Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-10-04
SCIENTIFIC GLAENINGS.

In the Congo region beverage Is made
of bananas which is found TO be pre-
ventive of malarial fevers.
The theory that some common mould
fungi, growing under certain conditions,
may originate diphtheria or transmit
it, is corroborated by recent cases re-
ported.
As a prevention against trichinosis,
small quantities of pigs meat coming
from Poland into Siesia are now ex-
amined at any of the toll stations at q fee
of Sd.
NJ. E. Julien has been awarded the
Cross of the Order of Depold in recog-
milton of his services in the application
of electricity for traction purposes, as
employed on the Russians tramway lines.
One CT the subjects exciting much in
terest and discussion in the medical pro-
fession is that of 'Base Ball Pitchers
ARM" the trouble in its severer forms in
volving muscles, igaments, cartilages
| and even the osseus tissues.
From careful study of the aston of
senocarp,ne, as the aiksloid produced
from the leaves of the "Year Blanket
tree" is called, this new anssthetic and
augelesic discovered by Louisiana vet
Urinary surgeon, is in many cases pre-
ferred in medical practice to cocoaine.
The Swedish count, M. Bjornstjerna,
suggested more than forty years ago in a
book on the "Theogony of the Hindoos,"
that as both poles must have been cooled
at the same time, the earth nc light have
been peopled from the north pole with
white races and from the south pole
with its colored races.
There is as Prof. Thompson remarks,
no assignabie velocity for electricity, as
this must vary with the current and the
conductor. Wheatstone, in 1888, seemed
to show velocity of 288,000 miles a
second through copper wire, but in late
experiments signals were sent over Ordi-
nary telegraph wires on poles. and had a
raie of only 1900 to $1,000 miles. With
wires near the earth the velocity was 49,
900 miles but reached $4,000 Oh high
wires.
In the exhibition at Havre, says Nature
there is an interesting collection of speci
mems OF poisonous fishes. Some are
poisonous when eaten, others are merely
venemous. Among the first are many
sparoids, tetrodun and many Clupea,
which are abundant near the Cape of
Good Hope. In the Japan sea is found
very peculiar tetradon, which is some
times used as means of suicide. It
produces sensations like those produced
by morphia and finally death.
Il is generally supposed that pneu-
monia is due to the accidental peaetra-
ton of specific microbes into the system,
but the observations of NJ. Jaccoud,
French student of the subject, shows
that the disease really results from the
development, under favorable con editions
OF microbic germs permanently present
in the system. A chief condition of such
development is sudden chill, which ex
plain the frequent coincidence of lung
affections with abrupt coanges of tenn
perature.
According to Fire and Water, the soda
water tank now appears in new role
that of neat and efficient e1tinguisher
of fire. Some days ago q vessel filled
with varnish accidantly caught on fire in
the cellar of Louisville drug store, and
it blazed up through a grating in front
of the building as high as the second
story. Before, however, the flames could
gain Roadway in the building, the heat
melted the lead pipe connected with the
newly charged soda fountain and the
flames were instantly extinguished.
Purifying river water b. electricity is
an experiment made by Frenchman, M.
Stoffel. The gist of the process is that
the ozone generated by the electrolytic
ecomposition of the water kills the
minute organisms, and oxidizes all organ
ic substances, at the same time precipi-
tatjng the carbonates in course of dis
solution, thus effectually purifying the
wa ter. The greatest drawback is the ex-
psnse of the process, which amounts to
penny per cubic meter of water, but M.
Stoffel thinks that this could be material
ly reduced by the sale of the by-products
obtained in the process.