The Washington times., 1902-07-20
MEATH BY LIGHTNING:
u HOW TO AVOID 1T

mi persons were killed by lightning
l in the United States in the year
1900. OF this number 291 were
killed in the open, 15S in houses, 81 un-
der trees, and Sc In barns. while the cir
cumstances attending the death Of tine
remaining ISL are not known. Besides
this large mortality list there were 9l3
persons more or less injured by light
ming during the same time; 327 were in
jured while in houses, 243 in the open.
81 In barns, and 90 under trees, while
the location of the remaining are un-
known. From these statistics. which
are compiled by the Weather Bureau. 1t
can easily be seen that of the entire
population Of the United States, one in
every 40 900 is killed by lightning dur
ing a year.
A safe and reliable guide to reduce 20
the minimum the danger from stroke by
lightning is, naturally, deslderatuI'.
here are a few hints:
When a severe thunderstorm is rag
ing the safest place is in the open close
to the earth. II the body is erect, It
acts as an excellent conductor for the
lightning to find its way to the earth
For this reason it is dangerous to sake
refuge under a tree. Doubtless most OF
the persons who perished while under
trees would be alive today had they re-
mained in the open. 1t is also injudi-
cious to huddle under threshing ma
chimes. sheds, or in the grand stands OF
race tracks or country fairs, especially
under or near the flagstaffs, which
usually adorn such structures Men,
like animals, are killed. not singly, but
in punches when they huddle together.
Twenty-Five were killed a. funeral In
Spain but quite recently. from a thun-
derbolt.
Avoid standing in doorways, near
chimneys and freplaces, close to cattle,
or near the ends of a wire clothes line
during a thunderstorm. On the other
hand, there is not much sense in going
to bed or trying to insulate ones self in
feather beds. Small articles Of steel Sr
iron as a knife, kettle, or key do not
attract lightning. as Is popularity De-
lieved.
1t is an established fact that light
ming does not strike as often In cities as
in rural districts. The reason for this Is
based on a well-known scientific prin-
ciple During thunderstorm the
moisture in the air is surcharged with
electricity. The electricity is attracted
to the earth. When the force that Is
drawing it toward the earth becomes
strong enough the electricity follows the
easiest path. and because upright OBJ
iects. as trees, houses, and men, are
better conductors than the surrounding
air. and offer, therefore, the easiest
path. the electricity passes through them
| into the earth. In cities the electricity
in the air Is attracted to the earth Dy
hundreds of conductors in the shape OF
buildings, chimneys, and other erections.
There are no such conductors In the
country, and the electricity In the clouds
is allowed to accumulate so that when
| 1t gives away 1t breaks with great force.
ITO employ a metaphor, the country II
theater with but one exit, while the
city is the same theater with many
exits.
When the facts are considered the
wonder is not that so mitny persons are
struck, but rather that so many escape.
The fash will not inflict harm: one who
lives to see the fire has escaped that
discharge.
| To aid, when possible. one struck BY
lightning, the first tling to do is to go
| to work to restore consciousness, n
lightning oftener brings about suspend
ed animation than somatic death. me
condition OF a person struck by light
ming is much the same as tnat OF per-
son rescued from drowning The aim,
then. is to stimulate respiration and cir
culation Do not cease in the enort 70
restore animation in less than an hour
as YOU value the life OF the sufferer
The method used to restore respiration
is immaterial: a good way Is to imitats
the molten OF respiration by alternately
compressing and expanding the lower
ribs. Do this gently but persistently at
the rate of twenty times per minute.
Keep the body warm by the application
of hot fannels. bottles of hot water. hot
bricks, or in case of an emergency.
warm clothing from bystanders- Ruo
the limbs upward so rs to force tho
blood to the heart and brain. Two or
three persons can do this, remembering
all the time TO make but one stroke and
that toward the body SO as to force
lbIood toward the heart. Rub firmly but
theoretically. Three things are to be
borne in mind: Do not give up; keep
up the effort to restore respiration, and
keep the body warm by rubbing and hot
lapplications When swallowing is es-
tablished a teaspoonful OF warm water.
wine, diluted whisky or brandy, or
warm coffee should be given. When
consciousness is restored, encourage
isleep.