quicksands, the invention of Herr Poetsch, was recently described in a
paper read before a French Technical Society. The space where the shaft
is to be sunk is marked out by a series of hollow iron tubes, which
are driven into the ground, and form a ring round the site. In these
hollow tubes are introduced smaller tubes, pierced with holes, through
which a refrigerating liquid is forced in a continuous current until
the ring of tubes is bound together by a wall of ice. By this means,
the intrusion of sand and water is prevented while the sinking of the
shaft is being accomplished. At a colliery in Prussia, belonging to
Messrs Siemens, this plan has been successfully adopted. Indeed, it is
difficult to see how the coal, which was overlaid by a quicksand, could
have been won by any other means.
A novel method of street-paving has been tried with some success in
Berlin; but as its trial only covers twelve months of traffic, it can
hardly be held to have proved its superiority over other systems.
The material is asphalt, but not treated in the usual manner. Bricks
impregnated with the compound, under which treatment they lose their
natural brittleness and become elastic, and capable of resisting heavy
pressure and damp, are laid in rows just like the wood-blocks used for
a similar purpose in this country. The new paving is said to last well
and to afford a sure foothold to horses. There is certainly an opening
for improvement in our present systems of paving.
Mr Hiram S. Maxim, whose name is well known in connection with a system
of electric lighting which was introduced by him a few years back,
has invented a machine-gun which has lately been exhibited in London,
and which gives some remarkable results. This gun has a single barrel
only, which is protected from undue heating by a water-jacket. The
cartridges are supplied to it in a continuous canvas belt, not unlike
the belt carried by sportsmen. The recoil of the gun at each discharge
is utilised in bringing forward the next cartridge, forcing it into
position, cocking the hammer and pulling the trigger, so that the
gun when once set going is automatic. If its attendant were killed
in action, the weapon would in fact go on firing its complement of
cartridges until the last one was expended. The rate of discharge can
be regulated from once a minute to the astonishing maximum of six
hundred per minute. The same system of belt-feeding has been applied by
Mr Maxim to ordinary rifles fired from the shoulder; and it is probable
that the attention of our War authorities will be called to the matter.
How few of us realise the fact that there are among the sixty-three
hitherto known elements of which this world is composed, no fewer than
fifty metals. A large number of these are so rare that they cannot
be said to have much importance; but frequently the so-called rare
metals are, as knowledge advances, stepping over the boundary-line
which separates them from metals having a commercial value. Of these,
aluminium and magnesium hold a foremost place. But now another metal,
iridium, often found associated with platinum and gold, is coming into
use. (Possession of or dealing with iridium has hitherto been forbidden
by Russian law, because it was found that gold was adulterated with it.
When gold so treated was afterwards worked at the Mint, the individual
particles of iridium indented the rollers, played havoc with the
machinery generally, and entailed great loss on the government.) It was
discovered a few years ago that this hard and intractable metal can be
readily fused by the addition of phosphorus, the resulting material
retaining all the hardness of the original metal. Hitherto, iridium has
been used almost solely for pen-points. There are now, however, many
uses found for it, among which we may mention draw-plates for wire, the
wearing parts of various philosophical instruments, and contact-points
for telegraphic apparatus.
An improvement in the art of glass-blowing has been introduced at the
works of Messrs Appert, at Clichy, of which it may be said that it is
remarkable that it was not adopted many years ago. Glass-blowers are by
reason of their occupation subject to various diseases of the lips and
cheeks, while the hot atmosphere in which they are compelled to work
renders their frames peculiarly liable to other disorders. Instead of
using the breath from the lungs to distend the bubble of molten glass,
Messrs Appert have adopted the method of storing air under pressure for
that purpose. The results are satisfactory in every way. The workman’s
health is greatly improved, and so is the quality of his work, while
the rapidity of production is naturally much increased.
The prorogation of parliament means not only the release from work of
the members thereof, but is also a welcome relief to that class of
newspaper readers who care little for acrimonious debate. During the
recess, space is found for much interesting matter that would otherwise
be lost, and those with hobbies, useful and otherwise, have opportunity
for airing their knowledge and their grievances. For instance, we
usually find in the newspapers many interesting letters on natural
history; and the doings of particular birds, beasts, and fishes form
the subject of much curious correspondence. The old question whether
the ubiquitous sparrow is the friend or foe of the farmer has once
more been raised. The evidence on this point is very conflicting, and
leads one to assume that the sparrow is mischievous or useful according
to local circumstances. One correspondent calls to mind a curious
collection of the contents of the crops of various birds which was
shown by a Frenchman at the Great Exhibition of 1851. This exhibit
clearly showed that the bulk of the food was insectivorous, the grain
being a minimum. On the other side of the discussion, we may refer
to a paper lately read at a Farmers’ Club in Chester in which it was
alleged that sparrows’ crops had been found with an alarming amount of
wheat in them, and operations for reducing the numbers of the feathered
pilferers were advocated. Still, the evil may be counterbalanced by the
good.
It has lately been proved by direct experiment at Marseilles that the
lower animals can be inoculated with the virus of cholera obtained from
a human patient, and that death ensues with the same symptoms as are
exhibited by mankind. It is believed that this fact will offer a sure
method of diagnosing a case of true cholera, a guinea-pig or a dog
serving as a necessary victim. Another curious observation has been
made respecting this dread disease. The gastric juice and the bile
tend to act as destroyers of the microbes. These secretions are most
abundantly brought to bear during a meal, but hardly at all when liquid
nourishment alone is taken into the stomach. It would therefore appear
that there is much less risk in drinking contaminated water with food,
than if it were merely taken alone to quench the thirst.
Mr James M. Share, R.N., sends us from South Africa a description of a
leak-stopper which he has invented, and which, from its simplicity and
cheapness, should command the attention of shipowners. It is founded on
the old system of hanging a sail over a ship’s side to stop the inrush
of water when from a collision or other cause a ship’s side suffers
injury. Mr Share’s stopper consists of a strong canvas sheet rolled up
upon an iron stove-pipe. By suitable gearing, the contrivance can be
dropped overboard in any required place, when the sheet unrolls and
covers the leaky place. It will therefore be seen that the invention
aims at doing in a ready and workman-like manner that which has been
done in haphazard fashion from time immemorial. We have particular
pleasure in calling attention to this invention from the circumstance
that its contriver does not intend to patent it, but offers it freely
as a useful contribution to the means of saving life at sea.
An English firm has patented an ingenious invention for the better
control of level-crossing gates on railways. The gates will be worked
by manual labour in the signal-box. These gates, which are of light
iron instead of the old-fashioned heavy wood, are closed and opened
by means of rods and chains working on wheels connected with the back
style of the gate. These wheels are covered in with cast-iron ‘wells’
or ‘boxes,’ and part of the top of these is movable, permitting free
and easy access to the underground workings. The rods are protected by
channels of wood, iron, or brick.
The capabilities of bicycles and tricycles must be reckoned among the
wonders of the age. Lately, the distance between London and Edinburgh
was covered in three days by a tricycle rider. This feat was surpassed
a week later by another traveller, who accomplished the four hundred
miles in two days and nine hours, considerably more than half the
distance being travelled in the first twenty-four hours. A medical
writer in the _Lancet_ warns all ‘cycle’ riders to beware of large
wheels which are accompanied by small saddles. He says that unless a
good-sized seat is provided, serious evils may result.
The second trial of the new French balloon, which, on its first ascent,
is reported to have travelled several miles against the wind in a
predetermined direction, seems to have been a failure. In the meantime,
a Russian aëronaut is constructing a balloon at St Petersburg which is
shaped like a cigar, is to carry sails, and will hold a steam-engine,
a crew of sixteen men, and a huge amount of ballast. Its contriver
reckons upon a speed of one hundred and sixty miles per hour. We shall
be curious to learn how this new machine behaves itself.
The ‘Refuse Destructor’ is the name of a very useful furnace recently
invented by Mr Stafford, the borough engineer of Burnley, which has
been doing such efficient work in consuming street and other refuse by
fire that it promises to be extensively adopted in other towns. Street
sweepings, the offal from slaughter-houses and fishmongers’ shops, and
unpleasant matter of all kinds treated in this furnace are rendered not
only harmless, but are converted into a residuum which can be utilised
for mixing with mortar and for other purposes. Hence the machine can
be made almost self-supporting. The erection of the plant at Burnley
cost only one hundred pounds; but here there happened to be an idle
chimney-stalk, so that there was no need to build one for the purpose.
At Richmond, Surrey, a furnace on the same principle is in course of
erection, and this will probably form a model for other metropolitan
suburbs.
In New York, a Company—called the New York Steam Company—is supplying
light, heat, and power to a large section of the city. One building
alone has steam furnished to it by means of a six-inch pipe. With this
supply it runs its elevators and works dynamo-machines for eighteen
hundred electric lights, the surplus steam being utilised for heating
purposes. The business of the Company is steadily increasing, and it is
believed that in another year many of the leading thoroughfares in New
York will be heated and lighted by its agency.
Recent experiments by Dr B. W. Richardson have demonstrated that the
killing of animals can be accomplished without any pain whatever, and
the suggestion that all slaughter-houses should be provided with the
means of accomplishing this must be supported by all humane persons. At
first it was believed that the desired end could be gained by employing
an electric current, and certain accidents which have occurred within
the last few years in connection with electric-lighting machinery
will serve to remind us that electricity can be made a most effective
life-destroyer. But electric apparatus is too cumbrous and costly
as well as too dangerous to intrust to unskilled hands. The recent
experiments point to carbonic oxide and chloroform as being the best
agents for the purpose in view.
An electric lighthouse has recently been erected on the island of Raza,
at the entrance of the Bay of Rio Janeiro. The lighthouse stands upon
a rock two hundred and thirty feet above the sea, and the building
itself is eighty-five feet high. The light is thus three hundred
and fifteen feet above the sea. The electric current is produced by
a continuous current Gramme machine, working at the rate of seven
hundred revolutions, and feeding a light of two thousand candle-power.
The Gramme machine is worked by a stationary surface-condensing
steam-engine, this arrangement being occasioned by want of fresh water.
To provide for accidents, an oil-lamp is always kept in readiness, and
the whole of the engine fittings are very cleverly made double in case
of a breakage. The light is revolving, and has two white disks and one
red one, succeeding one another at certain intervals, and is said to be
visible at thirty-five miles.
Last month we referred to an exhibition of insects injurious to
plant-life in connection with a flower-show at Frome. It seems
that this town must now divide the honour of such an exhibit with
Portobello, in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, where two glass cases
were displayed at the local flower-show lately, containing specimens of
various insects injurious to plants and flowers. A prize was awarded to
the exhibitor who had with praiseworthy diligence collected and shown
more than fifty specimens of such insects.
In the month of August, a grilse measuring fourteen inches in length
was taken from the Scottish salmon-rearing pond at Howietoun. This and
many others in the pond were raised from the ova and milt of salmon
taken from the river Teith in December 1880. The specimen was a female,
with the ova well advanced. This, according to Mr Francis Day, solves
the question that our salmon may not only be reared in a healthy state
in suitable ponds of fresh water, but also, if properly cared for, will
breed without descending to the sea. Last year, the milt of the parrs
(young of the salmon) from this pond was successfully used for breeding
purposes.
Every invention or improvement calculated to alleviate human suffering
is deserving of our approbation, and should be widely made known.
As it is well known that smallpox and contagious fevers are often
communicated during the conveyance of patients even in properly
constructed ambulances through the streets to the fever hospitals, it
has occurred to Dr Gayton, Senior Medical Officer of the Metropolitan
Asylums Board, to substitute for the present open glass or wooden
louvre shutters adopted in these carriages, a double layer of
perforated metal, inclosing an absorbent material saturated with a
‘germicide,’ or destroyer of the minute microscopical particles which
tend to propagate disease. Fresh air is admitted through modified
and improved ‘Tobin’ ventilators of a horn-shape, with the large end
opening externally; whilst the smaller extremity is provided, inside
the van, with a disinfecting air-chamber, constructed like those
attached to the other apertures or windows. It is gratifying to know
that these improved ambulances are in use by the Metropolitan Asylums
Board in conveying patients to their different hospitals both ashore
and afloat.
Another clever invention for saving life and limb has been brought
out by Mr J. Lindley, of the Clifton and Kearsley collieries, to
prevent accidents from the breaking of the winding-rope when raising
or lowering a cage full of miners. This consists in connecting the
lower ends of the top rods to a pair of levers mounted on each side of
the cage, the other end of the levers being forked and connected to
opposite ends of a pair of links which are fastened to the ordinary
wooden or iron guide-rods. As soon as the cage is released by the
breaking of the rope, the inner arms of the levers rise and force the
links together. The inner side of the forks being provided with wedge
projections, which come in contact with similar projections on the
sides of the links, the cage remains suspended, wedged fast to the
guide-rods, instead of being hurled to the bottom, to the probable
destruction of its unfortunate occupants. This useful invention should
be at once adopted in every colliery and mine in the kingdom, for as a
‘life-saving’ apparatus it certainly admits of no doubt.
VACCINATION.
The following communication from a medical man connected with the
Smallpox Ambulance Service of London will be welcomed by all who are
interested in the subject of vaccination.
‘Having read,’ says the doctor, ‘with interest the article on
“Vaccination” in your _Journal_ of September 20, and being brought
much in contact with smallpox—about three thousand cases having passed
through my hands during the last few months—I hope you will allow me to
offer a few remarks on some of the points treated of in your _Journal_.
The question of the relative protection of calf lymph and of humanised
lymph is, as you say, not settled. One of the principal authorities of
the present time on smallpox strongly disapproves of calf lymph, and I
have been told by others connected with smallpox hospitals that they
had known smallpox develop in persons recently vaccinated with calf
lymph.
The experiments on animals with cholera _bacilli_ recently described in
the medical papers seem to show that the infecting agent, whether it be
the _bacilli_ or a _materies morbi_ transported by them, undergoes very
important changes by being “cultivated” in the system of animals of a
different species from those from which it was first taken.
With respect to the possibility of transmitting certain constitutional
diseases by vaccine lymph, I may mention that an eminent authority on
smallpox tried to inoculate himself with lymph from diseased children,
and came to the conclusion that it is possible, but so difficult, that
in practice this risk may be excluded.
With regard to the possibility of infants escaping registration, and
consequently vaccination, I have found that the number of unvaccinated
persons who come under my care is so small that we may look on the
system for securing vaccination of infants as practically nearly
perfect, so far as London is concerned.
The protection given by vaccination is not absolutely complete. Persons
exposed to smallpox in small rooms, where the doors and windows are
rarely open, and the poison is undiluted by abundance of fresh air,
contract smallpox whether vaccinated or not. The severity of the
disease in the two cases differs, however, so greatly as to establish
without doubt the value of vaccination. On the other hand, practical
immunity against smallpox is given by comparatively recent vaccination
or re-vaccination, when the patient is surrounded by plenty of fresh
air, and proper attention is given to cleanliness of the patient’s
person and clothing; and amongst the hundreds of persons employed in
the metropolitan smallpox hospitals, a case of death from smallpox,
when re-vaccination has been successfully performed, is unknown.’
NO TEARS.
‘No tears to weep!’ And wherefore not?
Say, is thy sorrow such?
And has thy heart no tender spot
That sympathy may touch?
Can no kind word unlock the springs,
And give thy tears their flow?
Are human woes such selfish things,
That none their depths may know?
‘No tears to weep!’ Nay, speak not thus,
For tears can bring relief,
And God has sent them unto us
To wash away our grief.
When earthly sorrow, pain, and care,
Our souls in sadness steep,
We pray to Him who heareth prayer,
To send us tears to weep.
Tis true the world is sometimes dark
With gloomy clouds that rise,
And trembling Hope, with waning spark,
Fades faintly out—and dies!
But when some heavenly vision fair
Steals o’er us in our sleep,
We wake with joy to feel that _there_—
There are no tears to weep.
NANNIE POWER O’DONOGHUE.
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Surname, and Address, legibly written; and should be written on
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_4th._ Offerings of Verse should invariably be accompanied by a
stamped and directed envelope.
_If the above rules are complied with, the Editor will do his best to
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