The record-union., 1898-01-01
SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION.

The unusually large number of fires
in the year 1897, has again revived in
terest in the question or problem of
spontaneous combustion That a good
many fires attributed in origin to in
cendiaries are really the result of spon-
taneous combustion, is now pretty well
established. AS a rule sufferers by
such fires are unwilling to admit that
any conditions existed on or about their
premises, that would favor spontaniety
of combustion. When there is no
clearly evident cause for the fire it is
easier and cheaper to charge the disas-
ter to incendiary work. An accepted
authority. Engineering" says on this
subject;
When 1t is considered what a num-
Der of substances under certain condi-
tions are capable of undergoing "spon-
famous decomposition with the pro-
ducsion Of the necessary amount of
heat to effect their ignition, and withal
the culpable ignorance and carelessness
often displayed as to their proper stor-
age, modes Of conveyance, and disposal,
one cannot wonder at the inability of
Of so many fires. 1t Is not always nee
essary that air should be present, or
that there should be a gradual accum-
ulation Of heat, IN order to bring about
the "spontaneous" Inflammation of a
body. Substances that have their own
means of ignition often ignite or ex-
plode, out of contact with air, by mere
molecular vibration, produced by such
effects as thunder, etc.
Spontaneous combustion may .be in
duced by heat resulting from gradual
oxidation; decomposition produced by
accidental vibration or by concussion;
sgnition by lightning or electric sparks.
On these lines scientists make their
search for causes Of combustion, and
generally they are able to locate the
cause with one or the other Of the two
first-named classes. There are far less
confagrations due TO electric lighting
than is generally supposed. Unques-
tionably electric lighting as a cause of
fres, is made to bear an undue share
pf neglect, and carelessness In keeping
and storing goods, and to defective ap-
p,iances of buildings other than electric
wires. Engineering says that by
far the most frequent source Of fires
from spontaneous combustion are those
which result from heat produced by the
ABSORPTION of atmospheric oxygen.
DR.. Watt in his Chemical Diction-
ary" says:
Whenever the chemical forces which
determine either composition or de-
composition are energetically exercised,
sbe phenomena of combustion, which
are incandescence with change OF
,ronerties. are exhibited. In all cases
The heat and light depend on the same
eause and merely indicate the energy
md rapIdity of the reciprocal chernlcal
attractions No peculiar substance or
uhlogistfc essence is necessary 10 the
production OF fire, but it Is a general
result OF the actions Of any oodies pos
sessed Of energetic chemical ATTRACTIONS
or different electrical relations. ana is
produced in ALI cases in which an IN
tense and violent motion may pe con-
ceiyed To he communicated TO the par
iieles Of bodies.
1t behooves all householders therefore
10 take especial care in storing porous
substances such as charcoal po"uei'
small coal tow, cotton, and oileo fass'
for spontaneous combustion in these
articles takes place, says watt, DS 'iie
absorption or condensation Oh the an
Oxygen within their pores. oAioa
lion commences then Immediately "''0
raises the temperature, which asa4H