The Savannah morning news., 1904-04-23

ton. A female elephant at the London
Zoo died from the effects of a thun-
derstorm. Some of the larger apes
are said to be so affected by capture
that they always die within a few
days, the system being so upset that
they cannot eat. That is why we only
see young specimens brought to Eu-
rope.
Peat straw is the woolly fiber of
peat cleansed and dried. 1t is gen.
orally of a light brown color, spongy
in texture, light, clean and with an
extraordinary power of absorption for
gases or liquids. 1t has long been
used in preference to straw, leaves,
or any other material as litter In, sta
bles for horses or cattle. 1t will abb
sorb ten times its weight of ammonia
liquids-more than three times as much
as wheat or rye straw-and. when
saturated, is piled and allowed to rot
by which it forms humus of the
highest value as a fertilizer. Another
form of the same material known as
''torfmulp is used as a disinfecting
absorbent for purifying the air Of
closets and stables, and when filled
is mixed with earth and sand and
used as manure. 1t is also the best
material known for protecting trees
filled or padded with peat null are
rendered warm and dry. and beds
made of 1t are clean, dry and sani-
tary, SO that it is extensively used
in asylums and hospitals. 1t is made
at many places in Germany and Swed-
en-, one of the largest and most en-
terprising factories being at Stargard,
in Pomerania.
Many of the precious gems that are
so highly valued as ornaments were
once supposed to possess curative pow
ers. The amethyst. for instance, was
the stone of temperance and sobriety
and was said to prevent the wearer
from strong drinks and from indulging
In too much sleep. Further, it was
believed to quicken the wits and drive
vapors from the head-altogether a
most desirable gem to have about ones
person. Amethysts should certainly
become fashionable. Pearls were adj
ministered in cases of consumption,
and, when powdered, were recommend
ed in ten-grain doses to strengthen the
heart. Besides these virtues they were
believed to fortify the nerves, cure
weak eyes, to keep the body sound
from the decay of old age and even "a
cordial to resist the plague when taken
in doses of six grains in water sweet
ened with mamma" Amber was given
to cure coughs and diseases of the
head, while red coral was said to be
IAN excellent purifier Of the blood and
good for the liver" Jasper was en-
ployed by the early physicians as an
astringent and a cure for epilepsy and
stone. 1t is probable the wonderful
effects attributed to this stone were
due more to the faith of the patient
than to the substance itself. The beryl
was said to help "defiuxions of the
throat" and the sardonyx ito make
men cheerful and avert melancholy"
The chrYsolite was reputed to ward
off fevers, while the onyx, when worn
around the neck. was believed to pre-
vent epileptic fits. The opal was said
to cure weak eyes and the bloodstone
was often carried by warriors to ar
rest bleeding from wound. 1t will
be seen from this list, which might be
considerably extended. that the physi-
clans of old had in precious stones a
formidable armament to combat many
of the diseases flesh is heir to. Wheth-
er their modern descendants will be
bold enough to try their effects re-
mains to be seen. Who knows but
we may yet hear of the specialist in
nervous diseases prescribing powdered
jasper for his epileptic patients, nor
need we ha surprised to see the ''ame-
thyst cure" advertised as the latest
treatment for inebriates!