arising from the Dresses of Females taking fire . 175 



perished in this miserable way — many of which it is proba- 

 ble might have been saved, had better means been employed 

 — and that families of every rank, without exception, are 

 equally liable to this sudden and dreadful visitatipn, it might 

 naturally be expected that something more adequate, to 

 mitigate its effects, would ere now have been made known 

 and adopted. 



In the belief that nothing of the kind has yet been done, 

 I think it a duty incumbent on me to suggest, through 

 your medium, what will be found an infallible method in- 

 stantly to extinguish the flames which have caught a female's 

 dress — which is as follows : — 



The hands of any assistant must be passed under all the 

 clothes, to the sufferer's shift ; and then the whole clothes 

 are to be raised up all together, ai>d closed above her head. 

 The flames will thus most certainly be extinguished. This 

 may be done in five or six seconds — in the time that a per- 

 son can stoop to the ground and rise up again,— and no 

 ether method can he so ready, expeditious, and effectuaU 



The sufferer will facilitate the business by folding her arms 

 close before her. Should it happen that no pCiSon is at 

 hand to assist the sufferer, if she has presence of mind, she 

 may in most cases relieve herself by throwing her clothes 

 over her head and rolling or laying upon them. 



This method was always communicated to those with 

 whom I conversed on this subject, who all expressed the 

 greatest satisfaction at the probability, and confidence it^ 

 gave them, of being thereby, better than hitherto, enabled 

 to rescue fellow-creatures from agonizing premature death ; 

 and esteemed it a valuable addition to their small stock of 

 rxpedients. '"* 



The extending this communication to your readers may 

 be productive of the happiest consequences to them and the 

 community at large, and materially reduc<; the list of human 

 afflictions. I am, sir, 



your very humble servant, 



March 22, ises. E. V, 



XXXVI. Ui^ 



