The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1857-06-20
Walking in Fire..New Dress for tiremen.

Some very interesting experiments
have recently baen made in Paris upon
the preservation of persons from the cf-
fects of the flames, the Importance Of
which will be apparent to all; 3 frsmcn,
having their hands protected by amian-
thus gloves, carried bar of iron, heated
to whiteness, some distance, without be-
ing compelled to pause, for over three
| minutes.
A fire of straw and small wood was
lighted around a casting boiler and when
it was very hot fireman, having his head
protected by an smianthus hood and a
metallic tissue, and bearing a wide shield
upon his right arm, was placed i'll it, the
fire being kept intensely hot while he re-
mained. For moment his head was
surrounded by the flames, but the shield
served to keep it off, He remained in
this position ninety seconds, when the
heat became uncomfortable. His pulse
rose from seyenty-two to one hundred
and fifty-two. Another fireman repeat
ed the experiement, protected by amian-
thus cotton, and remained exposed to the
direct action of the flames upon his head
for three minutes and forty seven sec-
onds.
Iu another experiment, two long and
high piles of wood and straw were erected,
with side openings through which the
firemen could escape if compelled to do
so. The four men who were to enter
this burning enclosure, were covered with
a new natalie texture two wore an am
ianthus garment over a dress of cloth,
made incombustible BY borax, alum and
phosphate of ammonia; the other two had
a double garment of prepared cloth; and
each one had amianthus boots, with
double sole of the same substance. Fl
nally, one of them carried basket on his
sholdcr, covered with natalie tissue, ia
which was placed child ten years old,
dressed likewise in amianthus.
This natalie dress consists of hood,
the edges of which cover the sholders 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 fircmen thus attired penetra-
ted to the centre of the flaming hedges,
and walking leisurely went over it sew
eral times. In one minute, however, the
child in the basket raised a cry which
caused tbs fireman to retreat precipitate-
ly ButSJ was found that he had suf-
fored no harm; his slSn was fresh, and
his pulse eighty-four NAen he entered,
had reached only ninety-six. lie could
undoubtedly have remained much longer
had he not been frightened, from the
fac; that one Of the straps holding the
basket to the mans shoulders, having
slipped little, h saw the flames and was
afraid of falling. In a few minutes after
he was as playful as ever, and expert
enced no Inconvenience whatever The
pulse of the fireman who carried the child
rose from % to ll6
The other three men were in the fire
two minutes and ferty-four seconds, and
came ont without having experienced any
further Inconvenience than great warmth.
their pulse rose from Ss, 81 and -, to
l52, l3S and ia respective. The fire
was very hot during the entire time
Other Of these highly Interesting expcr-
iments are to follow-N l. Ercning
Post