NEWS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXX, Issue 3883, 28 October 1899, Page 3

NEWS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.

A CLEVER OPERATION. A rare operation has just oeen performed at Grace Hospital, Now Haven, Conn., to prevent the brain of a child eight months old from ossifying. It was discovered tliat the skull of the child was not growing. In expanding, the frontal bono of the skull had lapped over the parietal bone, and a large deposit of lime matter had formed, whicn caused l the bones to stick together and refuse to expand as the child’s brain developed. The result was that the sku 1 pressed down so heavily over the motor area that it caused paralysis of the left side of the body, and would in time have caused complete paralysis of the body, as the ossification, of the skull had begun too early, before the brain had grown. Such cases are rare, and the only way to prevent such a result is by removing the part of the skull bones which, have grown together, and making room for the brain to expand. Dr Adams removed a section of the skull in the top of the head. The child stood the operation wed, and an rnprovement was noted in its condition. Dr Adams was well satisfied, and decided to cut a section out of the skull clear across the top. The operation was performed, and the child is now doing nicely.

GOOD NEWS FOR BALD MEN

A Turkish physician has been experimenting successfully on the transplanting of hairs, one by one, on bald parts of the scalp. His results seem to show that there is no impossibility in the complete renewal of a lost head of hair by this means. The physician, Dr Menahem Hodara, according to a foreign paper, tried his experiments in the case of a disease that had removed part of his patient’s hair. His plan was to scarify the bare surface, and to implant therein hairs removed from other parts of the patient’s head. The hairs used for the purpose were trimmed with scissorsv at each end, Some four weeks after emplantation, a certain number of the hairs were found to have taken root, and in no long time a-goodly new crop was produced. Encouraged by these results, Dr Hodara has since applied the method in other cases of baldness following favus, and he thinks himself justified in stating that “ clinically there can be no doubt as to this very curious fact—that small bundles of hair stems, cut with scissors, and implanted in the incisions, can take root and grow, forming in time long and visible hairs.” By microscopic examination, he has satisfied himself that after some week's a real new bulb forms at the lower end of the implanted hair. Dr Hodara’s results are interesting in themselves, and still more in the promise which they appear to offer of further results, undreamt of, or at any rate unmentioned, by the ingenious experimenter.

THE DECLINE OF REVIVALS. In: America, the very home of revivalism, it is being remarked that revivals of religion seem to be growing, unfashionable. The “Christian Commonwealth” asks “Are Revivals Obsolete?” This- is a query propounded by the New York “Observer,” which says thao the question is raised by some as'to whether the age of revivals, which are a kind of mirae'es, is not past. It is confidentally asserted by various good people that the great convulsive “ awakenings ” of former years cannot nowadays be realised, that such revival methods are as archaic as sailing frigates and smooth-bore ordnance, and that the only practical method of gathering souls into the kingdom is that of personal suasion, one by one. It does seem to be the case, in this country _ as well as in America, that the centrifugal tendencies of society are overcoming |he centripetal. Dissipation 'of energy is* one of the consequences of the pursuit both of wealth and of pleasure. Society may lapse into peril through the distractions involved by its habits. Men no longer pray that consolidating prayer of the Psalmist. “Unite my heart to fear Thy name.” The heart of humanity is now abroad over all the.earth. It is becoming increasingly difficult to gather great masses of men “with one accord, in one place.” Great awakenings are more difficult to induce than formerly. But they are as necessary to-day as ever. The churches need frequent reviving, and religion cannot dispense with the mighty power generated- in great assemblies, with their inspiration, unity, magnetism and fervour.

A GOLF STORY. , A good story, printed in the Septembei ‘ Golfer’s Magazine,” is of a golf match between the Rev Dr Sterret and Justice Harlan, of the United States Supreme Court. The doctor had his ball teed up in tempting style for a fine brassey shot. Ho naturally was elated, hut, summoning up all his resolution, he looked calmly indifferent, and with the utmost deliberation, W’ent through the preliminary “waggles,” and, with a supreme effort, missed the ball. For fully a minute be gazed at the tantalising sphere without uttering.a word. At length Justice Harlan remarked solemnly: “ Doctor, that was the most profane silence I ever listened to.” JLD AGE PENSIONS AT NORWICH. Messrs J. and J. Colman (Limited), Norwich, have given notice of an old age pension scheme, for the workpeople employed in their works at Carron. . Messrs Colman’propose to .give a pension of 8s a week at the age of 65 to each of their employees, who - will be called upon to contribute the sum of twopence a week. On this twopence the company will allow 3 per cent, interest, and the whole proceeds thereon will go to increase the pension. If the man should die or leave the service of the company before the ige of 65, the money will he returned to him. Facilities are to be given for the increase of the pension, and the creation of a savings fund, on which 3’per cent, will also be allowed.

THE DREAM CAME TRUE. A remarkable instance of a dream coming true is reported from St. Louis. A woman , named Mary Thornton has been detained in custody for a month, charged with the murder of her husband. She requested to see one of the Judges, and told him that she had dreamed that a man named George Ray murdered her husband, and at the same time gave the „udge full details of the tragedy, as seen in her vision.- Ray was not suspected, out the/Judge was so impressed with the woman’s earnestness that he caused a search to be made for him. The man was found. The Judge charged him with the murder, and recited the details

as the woman had given them. Ray was astounded and confessed. The woman was immediately released. A FISH STORY. The following story is going the rounds of the English press: —A party of visitors who were sailing in a pleasure yacht off Lee met with an extraordinary adventure. Suddenly a large fish jumped on board, and witli its tail smashed all the vessel’s gear, and broke the main boom. One gentleman received a blow in the face, which blackened his eye. The fish then thrust its nose into the cabin and remained quiet, and the party made for the shore with all speed. The unwelcome intruder proved to be a whale thrasher, about 15ft long, and weighing half a ton. It is now being exhibited in Ilfracombe. BOER HOSPITALITY. Some funny stories are told of the ignorance of the Boers in South Africa. Some years ago, Bishop Kpight Bruce, of Bloemfontein, afterwards the first Bishop of Mashonaland, was visiting the more scattered parts of his diocese. He arrived at a Dutch farm, where he was to hold a confirmation, in time forrthe midday, dinner. The good lady of the house came out to meet him, decked in a ball dress, and called him “my lord” at every possible opportunity. At last she even surpassed herself, and addressed him as “my lord God.” This was too much for the poor Bishop, who hastily exclaimed: “My dear, good woman, please call me plain Air Bruce.” “Certainly, plain Air Bruce!” was the immediate reply. On another occasion the Bishop was benight•ed, and obliged to seek shelter at a Boer farm. He was hospitably invited in, and was shown into a bedroom containing a large bed, in which he was quickly asleep. Soon, however, liis slumbers were disturbed by the farmer and his wife and family, who, one by one, lay down beside him, and all round him. When daylight came, the farmer arose and left his wife —and family—peacefully sleeping by the bishop’s side!