K. DOMESTIC ECONOMY. 449 



K. DOMESTIC ECONOMY. 



SAFETY MATCHES. 



Casualties are continually occurring from fires caused by ig- 

 nition from the still burning ends of lighted matches thrown 

 carelessly aside ; and it may be of interest to learn that a 

 mode of preparation has lately been devised by which such a 

 result may be entirely prevented. The principle of the new 

 match consists in impregnating the wood of which it is made 

 with a chemical solution which prevents the carbon from re- 

 maining a fiery mass for a single instant, as in the case of 

 ordinary matches, so that as soon as it is blown out it may 

 be thrown with perfect safety upon inflammable or explosive 

 substances. The manufacture is said to be no more expensive 

 than of those now in use. 3 A, November 4, 1871, 354. 



SUBSTANCE FOR EXTINGUISHING FLAME. 



A composition for extinguishing flame, claimed to be ex- 

 tremely efficient, has recently been introduced. It consists 

 of the following preparation : Two hundred pounds of hy- 

 drochloric acid, saturated with lime, are placed in a wooden 

 vessel lined with lead ; to this eighty-eight pounds of a sat- 

 urated solution of ammonia salt and the same weight of a 

 saturated solution of borate of soda are added. The mixture 

 is then stirred and allowed to settle, and when clear is de- 

 canted and concentrated to crystallization. The substance 

 thus prepared is now introduced in liquid form, or in a pow- 

 der, into the water used to extinguish the fire. About one 

 pound per gallon for the first five hundred gallons should be 

 used, and afterwards half this amount will be sufficient. 

 18 A, December 15,1871,319. 



FEOPER MODE OF EXTINGUISHING KEROSENE LAMPS. 



Explosions of kerosene lamps are frequently produced in 

 the attempt to extinguish them by blowing down the chim- 

 ney. This is a very dangerous practice, and should always 

 be avoided. The desired result will be accompanied much 

 more certainly and safely by giving a sharp and rather pro- 



