Evening star., 1939-02-24
Huskin's Answers
To Readers Questions
BIZ Frederic J. Hdskin,

BIZ Frederic J. Haskin.
A reader can get the ans,oer to any
question OF fact by tDrittn0 The Eve-
ming Star Information Bureau, Fred.
eric J. Hdsktn, director, Washinuton,
D. c. Please tnclose stamp for reply.
Q. What is the significance Of tho
American Medical Associations automo-
bile emblem design?-T. ]. H.
A. The central feature of the en-
blem-the knotty rod and serpent Of
Aesculapius-is the true ancestral SYM
Dol OF the healing art. The knots of tho
rod indicate the many difficult problems
of physic. The serpent typifies wisdom.
Scarlet and gold have long been regarded
as medical colors. In the kings retinue
on state occasions, physicians wore a
scarlet cloak to distinguish them from
members of the other professions. In
alchemy the elixir of life was a red
tincture, and the key of wisdom a red
powder. Gold is used to symbolic the
sun, which is regarded as having def
mite influence over disease. The radiat-
ing lines underlying the scarlet enamel
of the emblem symbolic the suns rays,
which emerge to form gold band
around the insignia The letters IN. D."
indicating the degree of Doctor of Medi-
cine, are Enthusiastically the mark of the
physician. The suggestion of the green
cross aims to utilize the widespread rec
ognition of this device in many sections
Of the country as indicative of medi-
cal aid.
@. Please give the origin of the word
caddie in golf-T L. K.
A. 1t is corruption of the French
word cadet and was first applied to golf
in Edinburgh, where it is term refer
ring to porters and water carriers.
@. What city has the most gaseous
fumes?-J. T. L.
A. According to survey by the Air
Hygiene Foundation of Mellon Institute,
st. Louis has more sulphur gases in the
air than any other city in the United
States of metropolitan size. The air
there dncluding East St. Louis con-
tains an average of O.128 parts of sui
phur dioxide per million parts.
@. What is the origin of shorthand?-
R. D. K.
A. The earliest record of an organ
lied system of shorthand dates from the
year 63 BIC, the age of eloquence in
nd
friend of Cicero, Marcus Tullius Trio,
invented system that was used in re-
cording the speeches of Cicero, Seneca
and other in the Roman Senate. Tiro's
method was taught in the Roman
schools, was learned by emperors, and
remained in use for several centuries.
@. Why are so many laundries named
Troy?-W. H.
A. The city of Troy, N. Y, the birth
place of the collar, cuff and shirt indus
try, was practically the home and for
many years was the center Of the steam
laundry interests of the country; an in
terest which has now extended to every
city or place of any importance in the
land. So general is the recognition OF
this fact, that the name, Troy laundry,
is still retained by hundreds of laundries
in various parts Of the United States,
and is even seen abroad. 1t was natural
that the earliest organized movement to
produce the machines demanded for
made in Troy.
@. Who was the first composer In the
United States?-R. T. K.
A. Francis Hopkinson I737-179D was
the first native-born American composer.
His MY Days Have Been So Wondrous
Free" composed in 1859, is the earliest
known secular song by an American.
@. What is a sirocco?-T. G. F..
A. The term is used specifically for the
hot, dry wind in Sicily and Southern
Italy, but the name is in general use on
the North Mediterranean seaboard for
any warm southerly wind. Such winds
may be either moist or very dry, and
represent the air current in front of the
| depressions advancing eastward over the
Mediterranean Sea.
@. Is there good digest of the Bible?
II. j. H.
A. A recent 3O0-page digest of the
King James version is by Peter v. Ross
and is called "A Digest of the Bible.'
1t is published by Prentice-Hall.
@. What is the difference between q
dry goods store and department store?
M. H. R.
A. The distinction between depart
ment stores and dry goods stores is that
department stores sell greater variety
of merchandise than merely dry goods
and women's apparel, usually including
furniture and other household lines and
mems furnishings. A dry goods store be-
comes a department store when, and if,
1t adds furniture, household appliances,
hardware and/or mems clothing or
shoes, provided the total sales exceed
100000.
@. What became Of the President
Hoover that went aground last year?-
M. L. z.
A. The Dollar Line vessel, the Presi-
dent Hoover, which was stranded OF
f 3 L -