43 



" On a Method of mounting Electrical Resistances," by 

 Arthur Wm. Waters, F.G.S., &c. 



A short time ago I came to the conclusion that there was 

 a strong probability of the variations in the electrical 

 resistances of the human body, giving some indication as 

 to how various climatic changes affected different constitu- 

 tions. This idea foi'ced itself upon me in consequence of an 

 investigation concerning the changes of the body temperature, 

 as affected by meteorological conditions, having brought out 

 the interesting fact, that the average changes in the 5 to 

 6 p.m. clinical temperature of a sufficient number of invalids* 

 follows the curve of the absolute moisture or of the tem- 

 perature, both of which are very similar. 



Dr. Stone's results, as published in "Nature," gave a 

 definite direction to the idea, and then, when considering 

 how I could carry out what I purposed, I saw that I must 

 first have an instrument by which measurements could be 

 I'apidly made and changes easily followed, and if possible, 

 the current should not be broken by altering the measure. 



The ordinary resistance box with plugs cannot be used 

 sufficiently rapidly and is unsuitable. I, therefore, adopted 

 the plan of mounting the resistance reels on an ebonite disk, 

 with a metal axis (a) running at each end in brass supports 

 S. This support has a binding screw at the base and the 

 current is thus led away from the axis. Round the border 

 of this disk German silver flanges-f* or bosses are attached 

 and one of these {x) is connected by a stout strip of copper 

 to the axle. Between this and the next boss a resistance 

 coil of fine German silver wire wound double on a small 

 reel is attached, and between each of the other bosses a 

 similar coil is placed and the two ends severally soldered to 



* The meastu-ements were made for the piu'pose by consumptive 

 people in Davos. 



t These flanges overlap on each side and therefore present to the 

 spring a continuous siu-face the width of the disk. 



