New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-06-09
SCIENCE FOR THE PEOPLE.

The divisibility of gold almost surpasses
belief Mr. A. L. Outerbridge, jr, of the Philadelphia
Assay Office recently exhibited before the Franklin
Institute some thin films OF gold obtained by electric
deposition upon copper and afterward detached These
pieces OF gold leaf transparent, and gave green
color to transmitted light. Mr.. outerbrdge has thus
produced films gold thin that grain OF the metal
would cover nearly square feet This is 10000 times
thinner than ordinary Writing paper; and 2,fJo'ooO %
such films together would only make one men,
There is general notion that only tropical
countries are infested with ants that capable OF dong
serious damage TINS, 10 appears, is mistake lheIc II
a black carpenter ant" whose name FORMED Pe'''sBt
ranioa indicates its residence that is capable OF effect
ing much destruction IN woodwork. The Rev Dr' NC
has rafter which these ants penetrated 10 an
extent of five or six feet length, comnleely honey
oombins IT, The rafer in the root of porch Ihe
attention Of the Philadelphia Academy Of Sciences was
called 20 the natter 10 is evident that such poneir
ton Of wooden structures ana especially 3ruseS, nlf
cause their unexpected Tall Wooden bridges neeu az
lee frequent aud thorough inspection as IRON
structures.
Although deaths during the administration
of anasthccs are comparatively small percentage yet
their total numbers, II a considerable period OF time Is
embraced. seem somewhat formidable. Dr. Charles An
derson recently prepared list Of deaths during the use
of choroforn in and Cincinnati for 30 years past
He finds 20 cases and in the journal which records TINS
there happen be mentioned four other cases Oh dea
by cOrO0Im ether-they being recent Dut NOS al DC
CURING IN this country
The cause of headaches has latterly received
much investigations Dr. George r. Stevens of Albany
has been at pains 10 demonstrate the relation between
dsordered eycsight and many nervous diseases ncud
Inc headache By means OF diagrams IN The Ncic YORK
Medical Journal he shows how difficulties in the ordi
nary use of tae eyes arising from arsghedness short
sighteiuess and other defects Of the kind must cause
continual irritation the Especially is TINS the
case with far-scntcduess and numerous instances are
cited where patients suffering frequently ami severely
from headaches have been entirely cured 10y wearing
spect ices suited 10 their eyes Other affections OF The
ewes result similarly bur the instances met with in pac
tee are fewer There seems 10 be abundant evidence
that several erOus forms OF nervous disease may
be an OutgrOwth OF such '~iH ii'n.
Two surgeons died recently in Paris of dlIh-
liberia which tho contracted by endcayOrug To save the
lives Of patients Il appears that after performing
surgical Opcrat for the relief OF Group 1t is round
necessary to facilitate the breathing Of the patient 10y
drawing ail through the diseased windpipe This the
unfortunate surgeons effected in each by applying
their own lips and sucking air through 1t is greatly
TO the honor Of the medical profession that its members
ale so ready to their lives TO those OF Their
patients But there be force IN the suggestion
of me Med,cai Record that this great risk might Dc
avoided OF Group and diphtheT1a by substituting
a suitable instrumental contiivace lor me surgeon
mouth. There probably Othrr instances where such
an instrument might De OF service as Tor instance M case
OF bite FROM a mad dog snake The needed iIsiru
ment IS doubtless easily "ith t"e scope oi inNon'lo"
A report of a survey of the mountain eleva-
tons Of Connecticut given in The Hartford Times Tie
survey establishes tn" highest point IN the
State is exactly its northwest The following
list Of biglts is given: