Nevada County picayune., 1890-02-19
WASTED STRENGTH.
Calculation of the Force Expended by n
 Man Who Climbs Hill.


 The physical energy or force sometimes i exertcd by the human body under cer- tain conditions is known to be astound- ing, but no one has ever taken the troa- blp to put before us that force in figures. Dr. J Buchhcistor has now made d most interesting calculation on the ''work done" by mountaineers in as cending heights, which will serve as an illustration. SuppoSing a noun taincor weighing 1Gs pounds is making the ascent of summit 1000 feet high from the point of starting, hn has to evppnd an amount of physical force found by multiplying his weight bv the height to be asrcnd"d. In the case assumed weight of lGS pounds x a height of 1000 feet =- l.1Id. 000 foot pounds: or. in other words, l,17G, O0t pounds have to b. lifted 1 foot,
 This is work performed merely by the muscles of the legs: but, besides this, the contractions of the muscle of the heart n we to be taken into account. Its function consists as is well known, in propclling the blood collecting in the heart, on the one hand, into the arteries. and. on the other, into the lungs This is effected at an initial velocity of r. feet per second, which represents in the case of an adult a work of foot-pounds for each contraction of the heart The pulsations of an adult are on the aver age - per minute. but in ascending heights. owing to the additional cXer- tion. their number ssncrCascd to an cX traordinary extent.
 Assuming for the sake of simplicity in calculation. only 100 beats of the pulse per minute, this would give 100 foot pounds per minute, 24.000 foot-pounds per hour. and l20,0 foot-pounds for the five hours supposed to be required in ascending height of 1000 feet. The work performed by the muscles in breathing. by the expansion and con traction of the chest. may also be csti' mated at foot-pounds. Assuming, fur thcr that the number of brcathings per minute iS on the average only twenty five although as matter of fact it will be found to be higher in mountain as cent lasting five hours, we have to add further work of 50, 0G0 foot-pounds.
 The total work performed daring five hours by a mountainc"r consequently amounts to .32G, GOO foot-pounds. In this estimate are not included tn" physical force spent in overcoming the friction on the ground. the cxertions to be made in keeping the body erect at dizzy heights and in dragging heavy boots and fookirou4, nor tho loss of muscle power in cHtlnr steps in tho ice, not to reckon the work performed in carrying an ice axe, or tho physical luGrc CActind in crossing fresh, loose snow. Taking all these conditions into account, Dr. Buchheiatcr arrives at the conclusion that the work done in an ascent of 1000 feet, lasting five hours, can not be placed at less than l,3>0 0oJ foot pounds. Iron
 The term '-Johnnie,' which was originally coined in London, is now very generally used in Now York to describe the peculiar class of pallid youngsters who hang around stag" doors and fre- qgeHt burlcsque theatcrs. The dis tinction nelWcep Johnnie and dude seems 10 be that the ,Or.Gcr has money, while nothing is needed to eguip tho latter but silver-hcadcd stick, a cigar ette considerable ill-hcalth and vapid siniit. The Johnnie sal aa imp oyo ment on tnc JEde to tho extent tuat he has an object in life hcs1al cigarette smoking, even fl that object k only the worship of a stage divinity.
 A queer circumstance was lately brought to light in the Maryinyille (OD post-ofiies. \ large rat ~as discovered by the postmast2y which was in the habit of making one ni' at q Jay out of tEo adhesive portion of postage f,anp, ard another out of postr. carl 8t(.. b' .ng deprived of this diet taa animal son died