The Red Cloud chief., 1900-01-05
ACETYLENE in WAR.
The New Illuminant Is to Be Used
Extensively.
Lamps and ReHectors for Searching
for the wounded ana watching
the Movements Of Troops
Are Contemplated.

The uses to which ~acetylene lamps
may be put arc 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 acetylenc will play an i'm
portant part in the war, though, per-
haps, not so important as some enthus-
lasts would ascribe tot who believe that
acteylene will rival, if 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, aud, in the opinion of
Prof. Goeltig, with great success. The
developer of this portable reflector a
also be connected with a 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 10 a detachable stand
made OF n Mannesmann tube. The two
portions are connected by metal tub
ing. The developer is filled with about
n kilogram of calcium carbide, and
gives out q light Of so or 60 normal
candle power, lasting about eight hours.
BY means Of a special arrangement of
parabolic magnifiers this candle pow
or 10 IatsIlaI Tho lArAlna- e.. 80
liable to explode, and is self-regulating.
The reflector itself is made Of nickel,
and can be manipulated with ease,
turning in all directions.
BY the use Of this new invention the
wounded can be seen, ever 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 Ii Is especial.
~ noticeable ror It's suitable arrange.
ment and the possibility of turning it
in all directions, and II it 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 its admir-
ers will be seen from thorough exam.
nation; it seems, however, that, apar,
from sanitary purposes, it may be used
on railways and for other objects where
not too great light is required.
NNlnfhat hn,S.xaY cha ptrpl,,t,n
Of acetylene lamps for all the move.
ments OF troops is advisable is worth
discussion. Whereas, for instance, ter
filings would be sufficient for the frs,
part of a campaign for the ambulance,
department., as n battle is not fought
every day. and the apparatus is only re
CURED during or after a battle, the sup
{ ply for the lighting OF transport, il
which case the lamps would be re
Quired every night, would have to b,
considerably greater, and ii is, there
n fore, doubtful whether it would be pos
n sible to take enough calcium carbide TO
the purpose. Moreover, even the mos
, simply constructed acetylene lamps re
quire a certain amount of technica
q deXterity. Whether everyone will s.
quickly learn their use may be doubt
full, while n sufficient number of mer
especially patrol chiefs, can be traine,
for the comparatively small number o
y reflectors, etc.-Chicago Chronicle.