The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-09-13

and other treatises on animal physiology
confirmed his growing reputation. His
first flushed work, "On the Preservation
of Forces" caused him to be recognized rs
one of the foremost champions of the new
philosophy of force. In the meantime his
lectures on the same subject, being trans
lated into several languages. attracted at
tention throughout the world. His inyen-
ton OF tho ophthalmoscope in 1851 revolu-
tionized both the medical treatment and
the physical knowledge of the eye. His
Manual OF Physiological Optics" laid =
new foundation for the science OF vision,
as did also his work. Theory of the I'm
presspns of Sound" for the science of
music. Throughout these works ingenious
experiments are combined with mathe-
mAticnl reasoning and phiiosophie
thought. lie solved many practical ques-
1 ions which had puzzled musicians, and
4 suggested reason able explanations of many
! perpiexing facts in esthefics and physi-
ology. Reside the main works already
enumerated Helmholtz published in SCI
entific journals numerous articles Of the
greatest value. lie also delivered every
year popular lectures in which he set forth
with admirable csearness and tact the re-
suits of many of his most obtrase inyesti-
cations. Some of these lectures were pub
iished in book form. and Prof. Edward
Atkinson has translated two series of tAem
into English. OF the very numerous and
far-reaching discoveries OF Prof. Helm
holtx in the several distinct branches of
science to which he has devoted his atten-
ton, only the most striking, and those TO
which he owed bis widespread reputation.
are here mentioned. La optics. the inven-
ton of the ophthalmoscope, the result Of
q long-contlnned investigation into the
character and conditions Of the human
eve, has given 10 the medical profession
an instrument which has saved thousands
from blindness. Acoustics first became a
definite science in his hands. he invented
a method OF aaalyzing sound by the use of
instruments called resonafors. consisting
OF hollow bodies. whose volume OF con-
tanned air yibFAted ia the presence
of previously determined sounds.
By the aid of this instrument
lac discovered the cause of musical
harmony, and proved that the peculiar
tone OF every instrument is due 20 the adj
diiton of various overtones and resultant
or com binat.on tones 10 the fundamental
these differing ia intensity and pitch with
every instrument; that tao musical sounds
arc in harmony when they have one or
more common simple sounds. and that the
same IS the e4ss wish tao caords when
they have one oE more compound sounds
in common. His researches OH beats as
the cause OF disSonance we're OF equal
value. His most striking addition 10 phys
ialagical science was his research into the
~,.s,3stx of nerve CONJUNCTION IN " aicn lac
moved early that sensations move wtth
comparative sioxness from tie surface 10
the brain. and that "a act 81 wIll Is simi-
larry retarded ia producing its effect npon
she muscle. This quite dtsproyed the Cd
iheory that tbs agent Of nerve action = as
electricity, since the rate 81 nerve co1due-
zion j. excessively sio~eE than that Of aa
electrical conductor. IL physical science
hts researches into vortex motion are Of
extreme interest. asll proved that = vortex
yiug in saoke or yap0r has extraordinary
qualities previously unsupported These
discoveries have given rlss 70 the mex
atomic Theory e cir William Thompson,
who advances the idea that atoms are
really vortex rings n non-friciiona.
ether. and As such must he absolutely per
aaAaeaE in shape. substance and duration.
ur Degmholix visited tie United States
last year - the speclai representative OF
tie German government ~ the IEteFna-
tiouai Electrical congress 81 the World
far. and Vas the honorary president.
Alter shs close Of the congress Dr.. Helm
hs,,tx sent 20 she na0aaIAins and visited
points OF interest IN Colorado aud else
here a. far 4ess as Sals Lake Clay.