The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1908-09-19
Correspondence Baltimore County Union
SCIENTIFIC MISCELLANY.

Electric Sparks in Cancer-A New Indict-
ment-Docks Floated on Sand-A Tex
tile of Tomorrow-Mummy Ailments
Strenuous Evolution--Squeezing the
Gas-Pipes-Surface Springs.
( ."Fulguration'' is the name proposed for the
method OF dealing with cancer that has been
worked out by DR.. De Heating Hart. of Mar
settles. Lack of results with X-rays and other
light radiations decided him to try high fire.
quency electric currents of very high tension,
and the spark rays generated prove activein de-
stroyine the tumor mass and stimulating the
surrounding tissues to absorb the dead tissue
and to form firm scars. Quite weak currents
are used, with tension as high as $4,000 to 0OO.
900 volts. As much Of the tumor is removed by
cuttingas practicable. and the sparks are applied
where malignant tissue seems to be left, the ap-
pIIcation lasting about As minutes. The process
being painful, anaesthetics-of non-infammable
kind-are necessary. Some medical experts who
have investigated report that this method is a
real advance, several apparent cures of cancer
having resulted, while undoubted palliative and
temporary effects have been achieved.
~
The bedbug has been found by two late inves-
tigators to be the most dangerous of all blood
sucking insects in spreading disease-or at any
rate, in disseminating plague. In its body the
germs live and multiply, retaining virulence for
many days, while the bedbug itself seems to
suffer no inconvenience.
s's
The two concrete drydocks at Kiel rest on a
deep stratum Of fine sand, and it is found that
though measuring outside about 800 by 125 by 60
feet. with 1S-foot bottom and walls-they are
forced down and up with filling and emptying.
The movements are small, though the bottoms
bend 0.70 inch, the entire structures settling OF
inch on loading.
A future industry Of much Importance Store
seen by E. Lemaire, a French writer, in the use
of spun-glass. The spinning Of glass into threads
was known to the ancient Egyptians, attracted
some attention when glass making was taken up
at Venice, and by the end Of the eighteenth CEN
fury the French and Bohemian glass-workers
we're producing threads about three yards long,
having sufficient fexibility for braiding and
making lace. Modern glass-spinning was devel-
oped by J. de Brunfaut in the middle of the last
century. He made longer, more flexible and
stronger threads. which we're made into en-
broidery and passementerie. and by Dubus and
Bonnet were woven into cloth. They are now
made into aigrettes and imitation ostrich feath-
ers. De Brunfaut's art has been in large part
lost, but at the present time silk-like glass
wool is formed into tissues for the wear of the
equity and rheumatic, the waste being utilized
for packing steam-pipes, and in Germany the
longer hbers are made into braid that serves
not only for non-burning lamp-wicks but also
for heat and electric insulation. Cheap and
satisfactory threads for weaving can doubtless
be produced when required. The cloth will
have unique advantages for clothing and other
purposes, as it will be incombustible, a non-con-
ductor of heat, proof against acids, and per-
feet insulator against electricity.
s*s
Appendicitis is a new disease in name only,
and it has been traced back to ancient Egypt by
the explorations of Capt. H. G.. Lyons in 81 GEM
eteries of the Nile Valley just south of the Pill
lars of Konosso. Female abdominal organs
from one grave were so well preserved that this
disease could be recognized. Another body
showed typical LESSONS of govt, both forearms of
young woman had been broken and were ban
daged with splints, and numerous bones showing
reunited fractures gave evidence Of much sur
gical skill. London museum win acquire
from these graves valuable collection illustra-
ting early disease and accidents and the treat
ment
The surface of the earth is undergoing steady
transformation, largely through the agency of
man. but perhaps nowhere is the plant and
animal life of the region being more rapidly sup
planted than in New Zealand. The native Poly
nesian race, crowded by Europeans, is becoming
extinct. Many of the imported animals run
wild and multiply rapidly at the expense of the
native species, even the streams being filled
with European and American trout, which grow
to great size. Introduced plants thrive quite as
remarkably. New forests are being created de-
signedly because the native trees, though yield
ing excellent timber, grow very slowly and al
ready 100000 larches, oaks, spruces, Douglas
frs and eucalykts have been planted. while seed
hngs from them are being continually added.
b ~
A new argument in favor of electric lighting
is found in the reports of the London gas COM
panies. In six months 100000 cubic feet of
gas was lost and could not be accounted for. and
1t seems that most of this must have disappeared
through actual leakage. Company officials sug-
gest an explanation in the increased weight and
speed of vehicles using the streets. The added
pressure and especially the increased vibration
bring new underground strains, and must I'M
doubtedly affect pipes carrying gas. Serious
possible consequences are pointed out. Ten per
cent. of the gas is carbon monoxide. powerful
poison, and the accumulation in stagnant at
mosphere may have much to do with London's
headaches. dizziness, etc.
80
Summer springs of woods and hillside seem to
be less ideal drinking places than they have been
supposed. Seemingly pure water is found by
DR.. E. A. Martel, the French cave explorer, to
come through assures direct from polluting
soil, without any filtration through the rock.
no Uh obo1 r u0f