lacking in proper respect if there was not conveyed to that mourning woman something from us, his life's associates in business, that she could treasure as the evidence of the esteem in which we held her partner in life. I therefore move that the Secretary be directed to write a letter to Mrs. William Helme, expressive of our sympathy, our sense of loss and our sincere regret at her husband's death.

The motion was seconded by Mr. Stiness and adopted by a rising vote.

THE QUESTION BOX.

THE PRESIDENT-We will now take up the question box. The first question is:

"What is the extra cost on wear and tear of meters where iron purification is used?

MR. SOMERVILLE-I do not know what the extra cost is; but I believe it is something. I am very sure that oxide of iron does injuriously affect the meter, because I noticed that when I used it the diaphragms for some cause or other become stiffened. That was one trouble. There was a kind of deposit that I never before witnessed in the meter, that appeared after I began to use the oxide of iron. How it came there I cannot tell; but I am firmly convinced that oxide of iron purification does injuriously affect dry meters.

MR. SCRIVER-We use oxide of iron to a very large extent in the purification of our gas, but we do not notice that its use is in any way injurious to our meters. It may be owing to the fact that we do not allow our meters to run over five years without overhauling the law of this country is such that we have to take our meters out every five years. I feel warranted in saying that the oxide of iron purification does not injure either the consumer's meter or the station meter at the works.

MR. SOMERVILLE-Your meters are all wet; are they not? MR. SCRIVER-No, sir; they are all dry.

MR. YOUNG-Do I understand you to say that they are required to be taken out and not used again? The law, as I

recollect it, is that they have to be tested every five years, and if found incorrect they have to be made correct.

MR. SCRIVER-That is it, certainly; they have to be tested every five years.

MR. YOUNG-I have been using oxide of iron for ten or twelve years; and I was not aware of any injurious effect upon the meters, or on the illuminating power of the gas, until we put in our Standard scrubber. After that we discovered a little deterioration in the illumininating power. Before that time we used exclusively the oxide of iron for purification, and had no trouble with the meters nor with the illuminating power.

MR. PRICHARD-We have been using oxide of iron for quite a number of years and on receiving this question from the Secretary, I inquired of the man who examines our meters as to its effect upon the meters, and he said he could tell no difference between them and those in Massachusetts, where they are using lime exclusively. He said it was impossible to tell the difference. In fact, he seemed to think that a small amount of ammonia in the gas, purified by iron oxide would be rather a help to the diaphragm than an injury to it. But the last week before I came away we had occasion to go into the station meter, and found that the inlet pipe had been entirely corroded from the oxide. It had not rusted from the outside, but we found a deposit of matter there which smelled like naphthaline, and looked like a cross between iron rust and iron sponge. That material, whatever it was, had eaten clear through the galvanized iron of the meter.

"What is the best way to treat men who, while working in the trench, are overcome by gas?

MR. CLARK-I have a recipe given to us by a prominent physician, which seems to be a very good one. The rules are as follows:

I, take the man at once into fresh air. Don't crowd around him; 2, keep him on his back. Don't raise his head, nor turn him on his side; 3, loosen his clothing at his neck and waist ; 4, give a little brandy and water; not more than four tablespoonfuls of brandy in all. Give the ammonia mixture (one part

aromatic ammonia to sixteen parts water) in small quantities, at short intervals, a teaspoonful every two or three minutes; 5, slap the face and chest with the wet end of a towel; 6, apply warmth and friction, if the body or limbs are cold; 7, if the breathing is feeble or irregular, artificial respiration should be used, and kept up until there is no doubt that it can no longer be of use; 8, administer oxygen.

Some of these rules I have myself used, and I think very successfully.

MR. A. C. HUMPHREYS-I will add to what Mr. Clark has said, that these rules were not prepared hastily, but were obtained from a physician who was familiar with the subject from personal investigation.

MR. HARBISON-I would like to inquire whether he experimented with the same man or not.

MR. CLARK-The experiments were made on animals.

MR. WHITE-- I have been told by a physician who has had considerable experience in the treatment of those overcome by gas, that there is no more direct or certain way to overcome the effects of gas, if a man is sensible enough to swallow, than to give him a tablespoonful of olive oil, or of common sweet-oil. If he can swallow it, give him a tablespoonful of oil, and then give him a little milk, or some brandy, or whiskey, or whatever stimulant may be at hand. Of course you should loosen his garments, and place the man in easy position to breathe freely, and if you can, create a circulation of air by fanning, or by placing him in a draught. The handiest thing usually for gas men to get, when a man is overcome in the trenches, is to get at a neighboring drug or grocery store, a bottle of sweet oil and some milk, and it is my experience that, whether the man is overcome with water gas or coal gas, nothing acts so quickly in restoring his breathing as sweet oil. It is not unpleasant to take, it lubricates his breathing apparatus, and the man will recover very much more quickly. It is founded upon many years' experience with men who have been overcome with gas, and I have used it myself when suffering from the same cause.

MR. SOMERVILLE—I was once engaged in taking off the top

A

of a station meter, inhaled too much gas, toppled over, and was carried out insensible. I understand that I was taken to the open air, my collar and waist-coat were loosened, and I soon recovered consciousness; but I did not get well until the contents of my stomach were ejected. The whole system seemed to be affected by the gas. A few weeks ago I had to take my foreman out of a hole. It was a very serious matter—he was a nice man, and I was sorry to see him tumble off like that. We dragged him out as quickly as we could, unbuttoned his vest, fanned him, and he soon recovered. That was with coal gas, Still he felt the effects the balance of the day. With water gas it is entirely different. Then it is a very serious matter, indeed. We always take extra precautions in dealing with water gas. It does not seem to produce 'the same effect as coal gas. It seems to touch the blood, and it takes men some weeks to get over its effects. In fact, I know a man who has never gotten over it. If anything can be devised which will overcome the effects of the inhalation of water gas it is very important that we should know it. I have no doubt but that some one is asking this question in all sincerity, and if we can think of anything which would be an effectual remedy it will be a good thing to come before the meeting.

MR. SCRIVER-I believe that very recently an inspirator has been invented, which fits over the nose and mouth, and enables the man to remain in an atmosphere where gas is escaping for a great length of time.

MR. HARBISON-Two or three years ago I had some experience in this matter, and it was a little different from anything which has been stated here--I was not within reach of physicians at the time, and so could not avail myself of their services. Some workmen were laying a large main, connected with two six-inch pipes, and had to make a temporary connection over night in order to maintain the supply of gas in one section of the city. The gas escaped, and within ten minutes seven men became insensible in the ditch. We took the pressure off as soon as we could, removed the men to the open air, put water upon their faces and necks, gave them a mixture of whiskey and water, and, as soon as they could swallow anything, I gave them

apples to eat, and the acid of the apples immediately started the gas out of the stomach. Just as soon as I could reach it I gave them some strong, hot coffee, and very soon they were ready to take their supper pails and walk home.

MR. WATSON-I have had men in the same condition, but I administered vinegar to them, which I suppose acted in the same way as the apples. I gave them vinegar with eggs in it-breaking the eggs in the vinegar and letting them drink it. I find it very effectual.

Mr. Kuehn—On two different occasions when one of my men was overcome with gas I called a physician, who injected the carbonate of ammonia. The man was ill eight or ten days after from the effects of it. He became so bad the second time that I did not put him back to that kind of work again.

"What advantages are gained by using high gravity naphtha for water gas?"

The PresidenT-I will call on Mr. Humphreys to answer that question.

MR. A. C. HUMPHREYS—I will say, very briefly, that one of the advantages of high grade naphtha for water gas is that it will allow you to make the gas from the old style apparatus. If you will think of all that means, that about answers the question. There are a great many disadvantages in the use of high grade naphtha. Its increased danger specially. I should not advocate the use of high grade naphtha in making water gas. It is unnecessary.

MR. SCRIVER—I would like to ask this question: Is there any gentleman present who can give any information with regard to the reduction of Sunday work in our gas works? How can Sunday labor in our gas works be reduced-especially with reference to the working of the retorts?

MR. HARBISON-I would say it can be done by striking off the lids from the charges that are burned off, and slacking the fires and not charging them again. We ought to be able to do that, and still keep a sufficient supply. It may in some cases be thought insufficient; but if you have storage room enough,