AT OUR HOMES 237 



another are able, in spite of suffering and limitations, to do 

 well their duties in life. Then, too, the hardships from the 

 accidents of life oftentimes reach beyond the sufferer to 

 others more or less dependent upon him. The losses to 

 individuals and to society in general by preventable accidents, 

 where persons are killed or maimed for life, astound those 

 who know of their extent. It is difficult to estimate how 

 much apparently unnecessary human loss and human woe 

 is represented by these accidents. 



The terrible sacrifices of life and health on the soldiery in 

 times of war, and the sufferings and wretchedness endured 

 as a result of war by the innocent and helpless, even of 

 generations unborn, have been endured by mankind through 

 all the ages. Though excused at times, only in rare cases 

 are they justified. On the other hand, there has been a 

 growing demand in the United States of late years for better 

 protection to the lives and health of the vast army of indus- 

 trial workers engaged in peaceful production rather than the 

 devastation caused by war. These efforts have gone to 

 great lengths in the exercise by society at large of care to 

 safeguard workers against accident. The liability of em- 

 ployers of labor for any negligence in this respect is coming 

 to be generally recognized. 



There are many occupations in which men are engaged in 

 order to earn a livelihood where their health is imperiled 

 despite all precautions taken both by the workmen and by 

 their employers. The lungs of the coal heaver, and of work- 

 men in cement factories, flour mills, and stone cutting estab- 

 lishments, are likely to become irritated by the solid particles 

 that pass the guards established by nature along the nasal 

 passages. In match factories, in the manufacture of illumi- 

 nating gas, and elsewhere, men may be harmed by foul and 

 poisonous gases. Devices to protect life and health lessen 

 these risks and may wholly eliminate danger. 



