Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-08-08
THURSDAY. .I.....AUGUST g. 1899.
Water-Gas.

We recently published letter from DR..
Dow. Of Bridgeport. Conn, setting forth.
the dangers that accompany the use OF
wator-gas. naming cities where it was
used and warning other cities not to fol-
low their example.
We may be somewhat prciudiced against
the watcr-cas, but if 20 we are not aware OF
tho fact. II n can DO made az cheaply as
coal-gas. is not moro dangerous, and IS a,
better gas. or makes the coal-gas better. II
will surely work Is way into favor, what
ever reasons va or anybody else may urge
10 tine contrary.
A friend has handed TO us copies of two
pamphlets published in the interest of
watcr-oas. The opinions Of experts are
pressed into the service of what are as
sumed to be the facts of the case, and
quite good showing is made in behalf of
water-eas. Some significant facts, how
ever, crop ont on the other side Here, for
example, is a copy of a petition to the Lee
gislature Of Massachusetts, praying that
body to amend the law so rs to permit
the manufacture ,cdli0'd penalty Of water
gas for Illuminating purposes How did
II happen that so intelligent body as the
Legislature of Massachusetts, passed law
formdding under penalties the manufac-
ture of water-gas ? Let this DO as it may,
the list of petitioners is long one, and the
names of the signers are no doubt amongst
the best names in the old Bay State.
CT. CHANDLER. Pm. D., NJ. D.. late presi-
don't Of the Health Department of New
York city, and p W. BEDFORD, professor of
pharmacy, College Of Pharmacy of New
York city, certify that water-gas sis no
more dangerous to health and life than
coal-gas, aud there is no just ground, IA
Gar as health and life are concerned, to pro-
hibit its manufacture
All the same, it appears from this certit-
cate that its manufacture is prohibited by
law.
DR.. WALTER HEanEL. polytechnicum, of
Dresden, Germany. certities that both coal
and water-gas "are very dangerous sub
stances. which should be handled with the
greatest care"
Professor T. SroEY Hunt gives a certif-
cate which does not encourage us to hope
for the best results from the use of water
gas. lie says:
at is not proved that carbonic oxide Is
n more noxi0us or dcletcrious ingredient
in gas than the various hydrocarbons. ana
I do not think ii has been shown that gas
containing twice as much or three times
a. much carbOnlc oxide as ordinary coal
cas IL really any more dangerous than the
ordinary eliminating gas Either OF the
gases. if liberated IN room IN any con-
siderable quantity, viii cause DEATH"
The phrases. at is not proved" and I
do not think it has been shown" are not
calculated TO strengthen a PERSONS faith
in water-gas.
Professors II. II. Croft and W. II. PIKE,
professors of chemistry in the Toronto
University, say There can be no great
difference between coal and water-gas as
TO danger"
"No great difference" Another dis
couraging phrase. We quote from Profess
sOr CHANDLHE's testimony IA follows:
Professor Chandler gave his opinion on
the question as TO the poisonous nature OF
water-gas, said II contained three times ~
much poisonous carbunic oxide as coal
cas, and yet practically was no more dan-
gerous. In cases of sudOcatlOn by II the
victims would die just rs surely from coal
gas, but in little longer time
Might not one victim liyinga little longer
time than another have the good fortune
10 recover!
Professor IRA REMsES of the Johns Hop
kins University Baltimore, says:
II do not consider the use of water-gas
at all dangerous. If it be used with tho
same precautions as are observed IN the
use of ordinary cOal-gas."
Professor EDWARD :. WooD medical de-
partment of Harvard University, says:
The mixture of water-gas with camel
OF pctroleum-gas appears, however, prac-
;icsLly to be but little If any more danger
ous than common coal-gas."
A maxim of the law is that it is better
that ninety-nine guilty persons escape pun
,hment than that one innocent person be
punished. So in this matter we say that if
one expert in a hundred testifes that
xater-gas is more dangerous than coal-gas,
let US continue the use of the latter until
the objections of this one are removed by
improvements in the product or in the
manner Of manufacturing IT.