Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-06-14
HOW TO AVOID LIGHTNING
Much Less Danger if One IS in the
Open.
HOW TO AID THE INJURED
Perseyere for an Hour 10 Restore Conscious
ness-Send for a Physician, But Keep
Hard at Work Yourself Until
Doctor Arrives.
HOW TO AID THE INJURED
Doctor Arrives.

49, ~'ff
Doctor Arrives.
Nine undred and seventy three
neople were killed by lightning in
OF tins number aal persons were kill
ed in the open, 1853 in the houses, 81
under trees and So IN barns, while
the circumstances attending the death
OF the remaining ISL are not known.
Besides this large mortality list there
We're 973 persons more or less injured
by lightning during the same time
81 were injured while in houses. 243
in the omen, Z in barns. and 20 under
trees, and the location OF she remain
ing is not known. From these statis-
tics, which are complied bv the Uni
ted States weather bureau. 1t an cas-
ily be seen that OF the entire popula-
tion of the United States one in every
40, 600 is killed bv tightening during
a YEAR.
A safe and reliable guide to reduce
to the minimum the danger from
stroke by lightning is to tie drawn by
these figures.
When a severe thunder storm is ra-
gIng the safest place Is in the open.
CLOSE to the earth. For this reason
it is dangerous TO take refuge under
a tree Doubtless most of the persons
who persisted while under trees
would be alive today had they re-
NAMED in the open It IL also min
dicious to huddle under thrashing
machines, sheds or IN the grand
stands of race tracks or county fairs.
especiallvsnnder or near the flag stats
winch usually adorn such structures.
Men like animals, are killed not sing
together, Avoid standing in door.
wavs, near casmnevs aha fireplaces,
wire clothes line during a thunder
storm. On the other hand there is
not much sense In going to bed or try.
ing to insnlate ones self IN feather
beds. Small articles OF steel or iron,
as a knife, Kettle or kew. do not at
tract lightning, as it Is popularity be-
lieved.
1t is established that lightning does
not strike AS often in cities as in rural
districts The reason for this III bas-
ed on a scientific principal. During
a thunder storm the moisture in the
air Is surcharned with electricity. This
electricity is attracted to thu earth
When the force that is drawing 1t to-
ward the earth becomes strong enough
the eIectficity follows the easiest pa h
and because upright objects, as trees
houses and men. are better conduct
crs than rhe surrounding gair. and
are therefore the easiest path. the
electricity passes through them into
the earth. In cities the eleetricityin
the air Is attracted to the earth by
hundreds of conductors in the shane
of skyscrapers and high chimneys.
There are no such conductors in the
countrv and the electricity in the
clouds is allowed 10 accumulate, so
That when il gives away il breaks
with great force. The country is a
theater with but one exit. while the
citv is the same theater with many
exits /
When these facts are considered the
wonder is that not that so many peo-
pie are struck. but rather that 30
many people escape. The flash will
not intict harm, as II who lives to
see the fire needs to concern himself
more with that. discharge.
II n has been struck BY lightning
the fret thing to do is to 20 TO work
10 restore consciousness. an light
ming oftener brings about suspended
than somatic death. The
condition of a person struck by light
ming is much the same al that OF a
person rescued from drowning. Try
70 stimulate respiration and circru
Do not cease in the effort 10
restore animation in less than an
hour. as You value the life of the suf
fai er.
"he method used TO restore resDira
ian i. ii"material, q good way is to
me motion of respiration bv
ely comnressing the expand
ing III lower ribs. Do this gently
per istentlv at the ra tie Of twenty
pr minute. Keer the body
by the application of hot fan
inls hnffals Of hnf xxafar hnt hfanks "A