The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-08-09
Danger from Lightning.

Danger from Lightning.
The accidents from lightning reported
this summer have been very numerous.
Many lives have been lost by them, both in
England and in this country. A fear Of
lightning is often ridlculed, but these fatal
tiles Indicate too general neglect Of proper
precautions in thunder storms. 1t is desi-
rable that people should be sufficiently APP
prehcnsive Of danger to adopt such safe
guards MS science recommends, especially
whore failure TO do so may be followed by
such terrible results.
1t will bc noticed that lightning does COM
parativcly little damage in the heart Of large
cities. The innumcrablc metallic conduc-
tors to the earth which modern architecture
supplies probably carry Off in silence many
discharges OF electricity which would other
wise be explosive. Then the highest points,
such as church spires, are usually furnished
with efficient lightning rods. Country dwell
ings. however. and prominent unprotected
buildings ON the outskirts of cities are liable
to bc struck. and it Is these and country
churches which have suffered most during
the present summer. II is altogether prob
able that complete protection is afford
ed by lightning rods, when they are Of the
right size and material, and suitably dis
tributed and attached. Such, at least, is the
opinion OF the great majority Of competent
physicists in all countries. Its correctness
has been strongly confirmed by the expert
ence OF the inhabitants Of the British colony
Of Natal In that part Of South Africa, at
certain seasons. thunder storms are of con
slant occurrence. Sometimes there will be
four or five in a day. each separate and dis
tinct from the others, and frequently they
are ~ great violence. The destruction OF
life and property effected by the lightning
early demanded some preventive action;
and this was taken by providing the houses
of the colonists with metallic conductors of
the most approved pattern. Since this was
done accidents from lightning, which former
ly often occurred there. are stated TO have
been unknown in the capital.
II seems plain enough, then, that country
houses and barns should be protected 10y
lightning rods, which, indeed. ought to be-
considered Indispensable in districts visited
10y thunder storms. The need is even more
obvious in the case Of country churches.
which are usually the lofticst buildings OF
the neighborhood. II would be difficult to
find a more dangerous situation indoors dur
ing a thunder shower than lofty-steeplcd
village church without any lightning rod.
This view has been verified by sad and fatal
experience in several instances within the
last few weeks. Some churches, however,
are in worse condition than if they had no
lightning rod at all. We have known Of sew
eral in New England on which the rods had
accidentally become disconnected from the
earth 10y break at a considerable distance
above the ground, and were carclessly al
lowed Ia remain 81 for weeks at time.
---A-IroIieh an1dens4rous hajit which some
persons indulge in-we are sorry to say that
many of them are young girls-is that of
sitting by an open window during the prcya-
lcncc Of heavy thunder shower Displays Of
lightning are doubtless attractive but they
are not worth risking ones life for; besides,
they are best seen at distance, and when
thunderholt- are crashing all around the
ueighboring fields and hedges, it Is wiser t.
withdraw from the window on close it. The
practice We speak Of l. hyno means prudent,
even IN properly projected house; while IN
any other it involves very great risk. And
even in cities there have been several In
stances within the last few years Of death
by lightning while sitting at open Windows.
Neither Is it wise TO take refuge under
tree during a thunder shower. There is no
objection to remaining in a woodland, in
deed, it Is much safer there than on an open
plain-if care Is taken to avoid being near the
taller trees Sometimes, however the trav-
eller must choose between remaining on
the open plain or seeking shelter under n
single tree. Under these circumstances the
best authorities seem agreed that the safest
situation is a spot us far from the trunk as
the tree is high.
While 1t Is true that tho comparative
mortality caused by lightning is very
small we are confident it could be largely
reduced 10y the exercise Of such precautions
as we have indicated. In regard 10 light
ming rods we know that views differ greatly
as to the best material and form; but per
haps the safest course in this respect for
persons without scientific training, would be
to adopt the sort used 10y the nearest college
or other prominent institution OF learning
In SO doing they would be almost certain
10 secure good system Of protection, if not
the best,