Norwich bulletin., 1922-01-04
CARBON MoNoxIDE GAS
DANGER FOR AUToMoBILIsTs

Carbon monoxide poisoning is one of
the most widely distributed and most
frequent causes of Industrial accidents,
says the United States bureau of mines
Carbon monofide gas is a product of in
complete combustion, and since it is with
out color, odor or taste. its presence is
frequently unsupported in many places 4
where It exists. 1t is an ever present
danger about blast and coke furnaces,
smelters and foundries. It may be found
in buildings having a lealky furnace or
chimney and in buildings where a gas
stove is used without a proper fue con-
nection, such as is often found in tene-
ments, tailor shops and boarding houses.
Hospitals receive annually a great num-
Der Of victims of poisoning either by ac-
eident or in an attempt at suicide, from
artificial Illuminating gas. People may
be affected by leaks wherever water gas
Is formed or used The exhaust gases
from gasoline mootrs under average run
ming conditions usually contains to 7
per cent. carbon monoxide and sometimes
as much as 13 per cent. deaths from
running an automobile engine in a closed
garage are not infrequent. A similar
danger may arise in operating gasoline
engines in launches without sufficient
ventilation. The gas is formed also in
SSOtASA AOoilfS, III gun On DdILle-
ships, in petroleum refineries. and by the
Lablanc soda process in cement and brick
plants. In underground mines carbon
monoxide may appear as the result of
shot firing, mine explosions or mine fires,
and in tunnels where automobiles. coal or
oil burning locomotives are operated.
In spite of the common occurrence of
! carbon monoSide poisoning, there appears
to be no uniformly recognized treatment
for person overcome by carbon monox-
lde. In the rescueN work of the United
States bureau of mines, however. a meth
cd has been developed which has been
supported by laboratory investigation.
and has proved successful in practical
experience over a period of years
| The first and most important thing in
caring for a case Of acute carbon nnonox-
ide poisoning Is to get the poison out of
| the blood. Every moment that it shuts
the oxygen out of the hemoglobin adds to
| the chances for failure of respiration and
| failure of the heart. Every minute that
| the tissues are supplied with only a part
| of the oxygen they need Increases the
| danger of their degeneration and perma-
nent damage. Both to save life itself and
/ to prevent i'll health IN the future It is
| of vital Importance to eliminate carbon
monoxide from the blood as rapidly a:
| possible.
The first step is to get the victim away
| from the atmosphere of carbon rnonoxide
which he Is breathing; the next is to sup
| ply him with oxygen. This may be done
| by getting the patient into fresh air. bur
| only one-ffth of air is oxygen. If q
tank Of pure oxygen Is available. II is ia,
| better to use it, as the action is much
j faster and the after-effects, especially tn,
! headache, are much less severe and not s,
| prolonged.
| In view Of the great Importance Of ad
| miNistering oxygen to these victims a
the earliest possible moment, it is recon
/ mended that all arnbulances be eouippeC
! with oxygen tanks. 1t may be that wher
| the victim is found his breathing ha,
| stopped, or is very weak and irregular II
this case. after quickly removing the vic
tim to good air, or while adminsterin;
oxygen, one of the rescuers should begir
| at once artificial respiration. by I'll,
| Schaefer method
Continue artificial respiration. If neces
| sary, for at least three hours without in
! corruption, or until natural breathing ha
| been restored or a physician has arrived
| Even after natural breathing begins
carefully watch that it continues If
stops, start artificial respiration again.
| While the administration Of oxygen
by far the most important factor in tn
| treatment, and cannot be over npha
sized. other things should be done to hel
the patient. He should be kept quiet an
lying fat to help his weakened hear
| When he revives, he should not be allow
| ed to work or in any way exert himself
FLOR there is danger of heart failure Hea
from safety lamps, hot water bottles 0
warm bricks, rubbing the arms and leg.
and keeping the patient well covere
with blankets all help the circulation
and aid in tiding the body over a perio
of low Vitality. The safety lamps he
bricks, etc. should be wei wrapped /
cloth or paper as a precaution agains
burning the patient. Other sttrnulant.
!, such az hypodermics of caffein- sodiur
| benzoate or canphor in oil should not b
administered except by a doctor, after h
, has considered the possibility of over
stimulation and consequent coIlapse Til
patient should be kept in bed for a da
at least, Later he should be treated as
: convalescent, being given plenty of tin
to rest and recuperate. Just how Ion
this time should De depends on the s,
, verify of his poisoning and should h
decided by his physician.
! Complete details of methods ernplove
! | in the treatment of carbon monoxit
/ poisoning, including a description of II
r Schaefer method Of artificial respiration
, are given IN a report which may be oI
, tanned by applying to the bureau {
mines, Washington. D. c.