ty, could be seen
ulcerations, blisters, and other painful lesions of the skin. In
Siberia the Russian soldiers cover their noses and ears with greased
paper to protect them against the cold. The Laplanders and Samoiedes,
to avoid the dermal lesions caused by cold (possibly augmented by the
friction of the wind and beating of snow), anoint their skins with
rancid fish oil, and are able to endure temperatures as low as -40
degrees F. In the retreat of the 10,000 Xenophon ordered all his
soldiers to grease the parts exposed to the air.

Effects of Working in Compressed Air.--According to a writer in
Cassier's Magazine, the highest working pressures recorded have been
close to 50 pounds per square inch, but with extreme care in the
selection of men, and corresponding care on the part of the men, it is
very probable that this limit may be considerably exceeded. Under
average conditions the top limit may be placed at about 45 pounds, the
time of working, according to conditions, varying from four to six
hours per shift. In the cases in which higher pressures might be used,
the shifts for the men should be restricted to two of two hours each,
separated by a considerable interval. As an example of heavy pressure
work under favorable conditions as to ventilation, without very bad
effects on the men, Messrs. Sooysmith & Company had an experience with
a work on which men were engaged in six-hour shifts, separated into two
parts by half-hour intervals for lunch. This work was excavation in
open, seamy rock, carried on for several weeks under about 45 pounds
pressure. The character of the material through which the caisson is
being sunk or upon which it may be resting at any time bears quite
largely upon the ability of the men to stand the pressure necessary to
hold back the water at that point. If the material be so porous as to
permit a considerable leakage of air through it, there will naturally
result a continuous change of air in the working chamber, and a
corresponding relief of the men from the deleterious effects which are
nearly always produced by over-used air.

From Strasburg in 1861 Bucuoy reports that during the building of a
bridge at Kehl laborers had to work in compressed air, and it was found
that the respirations lost their regularity; there were sometimes
intense pains in the ears, which after a while ceased. It required a
great effort to speak at 2 1/2 atmospheres, and it was impossible to
whistle. Perspirati