Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1894-07-05
SCIENTIFIC MATTERS.
INTERESTING MISCELLANY FOR
INQUIRING MINDS.
The Usefulness of the AntiphOne to
Those Who Are Troubled With In
SOmnia-The Work of n Dairy
School.

Prot. Scripture of Yale has recently
suggested that persons suffering from
insomnia may find it worth while to
use "antiphones' to shut out disturbing
roises at night The antiphonc, it is
explained. is not IN Eiisonian inven-
ton, but may be made off-hand when
sealing-waX and inserting it into the
external meatuS of the ear. Prof.
Scripture says of his own experience
that for four years he has obtained
sound sleep by the use Of such anti
phones. whereas before their use (and
now at any time when they are omit
ted comparatively little sleep was to
he obtained" AS to the exact method
Of using the antiphone he gives the
following directions: The stick of wax
il warmed over the gas flame and Il
sufficient quantity is pressed off be-
tween the thumb and finger. This is
placed in the entrance of the external
Ineatus. In order to make such Il fit
that no sensations of touch are pro-
duced when the head is placed on the
pillow. the tragus is placed over it
for an instant, and the end of the in
deX finger slightly loosens the top and
bottom of the plug in the ear. Each
morning the antiphones are thrown
away. The selection of wax is a vital
matter. Numerous trials have led me
to select Denison's Am. Express, No.
=, while in America, and Packet Lac
in Germany"
The disturbing influence of noise, par
ticularly in the city, has been so much
commented upon, and the reStfulness of
silence is so automatic, that it seems
really surprising the antiphone has been
so long neglected. Should it prove to
others as great boon as to Prof. Scrip
ture, it ought to rival the telephone in
popularity, for the ranks of the brain
weary are receiving hourly recruits,
and the tired brain longs before all
else for the blissfulness of silence
while it rests. Nor should the anti
phone confine it's benefactions to the
night. It's field of usefulness may sure
ly be extended to include the day. with
its unceasing, nerve-shattering roar.
The incessant bombarding of the brain
with the vibration of sound is believed
by some physicians to be a prominent
cause Of some of the disprOpOrtiOnate
nervousness" of the residents of cities,
while no physician Is required to state
the case on the score of discomfort.
If IL continuance so simple rs the anti
phone can in any degree mitigate this,
it is certainly worthy of trial.
1t must be remembered, however,
that man is Il vain animal, and that
mere merit is not sure passport to
public favor In order that the anti
phone shall receive anything like fair
trial, some leader of fashion must take
it the thing" to go about with aulral
decorations suggestive of q return to
barbaric standards of aesthetics, or else
some inventive genius must give us an
antiphOne combining all the Sound-eX-
Guiding properties of primitive sealing
wax with u fair measure of cosmetic
attractiyoneSS. The perfected anti
phone, too. must be easy to put on and
take off. The busy man cannot waste
time in melting sealing-waX, even to
save his brain from destruction, though
he might learn to clap on II pair Of
antipEOneS when required if they could
be adjusted with the ease of spectacles.
Here surely is field for the inventor.
and success will mean not only the
thanks of the multitude, but their dol
lars as well. Think Of the allurement
that will lie in such a poster as this,
when once the uses of the instrument
are understood: Prof Us patent Cos
metO-AntiphOne pronounced by lead
ing scientists the marvel of the age!
recommended by ten thousand physi-
cians!. An absolute sound eXcluder;
an infalllble sleep producer; the restor-
cr of shattered nerfes, and the solace
Of weary brains
Speed the day of coming of the per-
fected antiphone! In very truth it
will meet long-fclt want.-Harper's
Weekly.