The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-08-21
Freedom from Danserin Descending
Wells

Quite number have lost their lives from gas
BY descending into wells FVr the purposl OF clean.
Ing them out, and the Cleveland (Ohio) Herald
gives, accoHnt Of case which recently occurred
in Columbus in that 2tate where four pcrsuns
after being nearly deprived Of Life i'll a well,
were only rescued from their periols Situation
at their last gasp. The cause Of death In such
cases is carbonc acid gas, or as i. is famlliarly
called, "chokc damp" 1t prevents respiration;
it cxtinguishcs and is generally found at the
bottom Of wells it being greater specific gravity
than air. 1t generated by vegetable decomposi
ton, and also BY combustion, and commonly
finds its way into the wells from seams in the
strata OF the earth from adjacent places where
chemical action is going on.
ANY we'll may be descended with perfect
safety BY the use Of quick or tresh burned lime
recently Stacked or without being Stacked
When there is chokcs damp in well it can easily
he known by letting down \ lamp or candle by
n cord. Iflhc light burns freely, it is sign
that no choke damp is there, and the well may
be entertained with safety but ifthe candle burns
dinly, or is extuguished, it is Il sign OF danger.
To remove this gas so as to render it innoxious
to the person entering the well, all that has to
be done is simply tn throw down some pieces
Of fresh burned lime into the water and agtate
it with the bucket on the rope, or with pole.
Another plan i to slack the lime in small
heap, mix it with water in tub, and throw
down three or four pailsful into the we'll Or
ifit is desired to enter the well aud not disturb
the water in it, take about half paful Of slack.
cd lime, mix it quickly with cold water in a
small tub and lower it down into the well by
cords attached to its lugs so as to rest OIL the
surface OF the water The contents of this tub
must Lc stirred up for ten lnipotcs with q pole
in the well and then left supcnded for an hour.
When drawn mp. any person may descend
the we'll with safety. The philosophy Of this
is that moist lime has great affinity for car
bonc acid gas, and it therefore absorbs it rapidly
from the atmosphere.
If We take some fresh Stacked lime and stir it
up in a vessel containing cold water and allow
it to remain 50 for five or six hours hard scale.
like that Of thin ice, will be found on the top of
the water This scale is carbonate OF lime,
formed BY the absorption Of carbonic acid gas
from the atmosphere, "a very small quantity
Of carboric acid is mixed with all the air we
breathc,) and the scale is thin peliclc Of stone
marble. The lime Of wood mortar becomes
hard BY returning to its former condition of
limestone by the absorption Of carbonc acid
gas from the atmosphere, and the formation Of
thin scale Of carbonate Of lime vat, affords
evidence Of tho manner in which some Of the
scdimentary rocks were formed. No person
need be afraid of descending into q well if he
pursucs the directions given. BY letting down
candle into the well, after the lime has been
allowed to play its part its light will Indicate
when it is safe TO descend. For the safety Of
life, we horc this information will be circulated
Ear and nrar. IS Scientific imcrican.