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ises to be of considerable use in the treatment of a large class of sufferers. Dr. H. G. Davis, a physician of this city, is the author of this discovery. From researches and investigations prosecuted during many years, he has found that wherever any joint whatever is stiffened from any cause, and the ends of the bones are closely pressed together by muscular action, a very small area of each articular surface receives the whole pressure, and by the action of a well known law, this pressure produces waste, first destroying the cartilage, and then attacking the head of the bones beneath. The area of pressure being thus gradually enlarged, the destruction of the bone spreads, until at length the case becomes desperate. The point originally decayed has extended, and spread, and deepened, and now an operation is indispensable, the limb being, perhaps, inevitably sacrificed, and the life of the patient placed in jeopardy. Now it is evident that as, according to these statements, the whole mischief results from the continued muscular pressure on the joint, the first and chief object must be to remove this pressure, and to relax, for a considerable period, the muscles producing it. The simple apparatus which Dr. Davis has devised for this purpose, has been exhibited before the New York Academy of Medicine and the Medico-Chirurgical College. We learn that it has also been adopted by Dr. Buck in the New York Hospital, and with more or less modification by Dr. Sayre and other eminent surgeons. Its results are stated to be very satisfactory.

Bite of a Rattlesnake.

The Petersburg Express publishes the following from a reliable correspondent: A carpenter, while engaged a few days ago in pulling down an old house and removing some of the rotten timber near the ground, was bitten by a rattlesnake.

In

a few moments his finger was swollen to four times its natural size, and a red streak commenced running up his hand and wrist. A deadly languor came upon him, and his vision grew dim, clearly indicating that the subtile poison that was coursing through his veins was rapidly approaching the citadel of life. But a remedy was tried, merely by way of experiment, which, to the surprise of all present, acted like a charm, the component parts of which were onion, tobacco, and salt, of equal parts, made into a poultice; and at the same time a cord was bound tightly around the wrist. In two hours afterward he was so far recovered as to be able to resume his work. I knew an old negro who cured a boy who had been bitten by a mad dog, by the same application.

Modern Luxuries Everywhere.

When we reflect upon the extreme luxury in which the poor and middling classes live, now-a-days, as compared with much richer people of former centuries, we cannot but wonder how our respected ancestors could have existed at all. We have but to go to a closet and turn a faucet, and we have fresh, cold water ad libitum. We have but to touch a brass key in the corner, and the gas furnishes us with a fine and plentiful light. We communicate with our distant friends in the twinkling of an eye, or go to see them with the speed of the wind. Yet, all these luxuries, and many more, inexpensive and common to us, were unknown to our forefathers. Who can say the world does not progress?

Electricity in Vital Processes.

May not that great binding chain of the universe, that universal pover, that wonder-working principle, whose intensity continues the same at all accessible distances from the earth's

surface" electricity "be also the origin and universal cause of vitality and life, both animal and vegetable, by which the instantaneous action of thought and feeling is telegraphed throughout the animal frame? Let us inquire, and by way of illustration we will take an acorn or an egg. Now, it is well known that neither an acorn nor any other seed will germinate if kept dry, nor will an egg produce at the common temperature of the atmosphere (at least in this country,) but both will inevitably perish if their position is not changed.

If the acorn, or a grain of wheat, or of any other plant, be buried in moist earth, all the requisite conditions necessary to its growth are fulfilled, because we surround the seed with the means from whence the nutriment for the organization and construction of the plant is derived; and the electric circuit being also completed by that simple act, such nourishment is distributed by the circulating current generated, as has just been pointed out; and this electro-chemical process constitutes, in fact, the only vitality of plants. The suspended vitality of seeds may be regarded as analogous to the broken galvanic, or electro-telegraphic circuit, in which the electrical action is suspended.

Positive and Negative.

QUESTION. The terms Positive and Negative are often used in our Philosophy as distinct and absolute. Will you give your views of the distinctive significance of these terms?

ANSWER. We have used these terms with two meanings. First, which is an inferior use, to designate the difference between power and weakness, or between that which is passive, (negative,) and the opposite term for whatsoever is active and energetical. But we have a second and higher definition, which is most common in the New Philosophy, namely: "Positive" is

applied to any power which works from the surface toward the center; while, of course, "Negative" would signify any equal power or fellow-principle, which commences at the inmost and works outwardly to the circumference. With the latter sense the terms are applied to Love and Wisdom-to woman and man.

How the Roots of Plants Feed.

The following query is important: "Can the roots of plants take up only such substances as are dissolved in the ground, and thus prepared for them, or can they themselves dissolve them ?"

This question has been solved by Liebig, and by experiments made before the Society of Natural Science in Carlsruhe. He has proved that the roots of plants, by giving forth some acid-probably carbonic acid-do dissolve the alkali, ammonia, and phosphorus in the soil. Dr. Schimper showed the meeting, as a further proof of Liebig's doctrine, some pebbles, which evidently had been eaten in by roots of plants. The fact was visible; the process, however, is not yet clear.

This valuable discovery of the great chemist goes clearly to show us why the rains and floods cannot wash out of the ground the substances forming the food of plants; on the contrary, we now know that the earth takes from the liquids which touch it, and solidly appropriates substances which the roots of the plants again absorb by their action. In the same way we clearly perceive how plants can draw from the soil substances which are solids, and which are not soluble by water.

Corn-fields and Magnetism.

"Will you give your opinion relative to invalids visiting cornfields, and inhaling as much as possible of their atmosphere? Also, the best method for throwing off the influence or disease received while magnetizing the sick?"

ANSWER.-It is of the utmost importance to invalids, and not less to persons in good health, that the pure air of growing vegetation be absorbed without measure. The exhalations of corn-fields are particularly healthy and nutritious. The atmosphere of many flowers is secretly refining, and is emasculating as well. But the emanations from pine, hemlock, and cedar are far more salutary. Meadows are not at all beneficial to the sick. Better visit some high place, where the light of heaven's effulgent sun shines more than half of the day. Repose there, and breathe in the spirit of health and contentment.

After magnetizing the sick, wash your hands thoroughly, and manipulate each by the other until they are perfectly dry and warm. Another washing would make your exemption

certain.

Rain and Electricity.

The scientific world of America has not been willing to see anything favorable in our "Philosophy of the Production and Fall of Rain," published in the Harmonial Man, but the "British Association" has bestowed more attention on the subject. Mr. Weekes, of Sandwich, writes as follows to Mr. Rowell, who, at the British Association, suggested the possibility of bringing down rain from the clouds at pleasure: "I have from very early life been an assiduous experimenter with electric kites, atmospheric exploring wires, &c. Now, I beg to assure you that it has several times happened that, when my kite has been raised immediately under a distended, light, fleecy cloud, at a moderate elevation, a free current of sparks has passed from the apparatus during some ten or twelve minutes; I have suddenly found myself bedewed with a descent of fine misty rain; and on looking up, have seen the cloud on which I was operating surprisingly reduced in magnitude."

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