DEADLY TOXIN

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 December 1929, Page 4

DEADLY TOXIN

TO MAKE ARMS USELESS. A toxin that could be employed to slay men by the million was mentioned by Professor Leonard Hill, in his presidential address to the Sanitary Inspectors’ Association at Lowestoft, England, recently, says “The Evening News.” “I would call your attention,” he said, “to a certain bacillus which shall be nameless, but is easily cultivated. “If men are as susceptible as guinea pigs are to the toxin produced by this bacillus—and there is reason to think they are—it would appear that one gramme, say a salt-spoonful of the dry toxin would suffice to kill a million. “The toxin acts if inhaled or if it falls on the eye as a powder. “If men set out to prepare such a toxin and scatter it by airplanes, what would be the use of the panoply of war ?” In another part of his address Professor Hill gave Some hints on health, and advised men to wear lighter clothes. “Women have reduced their clothing to a weight of two or three pounds, while, man continues to over-clothe himself with three or four times this weight,” he said. “The reform most needed at the moment is the open neck. Let us get rid of the tight collar. “The loose trouser is convenient and comfortable for this climate, and underclothing can and should be lightened.” ‘ ' On the question of drink, Professor Hill said:— Phe cocktail habit is not a good one. It has been proved conclusively by. exact research that alcohol in doses above small ones diminishes skill and lessens efficiency. is thought to exhilarate, it really lessens control and so loosens th® tongue. For motor-drivers and airpilots, alcohol is, therefore, dangerous and l thos efU V° r after ’ diniler speakers n^o th ?- Se ? vho want to be slightly anaesthetised and forget troubles.