Effect of Gas Products on Cotton Goods.
By Editor
The poisonous character of the products of the combustion of illuminating gas is now coming to be well understood; but new evils arising from this source are constantly coming to light. The latest discovery in this line was made by Dr. Wm. Wallace, Gas Examiner and Public Analyst of Glasgow. Sulphuric acid, he said was found in considerable quantity in the goods after being some time exposed, while the same articles in the fresh condition were quite free from that acid. In some cases the cotton fiber itself was renderd so tender as to be perfectly useless. The same thing had been observed in the warehouses in several large towns in England, such as Leeds, Manchester, etc. The remedy which was recommended by Dr. Wallace was the thorough ventilation of the warehouses, so as to insure that the sulphurous and sulphuric acids generated by the burning of the gas might have a sufficiently free escape into the atmosphere. He exhibited a number of specimens of the goods which he had examined after they had been sent back by the London merchants to the manufacturers as damaged. Both in color and in strength they were seen to have suffered detriment by exposure to gaseous fumes. Gases so corrosive as to destroy cotton fabrics must certainly be anything but wholesome for the delicate textures of the lungs. The burning of common illuminating gas must be looked upon as one of the greatest causes of consumption in cities. Unless some remedy is found, it would be decidedly better to go back to the old fashioned tallow "dip" than to go on inhaling the sulphurous fumes resulting from the combustion of ordinary gas. The only remedy for this evil with which we are at present acquainted is gasoline gas, manufactured by machines for the purpose. This kind of gas is not only wholly free from deleterious properties, but is much cheaper than coal gas. On account of its healthfulness, it has been introduced into the Sanitarium of this place.—Health Reformer, Battle Creek, Mich.