True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-06-24
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Walking in Fire.. Dress for Fire
men

Some very interesting experiments
have recently been made in Paris on the
preservation of 6remen from the effects
of the flames, the importance of which
will be apparent to all. Three .fremen
having their hands protected by aInian-
thus gloves, carried bar Of iron heated
10 whiteness, some distance without be-
ing compelled to pause for over three
minutes,
A fire of straw and small wood was
lighted around a cast iron boiler, and
when it was very hot, fremen, having
his head protected by an amianthus hood
and metallic. tissue, and bearing wide
shield upon his right arm, was placed in
it, the fire being kept intensely hot while
he remained. For a moment his head
was surrounded by the flames, hut the
shield served to keep it off. He remain
ed in this position ninety seconds, when
the heat became uncomfortable. His pulse
rose from seventy-twO to one hundred
and 6fty-two. Another fireman repeated
the experiment, protected by amianlhus
cotton, to the direct action of the flames
upon his head for three minutes and for
ty-seven seconds.
In another experiment, two long and
high poles of wood and'str were erec-
ted, with side openings, through which
the fremen could escape if compelled to
do SO. The four men who were 10 enter
the burning enclosure were covered with
new metallic texture; two wore amltnthus
garment over dress of cloth, made in
combustlble by borax, alum and phos-
phate of ammonia, the other two had a
double garment of prepared cloth; and
each of them had amianthus boots, with
double sole of the same substance
Finally, one of them carried basket
upon his shoulders, covered with metal
lie tissue, in which was placed child
Ten years old, dressed likewise in amian-
thus.
The metallic tissue dress consists of a
hood, the edges of which cover The shoul-
der and left sleeve, the right arm being
protected by a shield, and of pantaloons
fastened by hooks. Clothed with this
armor and the habit of which we have
spoken, the fireman can run or stoop
easily and can turn readily by placing
one knee upon the ground.
The four fremen thus attired penetra-
ted to the centre of the flaming edges,
and walking leisurely went over it sever
al times. In one minute, however, the
child in the basket raised cry which
caused the fremen 10 retreat precipitate.
ly. But it was found that he had suf-
fered no harm; his skin was fresh, and
his pulse, eighty'four when he entered,
had reached only ninety-six. He could
undoubtedly have remained much longer
had he not been frightened from the fact
that one of the straps holding the basket
to the mans shoulder, having slipped
little, he saw the flames and was afraid
of falling. In few minutes after he
was as playful as ever, and experienced
no inconvenience whatever. The pulse
of the fireman who carried the child rose
from 90 to ll6.
The other three men were in the fire
two minutes and forty seconds, and came
out without having experienced any fur
ther inconvenience than great warmth -
Their pulses rose from SO, 81 and ~, to
l52, 1873 and 124 respectively. The
fire was very hot during The entire time.
Other Of these highly interesting expert
ments are to follow.--N Y Eve. Post.