The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1857-06-23
NO. 557.'


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Some very interesting experiments have 70
Gently been made in Paris, upon the presef-
walton of firemen from tho cffects Of the
flames, the Importance Of which will be ap-
parent to all. Three fremcn, having thar
hands protected by amianthus giovcs, car
ried a bar of iron, heated to whiteness somc
distance without being compelled to pause
for over thrce minutes.
A fire of straw and small wood was light
ed around casting boiler, and when Il was
ycry hot, a fireman, having his head .protec-
ted by nm amianthus hood and metallic tis-
sue, and bearing wide shield upon his right
arm, was placed in il, the FIRE being kept in
tensely hot while he remained. ~
For moment. his head was surrounded by
the flames, but the shield served TO keep it
off. He remained in this portion ninety Sec
onds, when the heat became uncndurablc.--
His pulse rose from seventy-two to ono hun
dred and fifty.two. Another fireman repeat
ed the experiment, protected by amianthus
cotton, and remained exposed to the direct
action of the flames upon bis head, for three
minutes and forty-seven seconds. sLaa
In another experiment two long and high
piles of wood and stre~- were erected, with
side openings through which the hremen
could escape, If compelled to do so. The
four men who were to enter the burning en-
closure were covered with new metallic tex
ture; two wore an amianthus garment over
dress Of cloth, made incombustible by borax-
alum, and phosphate of ammonia; the other
two had double garment Of prepared cloth,
and each of them had amianthus boots, with
q double sole Of the same substances. Fl
nally one of them carried basket upon
his shoulders, covered with a metallic tissue,
in which was placed child ten years old,
dressed likewise in amianthus. a
This. mctaIlic tissue press consisted OF, r.
hood, tho edges Of which cover the shoulders
and left sleeve, the right arm being protec-
ted by 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 firemen, thus attired, penetrated
to the burning hedges, and walking leisurely
went over it several times. In ono minute,
however, the child in tho basket raised cry
which caused the fireman to retreat prccipi-
lately. A.
But il was found that he had suffered no
harm; his skin was fresh, and his pulse, eigh-
ty-four when he entered had reached only
ninety-six. He could undoubtedly have re-
mained much longer had he not been fright
ened, from the fact that one Of tho straps
holding the basket to the mans shoulders,
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 tho
child iosc from ninety-two TO ono hundred
and sixteen.
The other three men were in the fire two
minutes and forty four seconds, and came out
without having experienced any further in
convenience than great warmth. Their pul..
ses rose from eighty eight, eighty-four and
seventy-two, to one hundred and fifty-two,
one hundred and thirty-cight and one humid
red and twenty-four respectively. The fire
was very hot during the entire time. Other
of these highly interesting experiments are
to follow.