Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1873-06-18
cas-.

CAS- t
Along with pure water and sufi-
eient drains, good light ranks as most |
essential to our physical and, eonse-
quentIy, of our moral welfare. Now, |
bad gas is most damaging not only to |
our eyes, lungs, brains and blood, but, |
what is much more important, to our |
property. In England, among the |
highest and wealthiest classes. 1t is
not used in the parts OF the house
where the lives Of the occupants Is
ived-the dining-roOms, the draw
ing-rooms, and bedrooms. Its use IN
the very best houses is limited to the
hall and the servants offices. And
this not merely because 1t is q vulgar
illumination compared with wax can
dies and carcel lamps, but because OF
its injurious effects on health and fur
niture. 1t is hardly to be expected
that busy, money-making Yankee
would put himself out Of his way in
a matter of this kind merely from
considerations of health. But we
should think that his mind might be
reached through his carpets, his silk
hangings, his books whether self
chosen or furnished to order after ad-
measurement of shelves by the bibli-
opolel, and his Old Masters, however
dubious their genesis, all Of which
make so large part OF his life.
We suppose it is pretty generally
known that bad gas Is exceedingly
detrimental to books and paintings
Some say that any gas is 80. But then
there has been so little good gas made
since its invention that such general
sentence may be too sweeping one.
There can be no doubt, however, as
to the mischievous properties Of ordt-
nary gas. Very curious collectors VII
not allow gas to enter into their GAL
leries or libraries, because or the DAM
age that may ensue to their treasures.
The mischief proceeds partly from the
actual heat of gas, but chiefly from
the compounds Of sulphuretted ny
drogen# in gas made of coal and from
sul6bide of carbon, which on combus-
ton Yields uIphurOus acid CAST Some
fifteen or sixteen years ago commits
sion of chemists, with Faraday at Its
head, was appointed in England for
the very purpose Of examining TINS
subject. In their report 70 Farla-
ment they stated that there IS nothing
in the nature of coal gas, properly
made, which is necessarily injurious
to paintings. But that sulphuretted
hydrogen and sulphurous acid gas are
highly and inevitably so. This is also
necessarily true Of books and uphol-
stery of delicate materials. But the
commission goes on to say that these
mischievous elements may ee entire
ly eliminated from coal gas If proper
ly made, and they say that gas should
never be introduced into picture gal
Ieries unless entirely purified Of these
injurious products. And, as q practi-
cal proof of the truth Of this most au-
thentic discovery, there is one collee-
ton of paintings-the Sheepshanks
Gallery1which has been made the
experiment of the truth of their doc.
trine, The gas used in this gallery IS
made expressly for it, and all the
harmful products of combustion care
fully removed. The result Is perfect
Illumination, with absolute freedom
from injury. Now, why should Sheep
shanks have the monopoly OF pure
gas? Why should not all our houses
and churches and public buildings be
made Sheepshanks galleries? 1t be-
ing proved, by the highest chemical
AUTHORITY in the world, that gas can
be made free from the poisonous prop
critics which now infect 1t In this
country, why should not all be so
made? Why should not the State ap-
point a commission of eminent chem
lists to examine the quality Of the gas
furnished by the companies IL mas IN
corporated, so that they may be COM
!, vi fal of n
preaching the Sheepshanks standardE
There is no reason why not, except
ing popular ignorance and pubic IN
difference on the subject. We trust
the good time may come when the
gas companies will be reduced from
the rank of our masters to that Of our
good and faithful servants.-N. Z.
Independent.
Sulphuretted hydrogen when re-
spired, proves fatal; and it is very dele
FERROUS. even though largely diluted with
atnosuheric air. Nausea, giddiness,
headache and q peculiar faintness, with
less of appetite, are the usual symptoms
produced. when an atmosphere even
slightly contaminated by sulphuretted
HYDROGEN has been breathed for any
length Of time. When its escape inio
room cannot be prevented, its effect may
be counteracted by the diffusion OF lit
lie chlorine. . The gas has pc
ct.liarly nauseous. fetid odor, resem-
bling that OF rotten eggs (somewhat).-
BraHde e Tdylor'S Chemistry.
I Sulphurous acid gas has the sutIo-
eating odor of burning sulphur, and q
sour taste. II breathed in diluted
state. it causes cough and heacache ano
in a concentrated form il is fatal to life.
II is highly destructive to all animals
Brdfsde 6 Taylor. s...- ,...... -