SCIENCE SIFTINGS

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XLV, Issue 36, 5 September 1918, Page 46

SCIENCE SIFTINGS

By “Volt.”

■ The Best Light for Reading. It is very injurious to the eyes to read in the strong glare of the sun or the intense glare of powerful unshaded lights of any kind. The best light to read by, take it all in all, is the paraffin light from a lamp with a circular burner ; it gives the Headiest, softest, yet brightest flame. Electricity gives too piercing and intense a light to be used without modification, and the flame of gas usually flickers tinless steadied by some of the modern contrivances available on some burners.

Calibre of a Gun.

Confusion as to the meaning of the term calibre arises chiefly from its use as an adjective to indicate length, as when we say “a 50 calibre six-inch gun.” The word calibre as applied to artillery signifies the diameter of the bore of a gun measured diametrically from face to face of the bore. A gun, then of six-inch calibre is a gun whose bore is just six. inches. For convenience, and because the power* of a gun when once its bore has been decided upon depends so greatly upon its length, artillerists are in the habit of defining the length of the gun in terms of the calibre. Thus the 12-inch United States naval gun, which is 40 feet in length, is spoken of as a 40 calibre 12-inch, the length being just 40 times the bore. The six-inch rapid-fire gun is a trifle under 25 feet in length, and is therefore known as a 50 calibre gun. In the case of small arms the calibre is expressed in hundredths of an inch, as when we say a 22 calibre revolver we mean one with a bore that has a diameter of 22 one-hun-dredths of an inch.

Milk to Relieve Fatigue.

The Pasteur Institute of Paris has made the declaration that -one of the most powerful stimulants known is milk. It has been is use for months now as the on© stimulant for the French soldiers in the trenches, and its effect on them has amply justified the statement made by the famous institute in regard to it. Milk has been used liberally to stimulate the French soldiers before they go into battle, and its effects have been such that the French Government has urged the sale of milk in preference to other soft drinks behind the trenches when the soldiers go off duty for their spells of rest and recreation. That the qualities of stimulation should be demonstrated on the fighting men should commend the beverage to those engaged in the pursuits of peace in those parts of the world where Mars does not now rule. While alcohol may fire the brain and dull the sensibilities, and thus impart a false courage milk, according to the learned scientists of the Pasteur Institute, performs the work of keying up the individual without affecting the keenness of his senses nor the coolness of his judgment. This is necessary to the mode of warfare which this war has exemplified, ■ but it is no less necessary to the man working in the office, in the studio, in the mill, on the farm, or elsewhere, in the battle for a living.