Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-05
the sentiments Of profound sorrow and COM
miseration. CHARLES T, MURRAY.
THE ELECTRICAL WORLD.

Lafe Applicn tlons of the Mysterious Current
to Mans Progress and Comfort.
WRITTEN FOR THE D1sPArcH.I
RECENT experiments have suggested vari-
Gus directions in which the use of the search
light can be extended. One of these is the
vertical projection of the light rays. by a
special adjustment of the lamp, so as to
throw brilliant shaft of light, high into
the air. 1t is said that this beam can be
seen further than any other analogous mode
of Communication. The explanation of its
effectiveness is that fog does not exist ex-
cept close to the water, and that the beam can
be seen by looking up into the air not much OBJ
scured by fog; SO that the amount of fog which
the sight has to penetrate to gain view OF
this soaring beam, is not so great as that be-
hind which the ship is hidden. Testimony to
the value of the search light is afforded in the
fact that many of the steamers on the large in.
land lakes, aad the steamers Rhode Island and
Connecticut of the Providence Line, plying on
Long Island Sound, are fitted with it for use in
fogs.
The number Of electrical appliances for
wearing upon the human body in the
efficacy of which people are deluded into
the warning that have been given, and the
exposes that have been made Of these
fagrant frauds. there are many who still
imagine that electrical belts, brushes, combs,
etc., have strong curative power. In the
same line with these delusions is that Of the
man. now every day met with, who carries in
his pocket bit of electric arc light carbon, so
that some of the lingering electricity may soak
into his body ana drive away his rheumatic
twinges. All these notions have not the least
foundation; person may stand close to the
most powerful magnet and never feel the
slightest magnetism. and the prevalent theory
that the magnetism attracts the iron N the
blood and thus induces a more vigorous circu-
lation is absolutely fallacious. There is great
deal in the use and the abuse of imagination,
and it has been said that people who are taken
violently i'll after riding few blocks on the
electric cars ready to be rated as first-class
cranks, as far as imagination is concerned. A
strength and duration, may be very advanta-
geously passed through the body under certain
conditions, but magnetism has no effect what
ever upon the human system.
PROF. W. d. Marks prophecy, which
has been going the rounds OF the papers,
that within ten years the journey from New
York to Philadelphia will be made in 36
minutes, on train going at the rate OF $50
miles an hour, is by no means an extrava-
giant one. In point of fact the length of
time given for the accomplishment of this
distinct progress in modern rapid transit, gives
very wide and safe margin. A car can be
seen to-day propelled over track at speed
of 120 miles an hour, and when the important
problem of dealing with the excessive resist
ance Of the atmosphere at such high speeds,
which is now engaging the attention of some
of the first electricians of the country, is
solved, there is every reason to believe that
this same car will be made to travel at the rate
OF 1S0 miles an hour. Electricity is nowadays
supposed to be capable Of doing everything
under the sun. but in the matter of its applica-
ton to rapid transit, il is difficult to exagger-
ate the possibilities which lie in the near
future.