Nov. 28 \Hf-4 



* KNOWLEDGE ♦ 



453 



0m- {nbrntorc!' Column. 



So great is the number of invent imis noiv patented that many good 

 things are comparatively lost in the crowd. A succinct accouiit, 

 therefore, by an Expert, of all inventions of really popular interest 

 and \itility must be advantageoxis both to the public and the 

 Inventor, enabling persons to hear of inventions already d^ffiderated 

 by them, and thus acting reciprocally as a stimulant on supply 

 and demand. 



A XEW ITETHOD OF VENTILATION. 



ALTHOUGn good ventilation is universally allowed to be the 

 cardinal condition of a really sanitary house, few buildings, as a 

 rule, are properly ventilated. Ventilation should be simple, as 

 nearly automatic as practicable, and independent of mechanical 

 aids. Mr. W. P. Buchan, sanitary enfjineer, 21, Renfrew-street, 

 Glasgow, has invented what is known as Buchan's Patent Induced- 

 Gurrent Fixed Ventilator, which is in all ways unique. The 

 ventilator normally has a square chamber in the body, the sides 

 being perforated in the middle. 



Opposite each perforated portion there is a metallic double 

 baffle-plate, flat on the inside, but undulating or wave-lined on the 

 outside, thickest in the middle, and tapering off on each side 

 to a sharp edge. Between each two baffle-plates there is 

 a vertical opening. The wind or horizontal air current, in 

 lushing past and between the outside perpendicular plates 

 ;i'id the body of the ventilator, draws out with it the 

 jiir contained within the ventilator, and so causes an up 

 iiiirent in the pipe or ventilating shaft upon which the 

 ventilator is fixed. They are free to work with the slightest 

 breath of air, and have shown the most favourable results in 

 experiments made between them and other ventilators. From 

 its construction the induced-current ventilator has not only a 

 strong exhaust power when acted upon by the passing wind, 

 but where there is an inclination to down-draught in the venti- 

 lating pipe, upon which it is fixed, this tendency is especially com- 

 bated. These ventilators are all fixed, and are not liable to get out 

 of order. They are made in a variety of styles, and to suit various 

 purposes. 



Jlr. Buchan's ventilators and other sanitary appliances hold, 

 we are told, the highest position in the market, being patronised 

 by the Government Departments and the leading architects, 

 physicians, and sanitarians in the kingdom. At Balmoral Castle, 

 the Highland residence of her Majesty the Queen, his ventilators 

 and traps are both in use, the style of the former harmonising 

 remarkably well with the towers and turrets of the Castle. 



NON-POISONOUS WATEE-PIPES. 



PopuL.iR science has at length pretty well convinced the public 

 mind of the many perils incurred through defects, mechanical and 

 otherwise, in our ordinary water-service. Messrs. Quirk, Barton, 

 A Co., of 61, Gracechurch-street, E.C., have, by the invention of 

 their patent tin-lined lead-piping, insiu*ed to all users thereof an 

 absolute security against lead-poisoning. The piping in question is 

 an improved medium for the supply of pure water to dwellings, 

 affording absolute security from the danger of lead-poisoning. It 

 consists of an inner pipe of pure block-tin encased by one of lead, 

 the two metals being so united as to be inseparable by any contor- 

 tion. The highest medical and scientific authorities report upon it, 

 as the best and most advisable substitute for lead-pipe. The tin- 

 lined sheet-lead has obviously the same recommendation for lining 

 cisterns, <ic., for storing water or other liquids for dietetic 

 purposes. 



A SMOKE PREVENTER. 



Ax ingenious device has been patented by Mr. R. Wright Rich- 

 mond, of Yorkshire, for entirely preventing smoke in any open fire- 

 place. The means employed are simply a fine powder sprinkled on 

 the fire by the agency of an improved kind of dredger. The powder 

 is said to be composed of burned limestone and sea-coal compounded. 



THE "UNIVERSITY" DUMB-BELL. 



Now that personal hygiene is systematically studied in its mus- 

 cular aspects by so many among us, an improved dumb-bell is likely 

 to be in great popular demand. Messrs. Hardy & Padmore, of 

 Worcester Foundry, Worcester, have introduced a new invention in 

 this line known as the " University " Dumb-bell, -which really 

 supplies the users of dumb-bells with an article whose weight can 

 be increased as the arms become stronger. To effect this end, the 

 extremities of the dumb-bell are made hollow, and fitted with loose 

 screw-caps ; into these hollows weights of vai'ious diameters can be 

 fitted, so that if one only is used, no noise is heard. The weights 



are half a pound each. These dumb-bells are well-balanced, and 

 obviously one pair can be made to suit a whole household. 



DR. SPENCER THOMPSON'S ORO-NASAL STEAM INHALER. 

 To those needing vapourised medicines, the substantial comfort 

 of a really good inhaler can hardly be over-estimated. Dr. Spencer 

 Thompson's oro-nasal inhaler is now being introduced into general 

 use by Mr. W. Toogood, of Mount, St. Grosvenor-square, W., and 

 is, infer alia, of an unusually elegant form for an inhaler. It is 

 made in terra-cotta, and when nicely painted forms quite an orna- 

 ment for a bracket or the mantelshelf. The lip of the inhaler is cut 

 away so as to admit month and nose; and when filled with hot 

 water, plain or medicated, with mouth and nose in proper position, 

 and a handkerchief thrown round the crevices, it would be difficult 

 to prevent all the air passages from being filled with the vapour, 

 no exertion being needed to draw it to the desired spot. Inhalers 

 are likely to be in demand this winter, and this one has much to com- 

 mend it to popular use. 



IMPROVED BOOT-LASTS. 

 There can be no question but that it is best, when possible, to 

 have all boots and shoes made to order, and when once a good fit is 

 thus obtained the use of the last renders this advantage permanent. 

 A difficulty hitherto in the way has been the objection of bootmakers 

 to give a small waist and heel with a broad tread, owing to the 

 extreme trouble experienced in getting such a last out of the boot 

 when the welt has been attached to the sole. In repairing boots, 

 too, full-sized lasts cannot be used with certain classes of work. 

 Messrs. Hartley, of 50, Abbey-road, Accrington, have now, however, 

 patented a shoemakers' last and stand specially designed to remedy 

 these defects. The lasts are divided vertically, or nearly so, and 

 in such a manner as to lock themselves fast in when in use, in place 

 of being, as heretofore, in one solid piece. Thus the separate pieces 

 may be inserted in the boot or shoe separately, and removed by the 

 agency of the usual last-hook. The frames are made to suit all 

 sizes, and the patent swivel, self-locking, riveting, and finishing 

 stand holds the last in any required position. This invention will 

 be found a great advantage to those persons who desire to have 

 boots or shoes mads to order, and sometimes in a special manner. 



MIDLOTHIAN OAT FLOUR. 



Messes. A. R. Sc ott, of 50, Crookston-street, Kingston, Glasgow, 

 claim to have an important dietetic invention in what is known as 

 Scott's Midlothian Oat Flour. The value of oatmeal is -well known 

 per se, and in this preparation both the husk and vegetable fibre are 

 entirely removed, this beneficial process being effected by machinery 

 of the most recent type, constructed Tvith all the latest improve- 

 ments, and with special attention to its adaptation to the production 

 of the finest and purest quality of floor. "To the elimination of the 

 innutritions portions of the oatmeal, Messrs. Scott have devoted 

 particular care, as maybe inferred when we state that the result of 

 a careful analysis made by Dr. William Wallace (the public analyst 

 of Glasgow, Perth, Ayr, &c., and for the counties of Lanark, Renfrew 

 and Sutherland), shows that the flour contains 80 per cent, more 

 flesh and bone-forming properties than the finest oatmeal. This is a 

 fact that is not generally known, but one that will not be lost on 

 those who value health, especially in the cases of yonng growing 

 children. 



A TECHNICAL DRAWING APPARATUS. 



DK.1CGHTSMAXSHIP is SO much on the increase in these days of 

 technics popularised, that many will be practically interested to 

 know that a technical drawing apparatus, patented by Messrs. 

 Cory & Barczinsky, is manufactured by Mr. W. H. Harling, 40, 

 Hatton-garden, London, E.C. It is a combination of square, set 

 squares of all angles, and protractor ; and besides doing the work 

 of each and all of these, it will divide circles or parts of circles 

 into any number of equal parts without calculation. The instru- 

 ment consists of a square (42 in. or 32 in ) with two stocks, 

 one of which is fixed and the other movable. The blade 

 of the square has two inverted grooves in which slides the 

 dial. This dial, which is made of brass, is graduated into half- 

 degrees, and is fitted with an indicator and arm, or ruler, also of 

 brass (these latter in one piece, and so arranged that when the 

 indicator shows a certain angle the ruler forms that angle with a 

 perpendicular to the edge of the square), at the important angles, 

 viz., 30°, 45', 60°, 67i°, and 90°. There are special divisions near 

 the edge into which a small knife fitted to the indicator drops and 

 fixes it firmly, the degrees being read through an aperture in the 

 end of the indicator. There is a small screw to lift the knife out 

 of the division when the angle is wanted to be altered. This 

 apparatus is made to divide circles into equal parts from two to 

 thirty-two; but it can also be constructed so as to divide circles 

 into more than 32 parts. The advantages of such an apparatus 

 are sufficiently obvious. 



