The daily press. (Cincinnati [Ohio) 1859-1859, 1859-05-07


has ever been a subject of careful study by
scientists, but if we except the remarkable dis
coveries of FRANKLIN, no one, perhaps, is en-
titled to greater praise for the development of
practical benefits to the public, arising from
scientific examination of the laws of electrical
The presence of electricity, although necessary
to the maintenance of a healthful and salu-
brious atmospherej yet its violence, when its
equilibrium is disturbed by storms, is of such
a nature as to render it dangerous to person
and property, and means of protection against
this natural enemy, are everywhere important
and necessary.
The engraving represents section Of
lightningrod, with its upper extremity, and
the Insulating attachments recently invented
by Mr.. MAYO, who has factory at 245 and
247 Sycamore street. The FIVE points are
formed of copper and covered with coating OF
pure gold, SO that they will not tarnish nor
lose their brightness. The insulators are OF
glass, and are formed with shoulder at one
end, against which ia placed an iron collar, the
latter being screwed to the building. In the
front end of the insulator is virtical groove
for receiving the twisted rod, which is secured
in its place by means of copper wire passing
through hole in the insulator, as shown il
the engraving. This form of insulation rem
ders the rod firm and secure, and admits OF
their being attached and detached without
taking it down. These improved insulations
have been placed upon the State House, at
Columbus, the Lunatic Asylum at Car
thage, and on other important buildings IN
different portions of the State. This invention
seems to be the Ne Plus Ultra of improvements
in the lightning-rod line, and as a means Of
protection against lightning, cannot be over
estimated. Better have lightning-rod than
an insurance policy.
Electro Therapeutic Baths. - Upon
invitation, we visited yesterday the Electric
Infrmary Of DR.. KARsHNER, 21S Barr street,
where we examined his electro bathing appa
ratus, and had the pleasure of practical lea
son as to his method Of applying it. The ap-
paratus consists Of two metallic bathing tubs
insulated upon the floor, each of which is pro-
vided with gutta-percha bands upon which the
body rests while in the bath. These bathing
tubs are connected with a galyapic battery il
the manner hereafter described The first bath
is called the positive, and the tub having been
filed with water at about one hundred degrees
F., the patient is immersed therein and re
ceives the electricity by means of a wire term
mating with sponge, which the person car
hold in his hand.
By this means the electricity enters at one
point, is difrused through the system, anC
passes out at the entire surface immersed
We found that upon immersng the sponge
and bringing it in contact with the body, tn,
electricity would leap from the spong,
through the water to the body, thus showing
that the latter is greater conductor of elec
tricity than the water--a controverted point
we believe, with the profession. A bath il
the positive tub, of about twenty minutes du
ration, is followed by second and negativ
bath, in which the electricity enters the sys
TEN from the entire surface immersed, an,
passes downward and outward at the feet
producing Il tonic and invigorating effect
which not only counteractS the depicting ef
fects of the Positive Bath, but infuses a ncy
life and vigor into the entire man. Gu
space forbids our giving a detailed accoun
of DR.. Karshner's invention, but full de
scription may be had by calling at his estob
lishment, as above, or by addressing him 70
circular. The invention has recently beei
patented.