Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 July 1892 — Deadly Fumes. [ARTICLE]

Deadly Fumes.

When Mr. Charles Boner was in Transylvania he visited Mount Budos, a volcano which is never in actual eruption, but is all the time sending out streams of sulphuretted hydrogen gas. In particular there are two caves or clbfts in the whitish-gray rock, out of which this gas, mixed with carbonic acid, is emitted with special freedom. Tiie principal one of these caves is about twenty paces in depth, and, as will bo seen from Mr. Boner’s description, is much frequented as a health resort. To enter the cave in safety care must be taken not to draw the breath. A long respiration is made before rushing in, the nostrils are closed, and then with hasty steps the farther extremity is reached. A pricking feeling in the eyes is caused by the warm atmosphere. From the feet upward the whole body has the agreeable sensation of a gentle heat playing around every limb. Hut your stock of breath is exhausted, and you run back to the open air. The day before I was there a man had committed suicide by entering a step or two. He dropped at once; and when a shepherd that was tending flocks on the opposite hillside, and who saw him enter, came across to look for him, he was dead. The vapors of the cave are highly valued as a cure for gout, and for diseases of the eye. At the end of the cavern a tasteless, slightly warm liquid, clear as crystal, falls slowly, drop by drop, from the rock—the result, probably, of the condensed vapors rising from below. A loose dress is worn by those who take this vapor bath They go in, remain as long as they can hold their breath, then run out, breathe, and go In again The second cave is not far away, jnd is called the Murderer. In flying past the opening, birds drop dead Upon the ground. Close to the enhance I found a jay that had thus met its death. I thought of the upas tree and its victims.