The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-08-29
MISCELLANEOUS.
Freedom from danger in descending
Wells.

Quite number have lost their lives
from gas by descending into well, for the
purpose OF cleaning them out, and the
Cleveland (Ohio) Herald gives an account
oi case which recently occurred in Col
umbus, in that State, where four persons.
after being nearly deprived of life in
well, were only rescued from their periIous
situation at their list gasp. The cause of
death in such cases is carbonic acid or as
1t is familiarly called, "choke damp" It
prevents respiration; it extinguishes flame,
and is generally found at the bottom of
wells, it being Of greater specific gravity
than air. 1t is degcnerated by vegetable
decomposition, and commonly finds its
way into wells from Seams in the strata
OF the earth, from adjacent places where
chemical action is going on.
Any we'll may be decended with perfect
safety by the use Of quick or fresh burned
lime, recently Stacked, or without being
Stacked. When there is choke damp in a
well, it can easily be known by letting
down lamp or candle by cord. II the
light burns freely it is a sign that no
choke damp is there, and the well may
be entered with safety; but if tie candle
burns dimly, or is extinguished, it is a
sign of danger. TO remove this gas so
as to render it innoxious to the person
entering the well, all that has to he done.
is simply TO throw down some pieces of
fresh burned lime into the water, and ap-
itate it with the bucket on the rope, or
with a pole. Another plan is to slack the
lime in small heap, mix it with water
in tub, and throw down three or four
paisful INTO the. well. Or, il il is desired
TO enter the well and not disturb the WA.
ter in it, take about half pailful of Stacked
lime, mix it quickly with cold water in
small tub, and lower it down into the
well by cords attached to its lucs, so as
to rest on the surface of the water. The
contents Of this tub must be stirred up for
ten minutes with pole in the well, and
then left suspended for an horr. When
drawn up, any person may descend the
well with safety. The philosophy of this
Is, that moist lime has great affinity for
carbonic acid gas, and it therefore absorbs
ii rapidly from the atmosphere. If we
take some fresh Stacked lime, and stir it
in vessel containing cold water, and
allow 1t to remain SO for FIVE or six hours.
hard scale, like that of thin ice, will be
found on top Of the water. This scale is
carbonate Of lime, caused by the absorp
ton OF carbonic acid gas from the the at
mosphere "a very small quantity Of car
bon'c acid is mixed with all the air we
breathe) and the scale IS a thin pelicle of
stone marble. The lime of good mortar
becomes hard by returning to its former
condition of limestone, by the absorption
OF carbonic acid gas from the atmosphere,
and the formation Of thin scale Of car
Donate OF lime on lime vat affords evi
dence of the manner in which some of the
sedimentary rocks were formed. No per.
son need be afraid of descending into
well 1t he pursues the directions given
by letting down candle iEto the well az
ter the 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
hope this information will be circulated
far and near.-Scient;fc american.