The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-08-15

Lightning Stroke.

It IL said that exposure to the rain, or being
drenched with buckets Of water, seem to have
some agency In restoring persons to life who
have been FRUSTRATED by lightning.
II IL better to take some precautions against
the lightning, which will be the more easily
remembered and the better applied, IL some
explanations are given as to the nature OF
lightning
There Is q stiffness In the atmosphere when
nll parts OF IL are Of equal temperature, whe-
Their cold or hot, for the air is then in equili.
brium. But il one part be hot, and the other
be cold, as in two adjoining rooms, the mo-
ment the door between IL opened there is a
commotion, and the cold air PUSHES in to the
warmer room
II two vessels Of water adjoin and are con-
nected by hollow tube under the surface
both bodies Of water are still, il each vessel is
flled 70 equal height; but IL one vessel has
y greater depth of water than the other, there
IL q commotion until an equilibrium is re-
cured.
When the atmosphere about us is uniformly
filled or saturated with electricity, there is
quiet, safety, equilibrium but1fa layer either
side has more or less electricity than the one
about us, there is q passing of the electricity
from one to the other. until each body of air il
alike filed or equally saturated. But with
this passing there is noise as the passing OF air
makes the noise Of wind, and the passage OF
water causes roaring, so the noise made by the
passage of electricity is called thunder the
force VI II is the lightning, as the force of wind
or moving water carries us away, according
to its rapidity; but lightning like cannon
ball, moves SO swiftly that the body which it
strikes has not time to have motion impaired
to IT, and it is shivered or perforated. The
comparison, however, does not hold good at
all points.
But the electricity of the fuller section or
body Of the air gets to the other which has
less, with greater or less facility, according to
what is between them, or connects them. II a
pointed piece Of metal gold, silver or iron,
connects these bodies, of different fullness OF
electricity, the communication or stream 10
there is no noise or commotion, and there is no
obstruction. But IL wood is used, it does not
conduct the electricity quick enough; hence
wood 10 not as good conductor as IRON
Hence, where there 10 more electricity above
No than on the EARTH 1t comes down quietly
and unnoticed IL there are a great many iron
communications or conductors such as light
ning-rods; but il trees only extend from one
70 the other, or tall chimneys, there is noise
and destruction. Hence ii is best to keep away
from chimneys and trees, or tall objects, in
thunder storms in warm weather; therefore
II in the house, keep rs near the centre of the
room as possible. Sc
But the course or direction of the lightning
IL always from the fuller air to that which is
less full, a. water runs from the fuller vessel
towards tho other. Hence, If the air in the
clouds has more electricity, the "stroke" comes
from shove; IT, however, the air on the sur
face IL fuller Of electricity, then the stroke is
upwards. This is the reason, in many cases,
Why men and animals are killed by lightning
In the open fields or on prairies
4 But these uneq ually filled bodies Of air may
b parallel with each other, and if a house is
between them. 1t will be conductor, and
person sitting at an open window will be
killed; Ii the window had been down, he night
have been saved, for glass repels lightning;
Chat IL, 1t can keep it from passing; hence if q
IN electrical wire, the electricity will pass
freely through his body into the earth but if
he stands on = glass block, the electricity does
not 60 through, but collects in the man him
- 1nen fr,n of nd lfro ina., Of
him every time you touch him.
lLightniug or electricity has q love, so to
speak, for metals; has an affinity for them or
eeeks for thern hence the less of iron, or steel,
or ether metals, you have about your person
during . thunder storm in summer, the safer
you are.-AGips journal Of Health, A1guss.