The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-01-19
THE GASES IN MINES.
In Farmer Days Explosions Were
Attributed to Evil Spirits.
The CAUSES OF MINE DISASTERS.
The Grotto del Cane in Italy-Unpardonalile
Ignorance Causes Great Deal
of Suffering.

It was among the German miners thai
the term gas, as applied to aeriform bodies
was first used. They were alarmed at the
frequency and severity of the explosions
to which the followers of their craft were
subject; and, yielding to that paramount
tendency of mankind to concoct theory Of
explanation for every mystery, they pro
mulgated the belief that the disasters il
mines were caused through the agency OF
spirits or ghosts, whose interest it was to
guard the precious metals of the hills. The
name by which they expressed the idea OF
an unseen and intangible spirit was geist
and from that, our Anglicized term gas has
been derived. We are less superstitious
to-day; we do not believe in genii and
gnomes, and at times we are apt to con
slider ourselves safe from the dangers that
beset our fathers of old, because we have
changed the names by which our ancestors
designated such mishaps. Call them gases
in the modern way, or gefstS in the original,
none can doubt that there are at work
within the caverns of the earth causes
which frequently eliminate in dire eXplo-
sions.
While the ghost theory was still held
an all-sufficient explanation of such disas-
tiers, it was known that these mysterious
influences were of two well defined classes :;
some accomplished their deadly work by
the aid of fire, and others choked their vic
tins to death. The names now adopted for
these diverse spirits are fire-damp for the
first, and choke-damp for the second; or, to
be more technically correct, carburetted
hydrogen, which by its eXplosiveness and
intiammability often spreads fiery destruc-
ton in mines; and carbon dioXide which is
total non supporter of respiration, and
which consequently produces death by suf-
location if the substance be inhaled.
With the latter, carbon dioXide, or car
bonic acid as it has been SO long called, we
have much to do. 1t is colorless, odorless
gas, and a constant product of combustion.
respiration, fermentation, and decay. Any
one who desires to investigate the proper
ties Of this strange gas may find pleasing
and profitable entertainment In manufac-
turing quantity of the substance in a
comparatively pure cor dition, and this may
be done by placing small amount of bak-
ing soda in conveniently size bottle, and
pouring upon it little dilute acid-muri-
attic acid is best adapted, but strong vine
gar will do. When these Materials are
brought together, violent effervescence
ensues. caused by the escape of the gas
which up to that time had been imprisoned
within the soda by the powerful agency of
chemical attraction. If the bottle had been
first provided with tightly fitting stopper
through which bent glass tube had been
passed. the gas could be conducted through
the tube as fast as it was produced, and
conveyed to any desired receptacle.
Fill wide-mouthed bottle with the gas,
then plunge il to it a lighted candle, or bet
ter still, tolerably large swab dipped in
alcohol and fired; the fame will be in
stantly extinguished. Owing to this prop
erty, carbon dioXide is frequently en-
ployed as a means of subduing fire; and
most of the portable fire extinguishers de-
pend upon some device for quickly gen
Grating large quantities of the gas. 1t is a
matter of record that coal mine in Eng
land was eXtinguished by these means
after being afire for thirty years, the sub
teranean cont1agration extending over a
space Of to,,wenty-six acres. In effecting
this continuoLs ct.reeasm OF carbon Glo o
gas was forced into the mine without inter
mission for three weeks; and to lower the
temperature Of the mass that there might
be no danger of re-ignition when all
again entered the mine, spray of cold
water was thrown in along with the gas.
pertaining to this substance, besides its
being such a pronounced non-supporter OF
combustion. If we can capture a harm
less, unnecessary mouse, we may honor
the creature by making it the subject of q
scientific execution. Place it in the bottle
Of carbon dioXide gas; ali! it gasps time
or two and is dead, indeed, its demise is
far more sudden tkan would have been the
case had the bottle contained water instead
of carbonic acid. Human beings would die
Just as quickly if compelled to breathe ~,
soffocating stuff,
CaroorIc acid is very Heavy in compari
son with the air, SD that though but gas
| it can be poured from vessel to vessel, ant
carried il, Buckets as readily as could b.
done with liquids.
A few years ago, the writer enjoyed tn
privilege of visiting large vinegar factor.
! IA the state of Maryland. / noted wit
surprise the huge fermenting watts with
luapacity of several thousand gallons apiece
| in Wnich the crushed and macerated corn
with the proper admiXture of malt, wa
placed. BY the fermentation OF the mas
alcohol was produced, and from this tn
acetic acid of the vinegar was subsequent
formed. But it was to the watts and tn
operations going on within them
which my attention was most d
rected. 1t was the rule of the work
that the watts should not be MOI
than half filled with the mash, leaving tn
upper part of these gigantic tubs free
contain the carbon dioxide gas which RI
suited from the fermentation. l climbe
the ladder leading to the top of one of til
watts and there verified the presence of tt
invisible carbonic acid gas by leaning owe
and dipping my hand held cup fashion, ar
) then pouring the unseen contents dow
ward on the lamp flames the blaze was
every case instantly exthgulshed. The
l got bucket and found that the stu
could be drawn up and poured as easily
could water. though to the sense OF sig
alone the bucket seemed empty
learned that at these works, but fe
DAYS before the time of my visit, thr
d workmen had been engaged in repairi
the wall alongside one of the watts, in
which by mistake, double quantity of
mash had been pumped. There was Insu
i, ficient room in the vat for the accumul
u ing carbonic acid. and in consequence, t
q huge vessel soon filled and overtiowed.
The laborers below were without wal
ing enveloped in the invisible clouds of
suffocating gas, and before help COZ
m reach them all were dead.
When generated in low situations, ST
as the deep wells or valleys, or even
cellars of houses, carbonic acid frequen
accumulates more rapidly than it can
~ removed by diffusion, and in conSeQuel
such places fill with the deadly gas. L
a time honored custom, and sensible {
indeed, to test the condition of such pl
IL. before descending into it by lowering SO
burning body. If the fame goes out, it
a proof that the gaseous contents of
place are irrespirable, and prudence wo
- suggest that we refrain from entering
~ Such place may be freed from the {
%. bonic acid, if the gas does not gather W
more than moderate rapidity, in seve
ways. The gas may be drawn out in bu
ne cts, or it may be absorbed and then
moved in pans of lime or of freshly hea