SCIENTIFIC AND USEFUL

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 24, 17 June 1893, Page 560

SCIENTIFIC AND USEFUL

new material for belting. In the way of belting, leather is not going to have everything its way as formerly. The substitution of camel’s hair, cotton, paint, and chemicals for leather in machinery belting is said to be meeting with some success in America. It was first invented in England, and it is claimed for the new material that it is stronger than other belting, more durable, more efficient, and as low priced. NEVER NEGLECT A COLD.

The discussion of the treatment of bronchitis begins with a warning—never neglect a cold. Lay this maxim to heart, for a cold is the common ground whence many much more serious diseases start off. If a day in the house will cure it, take that day off; if a week is needed, better by far lose wages than injure your health, which is the prime condition fir wage-making. Clothe warmly and clothe in wool next the skin. I hear with astonishment (says Dr A. Wilson) of many f rolish people in a climate like ours neglecting to wear woollen underclothing. They should know there is no safety possible for them in the matter of rheumatism and lung troubles, save by clothing warmly and efficiently. Women are often most neglectful in this essential proceeding, and therefore, 1 say especially to them (as the nominal and in the best sense real * heads ’ of houses) * see that you and yours are warmly clad in woo).* This precaution will save many a miserable day and many a doctor’s bill. SUGAR FROM COTTON SEED. The cotton plant, which has for so many centuries furnished a large part of the population of the globe with clothing, seems to be almost without limit in its nsefulness, remarks an American scientific authority. From the seed a valuable oil is expressed, while the husks form an article of food for cattle in the shape of cakes. From the lint which clings to the seed after it is passed through the gin felt is made, while the oil extracted from the seed is applied to quite a large number of purposes. But, according to the British consul, Mr Portal, of Zanzibar, cotton seed is also capable of yielding sugar. A process has been discovered for extracting sugar from cotton seed meal, and though the details of the process have not been disclosed it is said that the product obtained is of a very superior kind, being 15 times sweeter than cane sugar, and 20 times more so than sugar made from the beet. This indicates that sweetness is not due to cane sugar, but to some other chemical. MUSIC AND PHYSIOLOGY. The physiological effects of music have been studied by Dogiel, a Russian, and, as the result of numerous experiments, be concludes that (of Music exhilrts an influence on the circulation of the blood ; (2) the blood pressure sometimes rises, sometimes fails; (3) the action of musical tones and pipes on animals and men expresses itself for the most pait by increased frequency of the beats of the heart; (4) the variations in the circulation consequent upon musical sounds coincide with changes in the breaching, though they may also be observed quite independently of it; (5. 6 and 7) the variations in the blood pressure are dependent on the pitch and loudness of the sound and on the tone colour ; (8) in the variations of the blood pressure, the peculiarities of the individuals, whether men or lower animals, are plainlv apparent; and even nationality in the case of man has some effect.

USES OF GLYCERINE. Glycerine is one of those substances that always seem to be lending themselves to new and unsuspected applications. It is found that the freezing of water in the pipes of hydraulic machinery—a very serious source of trouble in the winter months—is entirely pievented by the simple expedient of mixing a small percentage of glycerine with the water in the pumps. This precaution is now taken in the operation of the hydraulic jacks on all the ships of the English navy. Glycerine appears to be just as useful in maintaining the efficiency of the human machinery, for it is recommended as a sure cure for indigestion. A small teaspoonful should be mixed in half a wineglassful of water ami taken with or immediately after each meal until the trouble is past, which in an ordinary case, will be in two or three days’ time, and in an obstinate one probably from ten to fifteen days. The treatment will have to be renewed if the indigestion manifests itself again.