The reason why : $b a careful collection of many hundreds of reasons for things which, though generally believed, are imperfectly understood. A book of condensed scientific knowledge for the million — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The reason why : $b a careful collection of many hundreds of reasons for things which, though generally believed, are imperfectly understood. A book of condensed scientific knowledge for the million
John Stuart Mill · en
It is dangerous, first, by _inhalation_. There are no less than six
deaths upon record of persons who were killed by sleeping in rooms near
to which there was a leakage of gas.
It is dangerous, secondly, by _explosion_.
In 1848, an explosion of gas occurred in Albany-street,
Regent's-park, London. The gas accumulated in a shop for a very
short time only. It had been escaping from a crack in the meter
for about one hour and twenty minutes. The area of the room was
about 1,620 cubic feet. When the gas exploded, it blew out the
entire front of the premises, carried two persons through a window
into an adjoining yard, and forced another person on to the
pavement on the opposite side of the street, where she was killed.
The effect of the explosion was felt for more than a quarter of
a mile on each side of the house, and most of the windows in the
neighbourhood were shattered. The iron railings over the area of
the house directly opposite were snapped asunder; and a part of
the roof, and the back windows of another house, were carried to
a distance of from 200 to 300 yards. The pavement was torn up
for a considerable length, and the damage done to 103 houses
was afterwards reported to amount to £20,000. Other serious
explosions have taken place. The explosions of "_coal damp_,"
which frequently occur in mines, are of a similar character.
[Verse: "O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the
earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens."--PSALM VIII.]
64. _What proportion of hydrogen gas with atmospheric air will explode?_
According to the researches of Sir Humphrey Davy, _seven_ or _eight_
parts of _air_, to _one_ of _gas_, produce the greatest explosive
effect; while _larger_ proportions of gas are less dangerous. A mixture
of _equal parts_ of gas and air will burn, but it will not explode.
The same is the case with a mixture of _two_ of _air_, or _three_ of
_air_, and _one_ of _gas_; but _four_ of _air_ and _one_ of _gas_ begin
to be explosive, and the explosive tendency increases up to _seven_
or _eight_ of _air_ and _one_ of _gas_, after which the increased
proportion of gas diminishes the force of the explosion.
65. _What is the best method of preventing the explosion of gas?_
Observe the rule, _never to approach a supposed leakage with a light_.
Fortunately the gas, which threatens our lives, warns us of the danger
by its pungent smell. The first thing to be done is to open windows
and doors, and to ventilate the apartment. Then turn the gas off at
the main, and wait a short time until the accumulated gas has been
dispersed.
66. _Does hydrogen gas rise or fall when it escapes?_