poisonous as

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 5 October 1936, Page 3

poisonous as

CARBON MONOXIDE PREVENT! YE M FiASD'RES (Goutributcd bv the Department, o! ilea illi.) The Department of Health wishes to draw attention to measures that should he taken to prevent poisoning by the extremely dangerous gas known as carbon monoxide. Since carbon monoxide as compared with other poisonous gases, is colourless, tasteless, and practically odourless, its presence is not detected, and if the amount present in the air is small its victim generally lias no warning that lie is exposed to a dangerous poison until it lias affected him to so great an extent that lie is unable to act. The attack of this gas is always insidious, giving no warning of its presence, but stealthily rendering its victim unconscious. The gas unites witn the colouring matter of Lire blood and prevents it from giving up its oxygen to Hie tissues. As a small amount ol carbon monoxide in the air will produce fatal results the necessity for exercising cars in the use of illuminating gas is evident, lor it is one of the chief dangerous gases which go to the composition of coal gas. Another source of carbon monoxide is from the exhaust of motor cars. It. therefore, a motor car is run in an illventilated or closed gaiage, there may be an undue and dangerous accumulation of the gas. with serious results to the individual present. Persons should not sleep oil the floor of a closed car, as there is danger from the fumes of the exhaust, which may leak through the floor, in this respect systems of heating cars by apparatus through which tlu: exhaust gases circulate need very careful installation and supervision as when defective they are dangerous.

GAS BURNING APPLIANCES It is important that gas pipes and street mains should be tight so that none of the gas can leak into rooms and produce poisons. Gas jets should not be left burning where a gust of air may blow then: out and Jet the gas escape into the room. Every gas water heater and every gas stove should he connected to a chimney, fine, or other vent, to the outside air in order that unburnt. gas may not collect in the room. Gas fittings should be of the best and kept in good order. It should be understood that modern gas appliances, such as ranges with closed tops, accomplish much in preventing carbon monoxide poisoning. Furthermore, ail gas appliances, iucludimr ranges, water heaters, and gasheating devices, will give , satisfactory results, free from any hazard whatsoever, if they are properly installed and properly operated. The use of gas appliances in our modern civilisation is as essential as is the use of automobiles; and automobiles, because of careless operating, cause more accidental deaths than does carbon monoxide. The precautions as outlined here are issued in an effort to stimulate the exercise of caution lack of which is responsible for fatalities.

EXHAUST FROM MOTOR ENGINES \Vaiming relative to the danger involved 11T remaining in a closed garage while an automobile motor is running are issued regularly and often by healta officers and safety oilicials. Nevertheless deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning. due lo this cause, continue to occur in many countries. Most of such fatalities occur during the cold winter months, when motors are started with greater difficulty and are permitted to idle in the garage while warming up. The average car can, within a few minutes, give off a sufficient quantity of carbon monoxide in the exhaust gases to kill a human being. p REVENTIVE MEASURES Preventive measures must be adopted such as adequate ventilation, especially in private garages; wide opening of doors and windows or use of installations allowing the exhaust gases from every car in a garage to be carried direct'to the outside; car engines should not be allowed to run when the doors of the garage are closed; all' repair work on* motor cars necessitating a prone position should be avoided when the engine is running. When using a car' see that adequate ventilation is provided as in the best appointed cars there may be a slight escape of carbon monoxide gas into the car.

TREATMENT 'flu, poisoning effects of this gas is vine to its being easily absorbed by the blood, where it seriously reduces the capacity of the blood to transport oxygen. The 'first essentials of treatment are, therefore, the removal from the poisonous atmosphere into pure air, and the avoidance of any exertion which would increase the requirements of oxygen. A 'massed’’ person should not be exposed to° the cold. Oxygen should be administered under medical supervision, if the breathing threatens to fail, artificial respiration should be employed as m the case of drowning. „ An exquisite shade! She dyed it with FAIRY DYES. 31 shades. Gd glass tube. Chemists and Stores.

BANISH THAT INEVITABLE COLD Colds are prevalent. Cold germs are everywhere —in trams, trains and buses. Safeguard yourself —take Pulmonas, the one sure preventative against the deadly cold germ. Keep a tin handy. The moment you feel a cold coming on, slip Pulmonas into your mouth, the vapours arising from them act directly on the nose, throat and lungs, protecting you from virulent ’flu and cold germs. Pulmonas are sold in handy tins at all chemists and stores, 1/-, 1/6, 2/6.