Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-13
ALEARNED ACADEMY.
Pittsburg May Soon Have a Grand
School of Arts and Sciences.
PREPARATORY STEPS BEING MADE
An Interesting Session of the Micro
scopical Society.
THE WONDERS OF THE UNSEEN WORLD

In all probability within years time
this city will have an Academy of Sciences
similar to such institutions as have been in
existence in PHILADELPHIA, New York, Bos-
ton and other large cities for many years.
1t has every opportunity for forming one
which will equal in size, wealth and learn
ing the greatest IN the country, and all that
is necessary is to form the union. The En-
gineers' Society has already appointed a
committee to confer with such other COM
mittees that may be appointed with such an
end in view.
At the meeting of the Iron City Micro
scopical Society in their rooms in Library
Hall last evening, Messrs. Mellor, Clapp
and Melnor were appointed as committee
to represent the esociety. Should the academy
be formed it will include such societies as
the two above mentioned, the Botanical So
ciety, the Photographers Association and
others.
BIG AND COMPREHENSIVE.
A large hall will be secured and room
assigned to each society, which will be
known as a section of the Academy of
Sciences.
Mr.. C. S. Melnor had on exhibition last
evening slide on which were few bacil-
lus tuberculosis. the germs of the disease of
consumption. In his remarks upon the ex-
hibit he said the slide was obtained from
DR.. W. H. Webb, of the University of
Pennsylvania, of Philadelphia, who OBJ
tanned them from a patient in that city,
who was the daughter OF wealthy parents.
She had been spending the summer at the
various resorts along the Atlantic sea coast
When she returned to the city in the au-
tumn she complained of feeling ill. The
cause of her sickness could not be learned
from any outward symptoms. The family
physician called in DR.. Webb, who was also
at loss to assign the cause Of her illness.
One day he noticed her cough and deposit a
substance in her handkerchief. He secured
the handkerchief later and
DISCOVERED A HARD SUBSTANCE
the size of a pin head. On examination
he discovered the bacillus tuberculosis,
and informed the physician that the girl
would be dead within three weeks. The un-
fortunate young lady died before the time
had expired.
DR.. Webb sent one of the slides to his
friend Mr.. Melnor. He also sent let
ter, but the gentleman had forgotten it. 1t
was the most rapid case of consumption on
record, and proves the germ theory of the
disease, and that consumption is not heredi-
tary.
DR.. W. j. Holland gave an interesting
account of his trip to Japan, and exhibited
a number of photographs which he had col
lected during his sojourn in that country.
Among the other exhibits was fine
stentor, a tlumpet-shaped animal which is
found in the water which we drink, by
Prof W. S. Jackman, of the P. G. H. S.
Mr.. W. J. Prentice exhibited some Allie
gheny river water, containing several varie-
ties of forticella, diatoms and worms.
DR.. Logan exhibited some diatoms OBJ
tanned from an artesian well at Cambridge,
Md.
At the business meeting of the society the
Entertainment Committee reported that a
soiree would be held in Old City Hall on
the evening of April T.. e.. 49,.