Science.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 389, 22 October 1903, Page 7

Science.

FORMALIN FOR BLOOD POISONING ffiVKHE widely heralded discovery of a?4(\i ' as a cure for blood Q£& poisoning is now deolared by New York phyßiciauß to be a failure, states a message to the «San Francisco Bulletin.' Tests which they have made are said to have shown that formalin is "only a temporary check to the growth of the germs, and in the long run proves an injury to the patient. Rabbits infected with blood poison germs and subjected to formalin treatment died several hours sooner than rabbits similarly infected and not placed under the treatment. Dr. George F. ghrady says he regards the results of the teata conducted by the bacteriological expert of the Health department as confirming his view and that of many others of the profession that the formalin treatment waa a failure. 'lt has gone the way of many other suddenly heralded cures,' said Dr. Shrady. When it was first announced it struck the medical profession with wonder that such a simple remedy Bhould have bo long been overlooked. That had much to do with tho scepticism with which it was regarded.' INVALIDS SHOULD EXERCISE. Many of the ailments for which physicians prescribe bismuth and a variety of other aids to digestion, would be entirely relieved by exercise as much as possible in the open air. Even, a frail persoa, one who has fairly reached the age of decrepitude, should be encouraged to use the wheel chair, receive massage and be taken out of the bed every day for a while. The day should be varied as much as possible for it to rest naturally during the long periods of rest which the disease, whether acute orchronie, necessitates. There .are certain diseases which are called fatigue diseases—tremor, writer's cramp, and local spasm. These are all caused by the excessive use of special muscles, and no one so afflicted should fail to stop for a certain time each day as long a time as can be spared, and let the part have the repose which it demands. This suggestion is specially meant for teachers and operators on the typewriter, and clerks—rßen and women—who upend long days at the desk working over figures.

THE DEPTHS OF GLACIERS, I Ever since Professor Tyndall first discovered the movements of glaciers, attempts have been made by scientists to ascertain the exact depths of these natural phenomena by boring. Their efforts, however, have not been attended with conspicuous success, owing to mechanical difficulties which have, been encountered. Bat Professors Blumcke and Hess, from Bavaria, who are well known for their studies of glaciers, have succeeded in boring through the Hintereis glacier in the Otzhal Alps, and found the ice to be about fifty feet deep. The machine used for boring waa driven by hand, and somewhat resembled that usually employed for experimental boring in mines, but was fitted with, special arrangements for washing ont fragments of ice from the bore hole to prevent their freezing together again. The expenses of the investigation, which is of incalculable benefit to science, was defrayed by the German and Austrian Alpine Clubs.

POWDER OR NO POWDER. Many persons aver that powder is ruinous to the complexion. You will occasionally meet old ladies with skins of baby texture and fairness, who will tell you that they have used powder all their lives. But their powder was the simplest preparation, just a little magnesia and zinc, perfumed with orris. If the skin needs extra care, a quarter of a lemon squeezed in a little milk, will be found very beneficial. The face should be bathed ,in it morning and evening. If possible, the powderjshould only be used at night. It is a good plan, after washing. the face with soap, to use the curd of lemon and milk, letting it dry on the skin. Steaming is a good cure for a bad complexion, but after steaming process, the lace should be thoroughly massaged with cold cream. The cream can ba removed by applying rose-water and wiping with a soft towel.' '■'■;'■