Sunday, November 25, 2018
Another old catechism
Reading A Locomotive Catechism, written in 1890. Similar in format to the Electrical Catechism by Shepardson, and similar also in wisdom and information.
Along with PRACTICAL info about physics, chemistry and thermodynamics as applied to locomotives, the author gives PRACTICAL advice on health and safety.
This passage on mental and physical health is unusually wise.
Owing to the demands which their daily labor makes upon their strength and endurance, locomotive engineers should be careful not to increase the drain by dissipation, irregular hours, or overwork. There seems to be something about the power of endurance of the human frame analogous to the capacity of a bar of iron or steel to resist strains. So long as the strains do not exceed the elastic limit, that is, if the bar recovers its original length when the strain is removed, it will bear millions of such strains without becoming weaker; but if it is strained so hard that it is permanently stretched, then comparatively few applications of the force will rupture the bar. In a similar way, if the strain or fatigue which a man endures is no more than he will recover from after the ordinary rest, he can endure an almost unlimited number of such strains, but if the fatigue exceeds his "elastic limit," then he soon becomes permanently injured thereby. It often happens that an excessive amount of work is unavoidable, but when it can be avoided it should be by those who wish to preserve their health and strength.The phenomenon of burnout was ignored by "social" "scientists" for many years. They are attempting to reinvent it lately, but always with bad advice. This engineer had it right in 1890.
Labels: 1901, Experiential education
¶ 12:15 AM
