Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 299, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 December 1916 — TWO FATALITIES FROM PETROMORTIS [ARTICLE]

TWO FATALITIES FROM PETROMORTIS

Narrowly Averted by Automobile Drivers in Rensselaer During Week. Early in the week Rev. E.< W. Strecker, pastor of the M. E. church, was warming up his automobile in his new garage. The door was closed. Rev. Strecker felt a peculiar sensation. His legs trembled and he became dizzy. He became alarmed ant by great effort was able to get to the house. None of the family were at home. It was with great difficulty that he was able, to get to the telephone and call a doctor. When th? physician arrived he found the minister in a serious condition and much effort was necessary to restore him. Later in the week J. H. Cameran, the blockman for the International Harvester Co., who makes his home at the Makeever hotel, had a similar experience. Persons driving automobiles should be very careful and hav* garages properly ventilated when it is necessary to warm their cars before taking them out. The term Petromortis is not accepted by the medical profession, but so far it is the only name that has been given to poisoning from automobile gases. The term means' death from gas. > There have been quite a number of fatalities from this cause over the. country and we give this warning that it may pot happen here.