Dangers of Color-Blindness on the Railroad

Dangers of Color-Blindness on the Railroad

Jeffries acknowledges the dangers of having a color-blind employee on the railroad, whether as a conductor or signalman. Reds, greens, or yellows will appear on signals not intended for those colors depending on an employees type of color blindness, creating potential for mortal danger. Jeffries actually calls upon the community, not just particular employers to eradicate color-blindness from the railways, highlighting the effectiveness of its danger towards a population, not just institution. Papers published by the author have coerced the government into requiring a color-blindness screening on all England railways, yet early screenings were oft ineffective. This study was published in 1878, and the Signalman in '66. Might Dickens have made an early commentary on the medical unfitness of railway workers over a decade before Jeffries' study.

B. Joy Jeffries, M.D.

Band, Avery, and Co., Printers to the Commonwealth

Hathi Trust

1878

Royal College of Surgeons of England

Creative Commons, Public Domain Mark

44 pages

English

Book