The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-07-20

: the odor OF rotten eggs, and in mines
has been termed stink damp. II
burns with blush flame, forming
sulphur dioXide and water. In seven
S parts of air a mixture is formed
: which when ignited, explodes with
violence. Wherever hydrogen sui
phide exists, the possibility of poison
ing is present. It's toxicity is compar-
able to that of hydrocyanic acid gas
(prussic acid.
A study of the degrees of asphyxia
caused by inhalation of the gas shows
that when complete it results in al
Imost immediate Inconsistencies, and
frequently death follows before res
cue can be accomplished or even at
tempted. In cases where rescue can
be accomplished the victim usually
RECEIVERS almost Immediately. Head
che and nausea may exist for per-
iod Of several hours afterwards. In
some cases men have been uncon-
scious, but were able to return to
work feeling practically normal in
the course of two or three hOurs-or
even less time. In subacute cases
symptoms Of irritation of the eyes and
respiratory tract are found. The de-
gree Of poisoning varies with the con-
centration of the gas present and the
length of exposure.
In the experimental studies of the |
toxicity of hydrogen sulphide gas, |
made by the Interior Department at |
the Pittsburgh experiment station of |
the Bureau of Mines, 10OO-cubic foot |
gas chamber was used for making ex-
posture of men and various animals.
Canaries, white rats, guinea pigs,
dogs and goat were used as sub
jects. A few experiments were car
ried out on men, using low percent
ages Of hydrogen sulphide.
The conclusions of the Bureau of
Mines Investigators are that hydrogen
sulphide is an Industrial poison, the
toxicity Of which has not been fully
realized. Cases Of poisoning have oc-
cured in relatively large numbers.
Constant vigilance is required in or
der to prevent accidents.
Poisoning by hydrogen sulphide is
If two types, acute and subacute,
causing asphyxiation and irritation in
he form of conjunctivitis, bronchitis.
oharnygitis and depression Of the CEN
raj nervous system, respectively.
Death from asphyxia is caused by
paralysis Of the respiratory center,
while death from subacute poisoning
8 associated with edema of the lungs.
rhe exact low limit Of hydrogen sui
,hide concentration at which 1t ceases
o act as a poison has not as yet
'een determined, but is evidently be-
ow 0.005 per cent.
Hydrogen sulphide in low concen-
rations produces symptoms Of head
che, sleeplessness, dulness, dizziness
nd WEAKNESS. Pain in the eyes, fol-
owed by conjunctivitis, is fairly con-
tant; while bronchitis and pains in
he chest are frequent Spasms are
resent, and death occurs following
analysis of the respiratory center.
Treatment of acute cases consists -
/ immediate removal from the toxic
tmosphere and the immediate admin 1
tration of artificial respiration. The
reathing of oxygen is advisable =
Zen POSSIBLE The treatment of
lbacute cases should be symptomat- 90,
All cases should be under the no
re of physician Where hydrogen
lphide gas may exist, good ventila-
IN results in decrease in the num-
r of accidents. The canister types
mask, hose mask and oxygen-brea-
ing apparatus are of value in pro- ret
citing the men in case Of emergency er'
The results of these investigations n
e given in Serial 2491, by r. R. Say Wis
5, c. w. Mitchell and w. P. Yant,
itch may be obtained from the De- hor
rtment Of the Interior, Bureau OF as
mes, Washington, D. c. A