77 8 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



or revaccinations. When diarrhceal, dysenteric, and typhoid disorders 

 become prevalent at any point, they are immediately checked by ap- 

 propriate remedies placed at the disposal of the medical inspectors, 

 master-mechanics, and supervisors, with explicit directions for use. 

 Malarial disorders, especially, have been kept well under control by 

 the distribution of large quantities of approved anti-periodic remedies, 

 which are at the command of every member, and thereby much em- 

 barrassment and inconvenience to the service has been prevented. 



Another and popular feature recently inaugurated is the free cir- 

 culating library, which already has nearly five thousand volumes, se- 

 lected with special reference to the wants and tastes of the employes 

 and their families, and purchased from private subscription of officers 

 of the company. 



Many of the employes reside at points remote from towns, and 

 have no opportunities for procuring literature adapted to their tastes, 

 and when thrown out of their accustomed occupation by sickness or 

 accident, without resources for entertainment, the minds of many men 

 brood over their misfortunes to an extent that seriously retards re- 

 covery. To such, anything that diverts the mind from care or trouble 

 is unquestionably of therapeutical value. Other employes also are fur- 

 nished with educational and technical works, especially adapted to the 

 requirements of engineers, mechanics, firemen, road, and all other classes 

 of workmen, and those who wish to improve their leisure hours, by 

 studying such works as will increase their professional business knowl- 

 edge, are supplied under conditions which do not necessitate their 

 leaving the society and comforts of their homes, and many employes, 

 therefore, avail themselves of this chance for qualifying themselves for 

 promotion and advancement in life, while at the same time their children, 

 wherever located, have at command facilities for study, and instruct- 

 ive reading matter seldom obtainable outside large cities. The library 

 also undertakes to purchase for members stationery, school, text, and 

 other books at cost price, giving them the benefit of discounts on large 

 orders and free transportation. The plan under which this library is 

 operated is very simple, inexpensive, and effective, and could be put 

 into operation on all our roads at nominal expense. Inexpensive but 

 carefully prepared catalogues are printed ; also cards on which to 

 make requisitions for books, so distributed that every employe can se- 

 lect, order, receive, and return literature without delay through the 

 company's train-service. Library committees, composed of employes, 

 are organized at divisional and all other large stations, and through 

 them, direct or by the aid of officials of the company, any workman, or 

 any member of his family, however isolated, is readily supplied. 



In pursuance of the policy of the company to improve the secular, 

 moral, and intellectual welfare of its forces by every means in its 

 power, well lighted and heated reading-rooms have been provided at 

 several principal stations where employes may assemble for social in- 



