The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1902-07-25
TO AVOID LIGHTNING.

the United States in the year 1900.
Of this number POI persons were
killed in the open, 1853 in houses, 81
under trees and Sc in barns while
the circumstances attending the
death of the remaining ISL are not
known. BESIDES this large mortality
list there were 973 persons more or
less injured by lightning during the
same TINE; 1927 were injured while
| in houses. 243 in the open, 81 in
barns and 80 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 easily he seen
that of the entire population Of tho
United States 1 in every 100000 is
killed by lightning during a year.
A safe and reliable guide to reduce
to the minimum the danger from
stroke by lightning is to be drawn
from these fgues.
When a severe thunderstorm is
raging the safest place is in the open
close to the earth. If the body is
erect, it acts as All excellent conduc-
tor for the lightning to find it's way
to the earth. For this reason it is
dangerous to take refuge under
tree. Doubtless most of the persons
who persisted while under trees
would be alive to day had they re-
NAMED in the open. 1t is also in
iudicious to huddle under thrashing
machines, sheds Or in the grand
stands Of race tracks, or countyfair,
especially under OF near the flag
staff 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
or 6replaces, close to cattle. or near
the ends of a wire clothes line dur
ing 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 or iron, as a knife,
kettle or key do not attract lightn-
ing as it is popularity believed. :
It is established that lightning
does not strike as often in cities as
in rural districts. The reason for
this is based on a scientific principle.
During thunderstorm the moisture
in the air is sur-charged with elec-
tricity. This electricity is attracted
to the earth. When the force that
is drawing it towards the earth
becomes strong enough the electri-
city follows the easiest path; and
because upright objects as trees,
houses and men are better conduc-
tors than the the surrouning air and
are thefore the surrounding air and
are therefore the easiest path the
electricity passes through them into
the earth. In cities the electricity
| in the air is attracted to the earth
by hundreds of conductors in the
shape of sky scrapers and high
chimneys. There are no such COIL
ductors in the country, and the
electricity and the clouds is allowed
to accumulate so that when it gives
| way it breakes 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 wonder is not that so many
people are struck, but rather that
| 50 many people escape. The flash
will not inflict harm, as one who
lives to see the fire need concern
himself no more with that discharge.
If one has been struck by ]ightn-
ing the first tn ing to do is to 60 to
work to restore consciousness, as
lightning oftener brings about sus-
pended animation than somatic
death. The condition of a person
struck by lightning is much the
same as that Of person rescued
from drowning. Try to stimulate
respiration and circulation. Do not
cease in the effort to restore anima-
ton in less than an hour if you value
the life of the sufferer.
The method used to restore res
piration is immaterial, good way
is to initiate the motion of respir-
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