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Electrochemical theorv of physiological processes
Electrochemical Theory of Physiological Processes.-From a general consideration of the structure and arrangement of the central nervous system, laboratory observations of the electrochemical reactions of the organism, and clinical evidence, G. W. CKILE (Proc. Am. Philosophical Sot., 1921, lx, 546-552) concludes that man is an The unit structure is a nerve-cell battery electrochemical mechanism. and its prolongation the nerve fibre which extends through the synapse or key to the muscle or gland. When an electric current flows from the nerve cell, it closes the synapse, completes the circuit, Activity of the body and and causes the muscle or gland to act. certain diseases decrease the potential difference between the two parts of the cell, its nucleus and its cell body. The nerve-cell batteries are discharged during consciousness, and are recharged during sleep. T
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Gas in 1920. (U. S. Geological Szlrvey Press Notice.)-Although the gas-making industry had great difficulty in obtaining adequate supplies of good fuel in 1920, the quantity of gas sold was greater than ever before, amounting to nearly 500 billion cubic feet, having a value of more than $3oo,ooo,ooo, according to the Geological Survey. The sale of by-products by gas-making companies was also greater in 1920 than in any previous year. Over ~oo,ooo,ooo gallons of tar, 55,000,ooo pounds of ammonium sulphate or its equivalent, and nearly 125,000,000 gallons of light oil and other derivatives were the principal items among these by-products. The average price of gas in 1920 was much higher than it had been for several years, averaging 16 cents a thousand cubic feet greater for coal gas and water gas and 5 cents a thousand cubic feet greater for oil gas and coke-oven gas than in 1918. K. A Study of the Influence of the Suspension upon the Oscillation of a Pendulum. P. LE ROLLAND. (Ann.de Physique, MarchApril, Igzz.)-In a bibliography of memoirs dealing with the pendulum, such for example, as that published by the French Physical Society, 200 pages long, there are surprisingly few dealing with the motion of the pendulum as a measurer of time. The greater number of them are concerned with the determination of the length of the seconds pendulum or with a study of the oscillation of the pendulum at different places. It is to the practical phase of the pendulum that the present author directs his energies, and in order that he may not be superficial he gives more than 200 pages to an investigation of the in!luence of the method of suspension. By using the photographic method he is able to compare to the one millionth part the periods of two pendulums using no longer than three minutes for the actual swing. From this time onward his investigation must be known and quoted. G. F. S.
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Gas in 1920. (U. S. Geological Szlrvey Press Notice.)-Although the gas-making industry had great difficulty in obtaining adequate supplies of good fuel in 1920, the quantity of gas sold was greater than ever before, amounting to nearly 500 billion cubic feet, having a value of more than $3oo,ooo,ooo, according to the Geological Survey. The sale of by-products by gas-making companies was also greater in 1920 than in any previous year. Over ~oo,ooo,ooo gallons of tar, 55,000,ooo pounds of ammonium sulphate or its equivalent, and nearly 125,000,000 gallons of light oil and other derivatives were the principal items among these by-products. The average price of gas in 1920 was much higher than it had been for several years, averaging 16 cents a thousand cubic feet greater for coal gas and water gas and 5 cents a thousand cubic feet greater for oil gas and coke-oven gas than in 1918. K. A Study of the Influence of the Suspension upon the Oscillation of a Pendulum. P. LE ROLLAND. (Ann.de Physique, MarchApril, Igzz.)-In a bibliography of memoirs dealing with the pendulum, such for example, as that published by the French Physical Society, 200 pages long, there are surprisingly few dealing with the motion of the pendulum as a measurer of time. The greater number of them are concerned with the determination of the length of the seconds pendulum or with a study of the oscillation of the pendulum at different places. It is to the practical phase of the pendulum that the present author directs his energies, and in order that he may not be superficial he gives more than 200 pages to an investigation of the in!luence of the method of suspension. By using the photographic method he is able to compare to the one millionth part the periods of two pendulums using no longer than three minutes for the actual swing. From this time onward his investigation must be known and quoted. G. F. S.