The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1889-06-08
SCIENTIFIC SCRAPS.

posed.
Natural gas is produced in this coun-
try at the rate of 500, 600, 900 cubic feet
per day.
Quicksand is composed chiefly of
small particles Of mica mixed largely
with wafer.
The new Yarrow torpedo boats are to
be built of galvanized steel and will be
sixty feet in length.
The telephone is charged with produc-
ing inflammation in the vibratory cham
bers of the left ear.
The muzzlc velocity of the Thurlow
steel gun was 200O feet per second,
with pressure of Is tons.
Salt water is reported to be invading
the oil and gas wells of northwestern
Ohio and making a great deal of
trouble.
The Nebraska Legislature has before it
measure for the artificial production of
transforms by means of explosives and
artillery.
1t has been found that the chocolate
powder is liable to be affected by the
high temperature often prevailing in the
magazines of ironclads.
A London surgeon says that business
men who occupy offices above the third
story get fiighty after few years and
unless making change, become mildly
insane.
A new remedy for insomnia is to
drink large tumbler of hot water be-
fore each meal and before retiring. 1t
is said to be sure cure for persistent
insomnia.
The latest Goston cure for colds is to
take homeopathic mercurius of the thir-
tecnth potency, six pellets every two or
three hours, and abstain from all food
for ~ hours.
From November to January 6 at
leaSt 20 metres were added to the height
Of EcSuvius, while the size of the base
of the cone Of eruption was proportion
ally increased.
DR. Kolthoff, the Swedish naturalist,
Is arranging IA geological museum at the
Upsaia University, being IA complete
representation of the fauna of Scandi-
navia, with nests, representations of
lairS, etc.
In Akron, Ohio, a telephone company
has applied for an Injunction to restrain
railway company from operating its
cars by electricity on the ground that
induction has greatly interfercd with its
service since the electric cars were
started
Italy has each year nearly 800, 900
cases of typhoid fever, with $4,000
deaths, according to Professor Ruata. A
third of the population reaching the
age of As have the fever, and more than
three per cent. die from it in some To-
calities
A French savant recommends freezing
milk as neV method of preservation.
After having been frozen, milk will keep
for weeks and weeks, and when thawed
Will have the qualities of new milk.
Large ice machines for freezing milk are
suggested.
The art of etching was introduced |
about the middle of the fifteenth century
by Thomas Finiguerra, Florcntine. Its |
value met with prompt recognition in
France, Italy and Germany, but it was
reserved for later times to carry it to a
state of perfection.
Fccjecan doctors are said to have
great faith in massage, which they have
practiccd from time immemorial, and
have taught to the SamOans and the
Tongans. The rubbing and kneading of
the affected part is sometimes continued
Tor hous, stimulating the circulation
aud relieving the pain.
The crccniSh color of certain sloths
was found some years ago to be due 10 a
parasitic growth of algac upon the hair.
Two genera and three species of these