This really isn't on topic, but the research I did found that the first reference to DCS was in describing incidents in a pressurized mine in 1841. There is a Rubicon paper on the history of Caisson Disease in the bridge construction that includes a brief summary of the earlier study of the mining problem:Wouldn't be surprised at all....after working in mining for more than 35 years, including several more than 8,000 ft deep.However, even in the deepest mines, DCS problems are non-existant.
And Caisson Disease was named after (oddly enough) the caissons they use for bridge construction. In that case workers were working in a pressurized environment to help keep the water out. That technique is not employed in modern mines nor, to my knowledge, has it ever been to any real extent.
It was in 1854 that physicians first published any notes. Pol and Watelle described the medical problems encountered within the Douchy mines (France). Of 64 miners, forty-seven endured the work relatively well, twenty-five abandoned the work, and two died. They noted, “The danger is not in going into the compressed air. It is not a disadvantage to stop there a longer or shorter time. The decompression only is to be feared. One only pays on coming out.”(5) [Page 446]
As you said, though, the practice is no longer followed.
