The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-09

. LAX WIN MRS thompson, VINO F1rSL. SuS-
gested the National Board of Health.
Philadelphia Press.
Among the gifted women who are in attend
ance upon the sessions of the American Associa-
ton for the Advancement of Science perhaps
none have been brought into more public notice
than Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson, of Stamford,
Conn. Mrs. Thompson enjoys the distinction Of
having been the first to take active steps toward
the formation of the National Board of Health,
and it was at her suggestion that the resolution
providing for the creation of that body was in
troduced in Congress She has long been Ien-
titled with patriotic and philanthropie move
ments. and has given money generously for the
furtherance Of these objects. Her last Gift was
check for $1,000, presented at the opening ses-
sion to the American Association for the Adj
vancement of Science to be applied to expert
ments on the communication Of light and heat.
This is her second gift of like amount TO the as
ISOLATION. sts .sttg 81 1s
A reporter had conversation yesterday, with,
Mrs. Thompson, at the St George Hotel, where
she is stopping He was introduced to 4 pleasD
ant-faced. middle-aged lady, whose face was
wreathed In kindly smiles. ~
g May I ask you,n inquired the visitor 'show
long you have been interested in scientific, sub
iects2p @ X lsaJ
I; Il often say, she replied stomy friends that
seem to myself to be remarkable for two
thlngs-what wantto know, and what / don't
know. For many yeaSs my chief object has,
been to alleviate, so far as could, suffering and
misery, Of which there Is so much everywhere.
have come to the conclusion that indiscrimi-
nate lgtSing does more harm than good"
but you would not suppress the charitable.
instinct or charitable institutions, would your
asked the reporter.
Il would suppress no worthy impulse, or in
sstinct, as you call it, but / look around me and
see.its effects everywhere. There cannot be an
effect without cause, lam satisfied thatthe
first thing to do Is to improve the conditions,
wish every daye my life to do good, and yet
lxuTlkh hnc of nonNtu kl111 O.
that may have done more harm than good
from lack of that wisdom which can only come
from experience. Of late years l. have grown
more and more into the conviction that a true
amelioration and improvement of human condi-
tons can only come through science First we
must know, and face, facts So would have
scientific Investigation into all things affecting
human "a welfare. We see remarkable Fell
suits already in sanitary improvements
medicine, surgery, and especially IN mechanic
arts Take. for instance, the achievements iup
electricity, which Philadelphia is now exhibiting
7 am always kndled and inspired BY such results
Of patient investigation and, experiment, and we
are yet but in the beginning Of this wonderful
SCIENCE Il IL I'll 80 .t}S 81 III 81
What first led you to take. this interest sci
encegr was the next question to which Mrs
Thompson repHeds ssts a.i8 4 atS,lii ~ ss>1
IN 1879 or 80, you remember yellow fever
prevailed extensively through the South. Large
sums were given to aleYiateet the effects but no
one seemed to think Of the cause and how yellow
fever could be prevented in the future. de-
terinined to have scientific commission APP
pointed to examine into the causes of the dis
ease and how to prevent its appearance. laid
my ideas before DR., Stephen Smith, of New
York and lie drafted the first resolution intro
duced in Congress for the National Board of
Heaith.'s
Your donation to the Scientific Society this
year is to be applied to experiments in the
elements of light and heat. May / ask what
suggested to you this speciality3n
Thinking about electricity. Of course, ledime
to the sun. which seems to me to be a globe of
coneentrated electricity. How de we know but
that the wheels of the universe constitute the
great dynamos. which perpetnally generate and
supply the sun2 If the sun was pure fire. as
some theorists assert, would it not ultimately
burn itself 0ut2 But If the sun Is pure electric
tysand there Is some great mechanical force in,
the universe answering in q measure to the
great dynamic machine at the electrical exhibi
ton, we can see, that while the funiEegses con-
tinues to move, electricity will continue to be
generated, s 3sit';'a sA''st's ":iai
sB,it this said Mrs, Thompson. smiling, lis
only notion Of mine. told you I am remark
able for what wanted TO know, and what do
not know. Now, take as an illustration dia-
monds and precious stones. Are these not con
centrated rays of Hghta How do we know but,
that they may have originated in some electrical
commissions. like our hail -storTns2 have soihe-
times wondered what would be the effect onidih-
monds of a powerful condensation of light,
whether dull and yellow stones could not be /
bleached and enlarged in size Were \ aman
and scientist, instead Of q woman and an en-
thusiast /, like the Alchemists of old, would try
the effect of electricity in producing not only
gold and silver out precious stones. Is not that
like womani We have always Thought Of the
sun as concentrated light and heat How many
other elements there may be in it the future
will develop NY contribution is but drop in
the bucket to help on investigation, in hope that
Others who are better able viii do more.p
H..
Il ............s,a fsn..anlr