Year: 1878

Dangers Of Lightning.


The accidents from lightning reported
this summer have been very numerous.
Many lives have been lost by them. both
in England and ip this country. A fea,
Of lightning is often ridiculed, but those
fatalities indicate too general . neglect
Of proper precautions in thunder storms.
It is desirable that people should be
sufficiently apprehensive Of danger to
adopt such safeguards as science recon-
mends, especially where q failure TO do
so may be'followed by such terrible re-
suits.


It will be noticed that lightning does
comparatively little damage in the heart
OF large cities. The innumerable metal
lie conductors to the earth which modern
architecture supplies probably carry off
in silence many discharges of electricity
which would otherwise be explosive.
Then the highest points, such as church
spires, are usually furnished with eff
cient lightning rods. Country dwell
iugs, however, and prominent unpro-
tected buildings on the outskirts of
cities are liable to be struck, and it is
these and country churches which bave
suffered most during the present sum-
mer. It is altogether probable that
complete protection is afforded by light
ming rods, when they are of the right
size and material, and suitably dis
tributed and attached. Such, at least,
is the opinion of the great majority of
competent physicists in all countries.
Its correctness has been strongly con-
firmed by the experience of the inhabit-
ants of the British colony of Natal. In
that part of South Africa, at certain sea-
SONS, thunder storms are of constant
occurrence. Sometimes there will be
four or five in day, each separate and
distinct from the others, and frequently
they are of great violence. The de-:
struction of life and property effected
by the lightning early demanded some
preventive action; and this was taken
by providing the houses of the colonists
with metallic conductors of the most
approved pattern. Since this was done
accidents from lightning, which former
ly often occurred there, are stated to
have been unknown in the capital.


1t seems plain enough, then, that
country houses and barns should be pro-
tected by lightning rods, which, indeed,
ought to be considered indispensable in
districts visited by thunder storms. The
need is more obvious in the case of coun-
try churches, which are usually the
loftiest buildings of the neighborhood.
It would be difficult to find more dan
gerous situation indoors during thun-
der shower than lofty-steepled village
church without any lightning rod. This
view has been verified by sad and fatal
;exlerience in several instances within
EthsS last few weeks. tSome chtltaAna
however, are in worse condition than
il they had no lightning rod at all. We
have known of several in New England
on which the rods had accidentally be-
como disconnected from the earth by a
break at considerable distance above
the ground, and were carelessly allowed
to remain so for weeks at a time.


A foolish and dangerous habit which
some persons indulge in-we are sorry
to say that many Of them are young
girls-is that of sitting by an open win
dow during the prevalence of a heavy
thunder shower. Displays of lightning
are doubtless attractive, but they are
not worth risking ones life for; besides,
they are best seen at distance, and
when thunderbolts are crashing all
oundthe neighboring fields and hedges,
it is wiser to withdraw from the window
or close it. The practice we speak Of is
by no means prudent, even in a properly
protected house; while in any other it
involves very great risk. And even in
cities there have been several instances
within the last few years Of death by
lightning while sitting at open windows.


Neither is it wise to take refuge under
a tree during thunder shower. There
is no objection to remaining in a wood
and, indeed, it is much safer there
than on an open plain-if care is taken
to avoid being near the taller trees
Sometimes, however, the traveller must
choose between remaining on the open
plain or seeking shelter under single
tree, Under these circumstances the
best authorities seem agreed that the
safest situation is spot as far from the
trunk as the tree is high.


While it is true that the comparative
caused by lightning is very
small, we are confident that it could be
largely reduced by the exercise of such
precautions as we have indicated. In
regard to lightning rods, we know that
views differ greatly as to the best mate
rial and form; but perhaps the safes
course in this respect, for persons with
out scientific training. would be to adopt
the sort used by the nearest college or
other prominent institution of learning.
In SO doing, they would be almost GER
tain to secure good system of protec-
ton, if not the best.-.New York Sun,


Hang On Like Beaver.