The Recorder

FOR THE RECORDER.

AN ADVICE

TO MILLSTONE BUILDERS.

It is to be regretted that so useful a business as that of millstone building should be attended with such injurious consequences, as it commonly is to those who follow that business. It is well known to all who follow millstone building, that there is a dust which arises from the stones, and is conveyed to the lungs by the suction in breathing, which together with the dust from the plaster of paris. settles on the lungs and never fails to bring on a consumption in the course of three or four years.

In order to prevent this I will offer the following remedy, to those who work at that business, First, let them get a mask, or false face made close, so as not to admit any air except by a glass tube, which might be extended from each side of the mouth four or six inches above the head, with a pair of good glass eyes to suit the person. This would effectually prevent the dust from getting into the mouth, and by wearing a pair of buckskin gloves, it would prevent the hands from being hurt by the small pieces of stone and steel that fly off the pick, and render the work more agreeable to those who follow the business The above might serve for those who attend to kilning of plaster, but I shall here offer a more effectual and easier method. This is to have the kettle, or boiler, enclosed all round with a door to put in and out the plaster, and to be shut while boiling. The plaster might be stirred up from the bottom of the kettle by an upright shaft, wrought into the boiler, and that turned by a tumbling shaft with a crank on the outer end of the shaft, and might be turned by one or two men as might be required This method would expedite the boiling of the plaster by keeping in the heat, and prevent it from flying, as it commonly does. All this could be done at a small expense, and so preserve the health of those who follow that employment, who would otherwise have to linger out their days under the hands of doctors. I shall not be particular in describing the plan, as I intend to make out a complete pattern of the whole, nothing doubting but it will answer every purpose intended, and will supersede the making of all, for those who wish to adopt the plan.

N. B A line addressed to H. S. and left at the office of the Recorder will be duly attended to.

Henry Young of Sterlingsville, North Carolina, will be kind enough to pay the postage of the next letter that he sends us. I believe the last was not worth those twelve cents and an half of postage for which he took it in.