has lately invented an ingenious per-holder to prevent writer's cramp, by regulating the pressure at which the pen is used by a slight spring. But if the disease has developed itself, no such palliation is of any avail; and if the sufferer learns to write with the left hand, as has been done, the left hand also is liable to be attacked. The temporary use of the " typewriting machine" will often prove a great boon, permitting a continuation of work while resting the affected muscles.

The effect of using sewing-machines is sometimes injurious. It is not worth while to mention any special effects. The muscular exertion, however, is of a monotonous character, and may produce muscular fatigue which is prejudicial to the general health. It has been known to cause neuralgia of the foot and leg. In general, the use of the machine two or three hours a day is probably beneficial to most women; but a whole day's work, if the machine is run by the feet of the worker, is far too severe, and steam-power had better be used. Much has also been done by applying the principle of alternate effort, by a treadle which is moved both by the downward and the upward movement of the feet, and employs both feet at once or one at a time, at will. Many will find relief by alternate basting and sewing each for twenty to thirty minutes.

Steam-power has been applied with success to run

ning sewing-machines. I am told by the head of a large manufactory of ladies' dresses that the machines. do one-third more work than when run by the foot; and that the girls will work for less wages when steampower is used.

Those who use the voice a great deal in public speaking and singing are apt to suffer from the strain. The most common affection is follicular pharyngitis, or "clergyman's sore-throat." Much of this trouble is unnecessary, strictly speaking, or could be remedied if the right steps could be taken. The voice ought not to be used for continued and difficult efforts, unless the possessor is in good health and strength. It ought not to be used in the crude, ignorant, and even unintentionally "affected" manner which is often heard, and which fatigues the throat without need. The services of a competent teacher in elocution are to be desired, not so much for rhetorical purposes as for training in the right way to work with the vocal organs. And by way of support, a little gymnastics, for developing the chest, shoulders, and abdomen, may properly accompany the process of developing the voice, in some cases.

This is a fit place for a brief mention of the injurious effects of protracted labor in one position. Shoemakers and tailors, owing to their constrained attitudes, and the bad air of their shops, become dyspeptic, anæmic, and consumptive, and do a great

deal more thinking than is good for them. The sedentary life of literary people and clerks is apt to affect them similarly.

Persons who stand all day at their work, as salespeople and hair-dressers, are apt to have pains in the soles of their feet, which may sometimes be relieved by a well-shaped steel-shank to the shoe. Varicose veins of the lower limbs, and uterine irregularities, are also caused by standing. It is a truly inhuman thing to require girls and women to remain on their feet all day, without regard to the presence or absence of customers - -an inhumanity that we are glad to believe is diminishing.

A

CHAPTER IV.

INJURIES FROM ACCIDENTS.

VERY considerable number of accidents are

caused every year by machinery used in manufacture. In this country, in 1875, 2.6 persons in every 1000 factory-hands were injured in this way. In the United States there were 420 reported deaths caused by machinery in 1870, and the number of injuries was of course very much greater.

The Factory Act appoints inspectors, who must not be interested in or connected with factories in any other way, and who are invested with the nccessary powers for carrying the act into effect.

Some of the provisions of the act are here given. They will be found of interest by all who study the welfare of the industrial classes.

Certain portions of a mill, as hoists, fly-wheels, wheel-races, mill-gearing, vats, etc., are required to be fenced, and whenever the machinery, by reason of its character or situation, is, in the opinion of the inspector, likely to cause accidents to the workpeople, he is to serve on the occupier a notice

requiring him to fence the part of the machinery which he deems to be dangerous. The occupier may, by serving a requisition on the inspector within seven days of the receipt of the notice, refer the matter to arbitration.

A child (under fourteen) is not allowed to clean any part of the machinery of a factory while in motion. A young person (from fourteen to eighteen) or woman (over eighteen) is not allowed to clean such part of the machinery as is mill-gearing, while the same is in motion. A child, young person, or woman is not allowed to walk between the fixed and traversing part of any self-acting machine while the same is in motion.

Accidents causing death, or disabling the person more than forty-eight hours, must be reported to the inspector and visiting surgeon by the occupier of the factory or workshop. The surgeon is to examine at once the nature and cause of the accident, and report to the inspector within twenty-four hours.

Neglect to keep a factory or workshop in conformity with the act is punishable by a fine not exceeding £10; and the court (of summary jurisdiction) may inflict a fine, not exceeding £100, for the benefit of the injured person or his family, or otherwise, in case of death or injury in consequence of neglect to fence machinery as required.

We met recently with a paper giving a very