Popular Science Monthly 



207 



The Mysterious Ice Mines of the 

 United States 



THERE are several caves in the United 

 States where Nature seems to have 

 become confused as to the seasons. During 

 the late spring and summer ice forms and 

 a freezing temperature prevails, but as 

 winter comes on the interior of the caves 

 becomes milder, the ice gradually melts and 

 a kind of subdued summer sets in under- 

 ground. 



One of these peculiar caves is to be found 

 at Coudersport, Pa., and one at Decorah, 

 Iowa. The superstitious among the resi- 

 dents of those localities give the caves a 

 wide berth and look with suspicion upon 

 any one daring enough to attempt to in- 

 vestigate them. 



Edwin S. Balch, of Philadelphia, who has 

 made a study of the subterranean ice mines, 

 as they are called, states that according to 

 the theory evolved by investigators the 

 formation of the caverns is such that the 

 cold air of winter does not penetrate and 

 settle in them until late in the spring at 

 the time when the water from spring 

 thaws is seeping through the walls and roof. 

 This water meeting the cold air freezes 

 and stays frozen all summer until, as the 

 fall season approaches, the warm summer 

 air at last finds its way into the cave and 

 melts the ice. 



When the snow is flying above and ice- 

 skating is the amusement of the moment 

 the summer air is at work in the cave and 

 still water bathing might be indulged in 

 by the residents of the community if the 

 environment were right and if they dared. 

 By the time this summer air begins to lose 

 its heat it is spring again above ground. 



EXECUTIVE 

 SURGEON^ 

 JF.FICE 



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Poison Ivy : How to Kill It and Cure 

 a Case of Inflammation 



THE cheapest and most effective method 

 of eliminating poison ivy, according 

 to experts of the Department of Agriculture, 

 is the simple one of rooting up the plants 

 and destroying them. If the poison ivy 

 is in large fields it may be necessary to 

 plow and cultivate the land. Ivy on large 

 trees, stone walls and buildings can be 

 killed by arsenate of soda, at the rate of 

 two pounds to ten gallons of water. Two 

 or three applications are sufficient. 



The fall of the year is the safest time to 

 handle poison ivy, because at that time the 

 sap and pollen are out of the plant. With 

 the exercise of due care, the use of overalls 

 and gauntleted gloves will enable most 

 individuals to deal with the plant without 

 danger. A further protection is to grease 

 the hands with lard and after the plants 

 have been handled to wash off the hands 

 with strongly alkaline soap. 



Minute amounts of a nonvolatile oil 

 in poison ivy is what makes it cause 

 extensive inflammation. Alcohol or a 

 solution of sugar of lead will remove this 

 oil; it is insoluble in water. In cases of 

 poisoning, one of the most effective methods 

 is to cleanse the inflamed surface repeatedly 

 with alcohol, or with a saturated solution 

 of sugar of lead in alcohol, using a fresh 

 bit of lint or absorbent cotton each time 

 to prevent the spread of the irritant. 

 Covering the inflamed parts with lint or 

 absorbent cotton kept constantly moist 

 with limewater or with a saturated solution 

 of bicarbonate of soda will afford relief. 



It is a curious fact that many people 

 are so constituted as to be able to handle 

 poison ivy without being at all affected 

 by it. 



CONVALESCENTS 

 MESS ROOM 



ACCESSORY MEDICAL STORES 



methods of disinfection and communication control will be employed on board the ship. The 

 main operating room will be located amidships and will extend the height of two decks 



