Scientific.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2262, 8 January 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

Scientific.

lodoform Poisoning.—Dr Culter, in the Boston Med. and Sur. Journal, gives seventy-seven reported cases of poisoning consequent upon the use of iodoform in the treatment of wounds. Tho general symptoms were those of poisoning by iodine, namely persistent taste and smell of the drug, impairing , appetite and digestion, headache, sleeplessness and delirium, the latter usually of a melancholy character, iu extreme rasas pulsing into absolute apathy with involuntary dejections, rapid, freble pulse and progressive manismu.". l)f Cultor arrives at the conclusion that (1) Frosh wounds, or unhealthy or tuberculous surface are the only casos fitted for the application of iodoform ; (2) Only a thin layer or small amount of iodoform shouil be applied ; (3) When granulations appear heultliy iodoform should be omitted ; and (4) At the first symptons of poisoning , , or even coinbidently with the first use of iodoform, compounde of alkalies with organic acids, such as potassium acetate, should be given by the mouth at frequent intervals. _ If severe symptoms supervene, transfusion, a solution of common salt is recommended, and the wound, after being washed free from iodoform with pure water and a solution or an alkaline carbonate, should be dusted with magnesia. A Wonderful Invention.—A now system of railway has been patented, by which (accoding to the patentee) it is possible to travel at a speed eomiderably more than double the present r.ito combine 1 with■ perfect' safety. The ..train travels within an oi oa ironwork frame. Grooved wheels with adjustable springs are fitted to the roof of each of the carriages, which wiueK running on or against rails fixed in the upper diagonal corners of the ironwork frame or passage, form a top protection—thus preventing oscillation, and rendering it impossible for tho train at whatever speed it may bo traveling to leave the metals. It is stated to be light, but strong, tho weight being considerably less than one third that of the ordinary train, which renders the cost of construction inconsiderable a« compared with the enormous cost of the present system, while a considerable saving in fuel is effected , . The engine with largo driving-wheels and the first carriages artmade of light steel or iron frames with wooden panels, and the windows and other fittings of a suitable description. The system h adaptable alike for overhead, level of underground traveling , .

Sugar Manufacture.—Sugar can be made from any description of vegetable fibre, such as sawdust, rags or tow. The process to digest for several hours iu sulphuric acid ; then to dilute the mixwith water and to boil for some time, when the rags or what not will be fouud to'hive undergone a magical change, and to have been converted into sugar. A curious fact is that 100 parts of rags, will yield 105 parts of sugar, the increase in weight being clue to the elements of water absorbed during the change. A Phenomenon in Quautz. — Some silicious pebbles which are quite numerous iu the quaternary gravels of the Long Valley, France, have been described by Meunier. These stones—about an inch and a half, in diameter—are remarkable for being hollow, and enclosing liquid, water, together frequently with a loose stony nucleus. Meunier supposes that the water must have penetrated the pebbles through their minute pores, for not a sign of a crack can be seen, even by the aid of a strong glass, Lkvd-Eating Insects.—A French architectural journal recalls an observation made by ViolleMe-Duc, that lead plates for roofing purposes are often .pierced by insects. He accuses the wasps of being the authors of the little holes that he found gnawed in lead roofs, but later observers have discovered that both worms and flies often drill through heavy plates. Twenty-five years ago, it was found that the lead bullets of cartridges that had been stored iu wooden boxes were badly gnawed, anda number of gall or saw-flies were found in the act of working upon them.

Increased Danger ok Lightning.— Dr. Andries estimates that the peril from lightning is now from three to five-fold greater than it was fifty years ago, owing to the vastly increased electrical intensity induced by the charging of the atmosphere with steam and smoke at all ceuties of population.