The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1900-04-25
FEAR OF LIGHTNING
RISK GREATER IN THE COUNTRY
= THAN IN TOWN. 3.


Advice to People Who Fear the Elec-
trio Bolt-Danger From Trees and
From Buildings-Where 1t is Not
Wise to Stand.
In the Century Alexander McCabe
gives encouragement and advice to peo-
pie who have fear Of being struck oy
ightnilg-or thunder, as some OF them
think.
1.-The keen suffering which many un-
dergo just in advance Of or during a
thunderstorm is Of dual nature. Tne
sense Of impending danger alarms and
terrifes, but there is also depression
Of spirit which is physical and real,
brought about by some as yet unknown
relation with the nervous system ana
conditions of air pressure, humidity
and purity. The suffering due to de-
preston and partial exhaustion re-
quires. from those who are strong,
sympathy rather than ridicule. The
suffering due to alarm and fright, how
ever, is unnecessary. It IS largely the
work Of the Imagination. To the ner-
yous nature there is something appall-
ing in the wicked, spiteful CLEAN Of the
lightning and the crash and tumult OF
the thunder But such q one should
remember that the fash is almost al
ways far distant, and the thunder can
do no more damage than the low notes
Of a church organ. Counting all the
deaths from all the storms during q
year, we find that the chance OF being
killed by lightning Is less than one IN
hundred thousand.
The risk in the city may be saic to
be FIVE times less than in the. country
Dwellers in city houses may De star
lied by peals of thunder, but owing to
the great spread Of tin roofing and fair
ground connections If buildings are
adequately protected, and the momen-
tum Of the flash provided for, the oc-
cupants many feel secure. a good
conducted, grounded rod is necessary
in all isolated and exposed buildings.
Barns, especially, when lined with
green crops, should have goSd light
ming conductor.
1.-THE question is often asked, DO
trees protect?' The answer is that the
degree of protection will vary with the
character Of the tree and its distance
from 8 water course. An oak Is more
liable to lightning stroke than g. beach.
The character Of the wood, the area or
LEAKAGE, the extent and depth of root,
will determine the liability to stroke. 4
Another question which is often
asked is whether there is danger
aboard large steamship during
thunder storm. On the contrary there
are few safer places. Sufficient metal
with proper superficial area is inter
posed in the path Of the lightning, and
its electric energy converted into harm
less heat and rapidly dissipated. Acct-i
dents occur chiefly because the victims
ignorantly place themselves In the line
of greatest strain, and thus form part
Of the path of discharge. For this rea-
son it is not wise to stand under trees,
near flag poles or masts, IN doorWays
or porches, close to fireplaces, or near
barns. Those who are not exposed In
any Of these ways may feel reasonably
safe.
"It should be remembered. in the.
event of accident, that lightning does
not always kin. 1t more often results
in suspended animation than in actual
death. Therefore, IN case Of accident
/ try to restore animation, keep the body
warm and send for physician with
out delay"