Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1889-08-24
A Science Closely Linked with the
Ignorance of Superstition


ard A. Proctor in tho Louisville Eats -
Journal. the following may b. ,acas11acd,
which require only readily proea.Gple IN
gradients and materials:
Pour into one glass small quantity OF
q solution OF nitrate Of bsmuth All INTO
another q small quantity OF solution 81
Drussiatc OF potassium. These two liquids
are both colorless. But on poassas .hcia
together liquid showing fac yellaweolo
ia produccd. The chemical interchange
which takes place produces prlssi1te OF
bisrauth and nitrate OF potassium, III place
OF nitrate of bismuth and prussistc OF po-
tassiurn. The prussiate of bisa,uta gives
the yello,v color. In like manner . mixture
Of a few drops OF the colorlcss prussiafe OF
potassium, with q small quantity of an
EQUALLY colorless solution Of tho sulpaatc OF
iron. produces a liquid which has bcauu-
full blue tent, itself moro than sufficient TO
reward the cxpcrimentcr by its loneliness
for the slight trouble and expense which
the experiment involves. Il must adIllt
that the beautiful colors and forms winch
arc obtained in many chemical experiments
have greater charm for me than even the
scientific principles which such expert
ments illustrate; and, somewhat STRANGELY,
find the artistic pleasure / derive from
years) The blue color obtained in this ex-
pertinent is the familiar Prussian blue OF
our paint boxes The decomposition which
takes place is simple. Sulphrric acid leaves
the iron 10 combine with the potassium, the
potassium leaving the iron to combine with
the prussic Geld.
A little Of tho solution Of sulphate of cop
per mixed with tho prussiate of potassium
of the last experiment. produces reddish
brown liquid, not particularly attractive IN
color, the chemical decomposition giving
sulphate OF potassium and prusiate OF cop
per.
The formation Of black liquid from two
colorless LIQUIDS is interesting as being the
process by which the old ink Of commerce
was formed. a small quantity of Eallic
tincture is TO be added TO water, ard TO the
Ssoiorless LIQUID thus obtained is to be added
a small quantity of the sulph2tc of iron.
The mixture becomes black. The gallic
acid unites with the iron in this expert
ment.)
Among chemical experiments Of the most
striking nature those in which solids unite
10 form liquids or liquids to forD solids are
especially interesting. II equal parts OF
sulphatc of sodium and acetate OF lead, in
the form Of the powder, be mixed together,
and thoroughly pounded in mortar, the
two solids by their mutual chemical inter
action will DO resolved into liquid. Again,
ifmuriate Of calcium and saturated solu-
ton of carbonate of potash be mixed to-
gether these two transparent liquids COM
bine to form snlphateo of lime, an opaque and
almost solid substance. II a little nitric
acid be added TO tho mixture it is changed
into transparent liquid
Trt.. form
of such simple experiments as these is es-
peciafly valuable as illustrating processes
which take place within our own. bodies.
in digestion, in respiration, and in the cir
culation OF the blood. It is desirable ever
when we ere it health to have some idea Of
tho physical nature of such processes; 1oT
an intelligent conception of such matters
suggests tho Importance OF attention to dict
exercise, cleanliness. and 50 forth. Many
OF tho simplest details of our daily life in
yoIvc important chemical principles, tho
recognition of which encourages careful
regimen and attention to many matter:
which arc apt to be neglected. Among tht
experiments we are constantly making ART
those which depend on the iatcrGctions o
various forms OF food, solid and lilnil, will
the various fluids produced within THO body
these fluids, being themselves the product
Of chemical combinations and changes no
within out control, or but very slightly.
1t need hardly be said that where tn
body is beng treated with medicines 0
various sorts, important chemical czper
ments arc in progress which it Is better 70
many reasons to understand. OF course
for most persons under course of Elcdica
treatment, implicit obedience to the il
structions Of the doctor is proper and net
IlN.N - lrsNAr 4f.Ir
why such obedience is desirable. Ignoi
ance of chemical principles more oftc
leads to neglect of tho doctors injunction
than would the opposite fault of To
clear an idea of his plan an
purpose; though know many do
tors entertain strong objections again:
giving any explanation Of their pr
scriptions or any reasons for adop
ing them. BY this they avoid such unwis
interference with their plans as might
suggested to some among their more il
quisitive patients But on the other ham
Uniformed patients are apt to neglect d
tails which they mistakenly regarded {
unimportant. A doctor, for instance, tells
patient to take some medicine half an hol
after meals, and perhaps for few days Il
patient tends to tho injunction. But aft
while he becomes careless, and from tin
TO time allows the proper time TO pass, or
not knowing any reason for supposing TIL
the injunction as to time important, |
takes tho medicine before meals instead
after. little knowledge of che:aiSti
would show him that the change, instead
being matter Of no moment may entire
alter, or even reverse, the effect Of the meC
cine.
Chemical experiments with the bod
though cheap where they belong either
SYSTEMATICALLY conducted regimen or to jut
cions control Of the body by medical app
ances, arc apt to be very dear indeed rhc
there Is insufficient knowledge. Chemlc
reactions which are very interesting wht
watched In a laboratory may produce
tense discomfort, danger or even dcat
when they proceed with the cxperimentcr
body. A little knowledge is here q DANCE
GUS thing, unless tho learner is content
recognize tho limits OF his knowledge as
dicating the necessity either for furth
study or for obedience to the suggestions al
iniunctions of those who know more.
Cloth Made OF Glass.
NJ Dubus Bonnet, OF Lille, France, h
invented process Of spinning and wea
ing glass into cloth. The warp is compos
of silk, forming the body and groundwork
on which the pattern in glass appears,
49, sszss.. ri