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Photographic Notes.

"Gleams From the Flash Lamp."

'HE practice of flash-light photography has been a feature during this "off" season, and it is well worth while to keep a small stock of requisites. A good and simple lamp for burning magnesium, either in one or a slightly prolonged flash, should be stocked; but as there are several good makes of lamp-each promising to perform as specified-the design should be carefully studied before ordering. Personally, I prefer, for my own flash-light work, the flash-light candles, which can be had to burn for two, five, seven, or ten seconds. Use a rapid plate one of the quickest obtainable and it is surprising what good results will follow a comparatively short exposure. I am able to give details up to a certain point, e. g., I have taken several groups-say 60 or 70 figures-at a certain restaurant, such as will be found in most large towns, that is to say fairly light in tone, some decorative work, but nothing gloomy or somber; the camera used has been a 10x8-the lens a rapid rectilinear of 11 inches focus, working at F-8; now at this particular place a certain result is possible with an extra-rapid plate, lens stopped down to F-14, by using three seven-second candles; with a still quicker plate two candles would be enough. But it must not be forgotten that in such work it is difficult to to over-expose; you get a result, but the negative is usually one which in development is not amenable to much persuasive treatment; in other words, you cannot get more out of the plate than is latent in the film, but if you use an extra candle with the very rapid plate just referred to, i. e., using three instead of two candles, you get that little extra in the film which makes so much difference in the development of the plate. Most flash-light groups are on the poor and under-exposed side, the negatives are too hard and the prints too black and white; the faces are suggestive of portraits, but not much beyond that stage; some, of course, are greatly better than others. This will always be the case, but if that little extra exposure-not necessarily prolonged in seconds but an increased illumination combined with the drop-shutter plate-then that desirable "softness" on all the faces will be secured. This gives the retoucher a chance, a very important point if one

wants the best possible results. I have used the words, "prolonged exposure," this is, of course, a relative term; I think that an exposure of seven seconds may be considered reasonably short for such work, it gives the light reflected from the subject ample time to impress itself upon the sensitive film, provided, of course, that such light is itself ample, and rather than make the period longer I would use an extra candle.

Sometimes the best laid schemes miscarry; recently the light failed at the critical moment, that is to say, the person in charge set light to only one of the three candles provided; the result was curious and not entirely a failure. The negative was, of course, under-exposed, and of no value for direct printing; but a transparency was made of it, and, this carefully touched up, a negative made by contact then came much nearer to what was desired. A second method would be to make a bromide enlargement; work this up and copy down to the original size, but the first method suggested is the better, one reason being that in working up the enlarged faces there is so much risk of losing such likeness to the originals as may have been present. There are so many subjects for photgraphy nowadays. You make a good window display, and naturally it wants to be photographed, for it may lead to business. Then some big firm wants to put a free-tasting stall in your shop, and that wants photographing. The "flash" arrangement helps you to shorten the exposure very considerably, but one of the most helpful adjuncts to my apparatus I have found to be a couple of 50 c. p. lamps. These are separately mounted in the usual socket, screwed to a piece of stout wood, then two lengths of twine cord, each measuring at least 4 yards, will be required; also a couple of plugs. The simple wiring and connecting up will be readily understood, but if electric light is available, as it mostly is, all we have to do is to remove the lamp from an adjacent bracket (out of sight), insert the plug and arrange the 50 c. p. lamp or lamps in the spot necessary to illumine the dark corner or object which may be in our picture. In most cases I find that the best place for this little extra light is on the floor.

Concluding these short notes, I think the photographic chemist might find some opening for his inventive genius in the matter of these flash-lights. What is wanted is a steady, brilliant flame for a certain and short period, with complete combustion of the magnesium used.-Brit. and Col. Drug.

..THERAPEUTICS

Danger in Ex-Ray Exposure.

A warning against the haphazard and indiscriminate use of the X-ray by inexperienced operators seems particularly opportune at this time, as the lay press of San Francisco has so recently published the case of the unfortunate Mrs. Fleishman-Aschheim, whose arm was amputated a few weeks ago, for an epitheliomatous degeneration caused by repeated exposure to these rays. Dr. P. M. Jones, the pioneer of this work on the Pacific Coast, suffered from X-ray burn of the hand as early as 1896; though in 1900 he gave up this work entirely, even at the present writing tropic and degenerative changes are going on in that important member of his anatomy. Other men have been forced to give up the use of this valuable agent on account of burns, or, as in one case, on account of neurasthenic symptoms such as have been early described by French authors. The literature germane to the subject describes the oblique action and dangers of the X-ray most comprehensively. But it seems that the general rank and file of the profession have not had sufficient access to these publications or taken cognizance of them.

The operator should be thoroughly protected by a lead screen. The use of the operator's hand to test the condition of the tube is extremely dangerous and accounts. for many burns. Flouroscopic examinations expose the operator to the action of a quantity of the rays; hence, if frequently resorted to, it becomes a decidedly dangerous method. Changes in the skin of patients treated by the X-ray take place, in many instances, even years after the exposure. These changes resemble closely the various scleroderma-like conditions of the skin. For this reason trivial conditions of the face, hands, etc., should not be treated with the X-ray, as the sequelæ may be more serious and disfiguring than the original trouble. -Cal. Med. Jour.

Is Washing Soda a Drug? The public analyst of Paddington, Mr. A. W. Stokes, F. C. S., F. I. C., in his quarterly report issued on Monday says: It being found that large quantities of washing soda were being sold in Paddington that were not genuine, nine samples were purchased. No less than six of these contained Glauber's

salts in proportions ranging from 42 to 70 per cent. That is to say, two-thirds of the samples of soda purchased contained not even half their weight of real soda. On an average in these adulterated samples no less than 54 per cent. of the stuff sold as soda was useless material put in to make weight -material which would be actually in the way in laundry work, and which costs the manufacturers less than one-third of the real article. For most of these samples full prices were charged. A test case was taken against one vendor. An attempt was made to show that soda should rank as food since its use in small quantities when boiling vegetables was almost universal. This was, however, overruled by the magistrate and the case dismissed. Possibly a stronger case might have been made for its use as a drug; as an external application in rheumatic cases it is very largely used. Even as a cleansing agent it is exceedingly necessary that its purity should be maintained. The washing of clothes does not consist merely in removing the surface dirt from the garment; it is necessary to destroy the germs in the interstices. Glauber's salts does not

destroy harmful bacteria; soda not merely cleanses, but also disinfects the clothing throughout. The importance of such cleanliness affects each one of us. Certainly the scope of the Food and Drugs Act needs widening so as to take in articles which in modern times are so needful to our health and well being. Soaps said to contain special curative agents are sold, yet analysis shows often that these are absent. Disinfectants are widely advertised which cannot really disinfect, and now soda which will not wash clothes is sold with impunity to the ultimate public. Such articles should be included in detriment of the health and pocket of the

the action of the Food and Drugs Act.

-Br. & Col. Drug.

The profound truth that to-morrow never comes, and yesterday, although it is always passing, has never been with us, has led a correspondent to throw off this effort:

"Although yesterday to-day was to-morrow, and to-morrow to-day will be yesterday, nevertheless yesterday to-morrow would be the day after to-morrow, because to-day would be to-morrow yesterday, and to-morrow will be to-day to-morrow, or would have been the day after to-morrow yesterday." -Madam.

A half-witted man should never be robbed of his piece of mind.

VARIOUS TOPICS.

The minerals in Cuba are mostly asphalt, copper, iron and manganese. A number of fine asphalt mines are known and the quality is said to be very good. Copper is quite abundant, but the mining has not been very extensive, the ore being of lower grade than the big mines in the United States. Iron and manganese are mined on a large scale in the province of Santiago de Cuba. In

Santa Clare province are several gold mines of more or less importance and in other parts of the island are old mines said to have been worked before Columbus' time. Good marble deposits are found on the north coast of the Isle of Pines. Salt is also found there. The annual production of the number of mines actually operated, namely, 5 asphalt, 3 copper, 12 iron, 3 manganese and 1 naphtha, give a total output valued at, $1,446,000, as follows: Asphalt, $122,900; copper, approximately, $13,068; iron, $1,146,892; Manganese, $163,140.

In an address to the Chamber of Commerce of Denver, Mr. H. C. Parmalee recommended chemistry as a popular study and said the importance of the study was not sufficiently appreciated. To illustrate the point, said Mr. Parmalee, consider for example the conditions existing in the building of the first railroads in the West. The main thing was to get the road built and to operate it. The men in charge were doubt less practical railroad men born and brought up on a railroad-and had a wholesome disregard for any appearance of theoretical or scientific work in the conduct of the road. What was the result? Little or no attention paid to the character of the water or fuel supply; materials of construction and maintenance bought without regard to their standard of purity-matters which are to-day regarded as items of considerable importance in the economics of railroading. Even the great Jay Gould failed to recognize the possibilities of the testing laboratory of the Union Pacific Railroad and closed its doors, while to the speaker's personal knowledge the findings of that laboratory have since been and are to-day frequently made the basis of economical conduct of the road. The sciences stand ready to-day to do much for manufacturers and

There has been much curiosity as to the origin of the name "cocktail." At last some one has come forward with an answer to

this question which may be pure invention or truth, but at any rate sounds plausible. In the early days, when doctors used strenuous methods and medicines in the cure of disease, there was a habit among them of treating certain diseases of the throat with a pleasant liquid which was applied by the tip of a long feather plucked from a cock's tail. In course of time this remedy came to be used as a gargle, still retaining its old name. During the course of its evolution the gargle gained most of the present ingredients-spirits, sugar, bitters and so on-till it became the highly esteemed beverage of to-day.

Telephone Statistics.

President F. P. Fish, of the American Telephone Company, in an address before the Beacon Society on February 28, caused much wonderment by declaring that the energy required for a single incandescent burner is 5,000,000 times as great as that required to send a message to Chicago, and that the energy required to lift 13 ounces is sufficient to operate a telephone for 240,000 years.

Mr. Fish stated that the number of telephone subscribers has more than doubled in the last three years over the total of the previous 24 years. He was confident that the next three years would see the present number more than doubled. He predicted

that the telephone in the not distant future will exceed the mail in the number of messages per day. He said that to meet all the requirements of the service 1,000,000 trees a year are required for poles, and the average cost of every class of messages is 2.2 cents, which is not much more than that required on the average for messages by mail. Three years ago 12 telephones for every 100 of population were considered the maximum that it was considered possible to supply. Now the telephone people are looking ahead to a maximum of 20 for every 100 of population.

A New License Law.

A report has been received from Montreal that a law has been passed by the legislature of the Province of Quebec, Canada, requiring commercial travelers of foreign concerns to get a yearly license, costing $300, before they shall sell goods there. This law does not affect commercial travelers representing foreign firms that have branches located in the Province. The new law will go into effect on June 1. This is said to be the first instance in Canadian history that a tax had been imposed upon commercial travelers from outside the country. There had been no hint of such legislation pending, and its passage has, therefore, created surprise. The object of the new law is understood to be two-fold: To add to the revenues of Quebec and to protect the home industries.

-Oil, Paint and Drug Reporter.

Book Review.

"Spatula Soda Water Guide," by E. F. White, Spatula Publishing Co., $1.00 net.

In this book the author displays a clear knowledge of the possibilities and conditions. surrounding the art of soda dispensing, which we suspect very few others possess.

From its instructions to the beginner to its pointers on the markets for soda supplies, it teems with details of vital importance to all connected with the fountainthe scrub-boy, the dispenser, the clerks, and the proprietor.

The "Soda Water Guide" should be in the hands of every soda fountain owner. We advise our readers to get it, read it and follow its 'instructions. It is the most complete of anything in this line we have ever We are unable to find anything in the book to criticise, but suggest it might be more durable with a permanent binding.

seen.

Why Some People are Poor.

Their ideas are larger than their purses. They do not keep account of their expenditures.

They are easy dupes to schemers and promoters.

They reverse the maxim, "Duty before pleasure."

They do not think it worth while to save nickels and dimes.

They have risked an assured competence in trying to get rich quickly.

They try to do what others expect of them, not what they can afford.

They do not think it worth while to put contracts and agreements in writing.

They prefer to incur debt rather than to do work which they consider beneath them.

They do not dream that little mortgages on their homes can ever turn them out of doors.

They have indorsed their friend's notes or guaranteed payment just "for accommodation."

They risk all their eggs in one basket when they are not in a position to watch or control it.-Pittsburg Advocate.

Drugs in Nicaragua.

The leading position of the United States of America in the importation of drugs is partly due to the facilities of shipment; an infinite number of American patent medicines, for the cure of every possible ill, are to be seen not only in drug shops but also in most of the store of general merchandise. British embrocations for horses and cattle would be of considerable use in the country, but are entirely unknown.

-Foreign Office Report.

Delayed in Removal.

Messrs. H. Planten & Son, the Pioneer American Capsule House established in New York in 1836, inform us that owing to various delays incidental to erecting so large a building they will not be in position to move to their new Laboratory, 93 Henry street, Brooklyn, N. Y., till August. They assure us that during their removal to new quarters all orders will be shipped with usual promp

ness.

Let a flower be a flower, a swallow a swallow, a rock a rock, and let a man be a man, and not a fox, a hare, a hog, or a bird of prey.- Wagner.

Lay Manufacturers and Physicians.

A protest is needed, and a strong one, against the irrational and unjust prejudice shown by some physicians against manufacturers of pharmaceutic and other products used by the medical profession and against their advertisements in medical journals. Our experience is that many lay manufacturers are, as a rule, quite as honorable and as good citizens, that they exhibit indeed quite as good a professional spirit as do many physicians. There are

bad men in both callings. Self-laudation through dogmatic and indiscriminate abuse of the manufacturers is both stupid and silly. In the first place, we should sweep and clean our own house. If manufacturers are wicked, it is even worse for physicians to use the bad articles made by them. They are under no compulsion to do so, and our wrath might very fittingly be expended upon those of our own household. And in reference to advertisements in medical journals, it may also be suggested that when they are of good character and made by reputable firms, criticism by the profession is hardly just except when 10,000 physicians shall first agree to pay $10 a year for a weekly journal without advertisements. --American Medicine.

Initiative.

The world bestows its big prizes, both in money and honors, but for one thing, and that is Initiative. What is Initiative? I'll tell you: It is doing the right thing with-out being told. But next to doing the thing without being told is to do it when you are told once. That is to say, carry the Message to Garcia; those who can carry a message get high honors, but their pay is not always in proportion. Next, there are those who never do a thing until they are told twice; such get no honors and small pay. Next there are those who do the right thing only when necessity kicks them from behind, and these get indifference instead of honors, and a pittance for pay. This kind spends most of its time polishing a bench with a hard-luck story. Then still lower down in the scale than this, we have the fellow who will not do the right thing even when someone goes along to show him how and stays to see that he does it; he is always out of a job, and receives the contempt he deserves, unless he has a rich pa, in which case destiny patiently awaits around the corner with a stuffed club. To which class do you belong?-Elbert Hubbard.

Oxygen From Liquid Air.

The subject of obtaining oxygen by means of the rectification of liquid air has just been brought under the notice of the Frankfort Technical Association by Professor von Linde, the son of the discoverer of liquid air. If it were possible to reduce the cost of production, the author pointed out that the technical application of oxygen was capable of enormous extension. The two existing methods of obtaining oxygen by means of discontinuous apparatus are too expensive, but Professor Linde has now utilized his process of liquification of the air in the devising of a new and cheap method of producing oxygen with a continuous apparatus, which is based upon the cooling of the air. Liquid air possesses the property on slow evaporation of giving off nitrogen and leaving oxygen, which can then be entirely recovered by rectification. The employment of oxygen which has now been rendered possible on a larger scale permits of its application to the realization of such high temperatures as are necessary for smelting and welding in the glass industry, and for certain works in the iron trade, as, for instance, has recently taken place in connection with blast furnaces in the Lorraine iron industry. Professor Linde is also of opinion that oxygen may later on play a part in the lighting industry, where an economy of 50 per cent. in light is anticipated to result from its use in conjunction. with coal gas plant.-Brit. and Col. Drug.

Perfect Emulsions of Mercury.

Schereschevsky, of Vienna, has patented a process for emulsifying mercury in a perfect manner. This is as follows: Metallic mercury is placed at the negative pole and a piece of iron wire at the positive pole. A current of electricity is then passed through liquid petrolatum until the desired concentration of mercury has been reached. The mercury emits brown clouds, which permeate the petrolatum. In order to secure a unifonm and finely-divided emulsion all that is needed is to select the proper strength of current and the proper tension. If the current is of small density the particles of mercury are so finely divided that they are microscopical, while greater densities of current produce larger particles. In this manner mercurial emulsions have been prepared containing from 1 to 50 per cent. of mercury. The emulsions on cooling may be diluted at will by mixing with fresh fats. -Am. Drug.