Full text: Vol. I (1)

DANGEROUS VAPOUR FROM BURNING FUEL. 313 
the aſhes of some are not so liable to melt in violent heats. Thère is 
one species too, such as the Kilkenny coal of Ireland, and which occurs 
likewise in some parts of this country, that does not contain any sen 
sible quantity of water, or other such volatile principles. But this 
may be called a fort of native charcoal. It has the appearance of or 
dinary coal, but, when thrown into the fire, does not emit smoke or 
foot. It merely becomes red, gives a subtile blue flame, and con 
fumes like charcoal; only it lasts furprisingly long, or continues to 
give heat for a very long time before it is totally consumed. But it 
cannot be made to burn so as to produce a gentle heat. If not in 
considerable quantity, and violently heated, it is soon extinguished. 
In using this kind of fuel, it is proper to be on our guard against 
the dangerous nature of the burnt air which arises from charcoal of all 
kinds. Charcoal burns without visible ſmoke. The air arising from 
it appears to the eye as pure and as clean as common air. Hence it 
is much used abroad by those who are studious of neatness and clean 
liness in their apartments. But this very circumstance ſhould make us 
more watchful against its effects, which may prove dangerous, in the 
highest degree, before we are aware of it. The air arising from 
common crude fuel is no doubt as bad, but the smoke renders it dis 
agreeable before it becomes dangerous. The first sensation is a flight 
sense of weakness; the limbs seem to require a little attention, to pre 
vent falling. A flight giddiness, accompanied by a distinct feeling of 
a flush or glow in the face and neck. Soon after, the person be 
comes drowsy, would sit down, but commonly falls on the floor, in 
sensible of all about him, and breathes strong, fnoring as in an apo 
plexy. If the person is alarmed in time, and escapes into the open 
air, he is commonly seized with a violent headach, which gradually 
abates. 
But when the effect is completed, as above described, death very 
soon ensues, unless relief be obtained. There is usually a foaming at 
the mouth, a great flush or suffusion of blood over the face and neck, 
VoL. I. 
Rr
	        
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