COAL-MINING DISASTERS.
[To TRY EDITOR OP TER "SPECTATOL"] SIR,—The awful catastrophe in the French coal-mining centre, with its appalling loss of life, is but little alleviated by the recovery of a few lives. It is difficult to realise the terrible experiences of those who have been recovered alive, or of the last poor fellow, as reported in the papers, saved after twenty-five days of groping in the darkness of night for the possibility of finding a little food, and then subsisting as best he could on food and drink (from a flask) found in the pockets of his dead companions. But surely something might be done to prevent the possibility of the recurrence of such suffering, or the alleviation of that awful 'strain of dwelling in a living tomb, waiting and hoping against hope for the resche that may never come. Would it not be possible in some of these mines, wherever the tunnels extend for some two miles or more, to establish every hundred yards or so a cache, such as a barrel of water and one of food ? Then, in whatever part of a mine men might be imprisoned by a fall, they might still be able to support life, for a time at least, or till rescue comes. With this food, might not a battery be placed, sufficiently powerful to give a light for some hours, which the men could use sparingly, and only at a time when serving out food ? A
light for ten minutes three or four times in twenty-four hours would be au untold blessing to those placed in such awful con- ditions of " living," and might even prevent men from losing • their reason. Is such a proposition feasible ?—I am, Sir, &c., MEDIcUs.
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