The rapid motion of running causes a current of air, which collects electric fluid, and is often fatal.
Q. What parts of a dwelling are most dangerous during a thunder-storm?
A. The fire-place, (especially if the fire be lighted); the attics and cellar. It is also dangerous to sit close by the walls; to ring the bell; or to bar the shutters, during a thunder-storm.
Q. Why is it dangerous to sit before a fire, during a thunder-storm?
A. Because the heated air and soot are conductors of lightning; especially when connected with such excellent conductors as the stove, fender, and fire-irons.
Q. Why are the attics and cellar dangerous, during a thunder-storm?
A. Lightning sometimes passes from the clouds to the earth, and sometimes from the earth to the clouds; and therefore, the middle story of a house is always the safest to be in, during a thunder-storm.
Q. When does lightning pass from the earth to the clouds?
A. When the clouds are in a “negative” state of electricity.
Q. When does lightning pass from the clouds to the earth?
A. When the clouds are in a “positive” state of electricity.
Q. What is meant by the clouds being in a “positive state of electricity?”
A. When the clouds contain more electric fluid than they generally do, they are said to be in a positive state of electricity.
Q. What is meant by the clouds being in a “negative state of electricity?”
A. When the clouds contain less electric fluid than they ought to do, they are said to be in a negative state of electricity.
Q. Does the flash proceed from a negative or positive body?
A. Always from a positive body, or one over-burdened with electric fluid.
Q. When lightning flashes from the earth to the clouds, what is the flash called?
A. It is called the “returning stroke;” because the earth (being over-burdened with electric fluid) returns the surplus quantity to the clouds.
Q. Why is it dangerous to lean back against a wall during a thunder-storm?
A. Because the electric fluid sometimes runs down the wall of a house or room; and (as a man is a better conductor than a brick wall), would make him its path, and injure him.
Q. Why is it dangerous to ring a bell during a thunder-storm?
A. Bell-wire is an excellent conductor; and (if a person were to touch the bell-handle), the electric fluid, passing down the wire, might run through his hand and injure it.
Q. Why would the lightning run through a man touching a bell-handle?
A. Because the human body is a better conductor than the wall (between the bell-handle and the floor); and as lightning always chooses the best conductors for its path, it would (in this case) pass through the man, and injure him.
Q. Why is it dangerous to bar a shutter during a thunder-storm?
A. The iron shutter-bar is an excellent conductor; and (if a person were touching the bar), the electric fluid passing down it, might run from the bar through the person touching it, and injure him.
Q. Why is it dangerous to be in a crowd during a thunder-storm?
A. For two reasons. 1st—Because a mass of people form a better conductor than an individual: and
2ndly—The vapour from a crowd increases the danger of such a place.
Q. Why is a mass of bodies a better conductor than a single body?
A. Each living body is a conductor of electricity; and a connected mass of such conductors is more likely to be struck, than a single individual.
Q. Why is the danger increased by the vapour which rises from a crowd?
A. Vapour is a conductor, and therefore, may determine the shock; especially when connected with so many living bodies.
Q. Why is a theatre dangerous, during a thunder-storm?
A. Because the crowd assembled there, and the great vapour arising from so many living bodies, render a theatre an excellent conductor of lightning.
Q. Why is a flock of sheep in greater danger than a smaller number?
A. Because each sheep is a conductor of lightning, and the greater the number, the better its conducting power; besides, the vapour arising from a flock of sheep increases its conducting power, and its danger.
Q. Why is a herd of cattle in danger during a storm?
A. 1st—The number of living bodies increases the conducting power of the animal fluids: and
2ndly—The vapour arising from a herd is also a good conductor.
Q. If a person be abroad in a thunder-storm, what place is the safest?
A. Any spot about 20 or 30 feet from some tall tree or building; unless that spot be near to running water.
Q. Why would it be safe to stand 20 or 30 feet from some tall tree, in a thunder-storm?
A. Because the lightning would always choose the tall tree as a conductor, rather than the shorter man; and he would not be sufficiently near the tree, to be injured by the electric current passing down it.
Q. If a person be in a carriage in a thunder-storm, in what way can he travel most safely?
A. He should not lean against the carriage; but sit upright, without touching any of the four sides.
Q. Why should not a person lean against the carriage in a storm?
A. Because the electric fluid might run down the sides of the carriage; and (if a person were leaning against the sides), would make choice of him for a conductor, and perhaps destroy life.
Q. If a person be in a house during a thunder storm, what place is safest?
A. Any room in the middle story. The middle of the room is best; especially if you place yourself on a mattrass,
