Illuminating Gas

[no_hypocrisy]

I just discovered during my genealogical research that a relative killed herself by "illuminating gas" during a bout of postpartum depression in 1944.

What is it? Is it the equivalent of propane gas used in stoves & ovens today? Or is it used for lighting purposes like a chandelier?

[drray23]

1. its not propane.

it is a mixture of hydrogen and various other hydrocarbons. They used to manufacture it out of bituminous coal. I found an article in the scientific describing the process.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/illuminating-gas-what-it-is-and-how/

[hunter]

6. Great article, published in 1868.

The solid and liquid waste from these gas plants was usually dumped into pits and ponds which are now considered extremely dangerous and difficult to clean up. The waste also contaminated rivers and lakes and coastal waters, leaving toxic layers of sediment that become a problem when disturbed by storms or by human activities such as dredging.

[Girard442]

2. Gas used in gaslights.

Could have been natural gas or what was once called "water gas". Water gas was produced by passing steam over coke at high temperatures which produces a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

[hunter]

3. Natural gas isn't toxic.

That's largely why it replaced gas manufactured from coal.

Suicides and accidental deaths caused by the carbon monoxide in manufactured gas were common.

[Girard442]

4. You're so right.

I always thought methane was toxic, but I see it isn't.

[Thor_MN]

8. While not "toxic" per se, any gas can kill if it displaces oxygen in a confined space.

Nitrogen is about 80% of air, but if one pumps enough Nitrogen into a confined space to lower oxygen enough, people in that space will pass out and die. They won't even feel like they are suffocating, the carbon dioxide won't rise high enough to cause that feeling.

[Thor_MN]

9. You are joking about someone's relative dying?

[jmowreader]

7. Illuminating gas always contains carbon monoxide

Many people committed suicide by turning the oven on and putting their head in it...which the fire department loved because they didn't use air packs then.