Year: 1873

The finding in an exchange of sad
account of the death of whole family
from Inhaling carbonic acid gas has sug-
gested TO US the propriety Of warning our
readers to be careful in the management
of fires Coal while burning throws off
carbonic acid or coal gas in large quanti-
ties. This, being more than so per cent.
heavier than air, will steadily escape into
the room through damper or other ori-
fee in stove or furnace or from a fire.
place when there is not sufficient draft to
carry it up the chimney. If the room is
not properly ventilated 1t steadily rises
and gradually poisons the atmosphere of
the apartment.


When breathed into the lungs this gas
acts like narcotic poison, producing
feeling of languor, bringing on headache
increasing in severity and making inspir
alton labor. Inhaled in small quantities
its action is slow and insidious, but when
any considerable amount is taken into the
lungs death results in a short time. Sui
cides have not unfrequently chosen to end
life in this way and to accomplish their
purpose have shut themselves in close
rooms and built fires of charcoal, that
substance evolving the poisonous vapor
more rapidly than any other inf1ammable
material.


Carbonic acid gas may taint the air to
a considerable extent without being de.
tected until throbbing temples and achi
ing lungs betray its presence. II it ex1 !
lists in large quantities it is easily recog
nized by its very pungent odor, is
rasping the inside of the throat and
seemingly making the lungs all raw. In
its pure state it destroys life in surpris-
ingly quick space of time, few seconds
suff1cing to cause death. 1t is incombust-
ible aud extinguishes flame in twinkling.


Being heavier than air 1t may lie in q
shallow stratum in sufficient quantity to
kill cat or dog while a man might
walk unharmed through the deadly
stream. Burning coal or decaying veget-
able or animal matter produces it. Places
not ventilated almost invariably if not al
ways contain it, particularly if situated
low or under ground, as wells and cellars.
1t always is present in air, however pure,
though in harmless quantity, being
thrown off the lungs in the process of
respiration. 1t is the carbonic acid gas
which makes the air in a crowded room
sitting, the other atmospheric elements
being speedily absorbed into the system
and the gas being breathed out only to be
breathed back in increased volume in
each Inspiration.


Deadly as 1t is when inhaled, it is not
only pleasant, but positively beneficial,
when taken into the stomach. 1t is the
active principle of soda and mineral
waters, and without it champagne and
similar beverages would be insipid. Its
injurious effects in the human system are
confined to the lungs, which it seems to
paralyze.


Thorough ventilation is the only safe
guard against it. Merely remaining in a
close, unventilated room, and simply
breathing, will in time so vitiate the air
by removing from the air everything
but the fatal gas-that death will follow,
This was what caused the horrors of the
famous Black Hole Of Calcutta, and what
has produced many a mysterious death.
A furnace, if improperly construct
ed or managed, may disseminate
the noxious vapor throughout q
whole house. The gas escapes from a
stove or CRATE in dangerous volumes. A
| leak in gas pipe or an open jet will
speedily poison room. This deadly
carbonic acid gas is constantly loading
the air in our houses, and should be care
fully guarded against by ventilation. We
cannot too forcibly impress upon the
minds of our readers the danger which
turks around the tireside, particularly
where bituminous or soft coal Is burned.
Weather strips and other appliances to
keep the cold out Tor rather to keep the
warmth in) are well enough in their way,
but where they are used the need Of ven
tilatioR is greatly multiplied. A large
proportion of the diseases which aflict
our race are due to breathing impure air,
which means air more or less heavily
charged with earbonic acid gas. Let vig-
ilanee and ventilation be the household
watchword. OIe0eLdnd PlGiadeGler.


--o~s-a-


A WIFE of nearly ten years, having
given her servant holiday, was attend.
ing to culinary matters herself, and, hear
ing her husband coming in the kitchen,
thought she would surprise him as soon
as he entered the door by throwing her
hands over his eyes and imprinting kiss
on his brow, as in the days Of the honey
moon. The husband returned the salute
with interest, and asked, as he disengag-
ed her hands, "Mary, darling, where is
your mistressS" The wife discharged
"Mary, darling" the next day, and has
adopted new plan of surprising" her
husband. .-LGnsaster Pay Express.


THE newspaper reports of Captain
Jacks fight with regular troops confirm
tho etatpmpnt that iha Mndoaa fouUht