The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-06-13
Curious and Scientific

1t is not my design at this time, to en-
ter into any description of the science or
its discoveries, but to dwell on few things
which may be called the marvels OF the
science. 1t has been proven that the one
two-hundred- millionth of grain of sod
ium can be detected by means of the spec
troscope, even when dissolved in water.
This statement which we find recorded
in scientific papers, conveys very little
meaning to us, from our inability to grasp
so small quantity as the one two-hun-
dred millicnth of grain. Mathemati-
clans tell us that we can form no correct
idea of numbers beyond the few hundreds
or thousands used in regard to the mat
tiers of every day life.
In order that we may have some little
conception of the powers of the spectre
scope, and form an idea of this small frac-
ton, we reduce the statement of another
form. Construct tank eight feet square
on the base, and nine feet high. Such
vessel would contain SIC cubic feet, and
if filed with water, would hold about SO
barrels. A piece Of common salt, about
the size of pea, would contain about one
grain of sodium. If this pea" were
dropped into the vessel of water, and al
lowed to dissolve, each drop of wafer
would contain about the Que two hum
dred-millionth of grain of sodium, and
would be sufficient to prove the presence
of that element in tho whole body of wa
ter. For this calculation we have the
following data: A drop of pure water
weighs one grain. In gallon of water
there would be 46,OSO drops. Two hun
dred million drops would therefore fill
nearly 1873 barrels. How wonderful exact
and how powerful Though we give all
praise to the microscope, ys5 it cannot
compare in power with the spectroscope.
To illustrate this still further, we will
mention the recent discoveries in regard
to the hitherto rare element lithium. I'm
til within the few past years, this element
has been one of the great rarities of the
chemist. It was found In small quanti-
ties in only two or three places in this
country, and associated in such way with
other minerals, as to be rather difficult of
extraction. The spectroscope has shown
that its distribution is well-nigh universal.
Analyses of soils shows its presence in
small quantities.. It is present in very
many springs and streams, and is largely
present in the waters of the ocean. Plants
growing on soil containing this element,
contain it in large quantities, and this is
given to the flesh and milk of animals
feeding on such pastures: In this way,
it must enter largely into the system of
man. In fact, it is almost as universal
as common salt, which is found every
where. Why this abundance, unless it
has some beneficial effect on the human
body? 1t is a settled law of God S prov
idence that those elements which are es-
sential to man are of worldwide distribu-
ton, like air and water, while those not
so essential are more limited in extent
and local in distribution.
We do not wonder that some of our
best physicians are investigating the sub
ject with great care. Our subject has
much of interest fer the medical frater-
nifty, and the science of spectrum analysis
is destined to play very important part
in medical examinations and in medico-
legal trials. The spectrum Of blood DIFF
fers very notably from that of any other
known substance. Increased observations
it is hoped, will give us the means Of
separating the spectrum Of human blood
from that of the lower animals. Already
we can detect the one thousandth Of a
grain of blood in solution, and thus sep
arate it from all other known liquids
The dried stain FROM single drop of
blood is all that is necessary for the cx-
animation. ArteraL blood can be told
from venous, and the proportion of car
Donic acid in the latter easily determin-
ed. We can easily detect poison in the
blood by this means. even when the guam
tlty is so small as to escape the chemist.
Not long since man died in Europe
under very peculiar circumstances. The
jury could find no marks of violence upon
his person, no evidence of disease or
trace of poison In his system. A spec
troscope was called into requisition, and
a drop of blood taken from the scarcely
cold heart, which revealed the presence
of prussic acid, one of the most deadly of
poisons. Thus day by day. science is in
creasing our store of knowledg only
of ourselves, but also of the boundIess
universe of God.-Methodist.