Connecticut western news., 1879-12-03
Ignorance Regarding Kerosene.

It is strange that after kerosene has been in general use so many years so little appears to be known as to it's qualities and the proper manner of using it. There is no means of producing artificial hght that is SO extensively employed, and probably no one material for lights in dwellings has ever attained such al- most universal use. When oil and candles were in use some families used nothing but can. dles and some only spermaceti, or whale oil When the compounds known as camphene and burning fluid were introduced, there were many who refused to use them and adhered to the oil and candle. Even in cities and towns where gas is produced only portion of the people use it, and kerosene is the uulver- sal lighter. Yet there is intense ignorance concerning it's qualities and dangers, even among people who are well informed on most subjects. Here is an illustration, taken from daily in an adjoining State;
 There was providential escape from a horrible accident at Dalton the other evening. Henry 0. Hale and wife, living in the east part of the town, attended the dedication of | the Grangers new hall, leaving their two chil- dren at home When they returned at late hour they found that the lamp, which had been turned down low, had exploded, and the room was filled with smoke Happily it had not taken fire, and though sthe children were found insensible in their bed, they were re- | vived after considerable exertion.
 The lamp had been 'turned down low What 8 comment on human intelligence The presencesof a glass chimney on. every kero <sene lamp is as plain direction to keep tie flame bright as though it was printed in SC many words: "Do not let me smoke"
 Kerosene is 8 concentrated hydro-carbon With an insufficient supply of oxygen it gives of hydrogen and oarbonic acid gases, botf inimical to health, and in sufficient amounts fatal to life. With an ordinary open lamI the burning of kerosene is not successful A chimney is added, which rests on perforated base below the flame, and extends several inches above it. On lighting the lamp tht glass chimney is almost instantly heated, in ducing an upward current of air which rushe! in through the network of perforations, feed. the flame with oxygen, and passes off at thu top of the chimney. If the chimney is sui fieiently high and the perfotations sufficient. large the intensity of the light mayH Hbe consid erably increased, of course at the expense 0 larger amount of oil and greater suppl, of oxygen. Thus, the table lamps, with cyl indrical or Argand wicks, give 8 larger amount of light than those which are fed by a fiat wick; the chimney is much higher ane the atmosphere is fed to the center as we'll as the outside of the flame.
 When kerosene lamp is turned down low from a mistaken idea of economy, there is in sufficient combustion, and if the lamp does not visibly smoke the invisible gases of car bonic acid and hydrogen are evolved, and may be detected instantly by the smell, espe cially by person who enters from out door: ! or from room where the air is pure. Tle same result is reached where the wick is turl edItoo high. The presence of these danger ous gases means headache and vertigo, and at length insensibility and death. No ordi. narily sized living room in house is safe hali an hour, or fifteen minutes even, after a lamr has been put into this improper condition | All saving of oil by such means, is'at the, risk | ofloss of health and Epossibly of life Such + tniggardliness is suicidal. -POst, ,..