The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-24
DANGERS OF LIGHTNING.
Data to Show That the lightning
Rod Is Useful. After All.

AS with ballooning, so with pros
lection against lightning, since the
first Identification of lightning with
electricity by Franklin. within two
decades of the ascent of the first ball
loon, the art of protecting human life
and habitations from its visitations
has remained about stationary. There
metal rod. either of iron or copper,
with sharp points projecting a little
way above the object to be protected,
The great Washington monument has
served for continuous lightning expert
nentation and record under the au-
spices of the scientific men of the
weather Bureau, If there be any ad-
vance to record in the protective de-
vices against lightning it is through
the experience obtained on the menu-
ment. 1t is SIS feet high and stands
in the center of fiat and well-watered
ground, precisely the combinations of
conditions believed to attract the light
ming. About twenty years ago the
lightning rods upon it were re-enorced
by connecting a pyramidal cap of
aluminium by a network of copper
wires, uniting the four main copper
lightning rods upon it were REINFORCED
with the uprights supporting the ele-
Yator machinery, and arming the
whole system of copper wires about the
cap with some 200 copper points dis
tributed at a uniform distance of about
five feet. There had been one damag-
ing lightning stroke which left its
mark upon the monument, but since
that multiplication of points and close
connection with the metals in the in
terror of the monument NOT another
one.
In England this year, owing to the
recent wholesale killing of cattle and
sheep in the fields, 1T is seriously pro-
posed to equip any large trees so sit
uated as to be resorted to commonly as
a place of refuge by cattle in a storm
with lightning rods. which shall pre-
sent, at a height slightly above the
highest branches. an array of metal
points. 1t is urged that the expense
is trifing for such a precaution COM
pared with the loss on the cattle. 1t
is declared by Prof. Attfield, of Eng
land, however. that the burying of
cattle destroyed by lightning is who'll
iy a bit OF superstitious rusticity, and
that If the carcasses are promptly
drained of their blood. as in ordinary
slaughtering, there is no difference in
the meat thus procured from that OBJ
tanned in the ordinary ways.
It is believed that the mortality
from lightning is greater than is
Germany and France, the facts are
only partially collected and tabulated
by governments. In England they only
estimate" as yet the totals OF. light
cattle killed in the field Is placed at
about 500 annually. Twenty-etght
deaths were recorded in 1871, in 1875
IT, and in 1877 only 10, In Prussia
the number OF deaths per million of
inhabitants on an average of fifteen
years is 4; in France and Sweden. g.
and in the United States about 5.
Our rate is higher than that of most
owing the large proportion
CT our agricultural population. In 1898
the number of deaths reported by the
statistics of the Weather Bureau was
367 and injured AL. Nine hundred
and sixty-six barns and 735 dwellings
were destroyed and about 1900 head
Of cattle, horses. sheep and hogs
the approximate money loss being
81 100000. And yet the authorities
tell us that In the United States there
are few flashes SO intense that good
lightning rods OF continuous metal we'll
Inserted in the earth will not afford
effective protection. This is not neces-
,ary in the city built in close blocks,
with metal cornices and roofs and |
spouts Astounding; but in the country |
he same authorities unite in saying |
hat good lightning rods, In good re- |
pair and with FURNISHED points on the |
-oof corners, are eminently desirable |
hings to be provided with. Tall fac |
-or-v chimneys and steeples and all |
rIch structures as tower above their |
should have their light |
ing rods as a matter of course and |
ave them constructed most carefully |
md INSPECTED often to keep their /
oints intact-Bostcn Traveller.