San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-10-19
Danger from Lightning.

1 a. 70, Danger from Lightning. %
Lrn The accidents from Lightning report
ed this summer have been very numer-
Gus. Many lives have been lost by
them, both in England and in this
country. A fear Of lightning is often
ridiculed, but these fatalities indicate
4 too general neglect of proper precau-
tons in thunder storms. 20 1t is desirable
that people should be, sufficiently ap-
prehensive of danger to adopt such safe
guards as science recommends, especl-
l ally where failure to do so may be fol-
lowed by such terrible results. L.''
1t will be noticed that lightning does
comparatively little damage in the heart
of large cities. ~ The innumerable me-
tallic conductors to the earth which
modern architecture supplies probably
carry off in silence many discharges OF
electricity which would otherwise be ex-
plosive, Then, the highest points, such
as church spires, are usually furnished
with efficient lightning-rods. Country
dwellings,, however, and prominent un-
protected buildings on the outskirts Of
cities are liable to be struck, and
Lit is these and country churches
which have suffered L most during
the present summer. 1t is altogether
probable that complete protection is
liafforded by lightning-rods, when they
are of the right size and material, and
suitably distributed and attached. Such,
at least, is the opinion of the great MAJ
jority of competent physicists in all
fcountries. Its correctness has been
strongly confirmed by the experience of
the inhabitants of the British colony of
Natal. In that part of South Africa, at
certain seasons, thunder-storms are of
constant occurrence. Sometimes there
will be four or five in q day, each sepa-
rate and distinct from the others, and
frequently, they are of 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 formerly often occurred there,
are stated to have been unknown in the
capital. ,..,.u-. -as,a .r.l o.. .s ....
it seems plain enough, then, that
country houses and barns should be pro-
tected by lightning rods, which, indeed,
ought to be considered indispensable in
districts visited by thunder storms. The
need is even more obvious in the case of
country churches, which are usually the
Hottest buildings of the neighborhood.
1t would be difficult to find more dam
gerous situation indoors during thun-
der shower than lofty -steepled 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 q worse condition than
if they had. no lightning-rod at ALL We
have known of several in New England
on which the rods had accidentally be-
come disconnected from the earth by "
break at considerable distance above
the ground, and were carelessly allowed
to remain so for weeks at y time. nrar
A foolish and dangerous habit which
some persons indulge in-,we are sorry
], tolsay some OF them are young girls7is
! that of sitting by an open window during
the prevalence of a heavy thunder show
er., Displays Of lightning are doubtless
attractive, but they are not worth risk
ing ones life for; besides, they are best
seen at q distance, and when thunder
bolts are crashing all around the neigh
boring fields and hedges, it is wiser to
withdraw from the window or close it.
The practice we speak of is by no means
prudent, even in properly protected
house; while in any other it involves
very great risk. And even in cities
there have been several instances with.
in the last few years of death by light
ming while sitting at open windows.
Neither is it wise to take refuge I'M
der a tree during thunder-shower.
| There is no objection to remaining in
a woodland, indeed, it is much safer
there than on an open plain-if
care is taken to avoid being near the
taller trees. Sometimes, however, the
traveller must choose between remaining
on the open plain or seeking shelter un-
der single tree. Under these circum-
stances the best authorities seem agreed
that the safest situation is spot as far
/ from the trunk as the tree is high.
While it is true that the comparative
mortality caused by lightning is very
small, we. are confident it could be
largely reduced by the exercise OF such
precautions as we have indicated. In
regard to lightning-rods, we know that
views differ greatly as to the best mate
rial and form; but perhaps the safest
course in this respect, for persons with
out scientific training, would be to adopt
the sort used by the nearest college or
other prominent institution of learning.
In SO doing, they would be almost GER
tain to secure good system of protec-
ton, il not the best.-Ne1 York Saa. T
Gambling in England, whose evils