New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-01
MEDICAL AND S4NIT4RT NOTES.


BRAIN NERVE CELLS Investigations in the
line ~ physiological psychology show that IN the
case OF the majority the brain attains its
maximum weight by the age OF fifteen; and exam
nation Of sections Of the spinal cord have shown
that between the time OF birth and the age Of ~
teen there has been 100 per cent increase I'm the
num- or OF developed nerve cells while increase
% on s per cent has been shown after fifteen:
the brain also shows with advancing age. decline
In actual weight and in he number OF connective
ing and for association Roughly expressed. nerve
cells arr said 70 bc plastic in inverse proportion 70
10 decrease In volume some 30 per A result
Of fatguing exercise Exercise. however OF every
when rot carried beyond The proper point. such ex
ercise putting the nerve cell in the best possible
veloping more fully; naction IN any tract tends to
an undeveloped spot ana to atrophy
CHILDRENS EYEsIGHF Official tests ot the
eyessht of Baltimore school children-tcsts ordi-
narly used ny oculists-to the number ~ 1908
show some interesting and suggestive results More
than nine thousand pupils were found 70 have such
defects IN these organs 10 mako school work I'M
safe while SO per cent Of tho children were found
not TO he in tho enjoyment OF normal vision.
Curiously enough this percentage Of defective eye
sight steadily decreased with the age Of the pupils
p"rcfnagH OF nornal vsi3m "aS s s1u grade 20 *
second A. third. a. fourth. 40: nth - sixth Is
seventh. ..
FOR this improvement in eyesight with age ana the
use Of tho eyes under school conditions II was
found. however that many backwards and maps
I'm the schools we're not placed IN the proper nsh,:
ara III. report Of tho ocusts recommends weary
the adopfion Of Uniform system Of adjustable
seats and desks adapted 10 tho heights Of the chill
Gron.
PIIARMACEI- TICAL SOAPS.-The medical jour
nails Of Germany make mention Of a new sulphur
oap-thiosavona- soluble in water. For the pro-
dUction OF soaps Of this character sulphurized OILS
are used Tho thick l1uid THO oil Is made fluid
with alcohol and gradually mixed, while being con-
tinusny stirred. with an equivalent volume OF pot
ash lye which Is likewise thnnef with alcohol
Tho addition Of large quantities OF potash I've at
time produces separation Of sulphur but this
danger becomes less toward the end OF the saponi-
fcation and at last small excess Of potash I'VE IS
used Tio fact tina. all the th!osebacic acid has
saponined IS indicated by tho liquid appearing clear
a whole. and sample taken beng cIearly sou.
bio i'm water As well as in alcohol The excess of
alkali IS neutral!zed by volatile fatty ac.d me
hol in a steam bah and boiled down TO the CON
si,-cncy Of soft saye being occasionally tested Tor
neutrality Eghiy-hve parts OF THIS soap are
mixed with fifteen PARTS Of glyoeriinne The per.
contage OF in this mixture Is y ana that OF
thiOsebate OF potassium Is ..
NEW sTANCH FOR BLOODFLOWING.-An
original and eflcacious device FOR stopping the
rov OF blood has for time been used by the
Chlnere-a method it is stated. still entirely un-
known 70 the medical fraternity OF this country
and Europe The plan is to sachets filled with
charcoal powder obtained from straw the apph-
cation OF these fine bags showing considerable ad-
vantage over the ordinary medcated gauze The
bags shape themselves perfectly over wounds. ana
have A considerable absorbing power, "hile the
cost Is almost nothing. they can De man, dls"
wherever they are 70 be used, ana IN shdpe 10
suit each particular case. which Is fact OF no
Httle importance IN using for heId hospi,a.s ana
taken placed o in sTge G paced on top
of no
product is. OF course. ascptlc-that IS devoid OF
microbes
INVESTIGATING ANEW AN OLD QUESTION.
-sclen,ih- investigators in Germany and Russia
have recently been conducting an Inquiry on inc
b-oadost and most exhaustive principles respect
ing alcohol In relation 10 dletetcs In the course
% which they report having obtained data that
soon, - point TO alcohol as actually food and
TINS coming TO a conclusion counter 20 that so
long prevalent or this question. physioogica"y
considered Both men and women were enpIoyed
In these experiments doses OF alcohol sufficient 70
induce intoxcation slightly being given 10 theIn.
II was found thai alcohoI taxes the place o. "a a.
as fuel furnishing heat for the body ana N
nall ouqrfities IL Increases the appetite ana
helps digestion. hut It overstmulaies the acu9n
a, The hoart decreases ,he power OF a man 70 90
work and dimlnshes the requirement OF food by
icsstnng waste o. tissue Thess expermen5ss were
cows milk fcrmented with "kephlr yeast"
4 GLASS HOSPITAL WARD-An' 'aseptic
ward IN one OF the London hospitals contains
some novel features II "a Il by II feet in area
and 10 feet high being intended FOR only one pa
t!cn, at time Tho walls and ceiling are OF
onor,cllcd glass with rounded angles. and the
floor IS Of marble mosaic. with angles also ROUNDED
plate glass window Niln 9u,Si0e o- pn ~ sroun5
gas and the trame-th,e. only wood about tne
ward Is Of hard teak No PIPE or d, ,i ops ,,S
into the ward. and great care mas been taken WIN
Jnr W -o me rest Of the hospital by ventilated
bod oh "a
" T. ineI" In ho, water without harm Of any kind
provided with The most complete protection against
The growth or entrance of any description OF harm
IN germs.
Nr.vrXr.M AS A PURIFIER-The salts o.
aluminium, being nsoluble in water the consequence
e that when sch salts are formed the water can De
s,-,,rcd and the impurities removed theretrom.
What Il REGARDED the most practicable method o!
pur.fyinx water by this means Is the trough
method as IL Is called the trough bHing composed OF
r,,.s y, aluminium AMI zinc or iron. six eight
r,hs apart one oni = the tank affords an entrance
o the volume o, water Nri-h passes over the top o.
ono plate and thenc" ur-'r ne plate next TO H.
this being made practicaoe by the fact mat 'he
elevation OF the several plates IS different IN con-
,..t Oh, with this tank or trough there IS an cleo
,r,. generator o. Moderate size and. though aumi-
mum will not form tho negative pole OF current the
o.bnr mates used vii Now. II being Always the
gaso hat whcn an electric current comes IN con
.art,in norton ~ the fud. T. We're. the result
az such decomposition is thai ozone Is iormed ana
cor, freed. the meaning OF this Is the absolute
.~tir.tlo, NJ lls- IN any mcrohs or organic mat"
ter Wni,h the water might contain leaving it-after
r,ooi,e tho purlAcatiOn which the salts o! alunll-
MN, D-,,ion as clean and healthfu as the water
that flows from the purest spring
pruAuKApLE SURGICAL OPERATIONS
r,roo,ino,. IN the annals ~ modern surgery is the
recon, removal from the aiimentary canal OF
hitherto supposed 10 be vital organ. the stomach;
IN opcraton the phvsioog cal Importance Of which
IN lie successful result Is universally commented
,pon by the medical press. one form OF these COM
r,.,,s II may be or interest 10 a layman 10 Know.
1. IL. - - nnt N.ltal