Amador ledger., 1907-01-25


activity-chlefiy carbohydrate and
the accumulation of toxic products.
The relation of these two causes is
not yet understood. Studying the
polsons, Prof. +. S. Lee, Of Columbia
University, has found that the muscles
are chiefly affected, and Ethat three
normal fatigue substances are known
- paralactic acid, monopotassIum
phosphate and carbon dioXide. Other
poisons or autointoXicants accompany
the fatigue so common in disease.
Beta oXy butyric acid seems to be
the agent in diabetes meIlitus, and
paralactIc acid in certain diseases OF
the liver and poisoning by arsenic
and phosphorus, while substances not
acids such as indoI, skatoI and
methYI mercaptan, seem to be active
i'll excessive intestinal putrefaction.
1t is probable that there are other
fatigue producers yet to be dis
covered.
The protection OF buildings from
lightning seems to call for a special
branch of engineering. Mr. Alfred
Hands, British engineer, points out
that safety cannot be had from any
set rules, as each case must be studied
separately, and its system adapted to
the implications of metal about the
structure. The efficiency of the con-
ductor depends almost entirely on
the way it is applied. The compost
tion matters little, and choice between
copper and iron Is chiefly a question
of cost and durability.
Material for crystal balls up to s
inches or more in diameter is among
Japan's wonderful products, and a
new piece of crystal Is reported to be
AZ feet long and IL feet thick.
weighing over 10000 pounds. A
Milan museum has quartz crystal 80
feet long, and 81 feet in diameter, its
weight being estimated at $40 pounds.
Hitherto the heights of clouds have
been determined by simultaneous
obseI vations of the angle from two
different stations, but this plan is
difficult and uncertain because it is
necessary to make the two observa-
tions at exactly the same moment and
on the same portion of the cloud. En
inspiration has come to DR.. j.
Rhaden, assistant at the Vienna
Observatory, from noticing that the
vertical beam of light from the new
illuminated fountain In the Schwart-
zenbergplatz produces a bright spot
on any cloud passing over head
Imaginary lines between the observa-
tory, the fountain and the spot on
the cloud form tight angIed triangle
whose vertical varies with the height
of the cloud, and the height of this
veItial is easily calculated from the
inclination of the line between the
observatory and the spot, the hori-
length. gClouds have been observed
already at heights varying from one
to six miles. A peculiar thing noted
is that the beam of light sometimes
reveals the presence of an invisible
stratum of fine vapor, one of these
clouds in an apparently clear sky
having been 61a miles high.
ArteriosclerosIs, the thickening and
hardening of the artery walls, is one
of the most common causes of death.
1t is indicated by increased OF
lesaened blood tension in the arteries.
and when the sphygmometer reveals
such condition, Prof. d'AIsonval, the
eminent French man of silence, applies
six baths of high frequency electric
current. Such application. it is
claimed. Completely restores the
normal blood pressure. The baths of
five or ten minutes each may be taken
three times a week and they cause no
Inconvenience or disagreeabIe sensa-
tlon.
The remarkable nitrogen absorbing
power of calcium can be utilized,
with tiXatlon, of oxygen, to produce
chemically vacuum in incandescent
lamps, and also to eliminate the
occIuded gases in molten iron OF
steel.
A projectiIe to take photographs,
and claimed to have heen successful
at heights up to half a mile, Is the
Idea of Herr Marie, German photo
grapher. A camera having the form
of the usual conoldal she'll, is thrown
into the air by means of a kind of
trap. At predetermined angle, as
the camera turns to make its descent
and is pointed slightly downward, the
shutter is automatically released, and
picture is taken of broad expanse
of country. In still air the flight and
spot at which the aerial camera will
fall can be calculated with much pre-
cision. Precautions are taken to
avoid damage by conclusion, and the
results are expected to be of great
possible value in military operations.
Much recent progress in dealing with
whooping cough is noted by French
reviewer. The specific microbe has
been isolated, and proves to be a
small ovoid bacterIum that evidently