The semi-weekly messenger., 1900-10-30
BlOxIDE OF SODIUM
IT WILL PURIFY AND REpURIfY AIR
INDEFINITELY.


by Two French Chemists-It WIN
Have Farreaching Results I'm Every
day Life.
By the merest chance two French
chemists. Drs. Desgrez and Baltha-
zard, have recently made the impor-
tant discovery that bioxide OF sodium
will purify and repurify air Indefinite
ly. This means roughly speaking, the
removal OF the chief obstacle to sub
marine work and TO all other pursuits
requiring q constant renewal OF air
by mechanical means. Its commercial
value along many lines can hardly be
estimated.
To the credit OF several mice. for
gotten and left to die, the discovery
must be credited. In the laboratory
Of the two chemists the mice had been
placed for some experiments in a close
glass globe and then forgotten. In
the nature Of things the air OF the
globe should have been soon exhausted
and the mice have perished OF asphyx-
iation- Great was the surprise of the
chemists, therefore. when. several days
later, they found the mice still alive.
Somewhat thin to be sure, but exhib-
iting no difficulty IN their breathing.
Casting about for an explanation OF
the mystery they decided that a small
olock OF bioxidine OF sodium which,
had been left in the globe must h20
effected the unexpected prolongatLl
of life. They tested the matter.
bits and dogs were shut up with =
block of bioxide OF sodium which
glass receptacles just large enough TO
hold sufficient air for half an hour or
So After five hours and a half the
animals were still breathing regularly
and placidly, just as IL they were in
the open air.
Then it was decided to experiment
with human subjects. A divers he'll
met was constructed with a lining of
the bioxide of sodium. The air capac-
fty of the helmet was only about five
pints. But, the air being purified, and
oxygenized by the action OF the chemi-
cal, the wearer was able to remain
under water for an indefinite period.
There was no longer any room for
doubt that discovery had been made
which, while extraordinary simplicity.
will be an invaluable aid to progress
and to the comfort OF life. II was
shown by experiments that wherever
carbonic acid gas is present bioxide of
sodium faStens on il to get the carbon
and combine it. Incidentally proper
tionate quantity of pure oxygen is set
free-that is to say, the bioxide OF So
dunn is the most efficient scavenger
of vitiated air yet discovered 1t needs
no preparation of any kind. It's mere
presence suffices. and it is absolutely
Unsuitable. AS long as there is a NOR
sci of the bioxide left and the tiniest
whif of carbonic acid gas for IL to
play on it continues it's purifying
work.
Perhaps one of the most interesting
applications of the newly learned pro-
perties Of the bioxide will be in the de-
vPlOnmanf hr,a ~,
Experts say that the oxygenizing COM
pound will solve at once the difficulty
OF providing submarine vessels with
a constant supply of fresh air at nor
NAL pressure. That phase of the pro-
blern has hitherto baked all the eff
forts of submarine engineers
With the use of the regenerating
bioxide there is no need of machinery
other than that used for propelling
the submarine vessels. There is no
need of returning to the surface <eS,
renewing the air supply. AS long as
the bioxide, the food and the material
employed for generating power hold
out the boats may remain under water
The submarine boat comes at once into
the realm of practical achievements
1t is obvious that the use of a diving
helmet such as was employed in the
initial human experiment recorded will
much facilitate the work of salvage
oIiChllllC tADIOTdllOn unQer sea.
All the apparatus that the diver will
need will be the one rope or cable by
which he communicates with those
above and by which he is hauled up
when necessary. Formerly he was
obliged to move very slowly and care
fully for fear of tangling the guiding
rope across the air tube. Often des-
pite all precautions the accident would
happen. That meant frightful death
at the bottom of the sea- the man be-
ing deprived of air to breathe and un-
able to give the signal to be pulled up.
Under the new conditions hfs work
will be both freer and safer
On land the uses to which the bjox-
lde may be Put are endless. 1t will be
used to purify the air in hospitals
Mining operators will be rendered
much more safe by its use. Crowded
factory rooms can be kept always full
OF fresh, sweet air. In theatres and
places of public meeting people can
breathe freely In schools children
will be brighter and healthier for its
presence.
1t has been pointed out also that the
bioxide will dispense with the need
of opening windows in winter time
Instead of losing three quarters of the
arti1cfaf heat Of our rooms through
windows opened for ventilation we
may IL we like keep our apartments
Theoretically closed from November
until May and have a constantly equa-
Die temperature, with no fear of sud
den chill; the air, none the less, ,aIw ays
perfectly pure. and the coal bills cut
down.
More interesting still is the sugges-
ton due to the discoveries that bioxide
may be used 10. give a chance to the
buried alive. DR.. Desgrez Is especial
ly enthusiastic on this point He in
sists that the law should compelI the
t.
coffins. spacious enough to give ample
turning over room. having a bell at
tached ringing outside and containing
block of the bioxide-Poris Letter
in New York Sun
Inis Is the season when mothers are
alarmed on account Of Group. II Is
quickly cured by One Minute Cough