The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1882-01-26
~
89t.'e*H#neoas. 9
- FoR THE HERALD.
SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.

From observations Of the moon
when eclipsing the sun Prof: al.
exander finds evidence of the ex.
istence of some envelope, like an
atmosphere, on the moon. The
explanations usually offered for
the ruddy band Of light seen
around the lunar disc during
eclipses he considers inadequate
/; This bright. band can best be
accounted for by supposing an at
mosphere to the moon-a thin
remnant of ancient nebulosity
comparable to that which accom-
panies the earth aud gives rise to
the appearance of the aurora bore.
alis.
A new electric lamp has ap-
peared in Paris, which is called
Sunlight on account of it's mel.
low lustre. The light is formed
by inserting two carbons in holes
bored into a block of marble in
such a manner that the points of
the carbons are separated by a
thin partition Of the marble. An
electric current is passed through
the carbons, and in trsversing the
shell of marble causes it TO be.
come white hot, emitting a most
agreeable light.
A Belgian physician, in an in
vestigation made at the request of
the government authorities, has
ascertained that the main cause
of color-blindnessln his country is
the very general use Of tobacco.
" From the phenomena of retrac-
tion Dr.. A. Kerber has estimated
The height Of tho atmosphere at
about one hundred and twenty
miles. From observations upen,me.
teors and auroras other scientists
have concluded that the atmos-
phere must extend for more than
Ave hundred miles beyond the
sarth's surface.
A Silesian physician, DR.. George
Guttman, has published the re-
suits Of his experience with pilo-
carpin, a newly introduced med
ieinal principle, in the treatment
Of diphtheria. While studying the
effects of this drag be found that
it produced a greatly increased
dow of saliva without infamma-
tion of the salivary glands and
be was led to believe that the in
creased secretion of saliva would
tend to dissolve and remove the
false membrane Of diphtheria. He
therefore concluded to try the
remedy in cases IF that disease,
and has met with such remrrka.
bic success that be pronounces
piiocarpin a specific for diptheria.
In eighteen months he treated
eighty-one cases of the disease
with. the best results in every
case. Several Of the cases must
have proved fatal under the old
treatment, while in about one.half
there was considerable develop
ment of false membrane. The
patients have invariably recovered
in very short period. With but
two or three exceptions, conval-
escsnce has followed the most
critical cases in from two to FIVE
days, and the milder ones in one
or two days.
a rain-tree in the public gar
dens of Madras has shown a re-
markable rapidity of growth. l.
the nine years since the seed was
planted the tree has attained q
circumference T.; Of nine and one.
third feet at the ground, aheight
of forty-six feet, and spread Of
branches of eighty-fve feet from
north to sou.h. .-.: - .
IL has been discovered by Dr.
Luton, of Rheims, that the tine
ture of ergo, OF rye associated
with phosphate of soda produces
an hilarious excitement on those
to whom it: is administered, the
exhiiafation resembling that caus
ed by laughing gas ''.. -, 2
| Sand from the desert is serious
ly eneroaehing upon the inhabited
territory of the Chinese province
of Shensi and has already bal
nm ried some oitios Hi1h ua II