The Washington times., 1936-09-12

what we so Edwin C. Hill
fondly call modern progress"
In reviewing the news, and espe-
cially it's human side, and, more
particularly still, it's promise for
the betterment of humanity in the
near or distant future, this writer
Is continually struck with the ire
mendous work that science is do
ing in the tranquility of its labora-
tories.
BURIED" ITEMS
Sometimes under arreSting head
lines, but Just as frequently buried
in the general report Of human
activities which the newspapers
carry so fully day by day, are
items which are far more import
tant, it seems to me, than all
the chronicles of crime, Of politt
cal ambition, of int e irrational
squabbling and rumors Of war.
The thought comes to me as I
read that the chemistry depart
ment Of Harvard University has
finally identified the spark Of
life in our human bodies. That
spark is electrical.
Did you ever experience a slight
sting and hear a distinct snap
when, on a keen day. you hap
pened to touch q metal object,
or even another person? That, if
you please, is the spark Of life
manifesting itself.
The new discovery will aid a
better understanding of nervous
disorders and the treatment Of
nervous diseases. 1t may help, in.
deed, to forestall insanity and
even effect it's cure.
simultaneously, we hear that
the medical profession finds
grounds to hope that one of the
most terrible scourges Of human.
| ity, cancer, may eventually be
eradicated by injection of the
germs of typhoid fever.
Everyone wonders at times why
the Creator, or Nature. ever in.
troduced into this fair world the
frightful enemies animal life has
to contend with.
MICRO-CHEMISTRY
Perhaps the answer may be
found in the assumption that
one evil, one disease, may eventu-
ally be employed to destroy an
other.
Today, science is wildly inter.
eSted in one of its newest devel-
opments, micro-chemistry.
Micro-chemistry is chemical
work on small or minute objects
under a powerful microscope.
The micro-chemiSt can examine
a drop Of sea water and estimate
how much gold is contained in
an ocean. He can study a drop
of blood and supply the life his
tory of the doner.
He can take particle of paint
straight from a portrait and tell
you if it is the work Of an old
master or a fraud. He can scru-
tinize the scene of human murder
and by the examination Of a hair
or a grain Of dust frequently
trace the crime directly to tho
doorway Of the killer who
thought he had planned beyond
fear of detection.
1t is thrilling thing to con
template the possibilities that are
offered to human beings by the
patient. devoted work of research
scientists.
In London the other day a pa
tient died on the operating table.
His heart stopped without warn
ing. He ceased to breathe. Tho
usual efforts Of resuscitation were
fruitlesS. Even hand massage Of
the stilled and motionless heart
was without avail.
SECRET OF LIFE
Then adrenalin, that magic drug
which has been in use only a
dozen years or so, was injected
into the heart. Suddenly it be-
gan to beat wildly. After a few
minutes normal breathing ap-
peared.
After 80 hours the dead man re-
covered consciousness, responded
intellgently to questions and is
now on the road to recovery.
The search for the secret of life,
for the frightening of life beyond
the Biblical span, goes resolutely
on. There are 10000 disappoint-
mentS for every true scientific dis
covery, but little by little progress
is made in tapping secrets and
mysteries that have baffled hui
mainly for 10000 years.
Our imaginations can place no
bounds upon what science, pains.
taking and methodical, is yet TO
produce to unchain us from the
WEAKNESS and sorrows of life, and
bring us, even in this earthly ken.
little closer to the stars, little
nearer to the infinite.