The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1895-07-11
LIGHTNING.
POINTS OF INTEREST ABOUT A
DANGEROUS SUMMER VISITOR.
Fires and Fatalities Which IL Has
Caused-Morc Risk From IL
In Country Than In Town
- Lightning Rods.
TBE Department of Agricul-

ning," which. the Louisville Courier
Journal declares, is of rather more
interest than the usual run OF such
publications. Since 1891 the Weather
Bureau observers have carefully inves-
tigated all reports of deaths, fires and
other accidents from lightning; and
the conclusions deduced tberefrom by
the author are sure to attract atten-
tion.
In the first place Mr.. McAdie shows
that the danger from lightning is not
imaginary. An immense amount OF
property is destroyed and many lives
taken by this subtle agent every
year. The Weather Bureau records
do not contain any figures rs to the
loss of property, but the "Chronicle
Fire Tables" compiled from reports
of fire departments, insurance COM
panies and the press, have very full
and reliable estimates. According to
them there occurred in the United
States during the nine years ending
1893 no less than 4175 such fires with
an aggregate loss Of s14, 800, OILS. Dur
ing the ten years ending 1898 there
we're 2679 barns, S3l dwellings and
129 churches struck by lightning. A
curious circumstance observed but
not explained is that there have been
notable increases in accidents from
lightning in certain States. Connecti-
cut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts,,
New York and Michigan, for instante,
report many more than Alabama, Ar
kansas. Kentucky or California.
For 1894 the Bureau records ape
very full. During the year 336 per.
sons we're killed and 351 severely iu-
lured; besides which 26S barns were
struck, with damage OF Si07, 800;
fifty-fve churches were also struck,
damage unknown, and 261 dwellings,,
and several oil tanks, factories and
elevators, the total damage to these
amounting to not less than 1851, 900.
The great bulk of these casualties
happened during the months of June,
July and August, but there were two
fatalities during February F; and Janu-
airy, November and December were
the only periods exempted.
Many interesting points were no.
ticed. For instance, the risk in thick
ly settled places is light. There is but
little need for lightning rods in towns.
The oak tree is the most frequent VIC
tim in the forest, the beech the least.
Trees struck are generally on the edge
of forests or out in the clear, and their
height averages from fifty-two IN sixty
six feet. The proportion of suscepti-
bility to lightning, if the beech be
| tn1 h. ,u,n ha 60
the pines, forty for other trees and
fifty-four for oaks.
Mr.. Meade is a believer in the
lightning rod, but he shows how wide
ly authorities differ rs to the value of
these conductors. He insists that the
rods be of good iron or copper, and
that they should be as well "ground-
ed" as possible. If the rod be near
gas or water mains it should be con-
nected with them, but an Independent
"ground" is preferable to the mains.
The top of the rod ought to be pro-
tected from rust.
In spite of the old proverb to the
contrary, lightning does often strike
twice in the same place. 1t is unwise
to stand under trees during thunder
storms, in the doorway OF barns close
: to cattle or near chimneys or fire
places. On the other hand it is not
: worth while to try to insulate ones
: self in feather bed.
The fatality of the shocks from light
ming strokes is an interesting consid.
Grafton. The only record the author
knows of is that OF 2l2 persons struck
seventy-four were killed. OF forty.
three victims twenty were struck in
doors and twenty-three outside, four
being under trees. 1t is certain that
in many cases death is not instantane
Gus, but animation is suspended and
the patient may die unless properly
, treated at once. All the authoritie:
7 advise that every effort be resorted Ia
= to restore respiration. and this should
! be kept up Mt least an hour if the VIC
! tim do not show sigLs OF recovery
3 sooner.
The subject of accidents from light
ming is q curious and singularly fas
l cinating one. Many people, womer
a especially, have the greatest dread o
o thunderstorms, and no amount of rea
sohinb Sah RiNo tueh coui"Sc' tct
Q may be said that while it is true, a
d Mr.. McAdie observes, that the danger
o from lightning is real one, so also il
\. the peril from falling walls and build
| ings. Andif lightning be more deadly
l. in the country there are many NOR
s walls and buildings in cities, and thes
ought to be looked out for. A care
: less hod carrier or mason may let droI
% a brick upon passer at any time
: Only last week man recovered SS50l
;, from q warehouse i'll this city becaus
q shutter fell on his head as he wa
o passing. IL all such casualties wer,
o compiled the number would probabl.
. equal those from lightning. Still
u Mr.. MeAdie's publication is an in
" teresting and valuable little treatise
~ and its suggestions can do no harm.