The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-06-02
The Value Of Science.

i
the cry of utilitarianism and the reproacl
that attends upon anything practical
There is something quite unworthy of tn,
age In which we live, in any such notion
as the progress of society and the advanc,
of civilization in modern times depend
chiefly upon the application of the dis
coveries of scientific men. We never
know what use may ultimately be made
of q discovery. What appears to us a.
the time as trivial and insignificant fact
may become one of the links in a grea,
chain of practical application.
When Oersted observed the DETECTION
of the needle produced by The gslvanit
current, he could not have antic pated that
a telegraph would grow out ol 80 slight q
circumstance. Faraday's discovery of in
duction gave us the present form of the
telegraph, and also electro plating ard
electro-chemistry. The black powder in
the alkali manufacturers vats in Paris, to
which the name of iodine was given, was
of no consequence when first discovered
but now we know that the grand applica.
ton of Photography depends upon it.
A few years ago German chemist an.
nounced the discovery Of sugar in the
beet. The account was received, like q
vast number of other announcements, as
q useless fact, and rather disgraceful to
the man who wasted his time in such in
significant labors. Now we know that
the beet sugar industry is one of the most
important on the continent of Europe, IN.
volving millions of capital, and giving
occupation to thousands of men.
The illustrious philosopher, Faraday,
succeeded in condensing number Of gas
es. 1t was an interesting experiment,
but certainly no one could have predicted
that some day the question OF furnishing
cheap food to large cities would depend
upon the application of this discovery,
but such appears likely to be the fact The
best refrigerating machines, and the most
practical method, of producing artificial
cold, are founded upon the condensation
of gases, especially of ammonia, by means
| of which we shall be enabled to transport
frozen meat any distance.
But not only in the production of cold
is Faraday's discovery available; we have
in it the germ CT valuable motive power
| that is capable Of extensive application.
Faraday also discovered benzOl, and for
many years no use could be devised for it;
| we low know that the whole aniline in
dustry, with its magnificent array of col
Ors, rests upon what appeared to be a use
less discovery; and yet Faraday, who
gave us Our present form of telegraph,
who enabled US to produce the richest
| colors, who put cheap food within our
reach, and gave us motive power availa.
BILE at all times, himself worked in power
ty and died a poor man.
Professor TyBdall has just aroused the
attention of the world to the great ques
tiOn of haze and dust, and out of the agita-
ton Of this subject will eventually grow
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.
De Ia 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
vaDiZing iron but that is not all, for in
the same battery De la Rive observed that
the minute scratchings on one Of the cups
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
c..rried to complete success.
Pasteur has been devoting years to the
| IL.
his experiments. we are taught TO know
the true causes of disease and decay, and
to invent:the proper remedy.
The workers In copper were found to
be exempt from cholera, AND on examina-
ton it was found that they breatbed 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, anu his
neighbOrs thought ne ought to be better
employed; but what q wealth of inven-
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 loBg, separate
the light and chemical rays from the heat,
and shall store up the hest of the sun as
our great motive power, after our coal
and fuel have been exhausted. We can
not tell to what vast uses this discovery
is destined to be applied
Professor Schr0tter, of Vienna, found
that he could convert phosphorus into a
red powder, which had many peculiar
properties: 1t was not so p0isOnus 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 eagents as
the ordinary phosphorus; and it had pow
ertul reducing properties. 1t was trf1ing
matter at first, but has since saved the
lives OF many poor person in match fac
tories, and served an important use III the
extermiI alton of vermin.
The catalogue of trifling 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
mon.
In ancient times it was said, "The
proper study OF mankind is man." and
acting upon that, the world stood still for
centuries. The study of mankind led to
metaphysical mysteries and superstiiions,
and ii is only since science has dispelled
these clouds and let in the light of OBJ
ScrVatlOn, perception, ana Judgment, Thai
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 metaphyscian
and inductive philosopher, who throws
doubt and distrust and unbeli'f into our
ranks The value Of scientific study is
therefore two fold +; it gives us the com
forts of civilized life, and Overturns all
doubt and superstition I" it proves all
things and holds fast that which is good"
Scientific American
Dan,i he In Too Much Hurry.