Scientific.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2233, 30 October 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

Scientific.

The Braohioxnjral'H. — This instrument is a patented invention designed with ti view to render the art of writing possible iv t lie absence or uselessness of the hand. It can be thus adopted in cases of writer's cramp, certain oases of paralysis of the digits, and in los-. of the distal extremity of the upper limb. The instrument is of sufficiently construction. It consists of a long white strip of iron, cur\ed so as to be easily adapted to the ulnar border of the torearm. This splint is u into a cising of fanpplo leather material, which is also shaped so as to form a Rind of gauntlet or sleeve to the foreaim. The gauntlet id fastened to the forearm by an ingenious arrangement of a sciew, hooks, and studs, allowing of a very adjustable degree of pressure. The bar or splint carries at the distal end a mechanism with a universal joint, by means of which a pen may be held in any dc-ired position. With this instrument the act of writing is performed by the muscles of the arm and shoulder, whilst those of the digits and thumb are thrown completely out of use. It is very easy to acquire the necessary dexterity for legible " handwriting. '" The invention is the work of Mr. \V. Macjrill, of the Academy, Fraserbnigh, N. B. — Public Opinion. An Important Discovkry. — Dr. Cress well Hewitt, of Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, has discovered the synthetical or attifiui.il mode of making quinine, by which the price of that drug will be reduced to something like (J cents per ounce. The importance of this discovery (which was made through the accidental breaking of a medicine bottle) is rendered greater by the fact that whilehitherto we have been depending for our quinine on the cultivation of the cinchona tree, from whose bark only about 2 per cent, of good quiuine can" be extracted, OS per cent, being valueless, the drug can now be manufactured without limit by a very simple process from an article which can always be got in abundance in any part of the world. The discoverer is about to communicate with the British Government, which annuilly spends in India alone about $}OQ,OOO in tho cultivation of the cinchona tree. — Oveiland Mail. Action ok Brackish Watkr ox Metai.s. — Mr. Thomas Andrews has carried out a long series of tests on pieces of iron and steel submerged at the mouth of nvers, where the fresh water began to mix wiih the salt water ot the ocean. The tests have proved that under these circumstances the convsion is from 15 to «50 per cent, greater than when the artielp is submerged in pure ocean water. This increased action is attributed by Mr. Andrews to a galvanic action that is brought into play by the difference of potential caused by the mi\ture of the waters. — EnqineerinEand Mining .TouFml. Flkccricity and Root Growing.— An ancient but interesting experiment showing the influence of electricity on the growth of roots has recently been repeated in Germany by l'tofes>or Hbldcfloiss. Plates of copper were thrust upright into the earth, and connected by wiles with similarly placed zinc plates about 103 feet distant — in electiic lutttry being thus formed, with the c irth between the copper and zinc in the circuit. It is stated .that potatoes and beots planted between such plates give an mc.e ased yield — beets 13 per cent., potatoes 23 py cent.— as compircd with other parts of the same lield. Ueooorizut} Sewkr i;\v, bv. Er,KCtricity. — Mr. Hartley Fewson In? iccent'.y devised a process for '* the withdrawal and destruction ot sewer-gas by electrolysis. " The invention seems to be of a piaeticil character if we in ly judge by the encomiums pastel upon itl>yse\eral sanitary inspectors, medical ollicei'3 of health and others. Sfci.vn uv Kll trolysis. — It is stated that at Lyons a ptocess had been introduced by whifih both glucose and Siucio^i; can be separated by electrolysis. It is alto 8-iid that the process is sufficiently economical to render it available for the extraction of sugar fi om potatoes as well as from beetroot.

The Assurua gold mineu, in tho dntrict of Chique-Chique, Ijahia, are asserted to bo fabulously rich by two experts who havo examined them carefully. They calculate the value of three distinct mines in that region at 307,241,000 mil". The newest thinsrs in tho way of op^r.i cloaks are very snuir and pretty. Of plush, lined and quilted throutruut, they resmeble a luo^e j icket with wide sleeves, and fasten closely down the front aom neck to waibt. 'The Romanco of a Mummy,' which was written by the lito The>philo daiitier deals with the E^yo 1 ; of that Pharaoh 'which knew not Joseph,' and, (s'lys an exelvinge) is exceptionally interesting. It has just bpeu tianslated into English, arid a copy has been accepted by the Q u'cn. If 'The Kominee of a Mummy ' i.s not a good de.il better than 1 Sahnammbo, ' we shall begin to look upon miieh-p ff ■ d ti animations of French novels with suspicion. Privatk letters fiom Madrid state that Spanish society his b«>cn thrown into excitement by thr> sudden r \ilc of one of the handsomest and mo-t dashing officeis of th<* Queen's (luatd->. The officer was continually on duty ip and about the Royal palace. He fell violently in love with his Sovereign, and, nuking no concealment of his passion, rcve.iled it in various wa) s. One day he made his way to tne Queen's boudoir, and, throwing himself at her Majesty's feet, poured forth his tale of passion. But, alas for his devotion, the Qucmi banished him from her presence, and hinted to her Ministers that his absence would contribute to her repose of mind. The Minister for War intvnened. He signed an onW ne\'t da}', ordering the removal of the cavalry regiment to which the officer is attached to a town remote from tin- capital. The gentleman belongs to a powet ful aristocratic family. Neverthelcso, he is likely to have a warm time in the legiment, which, in consirjueneo of hh escapade, has been oulercd into \ irtual exile. BVTIHN'C T\~ W VRM M VT(«'T{. — The S mil iry YVoild considers clo.mlino-s not only essential to good health, biit riKo a ipark of good breeding. The w.iikman by the eHnjring of dust to his pel -piling p'>Mon, becomes a fit subject for the bath-tub, very frequently ; too frequent bathing, however, is weakening. It may not bo advisable 111 1 take a b'lth raorninuf and e\eiiing, as sumo modicil jonin:ils advi-e ; but there .should be a {rood washing fffqr.futly enough to keep tho pcr»on clean. Warm baths will often prevent Ihe mo^t viiulont di»-easc^. A person who may bo in fear of havinuf received iuffotion of any kind should take a waim bath, suffer perspiration to ensue, i.iul then rub dry. He is ad/i-ed to die-s warmly to guard against tikin^ cold If the system has in hi bed any infectious matter, it will be removed jby resorting to the warm bath, if tho latter b) taken before the infection h;n hadtimo tosptead over the system ; and even if some time has elapsed, tho drenching perspiration that may bo induced by hot water will be very certain to rcraovo it. Iv ca&^a of congestion, bilious colic, inflammation, &c, there is no remedy more certain to relieve than a hot bath. In cases of obstinate constipation also wonderful cures have been wrought. F>r sore throat, diphtheria, and inHa >'uiat' n o the lun«.'fl a hot compress is ono of tho potent remedies.