The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1895-08-31
An Electric Heating Pad.

The fact that asbestos plays a re-
markably useful part in electrical
work is not generally recognized For
purposes Of insulation this unique ma
terial meets the most exacting require
ments, and it's use by electricians. is
daily increasing. IT'S 1atest appncation
is in the ''electrotherm,' the new de-
vice which has already begun to take
the place of hot-water Bottles in hos
pitfalls and invalid chambers The cleo
trotherm is a flexible sheet or pad,
composed of asbestos. in which cleo
trio wires are embedded. When these
WlrAs are connected to any source OF
electric current a constant and uni
form degree Of heat is generated For
this connection the socket of an elec-
tric lamp is ordinarily found most con-
venient, but where the lighting current
is not available batteries can be used.
The pad is found a great convenience
in the relief of chilliness, cold feet,
ETC.. as we'll as in cramps and other
local pains and general hospital prac-
tice. By it's use the risk and discom-
fort of frequent changes Of tempera-
ture incident to the renewal of Ordin-
ary hot applications are entirely OBJ
waited. 1t can be moistened without
injury, and it can be made to give the
effect of a poultice or moist heat by
being applied over one or more thick
nesses of wet flannel. It can be used
by any one with perfect safety, and
its simplicity and convenience where
ever the application Of artificial heat
is desired render it especially valuable
for medical use. The regulation of the
temperature is effected by a conven-
1ently placed switch. Pads can thus
De maintained at approximately 13O
degrees. ITO degrees and 22O degrees
Fahrenheit, when covered with ordin-
ary bedclothing, but these tempera-
lures can be modified by the interposi-
tion Of a blanket, or raised by addi-
tional covering. This new adoption of
the principle of electric heating is
made in various forms, from the SIM
pie pad, which lends itself to all or
dinary uses, and the wicker-covered
mat, or foot warmer, to a cape-like
covering, which will completely en-
wrap the neck and the upper part Of
the body.
The Play of COlOrs in the Electric
Furnace.
One of the most beautiful processes
in modern metallurgy is the melting
of certain metals in the electric fur
mace, and it is now possible to project
upon screen every phase of such an
operation. Some idea of the wonder
full play of colored light which thus
becomes so toned down as to be toler-
able to the naked eye may be formed
by a description lately given by Prof.
Roberts-Austen Of the projection of an
electric furnace during the melting of
metallic chromium. AS the current is
turned on the interior Of the furnace
appears as a dark crater, the dull red
poles revealing the metallic luster and
gray shadows of the metal beneath
them. Soon these poles are tipped
with dazzling white, and in the course
of few minutes the temperature has
risen to about 2500 degrees c. A lam
bent halo of green-blue now encircles
each pole, and central band Of the arc
changing rapidly from peach blossom
to lavender and purple. AS it becomes
necessary to lengthen the arc, and the
{ poles are drawn further and further
asunder, the irregular masses of chro-
4 MUM fuse in silver droplets in the
midst of light, changing from intense