552 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 

 POISONOUS NATURE OF COBALT COMPOUNDS. 



M. Siegen has found that the compounds of cobalt must be 

 classed among the poisons. His experiments were made with 

 the nitrate and the chloride of the metal. One centigramme 

 of either salt (about 0.15 grain) killed a frog in half an hour; 

 three centigrammes killed a rabbit in three hours. The poi- 

 son seems to retard the action of the heart. 3 B^ October 2, 

 1873, 155. 



ACTION OF DIFFERENT WIRES OF INDUCTION COIL ON THE 



SYSTEM. 



According to Mr. Onimus, the physiological effects of the 

 induction current in stimulating the nerves and muscles dif- 

 fer, according to the material of which the wire is formed ; 

 this beingr shown in the fact that when the wire is construct- 

 ed of a metal that conducts electricity badly, the contractions 

 are much stronger, and the impressions on the cutaneous 

 nerves less vivid, than with good conducting wires, such as 

 copper, the current induced in the badly conducting wires 

 having much greater tension than that in good conductors. 

 According to Mr. Onimus, German- silver wire may be sub- 

 stituted for copper to advantage in many cases. We pre- 

 sume our medical electricians will take due note of these 

 considerations. 18 A, January 2, 1874, 380. 



ALCOHOL AS A REMEDY FOR BURNS. 



Alcohol, recommended by Sydenham, has lately been em- 

 ployed by Leviseur, particularly with children, as the most 

 rapid and effective means of alleviating the pain of burns. 

 The affected part is either simply covered loosely with an 

 alcoholic compress, or is bathed with alcohol, when the pain 

 instantly disappears, but returns again when the application 

 ceases. It must, therefore, be continued for one to two hours, 

 and then be repeated at longer intervals, until the reddened 

 epidermis is bleached and shriveled, or until any blisters 

 that may have formed have opened and discharged, Avhich 

 will take place in from six to twelve hours. Care must be 

 taken, especially where the surface to be treated is large, that 

 the vapor of the alcohol does not affect the patient. 18 C\ 

 October 29, 1873, 695. 



