The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-09-17
STUDY AND WORKSHOP.

Iron coated with a magnetic oxide is
absolutely rust-proof. and by the Bow
er-Barff process costs less than galvaniz-
ing or timing On cast or wrought iron
the color is blush gray, but the coat
ing takes paint far better than untreat-
ed iron. On polished work the color
is lustrous blue-black, adding greatly
to the beauty of the article treated.
This process seems peculiarly well
adapted for gas and water pipes. Any
one who has had occasion TO use water
which has passed through a new iron
pipe, vi one that has not been used for
some time, knows how full of rust it is,
and that only after months of constant
use does it become clear again. With
pipe coated with magnetic oxide the
water runs pure from the first day, and
if for any reason the pipes are emptied
and left so, there is no danger of their
becoming coated with rust. Another
important fact is that the water coming
through one of these rustless pipes is
Just as pure us when il entered, for the
water can dissolve none of the coating
of oxide. as it always does with lead or
galvanized pipes.
Prof G. A. Bells Investigations into
the influence of musical notes and
noises upon Jets of water or gas have
as yet theoretical, rather than prac-
teal Importance; but. as in many other
cases, these apparently useless dis
coveries may prove to be the beginning
of extremely important and valuable in
ventions. He finds that burning gas
jet is sensitive to words spoken near it,
and can be made to repeat them as
plainly az a telephone. Similarly, jet
of water is thrown into peculiar undu-
lations by various sounds, which can be
photographed and thus preserved for
reference. The researches are not yet
completed, but they have been seized
upon by various newspaper reporters,
who have made them the basis of some
ludicrously sensational articles, in
which it is stated that the words of any
person may be received on stream of
water, and preserved for an indefinite
time for future reproduction; beside
many other absurdities.
Inquiries recently made among the
employees of gasworks in Paris reveal
some interesting facts concerning the
effect of coal tar and its products upon
health 1t was found that those whose
duties did not necessitate prolonged
stay in the parts of the works where tar
was to be found were liable to all kinds
of ailments, and formed considerable
proportion of the number of the sick
list; while among the workmcn special
ly occupied with tar, only three were
sick in the course of seven years. This
result, medically considered, is all the
more striking in view of the large num-
Der of workmcn employed. during the
period in qucstiOn--mOrc than twenty
thousand; of whom nearly eight hun
dred were employed in some occupation
connected with tar. At the Bayonne
gasworks, too the records show not
only an exemption of the workmen from
cholera, but also their immunity from
skin diseases.
What shall be done about the cy-
clone? is becoming II serious question in
our Western territory A recent writer
says that the only means of which we
can conceive within human power for
the prevention, or at best the rendering
less frequent of cyclones, is in the
III Tic ltCc III
much rs possible with trees and YER
dure. Let there be ascending moisture
instead of ascending currents of heated
air. In the great timbcrcd valleys OF
the Amazon cyclones are unknOwn; yet
when we look at the formation of the
land, it is probably one of the most
monotonously level regions on the
face of the earth. Take away the forests
and vcrdure. and leave this region a
vast desert plain. and it would no doubt
ut once become a vast playground OF
cyclones.
A weak galvanic current which will
often cure toothache may be general.
Ell by placing a silver coin on one side
of the gum and small piece of zinc
on the other. The effect may be in
creased by first rinsing the mouth with
calculated water.