Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1870-06-09

true methods of ventilation, the suppress
sion of cholera and fevers, the proper
care of the poor in tenement houses, and
many improvements in the sanitary con-
dition of mankind. fr ..'est 90 sf'af
De la Rive, of Geneva, while expert
menting in electricity, found that bit of
zinc would prevent the oxidation of iron,
and he at once suggested its employment
for this purpose. Out of this. simple fact
has grown the immense industry of gal
vanizing iron; but that is not all, for in
the same battery De Ia Rive observed that
was accurately copied on the copper de-
posted upon it. He mentioned the cir
cumstance; jacob took it'up, and we now
have electro plating and galvano- -plasty
carried to complete success.
Pasteur has been devoting years to. the
study of fermentation, and as a result of
his experiments. we are taught to know
the true causes of disease and decay, and
to inventSthe proper remedy. !
The workers IN copper were found to
be exempt from cholera, and on examina-
ton it was found that they breathed con-
siderable sulphurous acid, and it was at
once seen that this gas, which prevents
fermentation and destroys the cholera
germs, was what had afforded protection
to the coppersmiths, and the same remedy
was applied with success in cholera dis
tricts and in hospitals.
Sir Isaac Newton discovered the solar
spectrum. 1t was an insignificant thing
TO throw, a beam of light onto screen
through hole in the shutter, and his
neighbors thought he ought to be better
employed but what a. wealth of inven7,
ton has grown out Of this one fact: We
now dissect our light and apply each part
as we want it. We can shut out the light
and admit the heat. We can concentrate
the chemical rays and take picture. We
can examine the spectrum and determine
the composition of the sun, moon, and
stars, and we shall, before long, separate
the light and chemical rays from the heat,
and shall store up the heat of the sun as
our great motive power, after our coal
not tell to what vast uses this discovery
is destined to be applied.
Professor Schrotter, of Vienna, found
that he could convert phosphorus into a
red powder, which had many peculiar
properties: 1t was not SO poisonus to the
workmen in the match factory; it did not
ignite on friction, and could be easily
transported from one place to another; it
was not soluble In the same reagents as
the ordinary phosphorus; and it had pow
-erful reducing properties. 1t was q trifling
matter at first, but has since saved the
lives of many a poor person IN match fac
tories, and served an important use in the
determination of vermin. -e.a-
The catalogue of trifing discoveries is
almost endless, and we have mentioned
enough to show the importance of appre-
ciating the labors of those whose whole
life is devoted to the good of their fellow
men.
In ancient times it was said, Tho
proper study of mankind is man." and
acting upoa that, the world stood still for
centuries. The study of mankind led TO
metaphysical mysteries and superstitions,
and it is only since science has dispelled
these clouds and let in the light Of OBJ
servation, perception, and Judgment, that
man has begun to enjoy freedom from
such thralldom as our early philosophers
imposed upon him. One superstition af
ter another passes away before the clear
light of scientific inquiry, and it is not the
man of science, but the metaphysician
and inductive philosopher, who throws
doubt and distrust and unbelitf into our
ranks. The value of scientific study is
therefore two-fold lit gives US the com.
forts of civilized life, and oVerturns all
doubt and superstition; it proves all
things and holds fast that which is good"
--IScienttfc American. -ii1