Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-09-04
BURNED BY ALCOHOL.
A YOUNG DENTIST THE VICTIM OF A
PAINFUL ACCIDENT.
The Can Explodes while DR.. Stratford Is
Filling a Lamp-Mr. Wright In
jurcd by a Fall.

DIR. 4. L. Stratford. n well-known
young dentist Of this city and assistant
to Dr John Mahony, whose dental par
lors are at No. G25 east Main street. met
with an accident yesterday afternoon
which barely missed being very serious
in its consequences.
As il was he was severely burned, and
his injuries are Of such a character as
will not only cause him TO lose several
weeks from business, but necessarily
produce considerable suffering.
HOW 1T OCCURRED.
About a quarter TO 4 O'Clock DR.. STRAIT
ford, while at work in the laboratory IN
rear Of the Offices, but on the same floor,
ascertained that bis alcohol-lamp Was
nearly empty, and he proceeded to fill 1t
himself from a gallon-can, which was
about half or one fourth full Of the fluid.
He did not extinguish the lamp, but
thought he could till it with safety 10y
unscrewing the burner and removing it
n short distance from the lamp, leaving
/ the wick 10 drip on the inside. When
he began 10 pour the alcohol the dan
/ gerous fluid became ignited and an ex-
/ plosion followed, in which the bottom
Of the gallon-can was blown out. How
the blaze was communicated to the alc0-
/ hol is not known, unless IT was 10y the
means Of escaping gas or yapor.
ENvELopED N FLAMES.
DR. Stratfords clothinr, which was
well sprnkled with alcohol expelled from
the vessel at the time Ok the explosion,
took fire, and in the iwinkling OF Gn eye
he wos enycloped III flames nearly from
head to foot
At the time Of the occurrence he was
in his shirt-sleeyes, with neither coat nor
vest on. With great presence OF mind
he rushed for his coat, which was hang
I ing near the door, and wrapped 1t tightly
about his head 20 keep the blaze from
reaching his face. Both Of his hands
were thus engaged, and he could 90
/ nothing TO suppress the flames which
were playing on the other parts OF his
body and especially on the right side,
which was toward the can at the time of
the explosion.
DR.. Mahony upon hearing the unusual
noisc suspected that something was
wrong and rushed down from bis cham
+ Der, on the floor above, 10 the laboratory,
and seeing what had occurred seized a
! large woolen rug, which he, with the
/ assistance of Dr. Stratford, wrapped
| closely around the latter, smothcring
the flames, aud Mrs Mahony picked
up a bucket Of water which Was near by
and threw it on the burning man. Only
( the coclness Of the young dentist and
/ the prompt action OF Nr and Mrs.
Mahony saved the former from the
fiery element that threatened to mako
him the victim Of horrible death.
Dr. r.. y. Stoyer was summoned and
soon arrived. He Immediately began
the application of proper remedies for
such cases. and dressed the burns, which
are superficial and not at al dangerous.
THE BURNS.
The most serious burns are those on
the right side, which embrace the whole
Of that part Of his BODY, the leg. and a
portion Of his arm, and his lett fore
arm. His left leg is slightly burned.
As soon as he could he made ready
for removal Dr. Stratford was placed
in "a carriage and sent to the American
Hotel, where he and his wife are board
ing. The latter had Just returned yester-
day morning from q trip OF several
weeks to her former home at Luray.
She was very much frightened when a
messenger knocked at the door and told
her that her husband had been badly
burned. She FASTENED up to Dr.
Mahony's. and while deeply distressed
was greatly relieved that he was not
more seriously hurt.
CHEERFUL AND COMFORTABLE.
"This is my only sound member,
said Dr. Stratford as he extended his
right hand to dispatch reporter who
called to see him last night.
The dentist was lying on his bed with
the greater portion of his body bandaged
and pouticcd and was in cheerful spirits
and resting comfortably. lie SAID there
was If course some pain, buta great deal
less than he anticipated.
My burns are not deep" he said,
"and / think I viii be up IN few days.
Or. StOver has fixed me up very nicely
indeed, and feel quite sure that | will
be able TO return to business in two
weeks at the outside"
PERSONAL.
There were several friends in Or.
Stratiord's 8 room when the scribe entered,
and others came in during his visit to
pay their respects and extend their sym
pathy.
Dr. Stratford is held in high esteem
bv Dr. and Mrs. Mahony, and enjoys II
wide popularity in both professional and
social circles.
SERIOUS INJURY or Mr.. JOHN WRIGHT.
Mr.. John Wright a carpenter about
TWENTY-FIVE wears old, who lives at go
Cumberland street, fell from the scat
folding Of building being erected at
the corner of Cherry and Floyd streets
Yesterday morning and was very scrl-
ously injured.
lie was handling a piece of scantling,
and in making a step lost hls footing
and fell TO the ground, distance OF
thirty feet.
The city ambulance, under charge OF
DIR. Henderson, soon responded TO the
call and conveyed the injured man TO his
home, where he was attended by DIR.
Stover. who found that both bones in
the right leg were broken an inch and
half or two inches above the ankle, and
the limb very badly bruised. The left
ankle was also sprained, and Mr..
Wrght's forehead was cut and bruised.
The Doctor rendered the necessary
surcical attention and made his patient
as comfortable as possible. The com
pound fracture of the leg is considered
n very serious one, but the other injuries,
though painful just now, will not amount
TO much.
Mckinney VIII Meet Him.
II has been given ont that General
Malone means to challenge Hon. 7. W.
Mckinney to a joint discussion of the
II - 20