Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-07
TO. AVOID ! D LIGHTNING.
Much Less Danger if One is
ilasthe Open.
AID FOR INJURED
PERsEvERE FOR AN HOUR TO RE-
STORE CONSCIOUSNESS.
Send for a Physician, but Keep Hard
at Work Your
self.
AID FOR INJURED
Written for The Evening Star.

"ritteu LOT Inc fvenlnS
Nine hundred and seventy-three people
| were killed by lightning in the United
States in the year 1900. OF this number 291
persons were killed in the open. 15S in
houses, 81 under trees and So in barns,
while the circumstances attending the
death of the remaining Isl not known.
Besides this large mortality list there were
J73 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 % under trees and the location
of the remaining Is not known. From
these statistics, which are compiled by the
United States weather bureau, it can easi-
ly be seen that of the entire population of
the United States one in every 10000 is kill
ed by lightning during year.
A safe and reliable guide to reduce to the
minimum the danger from stroke by light
ming is to be drawn from these figures.
When a severe thunder storm is raging
the safest place is in the open. close to the
earth. If the body Is erect, it acts as an
excellent conductor for the lightning to find
its way to the earth. For this reason 1t is
dangerous to take refuge under tree
Doubtless most of the persons who periShed
while under trees would be alive today had
they remained in the open. 1t is also inJu-
d:cious to hudde under thrashing machines.
sheds or in the grand stands OF race tracks
or county fairs, especially under or near
the flag staffs which usually adorn such
structures Men, like animals, are killed
not singly, but in punches, when they huddle
together. Avoid standing in doorways. near
chimneys and fireplaceS, close to cattle or
near the ends of wire clothes line during
a thunder storm. 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 or iron, as knife. kettle
or key, do not attract lightning, as 1t Is
popularity believed.
1t is established that lightning does not
strike as often in cities as in rural dis
tricts. The reason for this is based on
scientific principle. During a thunder storm
the moisture In the air Is surcharged with
electricity. This 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 objects, as trees, houses and
men, are better conductors than the sur
rounding air. and are therefore the easiest
path, the electricity passes through them
into the earth tYfin cities the electricity in
the air is attracted to the earth by hun
dreds of conductors in the shape of sky
scrapers and high chimneys. There are no
such conductors in the country and the cleo
tricity in the clouds Is allowed to accumu-
late. so that when it gives away it breaks
with great force. The country Is a theater
with but one exit, while the city is the same
theater with many exits.
When these facts are considered the won
der is not that So many people are struck,
but rather that so many people escape. The
flash will not infiict harm. as one who lives
to see the fire needs to concern himself no
more with that discharge.
-a. Aid, to One Struck.
If one has been struck by lightning the
first thing to do Is to go to work to restore
| consciousness as lightning oftener brings
about suspended animation than somatic
death. The condition of person struck
H., 1;<~y,& a:,, 4, IL
person rescued from drowning. Try to
stimulate respiration and circulation. Do
not cease in the effort to restore animation
In less than an hour, as you value the life
of the sufferer.
The method used to restore respiration is
immateral; good way is to initiate the
otion of respiration by alternately COM
pressing 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 f1annels.
bottles of hot water, hot bricks, or in case
of an emergency warm clothing from by
ISLANDERS. Rub the limbs upward so as to
force the blood to the heart and brain.
Two or three persons can do this, renfem-
bering all the time to make but one stroke,
and that toward the body. so as to force
blood toward the heart. Rub firmly, but
epergeticaIly. Three things are to be borne
in mind; do not give up; keep up the eff
fort to restore respiration. and keep the
body warm by rubbing and hot applca-
lions. When swallowing is established, a
teaspoonful of warm water, wine diluted
whiskey or brandy, or warm coffee should
be given. When consciousness is restored
encourage sleep.
Do not give up, keep at work and send
for a physician.
OF the visible effects of lightning stroke
upon the human body little more can be
said than that sometimes burns have been
noticed, and frequently red or markings,
which are localized COMPOSITIONS Of the small
OF the branchings and network, have led to
the fanciful idea of photographs of trees.
The effect Of lightning is to cause a tenn
porary paralysis of the respiration and the
heart beat, which If allowed to continue
will deepen into death. but when treated
as above described will generally pass