Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-11-12

and the other by means of coupling
attached to the lid of the mold. In
practice higher pressure than from 80
to $50 pounds has not appeared to be
necessary, and the higher pressure is
used in the case of mild steels. Under
this process the ingots are turned out
free from porosity and with a perfectly
level top. The steam, besides consoli-
dating the ingot, acting on the end, cools
the top of the ingot and allows it to be
conveyed to the relocating furnace sooner
than when the old process was used.
LAUDANUM CONSUMPTION IN ENGLAND.
1t is asserted by DR.. Moffat that one
result of the early closing of public
houses in England is an increased con-
sumption of opium and laudanum. It
would be an interesting subject of in
quiry to ascertain what is the exact ratio
between the decline of intemperance !"
and the growth of opium consumption.
DR.. Moffat, in 1874, became impressed
with the belief that the consumption of
opium was more general among the work
ing classes than was commonly supposed,
and set to work to ascertain the truth.
informed him that since the public
houses were closed at 10 P. NJ. his sales
of laudanum have increased from very
small quantity to two quarts per week.
Similar reports were received from drug
gists in other mining villages. Nor is it
only in opium and chloral hydrate that
there is increased consumption. There
are many sporifics and stimulants taken
in place of beer, viz , absinthe, cologne
water, tincture of rhubarb, mixture of
opium and chloroform, chlorodyne and
the others. In Ireland there has been 8
great increase in the quantity of sui
phuric ether consumed since the public
houses in that country were closed on
Sundays.-PopuIdr Science Monthly.
POISONOUS FISHES.
Fournol, in the Journal d'Hygiene,
gives summary of the present knowl-
edge concerning poisonous fishes, which
appears to be source of grave danger.
There are fishes perfectly harmless at
some seasons of the year, but poisonous
at others. This has been observed in
Japan with the common salmon, the
banito, and the albicore. The symptoms
are like those caused by the indiges
ton of corrupted meat, and, though
alarming, are rarely fatal. Other fishes
such as the Lethrimus aambo, are whole
some when young, but become poisonous
when they attain certain growth.
Other aquatic animals-the conger, the
pike, the barbel, the prawn, and the mus
sel-are occasionally and capriciously
poisonous. In one instance q number of
persons who had just partaken of the
spawn of large barbel, experienced
very severe symptoms of poisoning,
while one of the party, who had not
eaten any of the spawn, escaped. The
liver and the head Of several species of
fish inhabiting different parts of the
world are found exceptionally danger
Gus. The occasionally poisonous actions
of mussels, oysters, &C., is ascribed by
eminent authorities to their having
eaten the eggs of the star-fsh, which are
occasionally found in these mollusks or
and which, when handled,
produce violent cutaneous irritation.
Other fishes appear to be poisonous atall
times and under all circumstances.
Prudence dictates that the roe, liver,
&C., of all unknown fishes should be
avoided, and it is doubtful
fishes too small to admit of the
removal of the alimentary canal, with its
possible contents. should be eaten at all.