Firearm or

A device to protect firemen and others against the effects of smoke, gas, etc. The first patent given for a device of this kind in the U. S. was granted to W. H. James, in 1828, for a diving dre which he stated could be used "in mines and other places filled with deleterious gases." Air was supplied from a receiver worn around the waist to a mask which enclosed the wearer's face, devices to prevent too great pre ure from the compre ed air being added. Other and simpler apparatuses on the same principle were afterward produced, of which one named the "eye and lung protector," was first used in 1873. This was adapted to protect the eyes from the effects of smoke, dust, ., with plates of transparent mica for vision. To protect the lungs a certain kind of porous cloth covered the lower part of the face, which held a wet sponge against the mouth and nostrils. This kept out all dust, smoke, noxious gases, ., and also cooled the air respired. It has been en used with very satisfactory effect. At a trial in Toronto, Canada, persons remained for nearly a half-hour in an atmosphere of smoke from damp straw and tobacco stems, which could not be endured for more than a minute without the protector. In the handling of grain while loading ve els from elevators, a dust muzzle or respirator is used to keep out the fine dust which arises. This consists of a perforated metallic chamber holding some filtering material against the respiratory pa ages. With suitable eye protection this would make a simple and useful fireman's mask. An elastic band pa ing around the head holds these devices in place. In 1888 a method of supplying a fireman with fresh air was devised by forcing air to the fireman's mask through a pipe carried along the hose. Improvements on this plan have since been made, with various methods of keeping up a supply of respirable air,