Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1851-07-16
From DR.. Brewers Guide to Science.
HINTS ON THINGS FAMILIAR.

HINTS ON THINGS FAMILIAR.
What is carbonic acid gas gas FORM
ed by the union of carbon and oxygen. 1t
used to be called "fxed air."
| Under what circumstances does carbon
most readily unite with oxygen? l. When
its Temperature is raised thus if carbon be
red hot. oxygen will most readily unite with
it; and 9. When it forms part of the fluid
blood.
Why do oxygen and corbon so readily
unite in the blood /? Because the atoms of
carbon are SO loosely attracted by the
other materials Of the blood, that they
unite very readily with the oxygen Of the
air inhaled.
Is carbonic acid wholesome No: it
is fatal TO animal life and whenever it is
inhaled,) acts like a narcotic poison-pro-
ducing drowsiness, which sometimes ends
in death.
How can any one know if a place be
infested with carbonic acid gass If a pit
or we'll contain carbonic acid, candle (let
down into i.) will be Instantly exlinguish-
ed. The rule, therefore, is ,his-where
candle will burn, man can live j; bu,
what will ex.inguish candle, will also de-
s,roy life.
Why does a miner lower q candle into q
mine before he descends? Because the can
die will be ex.inguished, if the mine con-
tains carbonic acid gas; but if the candle
is not extinguished, the mine is safe, and
the man may fearlessly descend.
Why does a crowded room produce head
ache? Because we breathe air vitialed by
the crowd.
Why is the air Of room vitiated by a
crowd? Because it is deprived of its due
proportion of oxygen, and laden with car
bonic acid.
How is the air of room affected thus by
a crowd? The elements ofrhe air (inhaled
by the breath are separated in the lungs
the oxygen is converted in the blood into
caIbonic acid and the carbonic acid (to-
ge,her with the ni.rogen) is then thrown off
by the breath into. the room.
Is all the nitrogen rejected by the lungs !?
Yes: all the nitrogen of the air is always
expired.
Why is crowded room unwholesome !?
Because the oxygen of the air is absorbed
by the lungs; and carbonic gas (Which is
noxious poison) is substituted for it.
| Mention the historical circumstances, so
we'll known in connexion with ,he~"Black
Hole Of Calcutta" In the reign Of George
II, the Rsja Cor Prince) of Bengal, marched
suddenly to Calcutta, to drive the English
from the country: as the attack was unex-
pected, the English was obliged to submit,
and l46 persons were taken prisoners.
What became of these prisoners? They
were driven into place about eighteen feet
squire, and fifteen or sixteen feet in height,
with only two small grated windows. 1913
of the prisoners died in one night; and (of
the twen,y-three who survived) the larger
portion died Of pu.rid fevers after they were
liberated.
Why were 1873 persons suffocated in a
few hours, from confinement in this close
hot prison hole? Because the oxygen Of
the air was soon consumed by so many
lungs, end its place supplied by carbonic
acid, exhaled by the hot breath.
Why did the csptives in the black hole
die sleeping? l. Because the absence of
oxygen quickly affects the vital functions,
depresses the nervous energies, and produ-
ces lassi,ude which ends in death; and 3.
The carbonic acid gas (belng narcotic poi
son) produces drowsiness and death in those
who inhale it.
Why are the jungles Of Java and Hindos-
tan so fatal to life? Because vast quan,i-
Ties of carbonic acid are thrown off by de-
caying vegetables and (as the wind canno,
penetrate the thick brushwood to blow il
away it settles there, and destroys animal
life
d Why do persons in crowded church feel
drowsy? |. Because the crowded congre-
CATION inhale large portion of the oxygen
of the air, which can alone sustain vitality
and healthy action; and 9. The air of the
church is impregna,ed with carbonc acid
gas, which (being a strong narcotlc) pro-
duces drowsness in those who nhale il.
What is choke damp' Carbonic acid ac-
cumulased at the bottom Of wells and pits.
, which renders them noxious, and often fatal
TO life.
y Patience and forbearance help to make q
great man. Nothing conveys SO contempt-
Bile an impression as exhibitions of irri'a-
biity and fre.fulness. To endure quietly
and calmly to the end, should be one ofthe
studies of life. There is a stability and
strength in moderation which heightens the
effec. of talent, and often compensates the
wan. Of it. To be peevish and cross and
prone to take. offence at lrffes, argues all
The weakness Of spoiled child with the
years Of an adult. Let us state one fact,
and see how small distinguished poet
seems-Rouseau quarreled with Baron de
Quinn for life, upon his inadvertently sit
ting down one evening in seat which he
! had fixed on for himself
Fancy and humor, early and constantly
iiduIged, may expect all old age overrun
! ,u;th (,ll,ec HANS