Reports of the Inspectors of Mines of the anthracite coal regions of ...

Ex, Doc] Reports of the Inspectors of Mines. 19
blanc. Carbonic oxide is itself an inflammable gas, but does not support
tlie combustion of other bodies. It has no taste, but has a peculiar odor.
Small animals immersed in it die instantl}'. When inhaled, it produces
giddiness and fainting fits, even when mixed with a fourth of its bulk of
air."
I have referred to this subject perhaps more minutely than I should have
done, had not two cases, where persons were overcome by carbonic oxide,
or white damp, come under my own observation this year, and would have
proved fatal without a doubt, had it not been for the acute angle, which
was about thirty -five degrees, and when they fell from the effects of breath-
ing this noxious gas they rolled down on the gangway, which, happily,
was only a few feet distant, and Ijoth escaped without receiving any
severe injuries. One of these men was brought to the surface in an un-
conscious condition, and when I told the man it was the eflfects of breath-
ing impure air, he told me the air was good, for the lamp burned freely.
I am strongly of the opinion that there have been occurrences of this
kind where the result has proved fatal.
Explosions of Gas.
Seven persons were injured from this source, happily none of which were
fatal. In one case only were the injuries received of a very severe charac-
ter. Most of the others were very slight. Two of these persons were
burned when returning to the face of their working place, after firing a
shot, without taking their safety lamp to make the necessary examination.
Two others were burned whilst they were in the act of putting in a length
of manwa}^, which served as a brattice. Knowing that there was a small
amount of gas standing in the place, still this work was being done with a
naked light, or lamp ; and, as might have been expected, as they were put-
ting on the last plank, which conducted the current nearer the face, carry-
ing the gas with it, the explosion took place.
Two others were burned by entering their place in the morning before
it had been examined by the boss or his assistant. This mine did not
generate any large quantity of fire-damp. Still there was enough to re-
quire the careful attention of the officers in charge of the mine. Believing
these officials were not giving this matter the necessary attention to insure
the safety of the workingmen, I gave it more attention than I should other-
wise have done. Whenever I visited the colliery I always called the atten-
tion of the proper official to this matter, telling him the consequence should
any person get burned through his neglect. None of these admonitions
seemed to have the desired eftect. I called him before some of the work
men, telling him, in their presence, that the mine was not safe for men to
enter without the workings being examined to see that all places were free
from gas. Notwithstanding all this, a few days after that time men were allowed
to enter one of these places, and the result was that two men were
burned. In this case I entered suit against the inside foreman, and the case
was tried before his Honor Judge Pershing, and the boss found guilt3^ As