Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-01-18

A NEW FUEL DIsCOvERY-Califorpia thfntR
coal-tar with hydrogen gas eliminated from wa
ter, and both aided by the oxygen Of the atrnos
phere. Five gallons of the coal-tar, with the
other elements, in an experiment., generated
heat so intense that bar of iron held in the
flame became white In one minute, and the raft
ers of the building, two feet from the smoke pipe
and Is from the furnace, took Ere. Scientifically
stated, the discovery is described as CONSISTING
In ascertaining the means by which carbonic
oxide (6-3) or possibly protoxide of carbon (s-3)
Is formed from oxhydrOgen vapor or steam.
EARTH PoULrICBs.-The value of earth Is q
disinfectant and deOdorizer Is well known: and
the treatment of liberated sores and gangrenous
wounds with il Is becoming very general. A
new application of this system has lately been
described, namely, the use Of clay as a dressing
for the face in two cases of conauent smallpox,
busting it, in fine powder, over the faces of the
patients as soon as the ~stules become fairly
dry, wholesome scab, absorbing the Infectious
material, scaling of, during cOnvalescence, and
leaving the unlying skin in its natural and
normal state. The painful and persisted Itch
ing, which Is well known as one of the worst
characteristics of the disease, by this simple
means entirely abated. The earth used was fine
pipe clay.
BLOOD AS DIET. Attention having been
drawn by Prof Panum, of the university of
Copenhagen, TO the amount OF nutritious mat
ter contained in blood and usually entirely lost.
DR.. Nielsen, of that city, has been endeayoriug
to solve the problem of fixing the blood i'm forms
suitable for food, and at the same time capable
of preservation, namely: First, as sausages
puddIngs, and cakes-being mixed with fat,
meal, sugar, salt and a few spices-tO serve as
a much cheaper compensation or substitute for
meat, and intended more especially for the use
of the poorer classes; and, second, as blood
chocolate, more especially suitable to be used
in hospitals, as well otherwise i'm medical
practice. in which latter form it has been re-
commended by Prof. Panum. at a meeting of
employed in some of the hospitals of that city.
WOVEN FABRICS FROM RABBITS HAIR.-The
Austrian Exhibition Gazette calls attention to a
new and important industry, viz, the incorpo-
ration OF rabbits hair with wool and cotton in
weaving textile fabrics. The shorter hairs,
which are incapable of being woven are readily
purchased by felt hat manufacturers at s. a
fords good strong yarn, which is said to be i'm
TO way inferior to wool. If all that the Austrian
Journal says on the subject be true, the raising
ness. No animal is better adapted 10 raising on
a large scale than the rabbit; they multiply
almost as rapidly As white mice, and are not
remarkable that this use of the hair has not
been thought of before, particularly when we
consider how many hundred million rabbits are
annually destroyed. The meat of the rabbit is
agreeable and nourishing, and the skins have
long been priced.
A MECHANICAL "TELL TALH"-Manv
attempts have been made to devise a tell-tale to
show whether Waterman has gone his rounds
faithfully during the night; but not many have
succeeded. Among the latest and best is the
one now i'm use at the penitentiary, Lausanne,
invented by MIR. CauderOy, which effects It's
object by electricity. A disk of paper divided
into twelve hours, is set I'm movement by clock
work. A number of electro-magnets are fixed
in front of the disk, and these are connected i'm
the usual way with buttons or KEYS placed i'm
different parts Of the building. These buttons
indicate stations on the watchman's round and
he is expected to push each one as he passes it,
The push eXcites the electro magnet. and
releases a pricker, which starts forward and
makes a hole in the paper disk. This disk NAV
be placed in any part of the building; i'm the
inspectors Office or governors room; conse-
guently, any neglect or evasion On the part of
the Waterman is Immediately detected.
MANUFACTURE OF BRANDY FROM MossEs-
Brandy and alcohol are now manufactured from
lichen and MOSES. In st. Petersburg and the
northern provinces of Russia generally this
branch of industry has become quite extensive
In Finland, Archangel, PskOw and NOygoroi
brandy and alcohol are manufactured from the
moses and lichens growing there. The manu-
factuffe of lichen and moss spirits began in Swe-
den, and from there went over to Finland At
the last Russian industrial exhibition, speci-
meDs of the alcohol were exhibited which were
made in the distillery at Wincilas, and from the
Levin mandatory in the city OF BOrgo as well
as from the factory of Zadler and Count Ira
birki, in st. Petersburg. German, English and
French manufacturers were well pleased with
its quality. In northern Russia this branch of
industry brings in net profit of 100 per cent,
and in the interior countries 40 to 100 per cent
The more alcohol there is made from Iceland
moss the more cereal grains will there be left
for the food of the Inhabitants.