The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1891-08-01

discharge of electricity by the close
proximity of high trees. Indeed, there
IS almost entire safety from lightning
to any building that has the fullgrown
Lombardy poplar tree close to it,
with its countless points of attraction
III its upward pointed leaves.
While there is not absolute safety
from lightning in even the best pre-
cautious, there is really very little
danger to any building that is protect
ed oy properly CONSTRUCTED lightning
conductors. ANY other than properly
constructed conductors only increase
the danger n tlrey multiply tile attrac-
lion Wltro:t furnishing the means Of
leading the discharge away from the
hnl!ttin-. II Is safe to say that one
halt. and probably much more tllau
one halls. II the lightning rods int AZ
III the country afr Serina@lE defective
AID frauds upon t..e neaMi- nh3 have
bought them. Many buildings have
vastly more feet III lott ol st.etI than
are needed il property applied, anl
lew who nHy Conductors know Whrn
Tie rods are properly pnt upon thu
hnliding or when they are properly
grounded III tire moist earth. The
best conductor when properly applied
I" i Building j. only an increased
source Of peril unless id Is grounded
where there i constant moisture.
HE best lightning conductor i tie
COPPER cable. Ltis mose costly than
ron. hnt i Is we'll worth the dittureuce.
lii@ ahdGcting powec 0f 4 rod il the
extent of surface it pIestn !. and i ca-
Die nade np OF many strands Of wire
greatly MuittIilas iIa surface and con
duet NJ capacity. Then copper is the
best conductor otall our cheap metals,
and lightning always follows tile best
conductor. II plays no '.frtakS.' It
Is often apparently etratic in it, course,
DIN IL always ooeIo the laws OF attlac-
tIon, and a copper cable, with i circuit
around the base Of the whole roof. |
with points attached to every chimney
or prominent elevation, and two or
three conductors to tile earth. ending +,
IN I cistern water pipe o. moist ground
Will be reasonably certain to protect
any building and its inmates from the
lightning stroke.
80 NiS vi conductors u tIO-
a house, and indeed under all cir
c~umstances, 1t Is wise to avoid expo
to damp currents during a tlun-
As al. currents OF air are
heavily charged with dampncss during
storms, they become conductors
Of lightning in the absence Of a strong
er attraction, such as a good lightning
and even with good lightning
rods /: the possibility OF an excessive
discharge of electricity that would
make part of it seek other conductors.
IS a strong argument in favor of closed
doors and windows during electrical
disturbances. 1t is seldom that a
lightning stroke enters a house. at
all. unless by some damp air current
caused by an open door or window,-or
ny a chimney. Many buildings receive
electric shocks without penetrating
the inside at ali, and without even Sc
shock to the inmates.
Few OF the very many who are ter
rorlzed by thunder storms pause to
consider how little loss OF life is caused
Dy lightning strokes. There are
many more people drowned each year
Than are killed by lightning; there
ire many more people killed by rail-
way accident than BY lightning, and
here are many more people killed by
he varied accidents which prevail in
sen the best regulated communities,
han by lightning. None. are %terroriz-
ID by fear of drowning hundreds of
thousands travel daily on RAILWAYS
without tear, and none take thought of
he countless forms il which death
comes by accident everywhere but
I'll more or less bow to fear of lichtn-
ng that is not nearly as destructive
IT life as other sources Of danger which
,ives them little or no concern. There
S danger in the thunder storm. how
yer, and it is always wise to take
reasonable precaution against it.
5ood lightning rods are always wise,
mi there is always wisdom In closed
loors and windows. and ALWAYS fool
lardy exposure IN taking refuge under
trees during orms.-Philade
,hia Times.