The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-08-03


The following synopsis of lecture
delivered by DR.. Horace r. Hamilton
before the New York society for the
promotion of science, contains so
much that is timely and important
that it can be read with both interest
and profit:
There is probably no subject Of
modern times that has caused and is
causing greater attention than the or
igin of tornadoes. Scientists have
studied it for the benefit of humanity
men have investigated it for the well
fare of their families. 1t has been a
vexed subject long considered, and
through all this investigation the
cyclone has swept across the land
carrying destruction to scientists as
well as to the innocent dwellers in its
track. One thing, however, is certain
the cause Of the cyclone must be
sought far away from the whirling
body of wind itself. Its results are
powerful, its cause must also be
powerful. Let US therefore consider
few facts. First, the appearance Of
cyclone is invaribly by dark spots
on the face of the sun. These spots
indicating disturbed condition of
the solar regions, necessarily affect
the atmosphere of our earth. An I'M
usual generation of heat in one part
of the atmosphere is certain to cause
a partial vacuum in another portion.
Air must rush in to fill this vacuum.
Hence the observation-disclosures the
cyclone. This theory finds addition.
al confirmation in the fact that tor
nadoes come during the day and
not at night. The dark spots upon
the surface of the sun, whatever they
may be, seem to cause great COM
motion in the atmosphere of the
world, and it is almost certain that
the extremely wet weather Of the pre-
sent season can be accounted for on
precisely this basis. Is it reasonable
to suppose that tine marvellous effect
of the sun upon vegetation and life in
general shall be less than upon the
atmosphere itself through which its
rays come? The cause is remote, but
the effect is here.
After describing some of the terrible
effects of the cyclone, the speaker
went on 10 say
This rule finds its application in
nearly every department of life. An
operator is in San Francisco-the click
of the instrument manipulated by his
fingers, is heard in New York. The
president makes slight stroke of the
pen in his study at the White House
and the whole nation is aroused by
the act. An uneasiness and disgust
with everything in life, commonly
called inconsistencies, is felt by many
people, when the cause is to be found
in the distant home thousands of
miles away. An uncertain pain may
be felt in the head. 1t is repeated
in other parts of the body. The ap-
petite departs and all energy is gone.
Is the cause necessarily to be found
in the head? the next day the feeling
increases. There are added symp-
toms. They continue and become
more aggravated. The slight pains
in the head increase to agonies. The
heart grows Irregular, and the breath
ing un certain. All these effects have
a defnate cause; and, after years of
deep experience upon this subject, l
do not hesitate to say that this cause
is to be found in some arrangement
OF the kidneys or liver far away from
that portion of the body in which
these effects appear. But one may
say, l have no pain whatever in my
kidneys or liver. Very true. Neither
have we any evidence that there is a
tornado on the surface of the sun; but
it is none the less certain that the
tornado is here, and it is none the less
certain that these great organs of the
body are the cause of the trouble al
though there may be no pain in their
vicinity.
l know whereof / speak for l have
passed through this very experience
myself. Nearly ten years ago, was
the picture of health, weighing more
than 200 pounds, and as strong and
healthy as any man ever knew,
When I felt the symptoms l have
above described, they caused me an.
noyance, not only by reason of their
aggravating nature, but because / had
never felt any pain before. Other
doctors told me I was troubled with
malaria, and I treated myself accord.
ingly. / did not believe, however,
that malaria could show such aggra.
waited symptoms. 1t never occurred
to me me that analysis would help