712 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. XXXVII. No. 958 



In the light of these facts the sufferers' 

 symptoms are readily explained. Flue gases 

 contain, and especially when combustion is 

 incomplete, considerable amounts of sulphur- 

 ous oxide and carbon monoxide, both distinctly 

 poisonous gases. Furnace gas was common 

 in this house and often very strong — so that 

 the eyes watered and an appreciable effect 

 could be felt in the throat, symptoms at once 

 suggestive of sulphur. The rapid tarnishing 

 of all silver objects was a further indication 

 of the presence of this substance. For the 

 most serious symptoms, however, the responsi- 

 bility must be thrown on carbon monoxide. 

 The poisonous nature of this gas is too well 

 known to require comment, and sensations of 

 oppression and other mental disturbance are 

 typical of the more acute poisonings, while 

 anaemia, malnutrition, loss of psychic powers 

 and diminished vigor are characteristic of the 

 chronic condition. That the trouble was most 

 aggravated on cold nights — ^wben windows 

 were closed and ventilation poorest, and at the 

 top of the house, is consistent with the fur- 

 nace explanation. It seems probable that the 

 belief in walking spirits was nourished by real 

 noises coming from an adjoining house. Any 

 such noises would, of course, be likely to be 

 exaggerated in the minds of persons wakened 

 in the night while suffering from carbon 

 monoxide poisoning. 



The hygienic lessons are patent. Here is a 

 clear case of thoroughly serious poisoning 

 which might have had at any time a fatal 

 residt, and all due to a defective hot-air fur- 

 nace. This apparatus, often praised for its 

 ventilating effect and probably with justice 

 when in sound condition and properly oper- 

 ated, may evidently become a distinct menace 

 to health. And may not therg be similar cases 

 of a milder order, such as escape detection 

 while still causing slight poisoning? Em- 

 phasis is also thrown on to the entire question 

 of the possible dangers from flue gases. Brick 

 sewers have been found to be sometimes per- 

 meable to illuminating gas; may not these 

 poisonous flue gases sometimes escape into 

 houses through porous or leaky chimneys? 



Slight leaks of illuminating gas have often 

 been suggested as a cause of headaches and 

 anaemias of obscure origin; perhaps we should 

 look to leaky furnaces and flue gases for 

 similar effects. 



This case should also be of interest to ex- 

 perimental psychologists and investigators of 

 psychic and spiritualistic manifestations, since 

 the reputation which this house was gaining 

 as being haunted apparently arose in large 

 measure from genuine sensations of appari- 

 tions and the like, induced by the breathing 

 during sleep of a tainted atmosphere. 



Franz Schneider, Jr. 



Department of Biology and Public Health, 

 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 



SCIENTIFIC BOOKS 

 Das Erdol. Seine Physik, Chemie, Geologic, 



Technologic, Und sein Wirthschaftsbetrieb. 



In fiinf Banden. Herausgegeben von C. 



Engler und H. v. Hoefer. Leipsig, verlag" 



von S. Hirzel. 1912. 



With the vanishing supply of natural gas, 

 and the diminishing output of the world's 

 stock of light petroleum, this work appears at 

 an opportune moment. The first volume 

 edited by Dr. Engler under the title "Die 

 Chemie und Physik des Erdols," and just is- 

 sued, contains 855 pages with full index, and 

 IS large plates, the latter giving complete 

 analyses and optical activity of petroleum from 

 the principal fields. 



The scope of this work and its comprehen- 

 sive magnitude as indicated by its title and 

 fully substantiated by the first volume, prom- 

 ises the most thorough and complete compila- 

 tion on petroleum and its products that has 

 ever appeared. It is fortunate that its prepa- 

 ration was undertaken by two such well-known 

 workers in this field. The name of Dr. Eng- 

 ler especially is familiar to every one who is 

 interested in petroleum. 



Since the comprehensive report on petro- 

 leum by Peckham, to the United States Geo- 

 logical Survey,' the great accumulation of lit- 



' Eeport on the Production, Technology and 

 Uses of Petroleum and its Products, Government 

 Printins; Office, 1885. 



