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