The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1888-05-26
SCIENTIFIC SCRAPS

An El"llSN palHoioSSt tntnkS tina
cancers may bc developed by arsenic
eating.
A new invcn ton, called the "telanto-
graph" has recently been exhibited il
Paris. 1t is authoritatively stated tina,
it can reproduce by telegraph any kind
Of document in the handwriting of the
sender.
y new method OF welding metals has
been invented by Nicolas Won Berpardos
of St. Petersburg, Russia. 1t IS done
by direct application of the electric arc
between pencil carbon for one ter
minal and the metal to be welded for the
other
The possibility of infection from dis
ease germs escaping from hos ital win
dows is attracting some attention, and a
special inquiry is recommended. Hos
pital ventilation might be SO arranged
that the foul air would be drawn
through furnace before mingling with
the outer atmosphere.
Prof. Tumas, a European physiolo-
gist has shown that vomiting is the re-
suit OF irritation of space in the
medulla oblongata about one-fifth of an
inch long and one-twelfth wide, and be-
ievcs that the brains of ruminants.
rodents, and other non-vomiting ami
mas lack this vomiting CENTER"
Experiments are being made on
Prussian railways with axle boxes fitted
with bearings of vegetable parchment in
place of brass. The claim is made that
these compressed paper bearings make
tough material that is superior to metal.
Such bearings are also in use in Ger
man saw mill, with satisfactory results.
A powerful disinfectant, adapted to
all purposes, has been obtained in Paris
from coal-oil. 1t is syrupy brown
liquid, OF not disagreeablc odor, re-
suItinS from peculiar Specification of
the oil by caustic soda 1t destroys moss
and fungus on trees, and sponging with
weak solution keeps flies from horses
While considering it doubtful
whether ants and bees can hear, Sir
John Lubbock believes it to be quite
possible that they may hear sounds so
shrill as to make no impression on the
human ear. A like fact may be true of
their perception of colors. To insects
the world may be full of music we can
not hear, colors we canaot see, and SEN
sations we cannot feel.
Torpedo boats find it difficult to con-
ceal their approach to the object of their
attacks owing to the large volume of
smok. which comes from their tunnels.
At Nantes, France. an invention was
successfully operated recently by which
the smoke was so reduced in tempera-
ture as not 20 rise, but to spread over
the surface of the water. 1t acts as a
veil TO conceal the boat from view.
The annual loss caused by insects in
the Calted States is estimated at about
$3.50, 0C0, 900, that on.c otton alone being
SIS, OOO 900. The insects incr ease with
the advance Of civilization. on account,
doubtless, Of the greater abund ance of
the food furnished them. Every vege-
table product and every variety of fruit
and flowers are attended by special .
parasites, each OF which thrives on its ,
respective food-plant.
The process for the manufacture of |
cei!u'oil is little known. yet very SIM
pie. Paper is sprayed With acids until
Thoroughly saturated, then compressed
and washed with water and reduced to
pip. 1t is next bleached, mixed with.
camrhor, colored, ground and spread
In thin layers on slabs. Finally it is
place. under hydraulic pressure and
passed between heated rollers, coming
out IL elastic sheets.