The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-04-03
SHARP EYES GAN
 NOW SEE THE COMET
Gan Be Made Out Shortly Be
 fore Sunrise
COMING VERY RAPIDLY
Sun mud Earth and After That Time Can Re Seen in the Heavens
 Before Midnight

The people of Birmingham are eagerly awaiting the near approach of Haley s comet, which has just passed from the east side of the sun, and which may soon be observed with the naked eye just be- fore sunrise.
 Those who look closely and know just where to place the interesting visitor may be able to see the comet tomorrow morning. A man with a practiced eye might have seen it this morning with all conditions favorable.
 It passed the sun one week ago and Is rising gradually In the eastern sky. It lose this morning at 4:45 o'clock. about thirty minutes ahead of the sun. It will rise just ten minutes earlier tomorrow morning The sun Is rising a minute or two later each morning, so the sun and the comet are getting farther and farther apart, affording a better opportunity for observation. It will be seen just south of the point of sunrise.
 The comet also has already begun It's broad sweep toward the earth, and It's speed is increasing every moment. Its speed this morning was about 1861 miles
  speed will have increased to 1865 miles per minute.
 This interesting visitor which returns to this part of the great solar system once every seventy-five years will ap- proach some nearer the earth than on former trips. Inded, it is calculated that tie long fiery tail will sweep this planet on May IS. From now until that time the comet will be seen in the morning sky. On May IS the comet will pass directly t,tween the earth and the sun to the east of that luminary and will then be- come an object of the evening sky. It will remain in view until some time in August, and will be observed by people all over the world with great interest.
 It has been variously predicted that great damage, perhaps total destruction of all animal and plant life, will result from the contact between the comets tail and the earth on May IS, but scient- ists of repute and learning deny this. It is claimed by the most reputable scient- ists that no harm will come from the contact, and the people of Birmingham need not become alarmed.
 As this interesting traveller through space appears but once in the ordinary mans lifetime, it's present visit will be received with great interest by those who take an interest in the phenomena of tine skies.
 Young children who witness the passage of the comet this year have but bare chance of ever seeing 1t again
 The comets distance from the earth on May IS, when it will be nearest to us will be 12.0oO, 600 miles.
 The following communication from Hor- ace S. Mack of Spokane, Wash, to the editor Of the Spol1esman-Reviewm may af- ford some consolation to those people in Birmingham who may have some fear of the close contact of the comets tail:
 To the Editor of The Spokesman-Re- view: It is we'll known to chemists that cyanogen gas united with hydrogen forms hydro-cyanic acid, regarded as the most deadly poison known to science. Astror- omers are predicting that the tai of the comet due to return some time in May and envelop the earth is composed or syanogen gas, which, united with the hy- drogen of our planets atmosphere (thus forming hydro-cyanic acid), would destroy all animal life.
 Although admitting that hydro-cyanic acid is a poison, I am prepared to prove that 1t is not deadly unless taken in- l yardly, and that breathing it's fumes sus- bends animation only, and does not pro- duce death.
 Several years ago I was making analy- ses in the laboratory of a friend in New York city, when accidentally inhaled | the fumes of a small quantity of hydro cyan4c acid. In an instant l dropped to the floor I was powerless to move or speak but was fully conscious. One of the chemists working In the | laboratory ran to me and gave the alarm Soon I was surrounded by dozen men | The vial of hydro-cyanic acid held in my hand told the story. It was not long | until the coroner arrived, and, looking me over, said that for all practical pur- | noses I was dead one,' and ordered me sent to the undertaker's and prepared for burial.
 heard my friend. the chemist, say that I was not dead; that 1t was case of suspended animation only, and requested that he be allowed to retain my body for scientific purposes. The coroner gave his consent and took his departure.
 I remember that I was supremey hap py and contented. At the end of two weeks my friend, the chemist had my body returned to his laboratory and after several experiments brought me back to earth.
 Of course, I have no means of know ing how long suspended animation would last but think 30 days would be the limit.
 : I figure out that at the expiration ol the time mentioned. or before, man would get hungry and pull himself to- gether, and, notwithstanding the increased cost of living. make for the neares short -order restaurant.
 f If what I have written will alay thu nervousness of those who anticipate O fear annihilation when the comets tai . enyelops the earth I shall feel fully re paid for relating my experience witt . hydro-cyanic acid. Yours truly,
 HORACE s. MACK. i, Uua11,s SafeSn- reliable