusetts, by M. V. Stafford. 1916. 50 
miners’ safety and health almanac. 
81. Studies in Vocation Diseases. The Effect of Gas-Heated Appliances 
Upon the Air of Workshops, by Charles Weisman. September, 1916. 
85. Miners’ Consumption. A Study of 433 cases of the Disease Among Zinc 
Miners in Southwestern Missouri, by A. J. Lanza, with a chapter on Roentgen- 
Ray Findings in Miners’ Consumption, by Samuel B. Childs. January, 1917. 
89. A Sanitary Privy System for Unsewered Towns and Villages, by L. L. 
Lumsden. 1917. 
92. Color Blindness. Its Relation to Other Ocular Conditions, and the Bear- 
ing on Public Health of Tests for Color-Sense Acuity, by G. L. Collins. 1918. 
94. Rural Sanitation. A Report on Special Studies Made in 15 counties in 
1914, 1915, and 1916, by L. L. Lumsden, October, 1918. 
REPRINTS FROM PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTS. 
72. Vegetables as a Possible Factor in the Dissemination of Typhoid Fever, 
by R. H. Creel. February 9, 1912. 
76. The Necessity for Safe Water Supplies in the Control of Typhoid Fever, 
by A. J. McLaughlin. March 22, 1912. 
100. Whooping Cough: Its Nature and Prevention. A Popular Discussion of 
a Widespread and Dangerous Disease for which Familiarity has Bred Con- 
tempt, by W. C. Rucker. October 25, 1912. 
105. Antimalarial Measures for Farmhouses and Plantations, by H. R. 
Carter. December 6, 1912. 
150. The Citizen and the Public Health: The Individual’s Relation to the 
Health of the Community, by J. W. Trask. November 7, 1913. 
195. Industrial Conditions: Their Relation to the Public Health, by B. S. 
Wai’ren. May 29, 1914. 
197. Industrial Insurance: Medical Examination of Employees and Preven- 
tion of Sickness its Proper Foundation, by J. W. Schereschewsky. June 5, 
1914. 
204. What is a Safe Drinking Water? by A. J. McLaughlin. June 26, 1914. 
213. Safe Ice, by Hugh S. Cunfming. 1914. 
221. Tuberculosis: The Financial Aspect of the Sick Leaving Home in Search 
of a Beneficial Climate, by Thompson Frazer. September 18, 1914. 
225. The Chemical Disinfection of Water, by E. B. Phelps. October 9, 
1914. 
234. Physical Examination of Workers, by J. W. Schereschewsky. Novem- 
ber 20, 1915. 
250. Sickness Insurance: Its Relation to Public Health and the Comnfon Wel- 
fare, by B. S. Warren. January 8, 1915. 
287. The Practical Use of Disinfectants, by H. E. Hasseltine. July 2, 1915. 
387. Climate and Tuberculosis; The Relation of Climate to Recovery, by 
J. W. Trask. February 23, 1917. 
400. Occupation and Mortality: Their Relation as Indicated by the Mortality 
Returns in the City of New York for 1914, by S. W. Wynne and W. H. Guil- 
foy. June 8, 1917. 
412. Hay Fever: Its Causes and Prevention in the Rocky Mountains and Pa- 
cific States, by William Scheppegrell. July 20, 1917. 
418. Certain Military Aspects of Hookworm Disease, by C. W. Stiles. August 
17, 1917. 
424. Tetanus in Court-Plaster: Results of the Bacteriological Examination of 
14 Specimens, by G. W. McCoy, J. P. Leake, and H. B. Corbett. September 7, 
1917. miners’ safety and health almanac. 
51 
429. The Lighting of Industrial Establishments: The Need of Supervision, 
with a Suggested System of Maintenance Rating for Artifical-light Equipment, 
by D. H. Tuck. October 19, 1917. 
430. Diptheria: An Epidemic, Probably of Milk Origin, at Newport, R. 1., 
and vicinity, by G. W. McCoy, Joseph Bolton, and H. S. Bernstein. October 
26, 1917. 
435. Vaccination Against Smallpox: The Kind of Vaccine and How to Use 
It. November 30, 1917. 
441. Mitigation of the Heat Hazard in Industries, by J. A. Watkins. Decem- 
ber 14, 1917. 
448. Industrial Efficiency: The Bearing of Physiological Science Thereon. 
A review of recent work. By F. S. Lee. January 11, 1918, 
454. Prophylaxis of Malaria: Immunization by Quinine, by H. R. Carter. 
March 29, 1918. 
458. Methods for Field Study of Industrial Fatigue, by P. S. Florence. March 
15, 1918. 
461. Pellagra: Its Nature and Prevention, by Joseph Goldberger. April 5, 
1918. 
SUPPLEMENTS TO PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTS. 
1. Measles, by W. C. Rucker. January 24, 1913. 
2. Indoor Tropics. The Injurious Effect of Overheated Dwellings, Schools, 
etc., by J. M. Eager. January 31, 1913. 
3. Tuberculosis; Its Predisposing Causes, by F. C. Smith. February 7, 1913. 
4. The Citizen and the Public Health, by A. M. Stimson. February 28, 1913. 
5. Fighting Trim: The Importance of Right Living, by J. M. Eager. March 
14, 1913. 
7. Shower Baths for Country Houses. A Serviceable and Inexpensive Shower 
Bath Readily Improvised in Town or Country, by Carroll Fox. August 1, 1913. 
10. The Care of the Baby. Prepared by a committee of the American Asso- 
ciation for the Study and Prevention of Infant Mortality and Presented to the 
association at its annual meeting held in Washington, D. C., November 14-17, 
1913. 
11. What the Farmer Can Do to Prevent Malaria, by R. H. von Ezdorf. Feb- 
ruary 13, 1914. 
14. Diphtheria: Its Prevention and Control, by J. W. Schereschewsky. April 
17, 1914. 
16. The Summer Care of Infants, by W. 0. Rucker and C. 0. Pierce. June 
19, 1914. 
24. Exercise and Health, by F. C. Smith. May 7, 1915. 
29. Transmission of Disease by Flies, by Ernest A. Sweet. April 14, 1916. 
30. Common Cohls, by W. C. Rucker. March 16, 1917. 
31. Safe Milk: An Important Food Problem, by Ernest A. Sweet. May 25, 
1917.