6o 
SCIENCE. 
physical forces upon biological phenomena has long since 
been admitted ; who does not recognize the importance 
of heat, of light, and of electricity upon the vital mani- 
festations ? In medicine electricity, under its different 
forms, is daily employed in the treatment of a multitude 
of diseases. Why refuse to one physical force that 
which we accord to all the others ? Why, if all physical 
agents are only varied forms of the same force, should 
they not all exert an action upon the organism in a meas- 
ure different for each of them ? And then why should 
not magnetism, which possesses in such a high degree 
this very singular property of influence at a distance, be 
able in physiological order to produce analogous effects ? 
If from conjectures we pass to the consideration of 
facts, we are forcibly convinced that this physiological 
action of magnetism at a distance does truly exist. 
In physics, experiment leads to a, in some degree, tan- 
gible result ; it is undeniable ; it forces itself upon us. 
Bring the poles of a magnetized bar near to some iron 
filings and you have the conditions for the experiment ; 
the iron is attracted and there is the result. Discussions 
may arise upon the theory, upon the interpretation of the 
fact, but the fact itself is always present. Furthermore, 
as it is easy to appreciate exactly all of the circumstances 
of the experiment, we are certain that with the same con- 
ditions given, we shall always obtain the same result. 
In a word, the experiment can be easily repeated. In 
physiology experiment is surrounded by the greatest dif- 
ficulties, but the result is neither less significant nor less 
certain. As regards experiments made with the magnet, 
it can be shown that they fulfill all the. conditions of cer- 
tainty of physical experiments. 
In the first place it is necessary that the application be 
well done ; that is to say, that the magnet ought to be in 
good condition and properly placed. It is not necessary 
that the magnet should be very large, nor endowed with 
very energetic properiies ; it is sufficient if the magnetic 
force exist in an appreciable degree. The experiment 
has often been attempted with false magnets, that is to 
say, with bars or horeshoes of variable substance, zinc, 
copper, wood, etc., not possessing any magnetic action, 
but having all the appearances of true magnets. In these 
cases the experiment has always given negative results. 
Likewise in making use of the electro-magnet, the action 
upon the orginism takes place only when the established 
current gives to the soft iron its magnetic properties. It 
is necessary also that the magnet should be properly ap- 
plied ; the poles alone acting, the neutral portion should 
remain absolutely without effect. This is easily accom- 
plished when using the magnet in the form of a horse- 
shoe and by presenting it successively by its open and 
its closed side. A patient has his eyes bandaged ; the 
magnet is applied to the region of the back, in such a 
manner that he shall have no knowledge of its position, 
and physiological phenomena always follow such appli- 
cation of the poles, and never follow the application at 
the neutral line. 
But is it easy to verify the result obtained ? How does 
the magnet work? How is its action demonstrated? 
Does it not depend, one will say, upon phenomena of 
sensibility which are purely subjective and appreciable 
with great difficulty to the experimenter, who is obliged 
to trust to the word of his patient ? I will reply at once 
that it is sufficient to have assisted at a single one of the 
experiments at the Salpetriere to be convinced that these 
phenomena, subjective it is true, can be easily rendered 
objective. A large needle made to pass unawares 
through the flesh of the subject whose eyes are kept 
carefully bandaged, shows in an absolutely objective 
way the profound anaesthesia which the parts have at- 
tained. But the phenomena of sensibility are not the 
only ones produced ; the magnet has an influence upon 
lemperature, as the thermometer distinctly shows. 1 It 
*M. Broca presented to the Academy of Medicine, at the Session of | 
acts also on the moliliU of the parts to which it is ap- 
plied, provoking contractions of an intensity and of a 
duration which removes all suspicion of simulation. 
The physician must be a mere novice who could mistake 
a prolonged and voluntary contraction for a true con- 
tracture. Now, the magnet produces in certain cases 
true contractures. (La Nature.) 
Dr. P. Richet. 
( To be continued.') 
NOTES AND QUERIES. 
To the Editor of Science : 
[i .] In the 3d. July number of Science, under “Notes and 
Queries,” J. II. G desires “ reliable information concern- 
ing the Tuckahce.” 
I will tell him what I know concerning it, in regular 
sequence with his questions : 
1 st. What is its geographical distribution? 
I know, from North Carolina to Texas, along the gulf 
States — presumably elsewhere also. 
2nd. What is the nature of its growth and production ? 
An underground fungus or root, growing under the sur- 
face like the truffle. Belongs to the gasteromycetous fungi, 
according to Lindley and Fries. 
3d. Its former use and preparation ? 
Used as bread, by roasting in the ashes, both by Indians 
and negroes. 
4th. In what soil found ? 
Sandy or loamy surface with sub-soil of clay. 
5th. What authors have mentioned it ? 
Dr. McBride and F. P. Porcher of South Carolina; Clay- 
ton, Le Conte, M. J. Berkeley, Fries & Lindley. 
6th. By what botanical name is it known ? 
Lycoperdon solidum. 
7th. Has it any medicinal virtues ? 
I know of none. 
It is considered very nutritious hence its name tuckahce, 
which is Indian for bread, and is highly prized by the 
negroes, who eat it to this day. 
There is a district of country in the eastern counties of 
North Carolina called Tuckahce from the abundance of 
these subterraneous bodies. 
Although the Tuckahoe has been placed among the fungi, 
yet there is considerable doubt as to its true position in the 
vegetable kingdom. 
Analysis shows it to consist almost entirely of pecticacid, 
which would seem to remove it from the fungi, and yet the 
entire absence of vascular or cellular structure of bark, etc., 
would seem to remove it equally as far from the phseno- 
gams. 
I hope these few enscignments may help J. H. G., and 
that he will favor us with the results of his further re- 
searches. 
Mrs. M. J. Young, 
Houston, Texas, July 19th. 
The Rev. W. Cowell Brown, Wesleyan minister of Shef- 
field, has patented an invention which appears to be a 
simple and practical means of lessening the number of 
deaths by drowning. A chemical preparation is inserted in 
a portion of the coat, waistcoat or dress. It does not add 
to the weight, or in any way alter the appearance of the gar- 
ment. The preparation is inserted between the lining and 
the doth ; in the case of a coat, it is placed on each side of 
the coat and up the back. The moment a man falls into 
the water the coat becomes inflated, and he cannot keep his 
head under the waves. The invention has already been 
thoroughly tested, and it is stated that it will sustain a per- 
son in the water as long as he can possibly endure the ex- 
posure, say forty-five or fifty hours. 
February 7, a note from Dr. Henrot (of Reims) upon the action of the 
magnet in hemihypothermia. He states that the application of three 
nugnets to the cold limb raised its temperature from i.8° to 2.3 0 in twenty 
minutes, at the same time lowering the temperature of the normal mem- 
| her two-tenths of a degree. 
