New-York tribune., 1901-12-30
PROGRESS IN SCIENCE.

OF the scientific advances effected within the
last twelve months perhaps those in electricity
the most notable. Prominent among them
are the perfecting of two storage batteries
whose lightness especially adapts them to the
operation Of automobiles, Pupns system of
promoting long distance telephony and new
applications of wireless telegraphy. Whatever
may be thought OF Marconi's attempt to estab-
lish communication between Europe and Amer
lea, this much is certain: The reporting OF in
coming steamships several hours earlier than
was practicable year ago Is alone an innova-
ton OF great practical value. Inasmuch as
Pupin's invention has not been put into service,
one cannot well estimate It's utility with accu-
racy at present. But the handsome price paid
for 1t by the Bell company is significant testi-
mony, 10 say the least. Again, concerning
Cooper Hewitt's vapor lamp and the outcome
of the German experiments with an alternating
current for traction, 1t is too to speak with
confidence.
Koch's announcement OF his belief that tuber-
culoss is not transmissible from cattle to man
kind was the most sensational incident OF the
year in the realm OF sanitation. The suggestion
has not been very favorably received, but 1t
has reopened for further consideration an ex-
ceedingly important question. Gaylord's alleged
discovery Of the germ Of cancer needs Confirma-
ton. So does Novy's invention of a new way
to fight intestinal disease. But while the for
mer involves merely the cause OF n malady the
latter promises cure, and hence should prove
more serviceable. There has OF late been an
increased use of electricity for therapeutic pur-
poses, and growing faith in the responsibility
Of the mosquito for the dissemination of yellow
fever and malaria. Both. however, date back
OF the year closing
Since aerial navigation Is scarcely more than
''heroic sport"-as Chief Engineer Melville
called 1.-THE performance of Santos -Dumont
can hardly be regarded a serious contrbu-
tion to science 1t does not rank for instance
with the successful use Of the steam turbine
on passenger vessel for the first time The
latter event is prophetic of new economies in
marine engineering. But the most marked i'm
provement In transportation facilities recently
recorded Is the virtual completion OF the Man
churian section of the Siberian Railway. A
through train service from Europe to Port
Arthur has not yet been established although II
is promised in the near future When that pro-
gramme is carried into effect 1t will materially
reduce the cost Of and time required for a
journey from London to Peking or from Paris
to Yokohama. Moreover much valuable mer
chand!se which now takes the water ro,,te Will,
then go by land.
j. j. ThomsOn's declaration that he has maas
ured particles Of matter a thousand times
smaller than an atom Of hydrogen may possibly
exert an influence on Industrial chemistry Ru+
even IL 1t should not the philosophic interest
OF the statement renders 1t profoundly fasci
natlng An unprecedented movement in the
heDuia around the new star In Perseus is an
other recent event which appeals powerfully 10
the imagination and sets one THINKING shou+
the constitution of the universe. Curiously
enough, the corpuscular theory directs a,ten.
ton to the Infinitely small, while the apnorant
change OF position In the nebua of Nova Per-
sci suggests inconceivably great veIocities and
distances In space