Volume 24 (1872) (424 pages)

January 6, 1872.] SCIENTIFIC PRESS. 7 Userut INpoRmaTion. The Gloss on Silk. The method of giving an artificial gloss to the woven pieces of silk was invented in 1663. ‘The discovery of the method was purely accidental. Octavia Mey, a merchant of Lyons, being one day deep in meditation, mechanically puta small bunch of silk threads into his mouth and began to chew them. Ou taking them ont again in his hand he was strack by the peculiar Instre they had acquired, and was not a little: astonished to find that this Instre continued to adhere to the threads even after they had become dry. He at once saw that in this fact there was a secret worth unravelling, and being a man of ingenuity, he applied himself to the study of the question. The result of his experiments was the “‘ glossing method.” The manner of imparting the artificial gloss hes, like all other details of the weaying art, undergoue certain changes in the course of years. At present, itis done in this wise: Two rollers revolving on their axes are set up a few feet from the ground, and at about teu yards, in a straight line, from e.ch other. Round the first of these rollers is wonud the piece of silk, of 20, 40, or 100 yards in length, as the case may be. Ten yards of the silk are then unwonnd, and fixed by means of a brass’ rod in a groove on the second roller, care heing taken to stretch the silk between the two cylinders as tightly as possible. A workman with a thin blade of metal in his hand, daiutily covers the uppermust side of the silk (that which will form. the inside of the piece) with 2 coating of gum, On the floor under the outstretched silk is a small tramway, upou which runs a sort of teuder filled with glowing coels. As fast as one man covere the silk with gum, another works the teuder up and down, so es to dry tho mncilege before it has had time to permeate the texture. This is a very delicate operation; for if, onthe one hend, the gum is allowed to run through the silk, or if, on the other, the coals are kept too long under one place, the piece is spoiled. In the first instance, it would be stained beyond all power of cleaning, and in the second, it would be hnrned. None but trusty workmen are confided with this task; and even with the most proved hands there ie eometimes damage. When ten yards of the piece heve been gummed and dried, they ere rolled around the second cylinder and ten more are unwound, This is repeated to the end. Bu: the silk, with its coating of dry gum, is then stiff to the touch and crackles liko cream-laid note-paper when folded. To make it soft and pliant again, it is rolled anew, some six or soven times, nnder two differeut cylinders, one of which has been warmed by the introduction of hot coals inside, and this is sufficient to give it that bright new look which we all so much admire in fresh silk. Spipers’ Sink.—Speaking of the silk produced by a certain epecies of spider, Dr. Wilder saye: ‘‘If you can picture to yourself a mass of pure yellow gold, which not only reflects the light as from asmooth and polished surface, but which has all the depth and softuess of liquid amber, you may realize in some degree the wonderful appearance of a sheet of spider’s silk as eeen in the sunshine; and even in the shade its lustre is greater than that of gold. But to compare the silk to gold is to tell only one-half the story; for the same spider yiolds eilver as well, so that you may draw from its body a thread of silver, or both threads together; their union giving silk of a light yellow color,” A Catyese Winp-Barrow.—One of the etrangest sights in China is their wind wheel barrow; it is drawn by a donkey, and when the wind is fair a sail is set. The wheel turns in the middle of a wooden frame, sustained hy iron bars. Upon the frame are hung all kinds of utensils. The donkey is generally mounted by the paterfamilas, the son and heir is at the stern assisting all he can, while the mother and younger ones ride on the vehicle. Tue Brarn.—It is eaid that the brain of an idiot containe about one por cent. of phosphoric m atter, that of persons of sound intellect, 2% per cent., while that of the maniac contains 314 per cent. If this be so, it would seem that in a manjac the brain appropriates an unduo proportion of phosphoric matter from the rest of the system, whereby its functions are materially impaired. Scientific Amusement, The Pall Mall Gazette convoys to its readers two dolightfnl little experiments in vivisection. We reproduce thom, as teuding to afford both amusement aud ocoupatiou for leisnro moments; No. 1.—Insert iu the back of a rat the end of its own tail, having first pared it raw with a bistenry; it will heal and take root, As soon as the graft is complete, amputate the tail about one third of an inch from the old root. The rat’s tail will thenceforward grow the reverse way and out of tho back. During the first three months the rat will evince very feehle signs of feeling whon the tail is pinched. At the end of six or nine months, tho sensitiveness of the part will have mnch inereused, but the animel will uot yet be able to guess where itis pinched. After a year, he will, however, be completely up to the trick, aud will turn to bite the piuchers. No. 2.—If you amputat® the paw of 2 young rat, partially skin it, and introduce it through the ekin of another rat'e side, it will engraft, take nutriment, grow and acquiro all the ordinary parts of its strueture, as if it had remained with its former proprietor. The latter experiment is decidedly ingenious, reflecting greet credit on the inventor for his originality. Possibly, the rats may object. ANCIENT AND Moprern Worrers 1x Woon.—Under this caption the “ Bulletin of the National Association of Woolen Manufactures” for April, copies the letter of our correspondent, Mrs. B., of Minneiska, Minnesota (telling how she worked up with a knitting machine some 250 pounds of wool, and pronounced it not only ‘‘a recreation,” but profitable withal), with the following handsome preface: We have often vainly sought fora worthy parallel for the ancient Romen matron whose tomb in the Eternal City bears the epiteph commemorative of her domestic virtues; which were to ‘stay at home,” and ‘* work up wool.” » Domum mansit, Lanam fecit. We find the parallel at last in the Minnesota ledy, who penned the following artiele for the Western Rural. But if there is a parallel, there is a contrast. Who,—that compares the Roman woman peinfully toiling with her distaff all day fora feeble product, with the American matron, by aid of modern invention,running off in mere sport her 1,500 stitches a minute, and turning out at odd moments a product which meets most of her family expenses, — can say that the material science of modern timee has done nothing for domestic happiness. Dust Everywurrr.—There is dust on the sea, on land, in the valley and on the mountain-top; there is dust always and everywhere; the atmosphere is full of it; it penetrates the noisome dungeon, and visits the deepest, darkest caves of the earth, no palace door can ehut it out, no drawer 30 secret as to escape its presence; every breath of wind dashes it upon the open eye, and yet that eye is not blinded, because there is a fountain of ‘the blandest fluid in nature incessantly emptying itself under the eyelid, which spreads it over the surface of the ball at every winking, and washes every atom of dust away. But this liquid, so well adapted to the eye iteelf, has some acidity, which, under certain circumstances, becomes 60 decided as to be sealding to the skin, and would rot away the eyelide were it not that all along the edges of them there are little oil manufactories, which spread over their surface a coaling as impervious to the liquids necessary for keeping the eyeballs washed clean as the best varnish is impervious to water. Gozp Prn Points.—Gold pens are dipped with iridium, making what are commouly known as ‘“ diamond points.” The iridium for this purpose is found in small grains in platinum, slightly alloyed with the latter metal. In this form it ie exceedingly hard, and well adapted to the purpose of the gold pen maker. ‘The gold for pens is alloyed with silver to about sixteen carats fineness, rolled into thin strips, from which the blanks are struck. The under side of the point is notched by a! small circular eaw, to receive the iridium . point which is selected by the aid of amicro. scope. A flux of borax and a blow-pipe eecures it to its place, and the point is then ground on a copper wheel with emery. Goon Hearty. SALIVATION. [Written for the Prisss.] Selivation is literally an unnatural flow of saliva or spittle. As the seliva is secreted by the parotid, submaxillary and sublingual glands, salivation is the result of unusual irritatiou of those glands, caused by the presence of some poisonous suhstance iutroduced into the system, It is the first symptom of the action of the peenliar poison; but unfortunately not the only one, aud is only the introdnetion to more serious consequences as will be ehown hereafter. Several drngs are capable of producing ealivation; yet it is my purpose to speak of but one in this article, which stands preemineutly in the front rank. ; Mercury Has heen used as a medicine since the 15th century, and owing to its uniform and certain effects upon the glandular system, it has Leen called the “great alterative.” Its action, however, is not confined to the glandular eystem, for all the tissues, even the boues are affected, aud in time destroyed by it. The condition produced by mercuriel poisoning is technically call hydvargyrosis. How it is Introduced. To produce its effects upon the orgenism, it is not, hy any means, necessary to pass it into the stomach, for the skin and mucons membranes are cepeble of absorbing it, end often do so, sufficiently to produce its most violent and destructive constitutional effects. By experience this fect is too well known by those whose husiness requires them to handle it frequently or almost constantly—miners for exemple. Heat will evaporate it rapidly; but like water it will evaporate at a low fem perature, even when undisturhed. Place 2 quantity of it in an open vessel in a house, and it will veporize sufficiently to salivate the inmates of the house. Amelgam left exposed to the ection of the atmosphere and moderate warmth, will do the same thing, only in a lese degree. Agitetion favors ite eveporation, ae is well known by those who work around quartz mills. Inhaling the fumes which sometimes are carelessly allowed to escape from a retort, and working with the hands in contect with the metal are the quickest and most common ways in which the poison is introduced into the system, by accident, Its Effects. The first noticeable effect of mercury is upon the salivary glands (salivation); then followe soreness and ulceration of the gums and inside of the mouth. If this is extreme, the teeth loosen and fell out, or else decay rapidly. It then attacks the throat, producing fearful ulceration, and sometimes mortification and destruction of the soft parts. Accompanying these conditions there is a very offensive odor of the breath. Its deetructive effecte frequently extend to the stomach and bowels, producing inflammation and ulceration, with, sometimes, fearful hemorrhage (bleeding). : Its effect upon the blood ie to decompose it, make it thin and dark-colored, and in a great measure deprive it of the power £0 coagulate when exposed to the air. Hemorrhages may occur from the nose, the throat, the lungs, or the etomach or bowels; or the blood may ooze out of the blood vessels into the cellular tissues in spots under the skin. Its effects upon the bone are, first, periostitis, or inflammation of the covering membranes; and secondly, caries, literally, rottenness of the bonos. Its effects upon the skin are to produce perspiration, and also to produce eruptions and ulcerations. With the lax and eoft condition of the skin and constant perspiration, there is great liability to take cold; while, at the same time, all mercurial affectione are greatly aggravated by taking cold. Mercury also produces ozexa, ulceration of the nose; iritis, inflammation of the iris of the eye; neuralgia (nerve pain); rheumatism, gout; falling off of the hair, trembling of the limbs, and even paralysis, It produces swelling and induration of the liver, testicles, mesenteric, parotid, cervical, axillary and inguinal glands. The above are only a part of the poisonoue effects of mercury; but enough has been enumerated to show clearly its terribly destructive tendency, and its positively destructive effects whenever introduced into the organism by whatever means soever, Shun the Danger. The terrihly destructive effects of mercary upon the body,%as already shown, have had the effect to lessen its use very materially as a medicine, and as a knowledge of the ection of medicines increases, it ie believed that the time is not distant when it will be looked upon as a criminal act for aphysician to salivate his patients, ever so littie. My words of warning, however, are addressed particularly to miners, mill-men, and all others who use mercury largely in their husiness. If the adage, ‘An ounce of Prevention Is better than a pound of cure,” ever had any force in eny case, itdoes most emphatically in this; for it ie a hundred fold easier to keep it out of the system, then to get it out after it has found a lodgment there. To accomplish this the following precautions cannot be too closely observed. Ist. Neither mercury noramalgam should be kept in the honse, and especially in the sleeping apartments, without being bottled and closely corked. 2d .Persons working at quartz-mille, or those employed in retorting or hendling mercury in any way, where fumes from the mercury are liable to arise, should avoid them by keeping on the windward side as much as possible. 3d. Clothing, worn through the day, should never be worn at night, nor shonld it be allowed to remain in the sleeping apartment at night, 4th. The strictest cleanliness should he observed. A thorough bath once a week, at least, is almost indispensable. The clothing worn at work should also be thoroughly cleansed at least once 1 week. It should also be hung out and exposed to the ection of the wind and reys of the sun quite frequently. By eo doing the perticles of mercury which heve found lodgment there, will be liberated and driven off. 5th. The mereury should never be allowed to come in contact with the hends or any other pert of the body, for wherever it does, some of it ie almost sure to be absorbed. . 6th. Fumes of mercury should never be allowed to escape from the retort, but should be condensed with particular cere. Cure. Unfortunately in hydrargyrosie as in almost all other affections, no single remedy can he relied upon asa specific in all cases; but it has to be treeted as the condition indicates. I will, however, ennmerate some of the most importart remedies for that purpose: For violent bone pains, ulcere of the mucous membrane, and congestive symptoms, nitric acid. For periostitis, phosphoric aeid. For caries and necrasis, asafetida and phosphorus. For ozena, aurum muriatieum. For mercurial rheumatism and gout, glandular enlargemen's, cutaneous eruptions, tubercles and ulcere, indurations of the liver, parotid, cervical, axillary and inguinal glands, iodine and iodide of potassium. For ptyalism, chlorate of potassa, and creosote, Other most excellent remedies, frequently used in the treatment of hydrargyrosie are sarsaparilla, conium, sulphuret of lime, eulphur, sulphate of zino, galvanic electricity and cinchena; but it would be impossible to give their special indicacations in an article of this kind, as the affections arising from the eame are so varied, and so often associated and complicated with the scrofulous, syphilitic and sycotic dyscrasias, My advice to all is, first, avoid by all means the absorption of the poison; second, if the poison has already been absorbed get rid of it as soon ae possible. E. J. Fraser, M. D. No. 102 Stockton street. Exrremz Onp Acz.—A farmer lately died in East Prussia who is said to have attained his 130th year. Down to the time of hie death he was in the enjoyment of the best possible health. He was six feet one inch in hight and served as bodyguard under Frederick the Great. His son, who livee on his father’s property, is109 years old. He takes long walks every day, can read without spectacles, and is an excellent companion. The nephew of the old man is employed on the East Prussian Railway, and, though he is 72 years of age, he is able punctually to perform his duties,

January 6, 1872.] SCIENTIFIC PRESS. 7 Userut INpoRmaTion. The Gloss on Silk. The method of giving an artificial gloss to the woven pieces of silk was invented in 1663. ‘The discovery of the method was purely accidental. Octavia Mey, a merchant of Lyons, being one day deep in meditation, mechanically puta small bunch of silk threads into his mouth and began to chew them. Ou taking them ont again in his hand he was strack by the peculiar Instre they had acquired, and was not a little: astonished to find that this Instre continued to adhere to the threads even after they had become dry. He at once saw that in this fact there was a secret worth unravelling, and being a man of ingenuity, he applied himself to the study of the question. The result of his experiments was the “‘ glossing method.” The manner of imparting the artificial gloss hes, like all other details of the weaying art, undergoue certain changes in the course of years. At present, itis done in this wise: Two rollers revolving on their axes are set up a few feet from the ground, and at about teu yards, in a straight line, from e.ch other. Round the first of these rollers is wonud the piece of silk, of 20, 40, or 100 yards in length, as the case may be. Ten yards of the silk are then unwonnd, and fixed by means of a brass’ rod in a groove on the second roller, care heing taken to stretch the silk between the two cylinders as tightly as possible. A workman with a thin blade of metal in his hand, daiutily covers the uppermust side of the silk (that which will form. the inside of the piece) with 2 coating of gum, On the floor under the outstretched silk is a small tramway, upou which runs a sort of teuder filled with glowing coels. As fast as one man covere the silk with gum, another works the teuder up and down, so es to dry tho mncilege before it has had time to permeate the texture. This is a very delicate operation; for if, onthe one hend, the gum is allowed to run through the silk, or if, on the other, the coals are kept too long under one place, the piece is spoiled. In the first instance, it would be stained beyond all power of cleaning, and in the second, it would be hnrned. None but trusty workmen are confided with this task; and even with the most proved hands there ie eometimes damage. When ten yards of the piece heve been gummed and dried, they ere rolled around the second cylinder and ten more are unwound, This is repeated to the end. Bu: the silk, with its coating of dry gum, is then stiff to the touch and crackles liko cream-laid note-paper when folded. To make it soft and pliant again, it is rolled anew, some six or soven times, nnder two differeut cylinders, one of which has been warmed by the introduction of hot coals inside, and this is sufficient to give it that bright new look which we all so much admire in fresh silk. Spipers’ Sink.—Speaking of the silk produced by a certain epecies of spider, Dr. Wilder saye: ‘‘If you can picture to yourself a mass of pure yellow gold, which not only reflects the light as from asmooth and polished surface, but which has all the depth and softuess of liquid amber, you may realize in some degree the wonderful appearance of a sheet of spider’s silk as eeen in the sunshine; and even in the shade its lustre is greater than that of gold. But to compare the silk to gold is to tell only one-half the story; for the same spider yiolds eilver as well, so that you may draw from its body a thread of silver, or both threads together; their union giving silk of a light yellow color,” A Catyese Winp-Barrow.—One of the etrangest sights in China is their wind wheel barrow; it is drawn by a donkey, and when the wind is fair a sail is set. The wheel turns in the middle of a wooden frame, sustained hy iron bars. Upon the frame are hung all kinds of utensils. The donkey is generally mounted by the paterfamilas, the son and heir is at the stern assisting all he can, while the mother and younger ones ride on the vehicle. Tue Brarn.—It is eaid that the brain of an idiot containe about one por cent. of phosphoric m atter, that of persons of sound intellect, 2% per cent., while that of the maniac contains 314 per cent. If this be so, it would seem that in a manjac the brain appropriates an unduo proportion of phosphoric matter from the rest of the system, whereby its functions are materially impaired. Scientific Amusement, The Pall Mall Gazette convoys to its readers two dolightfnl little experiments in vivisection. We reproduce thom, as teuding to afford both amusement aud ocoupatiou for leisnro moments; No. 1.—Insert iu the back of a rat the end of its own tail, having first pared it raw with a bistenry; it will heal and take root, As soon as the graft is complete, amputate the tail about one third of an inch from the old root. The rat’s tail will thenceforward grow the reverse way and out of tho back. During the first three months the rat will evince very feehle signs of feeling whon the tail is pinched. At the end of six or nine months, tho sensitiveness of the part will have mnch inereused, but the animel will uot yet be able to guess where itis pinched. After a year, he will, however, be completely up to the trick, aud will turn to bite the piuchers. No. 2.—If you amputat® the paw of 2 young rat, partially skin it, and introduce it through the ekin of another rat'e side, it will engraft, take nutriment, grow and acquiro all the ordinary parts of its strueture, as if it had remained with its former proprietor. The latter experiment is decidedly ingenious, reflecting greet credit on the inventor for his originality. Possibly, the rats may object. ANCIENT AND Moprern Worrers 1x Woon.—Under this caption the “ Bulletin of the National Association of Woolen Manufactures” for April, copies the letter of our correspondent, Mrs. B., of Minneiska, Minnesota (telling how she worked up with a knitting machine some 250 pounds of wool, and pronounced it not only ‘‘a recreation,” but profitable withal), with the following handsome preface: We have often vainly sought fora worthy parallel for the ancient Romen matron whose tomb in the Eternal City bears the epiteph commemorative of her domestic virtues; which were to ‘stay at home,” and ‘* work up wool.” » Domum mansit, Lanam fecit. We find the parallel at last in the Minnesota ledy, who penned the following artiele for the Western Rural. But if there is a parallel, there is a contrast. Who,—that compares the Roman woman peinfully toiling with her distaff all day fora feeble product, with the American matron, by aid of modern invention,running off in mere sport her 1,500 stitches a minute, and turning out at odd moments a product which meets most of her family expenses, — can say that the material science of modern timee has done nothing for domestic happiness. Dust Everywurrr.—There is dust on the sea, on land, in the valley and on the mountain-top; there is dust always and everywhere; the atmosphere is full of it; it penetrates the noisome dungeon, and visits the deepest, darkest caves of the earth, no palace door can ehut it out, no drawer 30 secret as to escape its presence; every breath of wind dashes it upon the open eye, and yet that eye is not blinded, because there is a fountain of ‘the blandest fluid in nature incessantly emptying itself under the eyelid, which spreads it over the surface of the ball at every winking, and washes every atom of dust away. But this liquid, so well adapted to the eye iteelf, has some acidity, which, under certain circumstances, becomes 60 decided as to be sealding to the skin, and would rot away the eyelide were it not that all along the edges of them there are little oil manufactories, which spread over their surface a coaling as impervious to the liquids necessary for keeping the eyeballs washed clean as the best varnish is impervious to water. Gozp Prn Points.—Gold pens are dipped with iridium, making what are commouly known as ‘“ diamond points.” The iridium for this purpose is found in small grains in platinum, slightly alloyed with the latter metal. In this form it ie exceedingly hard, and well adapted to the purpose of the gold pen maker. ‘The gold for pens is alloyed with silver to about sixteen carats fineness, rolled into thin strips, from which the blanks are struck. The under side of the point is notched by a!

small circular eaw, to receive the iridium . point which is selected by the aid of amicro. scope. A flux of borax and a blow-pipe eecures it to its place, and the point is then ground on a copper wheel with emery. Goon Hearty. SALIVATION. [Written for the Prisss.] Selivation is literally an unnatural flow of saliva or spittle. As the seliva is secreted by the parotid, submaxillary and sublingual glands, salivation is the result of unusual irritatiou of those glands, caused by the presence of some poisonous suhstance iutroduced into the system, It is the first symptom of the action of the peenliar poison; but unfortunately not the only one, aud is only the introdnetion to more serious consequences as will be ehown hereafter. Several drngs are capable of producing ealivation; yet it is my purpose to speak of but one in this article, which stands preemineutly in the front rank. ; Mercury Has heen used as a medicine since the 15th century, and owing to its uniform and certain effects upon the glandular system, it has Leen called the “great alterative.” Its action, however, is not confined to the glandular eystem, for all the tissues, even the boues are affected, aud in time destroyed by it. The condition produced by mercuriel poisoning is technically call hydvargyrosis. How it is Introduced. To produce its effects upon the orgenism, it is not, hy any means, necessary to pass it into the stomach, for the skin and mucons membranes are cepeble of absorbing it, end often do so, sufficiently to produce its most violent and destructive constitutional effects. By experience this fect is too well known by those whose husiness requires them to handle it frequently or almost constantly—miners for exemple. Heat will evaporate it rapidly; but like water it will evaporate at a low fem perature, even when undisturhed. Place 2 quantity of it in an open vessel in a house, and it will veporize sufficiently to salivate the inmates of the house. Amelgam left exposed to the ection of the atmosphere and moderate warmth, will do the same thing, only in a lese degree. Agitetion favors ite eveporation, ae is well known by those who work around quartz mills. Inhaling the fumes which sometimes are carelessly allowed to escape from a retort, and working with the hands in contect with the metal are the quickest and most common ways in which the poison is introduced into the system, by accident, Its Effects. The first noticeable effect of mercury is upon the salivary glands (salivation); then followe soreness and ulceration of the gums and inside of the mouth. If this is extreme, the teeth loosen and fell out, or else decay rapidly. It then attacks the throat, producing fearful ulceration, and sometimes mortification and destruction of the soft parts. Accompanying these conditions there is a very offensive odor of the breath. Its deetructive effecte frequently extend to the stomach and bowels, producing inflammation and ulceration, with, sometimes, fearful hemorrhage (bleeding). : Its effect upon the blood ie to decompose it, make it thin and dark-colored, and in a great measure deprive it of the power £0 coagulate when exposed to the air. Hemorrhages may occur from the nose, the throat, the lungs, or the etomach or bowels; or the blood may ooze out of the blood vessels into the cellular tissues in spots under the skin. Its effects upon the bone are, first, periostitis, or inflammation of the covering membranes; and secondly, caries, literally, rottenness of the bonos. Its effects upon the skin are to produce perspiration, and also to produce eruptions and ulcerations. With the lax and eoft condition of the skin and constant perspiration, there is great liability to take cold; while, at the same time, all mercurial affectione are greatly aggravated by taking cold. Mercury also produces ozexa, ulceration of the nose; iritis, inflammation of the iris of the eye; neuralgia (nerve pain); rheumatism, gout; falling off of the hair, trembling of the limbs, and even paralysis, It produces swelling and induration of the liver, testicles, mesenteric, parotid, cervical, axillary and inguinal glands. The above are only a part of the poisonoue effects of mercury; but enough has been enumerated to show clearly its terribly destructive tendency, and its positively destructive effects whenever introduced into the organism by whatever means soever, Shun the Danger. The terrihly destructive effects of mercary upon the body,%as already shown, have had the effect to lessen its use very materially as a medicine, and as a knowledge of the ection of medicines increases, it ie believed that the time is not distant when it will be looked upon as a criminal act for aphysician to salivate his patients, ever so littie. My words of warning, however, are addressed particularly to miners, mill-men, and all others who use mercury largely in their husiness. If the adage, ‘An ounce of Prevention Is better than a pound of cure,” ever had any force in eny case, itdoes most emphatically in this; for it ie a hundred fold easier to keep it out of the system, then to get it out after it has found a lodgment there. To accomplish this the following precautions cannot be too closely observed. Ist. Neither mercury noramalgam should be kept in the honse, and especially in the sleeping apartments, without being bottled and closely corked. 2d .Persons working at quartz-mille, or those employed in retorting or hendling mercury in any way, where fumes from the mercury are liable to arise, should avoid them by keeping on the windward side as much as possible. 3d. Clothing, worn through the day, should never be worn at night, nor shonld it be allowed to remain in the sleeping apartment at night, 4th. The strictest cleanliness should he observed. A thorough bath once a week, at least, is almost indispensable. The clothing worn at work should also be thoroughly cleansed at least once 1 week. It should also be hung out and exposed to the ection of the wind and reys of the sun quite frequently. By eo doing the perticles of mercury which heve found lodgment there, will be liberated and driven off. 5th. The mereury should never be allowed to come in contact with the hends or any other pert of the body, for wherever it does, some of it ie almost sure to be absorbed. . 6th. Fumes of mercury should never be allowed to escape from the retort, but should be condensed with particular cere. Cure. Unfortunately in hydrargyrosie as in almost all other affections, no single remedy can he relied upon asa specific in all cases; but it has to be treeted as the condition indicates. I will, however, ennmerate some of the most importart remedies for that purpose: For violent bone pains, ulcere of the mucous membrane, and congestive symptoms, nitric acid. For periostitis, phosphoric aeid. For caries and necrasis, asafetida and phosphorus. For ozena, aurum muriatieum. For mercurial rheumatism and gout, glandular enlargemen's, cutaneous eruptions, tubercles and ulcere, indurations of the liver, parotid, cervical, axillary and inguinal glands, iodine and iodide of potassium. For ptyalism, chlorate of potassa, and creosote, Other most excellent remedies, frequently used in the treatment of hydrargyrosie are sarsaparilla, conium, sulphuret of lime, eulphur, sulphate of zino, galvanic electricity and cinchena; but it would be impossible to give their special indicacations in an article of this kind, as the affections arising from the eame are so varied, and so often associated and complicated with the scrofulous, syphilitic and sycotic dyscrasias, My advice to all is, first, avoid by all means the absorption of the poison; second, if the poison has already been absorbed get rid of it as soon ae possible. E. J. Fraser, M. D. No. 102 Stockton street. Exrremz Onp Acz.—A farmer lately died in East Prussia who is said to have attained his 130th year. Down to the time of hie death he was in the enjoyment of the best possible health. He was six feet one inch in hight and served as bodyguard under Frederick the Great. His son, who livee on his father’s property, is109 years old. He takes long walks every day, can read without spectacles, and is an excellent companion. The nephew of the old man is employed on the East Prussian Railway, and, though he is 72 years of age, he is able punctually to perform his duties,