The Red Cloud chief., 1899-11-17
A~CETYLENE IN WAR.
The New Illuminant Is to Be Used
Extensively.
LamDs and Reaectors for sesrchiss
fos the wounded and watching
the Movements Of Troops
Are Contemplated.

The uses TO which acetylene lamps
may be put are not confined to light
ing the pathway OF cyclers along the
boulevards and through the tree-dark.
ened shadows OF the parks. Lieut.. Won
Kries, Of the German army, has demon
strated that ~acetylene will play an i'm
portant part In the war, though, per-
haps, not so important as some enthus.
lasts would ascribe toitw believe that
acteylene will rival, IL not entirely re-
place, electricity. The acetylene indus
try has hitherto been busy construct
ing only lamps, ETC., but Lieut.. Won
Kries is the first to have found an acety-
lene reflector, and, in the opinion of
Prof. Goeltig, with great success. The
developer of this portable reflector can
also be connected with q specially con-
structed operation lamp for use in the
operating and dressing tent Of the am
bulance detachment.
The reflector, which is intended es-
pecially to serve for searching for the
wounded on the battlefield, consists of
an acetylene developer borne on the SOL
dier's back, and the reflector itself,
which Is fixed 70 a detachable stand
made OF n Mannesmann tube. The two
portions are connected by metal tub
ing. The developer is filled with about
one kilogram OF calcium carbide, and
gives out n light Of so or GO normal
candlepower, lasting about eight hours.
by means OF a special arrangement of
%parabolic magniiers this candle pow
er is doubled. The developer is not
liable to explode, and is self-regulating.
The reflector itself is made of nickel,
and can be manipulated with case.
turning in all directions.
By the use Of this new invention the
wounded can be seen, even In unfa-
vorable circumstances, at a distance Of
so to 100 meters. The lamp can be also
used In the operating tent and is far
more practical than all former kinds of
so-called ambulance lamps, especially
electric and benzine lamps, which were
found absolutely useless in the camp
from technical reasons. 1t is especial
ly noticeable for its suitable
ment and the possibility OF turning il
in oil directions, and IL IL shows itself
to be as good as Is asserted will supply
a need In surgical army circles. How
FAR Won Kries' acteylene reflector will
answer the expectations of it's admir-
ers will be seen from thorough exam
NATION; IT seems, however, that, apart
from sanitary purposes, it may be used
on railways and for other objects where
not toe great light Is required.
Whether. however, the introduction
OF acetylene lamps for all the move
ments Of troops is advisable is worth
discussion. Whereas, for instance, ten
hllings would be sufficient for the first
part OF n campaign for the ambulance
department, as a battle is not fought
every day, and the apparatus is only re-
quired during or after a battle, the sup
ply for the lighting Of transport, in
which case the lamps would be re-
quired every night, would have to be
considerably greater, and 1t is, there
fore, doubtful whether IL would be DOS
sible to take enough calcium carbide for
the purpose. Moreover, even the most
simply constructed acetylene lamps re-
quire n certain amount Of technical
deXterity. Whether everyone will so
quickly learn their use may be doubt.
ful, while a sufficient number of men.
especially patrol chiefs, can be trained
for the comparatively small number of
renectors, etc.-Chicago Chronicle.