The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-01-12
HAVE YOU A LITTLE TOO MUCH
CARBON MONOXIDE IN YOUR
BLOODs

A test Of the air for the presence
of carbon monoxide Is made by shak-
ing to saturation in the air q test
tube containing few spoonfuls Of
normal blood solution. which is yellow
when quite dilute. This turns pink II
there is carbon monoxide in the air.
There Is a quick and fairly accurate
quantitatives test for carbon monoxide
in the blood. the pyrotannic acid
method, which can be made in q few
minutes from the blood obtained by
prick of the finger.
Pipeless gas heaters, that is, heat
ers burning in the middle of the room
without flues, or In a false fireplace"
without chimney, are the most COM
mon source Of chronic carbon mon
oxide poisoning. Radiant heaters,
though most efficient in heating, are
nevertheless the most dangerous when
used without proper flue connection
to carry off the products Of combuS-
ton. INSCRIPTIONS agents sometimes
assure the unwary householder that
ALI harmful gases are completely con-
sumed or burned by the special
burner, and therefore no flue con-
nection or chimney pipe is necessary"
That Is untrue. For safety and health
never burn any fuel in room unless
there Is adequate provision to carry
the products Of the combustion out Of
the room.
BY tests Of the blood for carbon
monoxide 1t has been found that
nearly every one living in the city has
a small trace Of the poison in his
blood constantly. Following the smok-
ing Of few cigarettes or pipe or
cigar the quantity of carbon monoxide
In the blood rises considerably. In
my opinion this slight carbon mon
oxide poisoning from smoking &C
counts for many Of the III effects Of
excessive smoking.
Photographers 'hypo"-s 0 d Y m
hyposulphite, otherwise called THO
sulphate Of soda-has proved good
remedy for the after-effects Of car
bon monoxide casing and also q good
remedy to relieve the unpleasant
symptoms of chronic carbon monoxide
poisoning.
First, like a blooming quack,
should provide the prospective Gus
toner with some symptoms, sup
pose. Well, at that there may be no
great harm in mentioning a few Of
the more common complaints of per-
sons suffering with chronic co poi
soning. Headache, pallor. impaired
nutrition, stomach trouble" "neu-
rasthenia" A peculiar fact about the
pallor of Co poisoning is that q blood
count Is likely to show q high red
cell count, quite up to the normal OF
even above the normal average num-
Der of red corpuscles.
The diagnosis Of chronic lnonoxide
poisoning Is question Of your ply
sician's opinion, which may or may
not be corroborated by the result Of
q cumulative test Of the blood fot
monoxide shortly after exposure te
the gas.
Change Of occupation or environ.
ment and plenty Of open air life an
the best means Of restoring health
It Is unlikely that the symptoms
would persist II the poisoning doe
not occur constantly or repeatedly.
Much relief has been obtained, q
already suggested, from sodium hypo'
sulphite. The sufferer takes one-hall
teaspoonful Of sodium hyposulphite
once . day, or twice . day Ia recent
case. i u best taken dissolved II
w1ter with some syrup Of any desired
flavor. Take II occasionally, Or for {
week Of two, then discontinue.