The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-03-06
Physiological Action Of Acetylene.

A paper of the highest importance
has been published by DR.. w. HI. Birch
more. Acetylene-Dr Birchmore calls
it ethnine-is apparently about to be
introduced on an extensive scale as a
means of lighting for domestic and
other plants. and especially for porta.
BILE lamps. DIR. Birchmore investigates
the possible influence of this gas on
the human subject and on animal life
in general. He states that an amount
of this gas can he diffused in the air of
n room without being perceptible to the
senses which will nave serious eff
feet ON the health of the inmate. To
prove the degree of this diffusion, DR..
Birchmore ran an absorption apparatus
for forty eight hours in a room in
which was standing holder that COLI
tanned the gas under pressure of two
inches. The result showed that the
amount of ethninc in the atmosphere
came from the holder by continuous
diffusion. This amount, which was
about 10 C. en-. per hour for each
square foot Of exposed surface under a
pressure of two inches of water, was
quite imperceptible to the sense of
smell. In experimenting upon himself
to ascertain the consumption of ethAine
required to produce headache, DR..
Birchmore says the air contents of the
room were known to be changed once
in an hour. The cubic contents were
about 5000 feet. The amount of gas
diffused was 2h cubic feet, or one in
10000. Within twenty minutes Il de-
cided headache was noticed, with
sense Of dizziness, that was sufficient
warning to get into fresh air. The Sec
Ond time the experiment was made of
remaining until the sight was slightly
affected. This proved very foolish, for
in the course Of an hour after the room
was left respiratory difficulty appeared,
followed in few hours by nausea, and
q prostration and sense of the impos-
sibility Of exertiOn that compelled the
experimental to remain III bed all the
next day. The effects were not those
Of sleep, but the exact counterpart OF
the subjective effects of the ether mar
COSTS, hallucination and all. Three days
afterwards the heart respiration was
so sensitive that an attempt to walk
rapidly over the Brooklyn bridge pro-
duced such feeling Of exhaustion as
to compel rest. An important fact in
connection with the last experiment is
that q man we'll acquainted with the
smell of acetylene was twice in the
room, and on being questioned after
wards said he noticed nothing peculiar
about the atmosphere, and he certainly
had not perceived the smell of the
acetylene." DR.. Birchmore states pos
itively that as much as one part in TO-
600 Of this gas may be diffused in the
room without being detected by the
sense Of smell in some persons, and
that this amount can produce danger
GUS results. AS there was no means of
telling how long 1t would take this dose
of one in 10000 to kill human being,
DR.. Birchmore experimental ON large,
healthy guinea pig, which was confined
in tight box containing q cubic feet.
Confinement in this box under ordinary
circumstances had no effect on the
spirits or appetite Of the animal. At
10 in the morning thirty-five cubic
inches Of air were drawn out and eth
nine substituted. In ten minutes the
little prisoner was evidently uneasy,
and in half an hour it was hid away
in the straw, as guinea pigs will hide
when in distress. 1t o'clock 1t was
dead. and its blood had lost the power
of absorbing oxygen almost as If killed
by cyanogen. Or. Birchmore looks
upon 1t as certain that a man would or
could be fatally injured by breathing
q mixture Of one In 10000 for six hours
No Difference.
First Actor-Well, how are you get
ting ONT
Second Do-Huauyausioist
hschtmei-hahahi hi = ohwauwarrrrrrr-
rrimforevwa!