The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1879-11-21
Scientific MISCELLANY.


| l. i
A Himalaya Club has been formed in
India with the object of attempting the
ascent of the highest peaks of the gigan
tic mountain range whose name It bears
Cases of trichinosis have become so
numerous that Berlin authorities have
adopted very stringent measures TO en-
sure protection against It.. A heavy
fine is imposed in all cases wheroi pork
is cut up without the certificate OF an
authorized inspector of meat and the
application of his stamp to the slaueh-
tered animal. The inspector is REQUIRED
to make thorough examination with the
aid OF microscope, and satisfy himself
of the absence of trichinae before
granting certificate.
The attention Of the French Academy
OF Medicine has been called to recent
surgical case of much interest. A
young carpenter had the great toe al
most completely severed from his right
foot by the blow of an axe. a small
thread of skin alone being left to hold
it. Dr.. Gavey, who was promptly
called, detached the toe completely.
washed it and the wound upon the foot,
and then carefully joined the two cut
surfaces fastening them together by
means of strips of lint soaked i'm collo-
dion. In twenty-four days the wound
became healed, and the toe was again
firmly connected with the foot.
A trade is springing up between
France and the Argentine Confederation
in the bark of tree called Que6racho
Colorado. The bark is said to be far
superior to oak in tanning power, and
one French firm has ordered twenty
five thousand tons.
The project of constructing a tunnel
between Liverpool and Birkenhead un-
der the river Mersey is taking definite
form, and it is expected that the neces-
sary Parliamentary powers will be
sought at the next session.
A British officer has recommended
the use of a newly-devised carbonized
mineral" called carferal, in the filters
provided for Her Majesty's navy. This
material, composed of carbon, iron and
silicate of alumina, is claimed to pos
sess all the advantages of spongy iron
and carbon, with none of their draw
backs.
AT the meeting of the American AS
sociation, Mr.. w. +. Hornaday de-
scribed the orangs of Borneo, with
their man-like features and human char
acteristics. He stated that the faces of
the orangs show as much individuality
as those of the Maylays or Chinese
each one has an expression of its own,
and very intelligent one. A drawing
was shown of pet infant orang belong
ing to the speaker, an account of which
was given to the audience. This little
animal behaved in all respects like a
human baby, exhibiting all the emotions
of fear, anger, delight, etc., exactly as
child would do. In their native for
ests, where Mr.. Hornaday's party pur-
sued them, these apes occupy the tons
of small trees, in which they build nests
from the branches. The same nest is
used several nights, or until the branch
es have become dry and devoid of leaves.
The explorer had never seen anything
like the huts which these animals are
reputcd to build; but he thought it
probable that the orangs cover them
selves with leafy branches in stormy
weather. His pet orang, he had noticed.
used straw for the same purpose at
such times, even when q roof was over
head. The length of the male orang is
usually not more than four feet. The
female is smaller. The duration of life
among the species is thought to be from
twenty to twenty-five years. In con-
clusion the speaker insisted upon the
very close resemblance 10 the human
race which an intimate acquaintance
with these intelligent creatures i'm
presses upon the observer.
In an ascension in Paris two balloons
were connected by means of a wire,
and telegraphic signals were exchanged
by the aeronauts while sailing in mid
air. h..'
The British consul at Panama reports
that India-rubber has almost ceased TO
be an article of export from the 18TH
mus, chiefly in consequence of the ex-
pense and difficulty of reaching the
trees in the remote districts of the in
terror. Those nearer the coast have
been destroyed by the wasteful system
OF cutting down the trees to get the sap.
Benzoate of soda is announced BY
Prof. Klebo, of Prague, 10 be the best
antiseptic in all infectious diseases. Ex-
periments show that its action is very
powerful. 1t is claimed that daily
|
grown man will render the poison of
diphtheria imperative. Large doses do
not appear to be absolutely necessary.
Good results may be attained by the
daily administration of about ten grams
(one-third of an ounce).
From study of the action of tea,
DR.. w. j. Morton has arrived at these
conclusions: AS with any other drug,
there is proper and an improper use
of it. In moderation it is mild and
pleasant stimulant, followed by no
harmful reaction. Its continued and
immoderate use leads to very serious
group of symptoms, such as headache,
vertigo, ringing in the ears, tremulous-
ness, nervousness, exhaustion of mind
and body, with disinclination to mental
and physical exertion, increased and ir-
regular action of the heart, and dys-
pepsia. Many of the symptoms of i'm
moderate tea-drinking are such as may
occur without suspicion of the real
cause.
While in Japan, Prof. Nordenskjold,
the successful explorer of the north
west passage, impaired to O New York
Herald correspondent some interesting
particulars concerning the peculiar race
of people met at his winter quarters in
the Arctic regions. The Vega was a
constant rendezvous for these people.
The explorer refers to them as sayages,
inasmuch as their civilization is not far
advanced. They are known as ihe
Tschuktschi, and their nation probably
numbers ten thousand souls. They
carry on quite trade with Siberia and
| lQGEQ reaching tho laffaf. hay fha n,.au