The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-02-04
SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.

Submarine divers now use tho elec-
trio light with considerable success.
DR. Scheuerlin, of Berlin, has inocu-
lated dogs with the newly discovered
bacillus of cancer. So far no cancer
symptoms have been developed.
The first recorded photograph of u
rainbow has been exhibited to the Pho
tographic Association OF London. The
arch has the appearance of something
solid-like an arch of wood.
"A physician recommends that all
the wood used in the interior construc-
ton of houses and all the plain surfaces
of plaster should be thoroughly oiled or
vanished so that the power of ABSORB
ton of foul air and gases may be de-
stroyed.
1t is estimated that pin factories in
New England turn out 10800,000, 900
pins yearly and that other factories in
the States bring the number up to 49,
00O,OOO,000. This is equal to about one
pin day for every inhabitant of the
United States.
The nettle is among the substances
which science has put to use during
the past few years. This weed is even
being cultivated in Germany, its fiber
having proven valuable fer variety
of textile fabrics. In Dresden a thread
is produced from it so fine that slength
of sixty miles weighs only two and a
half pounds.
AT a late meeting in London, DR..
Z. P. Thwing stated that Americans
are more susceptible to the influence of
alcohol than Englishmen. and that they
are more affected by tobacco than the
Hollauders, Turks OF Chinese. This he
supposes to be due to an increased sem
sitiveness of the nervous system, in
duced by the high-pressure life Of this
country.
What has been designated as THE
Savagery of Boyhood" has become
subject for scientific investigation.
There seems to be division of opinion
on the subject. Some hold that boy
is naturally and inherently a savage,
while others contend that his savagery
is more owing to false education and
the evil example of adults than to his
own Unborn nature. We arc inclined
to the opinion that each of these theo-
RIGS has some truth in it.
Gum tragacanth is collected from
plants in Asia Minor, the greater part
being shipped from Smyrna Formerly
only what exuded spontaneously was
gathered, but row the flow of the gum
is aided and induced by missions near
the root, and the product is the fine,
white flaky variety, so much valued in
commerce. The flow takes place dur
ing the night, and the hot and dry
weather is the most favorable period.
-Gastro-intestinal catarrh, with a
disordered condition of the nervous
system and considerable depression. is
the usual result following the ingestion
of poisonous fungi. In treating these
cases the stomach and bowels must be
thoroughly emptied, and the promi-
nent symptoms are to be relieved ac-
cording as they occur. After free
vomiting and purgation have been in
duced rest in bed, with stimulants and
warmth, are beneficial.
1t appears that special attention is
being paid in France and England to a
more general substitution of iron and
steel for wood, wherever practicable,
in manufactured articles. such, for in
stance, us building materials, boxes and
packing cases, barrels or casks, car
riages or carts. and other vehicles, fur
niture, fencing, railway work, sheds,
signal boxes, telegraph poles. etc. In
! France there have recently come in use
hollow-iron window frames and doors,
which are said to be light and strong
and Of far greater durability than could
ever be assumed of wood. There is no
reason, too, it is thought, why CORFU
gated barrels of iron or steel should
not be used for liquors, since milk and
preserved fruits and other articles are
kept in cans. Steel is finding much
favor among carriage builders, but
there is still much prejudice against
the metal being used in the manufac-
| tire of furnltnrp