Smyrna times., 1879-06-18
A Marvellous Discovery.

All SAlIdOIulIldIy dlSCONeIy Vi Bf0aG
practical utility is reported in the London
Times of May &c. 1t is based on an au-
thenticated and detailed statement in the
Brisbane Courier, of New South Wales. In
one of the land.locked reaches on Sydney
harbor, in that colony, an establishment
has been put up in which is being con-
Quoted an experiment, the success of which
is now established beyond any doubt, that
must have an immense effect on the future
prosperity of Australia. The gentlemen
connected with this enterprise are Signor
Rotura, whose researches into the botany
and natural history of South America have
made his name eminent, and Mr.. James
Grant, pre.eminent for his knowledge in
the science of generating cold, and the
success of his freezing chamber at Wool
hara.
1t appears that some five months ago
Signor Kotura called upon Mr.. Grant to
invoke his assistance in a scheme for the
transmission of live stock to Europe. lie
avered that he had discovered a South
American vegetable poison, allied 10 the
well-known a0oolara, that had the power of
perfectly suspending animation, and that
the trance thus produced continued till the
application of another vegetable essence
caused the blood to resume its circulation
and the heart its functions. Before he left
Mr.. Grant had his doubts turned into
wondering curiosity by experimenting on
his dog. The Signor injected two drops of
his liquid mixed with little glycerine into
small puncture made in the dogs ear,
and in three or four minutes the animal
was perfectly rigid, the four legs stretched
backward, the eyes wide open, pupils very
much dilated, and exhibiting symptoms
very similar to those of death by strychine
except that there had been no previous
struggle or pain. Begging his owner tc
have no apprehension for the life of his
favorite animal, Signor Rotura lifted the
dog carefully and placed him on a shelf in
a cupboard, where he begged he might be
left until the following day.
In the interval Mr.. Grant was much
panied at the apparent cruelty he had in
flicted on his faithful friend. The tenn
perature of the body in the first four hours
being gradually lowered 25 degrees Fahren
heit below ordinary blood temperature, tht
body by morning was as cold as in actua
death. At the promised hour of 10 o'clocl
next morning Signor Rotura appeared
He plunged the body in a tub Of warn
water and laid the dogs head under. Afte
about ten minutes of this bath the bod
was taken out and another liquid injected
in puncture made in the neck. The do
first showed the return of life in the eye
and in about six minutes he drew lon
breath and the rigidity left his limbs;
few minutes more he commenced waggin
his tail then slowly got up, stretched hin
+ self, and trotted off as though nothing ha
happened.
One is almost tempted to ask in tn
a presence Of such discovery, whethe
death itself is not ultimately baf1ed b
scientific investigation. The discovereI
claim that by this process, with freezin
y chambers in steamers, sheep and cattle
: which life is suspended can be revived in
8 healthy state on landing, and turned OIL
! to pasture, or sold as fresh meat. SignC
Rotura has no doubt that he can attemI
!. his experiment with perfect safety on
human being. He intends to ask Sir Hem
9 for the body of the next felon under capit
o sentence; and il granted, be is sure, aft
9 placing it for one month in q freezin
. chamber, by his process there will be I
fear of fatal result. Whether this ter
porary suspension of life would affect Il
longevity of his subject Signor Rotura ca
give no positive information, but he b
lieves its duration might be prolonged Fl
years. He believes, as no change tax
:, place, or can take place while in the froz'
9 tranch, no consumption, destruction,
reparation of tissue being possible, it wou
be so many unvalued and proftless yea
added to lifetime. Signor Rotura pI
ceeds to South America at once for a lar
supply of the two necessaries for tie SO
Ne conduct of his process, and both these 81
stances at present remaining secret.
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