New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-22
THE ANIMAL VIEWED AS AN ENGINE.

WHAT MAY BE GAINED BY STUDYING ITS GREAT
EFFICIENCY
one OF the greatest problems to which. She atten-
tlon OF modern experts In mechanical engineering
has been directed is this: How shall larger
proportion Of the energy known to be stored III
fuel be obtained for industrial purposes? Enor-
waste attends every process OF conversion
into mechanical power yet tried. The problem has
been attacked on a side and in an interesting
manner by Professor r. X. Thurston Of Cornell
University. OF the highest American authorities
IN this department OF science. In animals ana man
substances containing very much the same
chemical elements as coal taken into the system
subjected to processes resembling combustion. and
finally impa rting strength wherewith certain
amount OF work is done Careful investigation
shows that the best steam-engnes show an efti-
cheney OF only 20 per cent; that Is 10 say the
actual work performed by them under the most
favorable circumstances is just that Hac'foh Oh
the possible power represented by the neat "nich
is taken into the water from the furnace. Dut
in the human machine about 2}a per cent OF the
energy in the food supply Is realiHeh
in the days work OF an active laboring man INC
Internal opera ton Of the system. circulating the
blood pumping air into and of the lungs ard
performing other labors. may perhaps double thIs
estimate Professor Thurston says. while II the
output OF nerve and brain power be included IN
The calculation. perhaps the total efficiency wouid
be between 30 and 90 per cent. Ihs Il nearly three
times the best showing Of steam motor Inc
mysteries involved Ia this superiority, therefore,
may well tempt the keenest and abiest engineers
more strongly than the psychologist to further in
Nestigation.
There are recognized in the arts only three meth
DDS Of developing mechanical poverty heat, by
electricity and by chemical action Professor
Thurston shows at great length that the vital mr.
chine is not a heat motor. Upon this point ne mas
NJ, doubt Though Instructions are sent through
Of ht,hl Organized animal TO rs
muscles bv what seems to be an electric current,
tbs latter performs but an insignificant amount OF
rhvsical labor. And in man and the horse FOR N
stnnce there are special organs for the prodhc-
ton 81 electricity as in the electric eel Hence II
seems highly unlikely that the animal g an electro
dvr,ric machine But its similarity to n chemco-
oynarnic motor is obvious. In the particular muscle
ar organ which l. geographically directed TO DO
something fats and glucose which have been stored
therein are transformed into carbonc acid gas and
vaf.~ The phenomenon IS akin 70 the firing OF an
cxplosiye in a distan. mine with electric cur
rent The power in every case seems 70 be manu-
featured on the spot and not to be transmitted
from n central station Each organ and cell. then
* a motor By Itself. Further evidence that the
nerve-impuse may be electric IS found In the fact
that real electric current can be made 10 produ'e
an identical effect upon the muscles Nerve energy.
Ike brain power. Is subject TO exhaustion, ana ap-
pears 10 b. derived in some way from the daily
food although It's source and the method OF Its de-
Vehement cannot be detected. But inquiry on that
point fascinating and important as 1t must De 70
the biologist the physician and every promoter OF
the highest civilization. Is not likely 10 ylelh re-
suits OF such practical value the solution OF an
other prob en- Is the transformation OF rats ana
starches into carbon di-oxide and water, which
accompanies muscular action. direct or Indirect
change? II this secret could be reVeaIed ana APP
piled u Industrial uses successfully. tremendous
rovolu.ion would be wrought in mechanical enGi-
nccrug.