The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-08-16

then treating the residue successfully with
concentrated nitric acid. potassium chic
rate and hydrofiuoric and sulphurfc acids.
Papyrolith. the invention of Otto Kramer.
of Chemnitz. is a novelty in flooring ma
terial, being a special preparation OF pa
per pulp, which is sold as a dry powder
When mixed with water, it may be spread
like mortar over stone. cement or wood.
where it dries quickly. and may be smooth
color. adapting it for parquetry with va
riegated borders, or for panels and mo-
freedom from crevices. deadening of
noise and poor conduction of heat. con-
siderable elasticity. safety from fire. and
remarkable durability. 1t may be used for
poses as well as for flooring. A still
more curious use for paper is announced
sists of a full suit of blotting paper. into
which the bather steps from the water.
1t dries the entire body in a second.
A novel school exercise proposed by DR..
Brudenell Carter. an English oculist. is
that Of seeing COMPETITIONS" which he
believes would result in decided improve
ment of the eyesight. Tests of the eyes of
over 5000 London pupils have given no
particular evidence of injury from the
conditions of study. About 40 per cent.
mad absolutely normal vision in both eyes,
an equal proportion nearly normsi, while
the remainder were perfect in only one
eye-usually the right. Country children
boys better than girls. Long sight" is
the most frequent irregularity. and the
adaptable condition of the eyes in youth
oVercomeS this for a time, while early re-
sort to sDectacles is a permanent remedy
unless tho trouble is aggravated by poor
feeding or bad light. Training in the art
of s~eeing-which must be begun in child
hood to be effective-would have given bet
Ter sight to many. persons. Rapid and
clear observation is largely a matter of
teaching and practice, and in the case of
animals and savages. who are compelled
to depend so much on their natural pow
ers, it is very highly developed.
While it is we'll known that religious
ascetics in India appear to remain in a
cataleptic sleep for weeks or months and
awaken on an appointed day, and sleep
ing fakirs have even exhibited themselves
publicly in London, it is a singular fact
that no scientific investigation has been re-
ported. The three sleepers who showed in
in London have been a sensation of the
Millennium Exposition at Budapest. They
are powerful, MISUNDERSTANDING = young
men. who claim to be finely educated and
devout theoiogians. The sleep Is preceded
then wraps himself in a silken robe. lies
down in a glass coffin. receives the pass
word that Is to arouse him., and, under
his associates and strong a-nte-suggeStiOn,
quickly falls into his long slumber. One
takir has slept eight days, another fifteen
days, while the hnal and great perform
ance is a sleep of thirty days while buried
under ground. The ceremony of awaken
ing is begun by prayers of the fakir at
PENDANTS. who then breathe upon the
sleeper, rub him. open his eyelids. breathe
upon his tongue, etc., for about half an
hour. when he begins to breathe and
move. and. after feeding with milk, is
made to hear the password, and again
ilves. In the excitement of, these scenes,
1t is said, spectators have tainted. While
sleeping. the pulse of the subject fell from
seventy to sixty beats per minute, respi-
ratory movements from eighteen to three.
body temperature from 99.5 degrees to 96.6
degrees. and a sleep Of eight days caused
a loss of ten pounds in weight.