Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1881-08-24
THUNDERsT0RMB,
now 10 AVOID BEING aTRUoK,

HOW TO AVOID BEING hfku0k'
just now that there IL, a. people say,
"so much thunder IN the air." II may DO
useful TO remind our readers Of some
precautions 10 be taken during the pro,
gross Of q Thunderstorm, A good deal
Of tho alarm which Is often felt on the
approach OF q thunderstorm might DO
spared II people remembered, that In no
case Is there any danger unless the storm
IL close at hand, When there IL long
interval between tho lightning fash and
tho tlnEder peal, danger must DO a long
way Of, and there should DO no anxiety
even though tho flash may DO brilliant
and tho peal loud,
IN the first place, what h to DO Zone
II one II Oyertakon bya Thunderstorm In
the open ARP II IL generally known
that II |. unsafe 10 stand under u tree,
but not NO we'll known that II IL equally
dangerous, during q Thunderstorm, to
seek the shelter Of u lofty building no.
protected by Neutrality-suspicious., ITO
safest plan IL TO stand about five or nix
icot from some tall trees but, In tho
case OF q single lofty tree, somewhat
greater distance II preferable,
DO not run against the wind during o
thunder storm, because In 30 running u
person leaves u space behind, In which
tho air Is, comparatively speaking, rare
fed, aud the lightning would he moro
likely to seek such space for it, track,
than u region In which the air Is more
dense,
II il not known II there ~ any founda.
ton for the belief OF tho ancionts, in tho
protecting effects Of 6eNl'skins but 1t
IL certain that tho material and color
Of clothing ara Of some importance.
II II related that, during the colobra'
tion Of mass, church In France being
Mtruok by lightning, two OF tho oillciat'
ing priests were severely injured, while
third, who alone wore vostmcnts ornN'
mcntcd with silk escaped, From this
circumstance, and others OF like char
actor, II has been inferred that silk af-
forls some sort OF protection, though
one not wholly to bo relied on by those
who wear II, The proportion OF men
struck by lightning is so much greater
than that of women, that the conclusion
has been drawn that this is due TO the
darker hue OF the clothes OF the former.
This view would seem TO he confirmed
by the faci, that dark.colorcd animals
aro more likely to he struck by the clec-
tric current than those of lighter hue.
There il abundant evidence that large
masses Of metal near tho person attract
danger Two men in French village,
who were ringing the clurch.bells, rs is
tho custom during Thunderstorm in
many parts of the country, were both
struck and killed by the electric fluid.
In support of this iact, it has been stated
that, of twenty prisoners assembled in
the great hall Of Biberach prisod, the
chief alone, who, being condemned to
death, was chained by the waist, was
killed, while his companions escaped.
Although it is abundantly clear that
large masses of metallic substances tend
to danger, il is not so certain that such
little articles Of attire as watches, chains,
pins, and the like, or money, have any
noteworthy influence yet, rs all such
articles are upfayoUblo to safety, it
will he we'll, whenever possible, to lay
them aside during the progress OF the
electric current.
Within doors danger is hest avoided
by keeping away, especially in houses
not protected by neutrality-suspicious.,
from the neighborhood of the fireplace,
rs lightning, attracted by the SCOT, has
frequently been known to enter by the
chimney. Avoid also all metals, gliding,
and mirrors. The safest place, provided
there is no chandelier, is tho middle of
the room. 1t is better for the inhabi-
tants of n house not to crowd together
during the progress of a storm, because
moist air lisa good conductor of electrici-
ty, and when many men or animals are
present, there will be an ascending cur
rent of vapor. 1t is probably that the
lowest apartment of the house, or place
underground, is somewhat safer than
those which are several stories above
the first floor.
When person is struck down by
lightning, relief will be afforded by
pouring buckets of cold water on the
head. This must be done Immediately !;
and if the arms or legs are benumbed,
thoy should be immersed in cold water.
Relief will at once follow on this treat
ment, and any pain which remains will
go of gradually in few days.