The Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1893-1901, 1894-05-28
MYSTERIOUS ELECTRICITY.
The Human Mind May Never Solve the
Problem of What 1t Is.

The Human Mind May Never Solve the
Problem of What 1t Is.
To the metaphysical mind on the one
hand and to the conf Tent ignoramus on
she other the mysterious nature of cleo
.-icitv offers a fruitful subject of specu-
q To the latter especially 1t seems
-. ZACH that the true nature of cleo
49, has not long before been made
,.Ianifest, and he is always prepared 10
dash off an explanation with much more
confidence than Newton proposed his
theory of g~ravitation. 1t seems nexpll-
cable to the public at largethat the mys-
terry surrounding electricity Is not dis
PEELED. II does not seem to occur to
those who are impatient to have the
great question. What is electricity
answered that we are in just as dense
ignorance as 10 the mechanism of other
phenomena. Gravitation, light, heat
and chemical action are in the same
category of scientific mysteries n have
had centuries more of thought bestowed
on them than has been devoted TO the
new agent. While 1t now seems that
we may be on the threshold Of one OF
the greatest discoveries of the human
mind, vet it is possible, and even proba-
BILE. that the knowledge of man may
never be permitted TO extend to the en-
tire solution Of the problem, for it is the
very problem of the universe itself.
Assuming what seems to be unques.
toned, that electricity, electrical action
or whatever we may call it, has its seat
in the atoms or molecules of matter or
of the hypothetical matter, ether, we
are brought face to face with the same
conditions that confront the cosmical
philosopher. As the latter can never
hope to have his material vision extend
to the bounds of the universe. neither
can the molecular physicist hope TO ma
t~erially appreciate the ultimate element
of matter. Lord Kelvin has shown that
if a drop Of water were masnihed To tbs
size of the earth one of its constituent
molecules would only be magnitied Il
approximately the size of a cricket
ball. Bearing this in mind, the i'm
mensity of the problem which is so Otter
t1ippautly referred to Is evident. True
we may demonstrate the exact relation
between electricity and magnetism an'
may satisfactorily connect these Will
other phenomena and even obtain
working hypothesis that will answer al
scientific needs, but the ultimate solu
ton NAV forever evade the human mind
Whatever we do learn. however, vii
not he through the speculations OF meta
physicians or the guesses of tyros, bu
through the physical investigations o
usrtzes and Teslas. While As a neuta
training metaphysical speculation ma.
have its use. the absolute lack of add
tions to our real knowledge during tn
many centu.:rS from Plato to Bacon
when metaphysics held full sway, Is CO.
elusive that nothing can be expecte
from this direction. and merely specul;
tive Theories IN regard to the nature c
electricity deserve a. little considers
ton as is now given 10 the metaphysiri
yagaries of tine schoolmen Of the midul
ages.-Electrical World.
Examining the Brain by Electric Light.
A report comes TO us from St. Louis
the effect that Mr.. Donald II. Farquhar c
that city has succeeded in so concentrat
ing the electric light that it will illum
the brain. The same plan can also l.
adopted when it Is necessary TO study tn
pathological condition in Other parts {
the body. \ small con- of light srom a
800 candle power lamp is made to pen'
trate the tissues. and it Is said that bro
ken bones can be studied and injurie
learned that could not be determined b
the ordinary methods of examination
American Therspist.