New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-08
MEDICAL AND SANITARY NOTES.

SIGHT AND COLOR VISION-The high reputa-
ton of DR.. c. II. Williams. as an expert in test
ing the visual organs and the color sense-he hav-
ing I'm years past conducted thousands Of tests In
behalf OF the Chicago Burlington and Quincy
Railroads. well known. lie declares that II is q
more importance TO test the vision than the color
sense OF employees railways only about per
cent OF those applying for positions on the above
named road being found by him 10 come up TO the
physical standard req Iircd and the same proper
ton would hold on other railway liEes. He main
tans that there should be two standards. the
higher for engineers, draw-tenders and the inter-
locking switchmen all of whom should be Of nor
NAL vision though after a man has been In the
service some length of time the standard can with
safety be lowered. DR.. Williams states that an en-
have lost a good part Of his Visual acuteness ami
he Therefore recommends as short runs as possoie:
serious effect on the sharpness of vision. Then.
too. unless the lenses Of lanterns are OF UNIFORM
tent employ.
HORSE FLESH AS FOOD-Certain suggestive
statistics have recently been published IN
nection with the Belgian trade in horse fesh
From these It appears that about six thousand
horses were exported In year from Great
Britain part of the food supply of the poorer
classes in Belgium, most OF the animals being old
and in wretched condition. and, what is OF much
greater consequence a certain proportion were
as these facts afforded naturally attracted the at
tenton of the Belgian Government, which accord
ingy took steps for the better supervision OF the
horse traffic and especially for the detection OF
glandered animals. This arrangement. however,
+ regarded by physicians only poorly satisfy
ing the conditions necessary TO heaithy nutrition.
as Il will probably go no further than TO condemn
the carcass Of animals that are actually diseased.
Thorough supervision by capable veterinary ON
with public safety. leaving out OF consideration
the matter Of preference for such food under any
circumstances whatever
TIME FOR SURGICAL OPERATIONS.-In re-
gard TO the best time for capital operations. .
writer in "Gaillard's Journal states that In fol-
lowing the course OF such and OF various
operators for a number OF years in the hospitals
OF a large city. 1t seemed that the early morning
hour presented many advantages-that is. a good
nights rest attained artihcially II necessary, an
empty stomach. the patient all ready for
anaesthesia upon awakening. the fear and dread
of what Is coming being crowded into the fewest
possible moments the whole day with active at
tendants constantly moving about and alive 10
every demand OF the patient etc. are few OF the
points which seem TO recommend an early hour; on
the other hand IL Is not 10 be denied that II may
be a source OF greater task upon the surgeons
powers especially IL he be concerned and anxious.
as Conscientious men aw ihis snsIev ncrferes
with the operators sleep Even with TINS disad-
really better work before he has become tired and
ANNOYED by the various demands upon him during
the early hours OF the day Consequently. those
who have operated extensively In the early morn.
ing hours never volunteer any afternoon opera
lions
PECULIAR CHARACTER OF SNAKE POISON.
According to the remarkable researches In this
line by Professor Calmette. the peculiar fact ap-
pears the physiological effects OF the posons
secreted by different species Of snakes are ident-
cal: the individual variations In action are local.
and result from the presence OF albuminoid SUD-
stances, which can be removed by heatins 'hs
aqueous solution OF the venum TO % degree cent?
grade for fifteen minutes. process which leaves
the toxins unaffected. The degree OF toxicity de-
ponds. of course. upon the snake. and can DC con'
siderably diminished by altering Professor Cal.
nette finds that the serum Of animals vaccinateo
against a very viruent venom. such as that OF me
cobra is perfectly anti-toxic to the poisons OF az
kinds OF serpents. and even Of scorpions Hs
method OF prepa ring anti-venomous serum CONSISTS
in injecting horses with increasing doses OF eooss
venom, mixed with decreasing quantities OF weak
solution OF calcium hypochorite. which limits ns
toxic action: the animal being immuhi.eo - ,mrH
In tected with the poisons OK AZ many oAne'sos
kinds Of snakes as possible