FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS. 
827 
drop from the funnel. The rapidity with which the drops 
fall indicates the intensity of the digestive action. To show 
the comparative digestive powers of concentrated and dilute 
solutions of pepsin, equal quantities of the fibrin-jelly are to 
be laid on funnels of equal size, and equal quantities of the 
different digestive fluids added to each. The more dilute the 
solutions, the more slowly do the drops fall. To show the 
influence of temperature on digestion, pieces of fibrin are to 
be laid in funnels in the same way, one being kept at the 
temperature of the room, and the others warmed to the de¬ 
sired degree by a sand or water-bath, with a perforated bottom 
and then the digestive fluid added. The rapidity with which 
the drops fall increases with the temperature up to a certain 
maximum, above which it sinks rapidly, and cannot be brought 
up to its former rate by rapid cooling.— Ibid. 
Atheroma in the Arteries. —Dr. Moxon has been 
making some recent researches on this subject, w r hich are of 
importance. He shows the connection between inflammation 
of the arterial tunics, atheroma, and aneurism, and he dwells 
upon, and accounts for, the relatively greater frequency of 
the latter affection among soldiers. Dr. Moxon holds (1) 
that what is called atheroma of arteries is sub-inflammation 
of various degrees, of which the lower degrees end in fatty 
degeneration of the coats, along with the inflammatory pro¬ 
ducts ; and (2) that the determining cause of this change is 
mechanical strain, a general altered nutrition—such as ob¬ 
tains in gout, syphilis, &c.—being regarded in the light of a 
predisposing cause.— Lancet . 
Preservation of Grain in a Vacuum. —The storing 
of grain, biscuit, or flour, is attended with considerable loss, 
chiefly from the attacks of weevils. The author proposes to 
store grain, &c., in large, upright, iron cylinders, having 
openings at top and bottom for the entrance and exit of ma¬ 
terial. When these are filled, a vacuum of about 10 cm. 
is produced in the cylinders by means of an air pump; this 
effectually destroys insect life, and also dries grain which 
might have been stored in a damp state. The result is a 
perfect preservation of the material.— Ibid. 
