The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-04-25
A DANGEROUS SERVANT.

Just as in the 7aoeyge TemptatSonS each
coveted delight, each triumph in love, or war,
or avarice, strikes SO many years from the
life of him who demands it, so it would
seem that by mysterious dispensation each
new discovery in science that softens human
toll, or augments human achievement or en-
joyment, is attended by a corresponding
penalty. Steam boilers burst, scattering
havoc around; the electric wire that brings
us glad tidings from afar sometimes also
conducts among us fire and destruction; gun
powder frequently hoists the engineer as
with his own petard; and the rock oil that
with such amazing rapidity has superseded
the product of animals to illumine our dwell
ings, too often levies tribute for it's superior
light, cheapness, and cleanliness by scattering
sorrow and desolation around.
The number of accidents from kerosene
has increased of late so fearfully that it be-
comes the bounden duty of che press to in
culcate caution, if not that of legislation to
impose restrictions or safeguards. So many
are the ways in which these casualties are
brought abou, as to make it plain that none,
even the most prudent, can reckon them
selves absolutely safe, while the responsibility
of trusting children or careless servants with
the inhammable agent is conmensurately
grave. Accidents have been produced by
using kerosene to saturate kindling materials
to light fires; by concussion, as when an axe
is used for splitting wood near the lamp;
by the wind, from the lamp being left near
an open window or other draught of
air; by unnoticed spilling of the fluid
on the floor, an unextinguised match having
afterwards been thrown on the spot; and by
many other mishaps besides the common one
of overthrowing or breaking the lamp. 1t is
generally supposed that extreme care on the
part of an individual will assure safety, but
nobody can be absolutely certain of the ex-
treme care of others. Kerosene lamps often
explode, for instance, when no one is near
them. T2B vessel has become too empty and
the wick is unclean. In these cases the coal
oil, benzine, gasoline, or whatever it may be
called, may be quite inexplosable in liquid
form; but when greatly heated it
throws off vapor which accumulates
in the untitled chamber of the lamp.
If the wick is clean this may pass off
without damage, but if as usual the wick is
foul, there is always danger and often catas-
trophe. Hence, if lamp burns clear and
bright it is SAFE If it burns dull or smokes
it should be blown out at once. Hence, too,
kerosene lamps should be carefully reilled
every day. The trouble will be amply repaid
by the additional safety. Explosions, as we
have said, are sometimes caused by the wind
Consequently, kerosene lamp should never
be extinguished by blowing down the CHM
ney. The flame, especially with bad wick,
is in danger of pcssing into the chamber, and
if it meets the vapor spoken of an explosion
is almost inevitable.
The impression is likewise general that ac-
cidents are possible only with bad oil. We
fear this is a mistake. The fact that you can
plunge lighted taper into a vessel of oil
docs not prove its safety. 1t is still liable to
the process of vaporization before described,
and no test can be reckoned a crucial one
that leaves out of view this contingency.
Probably ten accidents are due to careless
ness where one is due to bad oil. The price of
safety with kerosene is probably like that Of
liberty, to be found only in eternal vigilance.
Far better to use whale oil or candles where
careless domestics, children, or people, of
whom there are many, of habitually uncer-
tain touch or defective sense of responsible
lty, are near to multiply risk and invite ca
lamity. The accounts of terrible accidents
from this source that reach us daily are posi-
lively alarming; and if to these be added the
more numerous cases that escape report, be-
cause unattended by personal injury, it is
clear that the aggregate of mischief wrought
by this dangerous servant must be enormous.
No precaution is wasted that aims to guard
against such disasters, and, as we have al
ready implied, it may be well that Legislative
enactment should be brought in play to limit,
! by some expedient means, their swelling
! number.