The Result of the Experiments in Brooklyn

For the purpose of ascertaining whether or not disease germs could be killed by superheated steam or sulphurous acid gas, Dr. George M. Sternberg, about six weeks ago, subjected two bales of infected rags to tests made in the presence of Dr. Raymond and Health officers of several large cities. The germs places in the bales were those of the bacillus subpillis and bacillus anthracis. The last named germs are the cause of the distemper in cattle known as splenic fever. The infected bales were places in large boxes through the sides of which five hollow screws were inserted. Through these screws, which were made to revolve by machinery, superheated steam was forces into one bale until a thermometer in the box registered 280 degrees. The germs were afterward preserved. Sulphurous acid gas was thrown through the screws into the other bale, and the germs exposed to this treatment were also preserved. the sulphurous acid is a perfect oxide, containing no water. It is almost 21/2 heavier than air, and its chemical formula is the same as that of ordinary sulphurous acid gas, viz., SO2. Dr. Sternberg has made the annexed report concerning the results of the tests he made:
John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD., Dr. William N. smith, Health Officer, Port New York: Sir-With reference to the disinfection experiments made in Brooklyn I have the honor to report: The S02 experiments proved a complete failure. The various test organisms introduced into the bale of rags upon bits of cotton were not destroyed as proved by the test of cultivation, and in the case of anthrax material by inoculation into rabbit, two out of three of the rabbits injected have already died of typical anthrax, and I expect the third to die in course of the day. This is not be taken as proof the S. O. 2 is not a reliable disinfecting agent, but only as showing that in the experiment the infections material was protected from the action by being buried in the bale of rags. An inspection of the bale after the experiment indicated that the sulfur dioxide had in great part escaped from the side opposite to that into which the infectious material was introduced.
The steam experiment has turned out better and is partially successful. I am led to believe from results thus far obtained that by inclosing the bale in a steam tight chest so that the exterior portions are subjected to a temperature equal to that of the interior (240 to 250 degrees) along the track of the screw a complete success might be obtained. I shall publish full details of these experiments hereafter. Respectfully your, George M. Sternberg, Major and Surgeon U. S. A.
Dr. Raymond was asked this morning how imported rags would be disinfected hereafter, and he replied: 'Super heated steam will be used as a disinfectant. By using the apparatus employed by Dr. Sternberg in making his tests it will not be necessary to open and spread out the bales of rags. Each bale will be placed in a box and disinfected by steam heated to such a high degree as will, in my opinion, Kill all disease germs.

March 12, 1885

The Applicants for Fire Department Appointments.

Mr. Joseph W. Sutphen, of the Mayor's office, the secretary of the civil Service Commission, to-day announced the names of the applicants for appointments in the Fire Department who passed at the recent examination by the Commissioners. There are forty appointments as privates to be made by Fire Commissioner Poillon. One hundred and sixty men passed examination and form the 'eligible list.' The Civil Service Commissioners will send the men to Commissioner Poillen as the latter shall require them, and Commissioner Poillon has the right to select or reject from the lists sent as he may see fit. Following is the 'eligible list:'
Davis W. S Badger Martin Bailey P. A. Beith A. W. Bishop C. N., Bishop John, Blackmore William, Boerum Henry, Bolger John C., Bonner William C., Braisted J. R., Breen P. F., Brennan John, Brogan John, Byrne J. H., Callaghan J. J., Campbell P. J., Canning William T., Carey P. J., Carney P. B., Cauldwell Thomas, Cavanagh Thomas F., Clark Charles, Code T. W., Costello C. E., Crennis Dennis, Crough John Jr., Cummings J., Cunningham C., Curan W. J., Darling F. W., Davis W. G., Deegan J. J., DeLane C. W, Donehue James, Donohue J. J., Donovan John B., Dougherty C. H., Dougherty M. H., Egaan J. J., Erickson William, Estes W. A., Farrell J. F., Farrell J. H., Farrell J. W., Felter Warren, Fernald Charles E., Ferris J. H., Ferry T. J., Ferry William, Fitzgibbon M., Fitzsimmons John, Flanigan J., Fleming J. T., Fullerton J. J., Gardner John S., Gardner R. G., Garrett Ambrose, Gill S. W., Green John, Hamilton William, Hannavin J. A., Harris W., Head Patrick Heath Charles Jr. Heath J. H., Hecker Peter, Hellen H. M., Hoadley W. H., Hughes A. K., Janike Robert, Johnson J. R., Johnston Alexander, Jones J. J, Kain John, Karcher Edward, Kelly John J., Kelly Tomas, Kenney Richard, Kenniff J. J., Kershaw W. H. Jr., Loesch John, Lynch William, Malley C. W., Malloy George L., Maloney Henry, Marks Michael, Mattews James, May Ed J., McCleary William, McCue Thomas, McDermott A. J., McDonough P., McGeary G. F., McHugh Charles, McKeever J. J., McKinney D. J., Mclarnan John, McLaughlin W. J., McMunn George A., McNeran Robert, Mee P. J., Monaghan J., Monnaville Francis, Mooney John Morgan J. H., Muldary John J., Mullen T. J., Murry W. H., Nichols Charles Jr., O'Brien J., O'Leary T., Penson H. C., Phillips J., Platt Henry, Ralph M. J., Readon Michael, Reese Henry, Reilly Edward, Reilly Francis, Reilly J., Reilly John N., Reilly Thomas F., Rhatigan E., Rike C. E., Roberts I. A., Rogan M. F., Rogers George, Rogers W. C., Ruddy N. T., Russell J. C., Ryan David, Sandmeyer Peter, Sandstrom J. F., Seamon Jesse Jr., Sheridan A. J., Slavin Charles F., Snow A. W., Stack Robert, Stanley F. W., Tobin J. J., Tonry W. F., Travis J. A., Tuley W. H., Tully W. J., Van Cott George, Wallace George H., Wandless John, Ward John F., Ward Michael J., Warwick Hugh, Wayrick F. H., Weitzmann A., Whitman Samuel Jr., Wiegert Charels, Woods Frank, Zobie W. H.,

Obituary

MRS. PHEBE RAPELYEA March 18, 1885

An old member of the Rapelyea family of Long Island, died at No. 243 Livingston street on Monday, and will be buried tomorrow at Port Washington, L. I. her native place. The deceased, Phebe Rapelyea, was born in the year 1793. Her husband was Winne S. Rapelyea, who did good service in the war of 1812. His widow drew a pension up to the time of her death. Mrs. Rapelyea leaves four children living, two of whom Mr. David B. Pearson and Mrs. De Harte, reside in this city. Grand children, great grand children, and great great grand children survive her. Funeral services took place this afternoon, at the residence of her daughter, in Livingston street.

Both Heads of the Household Gone.

This noon Mr. William Nelson, who lived at No. 167 Flatbush avenue, entered the undertaker's stonre, No. 393 Atlantic avenue, to make arrangements for the funeral of his wife, who died last evening. While he was so engaged he suddenly fell over in the chair in which he was seated, gave one or two convulsive gasps and was dead. An attack of heart disease, to which he was subject, and which was superinduced by the excitement caused by his wife's death, proved fatal. He was 65 years old. The coroner will hold an inquest.

March 19, 1885 Current Events A shock of earthquake was felt yesterday at Contoocook, N. H. Mrs. Ida Barbalet fell from a roof while hanging out clothes in Tarrytown yesterday and was killed. Sand fell to the depth of eight inches yesterday in various portions of South Carolina. Rumors are current in Londaon that duke of Connaught is to succeed Earl Spencer as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. While at supper last night, in his home at Bridgeport, P. T. Barnum overturned a teapot and severely scalded himself. Gordon W. Burnham, the millionaire manufacturer, died last evening at his residence, on fifth avenue, New York. His death was caused by pneumonia contracted while waiting at the Liberty street Ferry for Miss Kate Sanborn, whom he was to have married last Saturday. Mr. Burnham was 84 years old. Simon Zimmerman, a dealer in pianos and organs, failed yesterday in Buffalo. His assets are unknown. Franz H. Vandersleide, a sailor, was run over and fatally injured yesterday afternoon at East Broadway and Chatam square by the delivery wagon of the German Herald newspaper, driven by Michael Helmicke. Vandersleide died last evening. Helmicke has been arrested and locked up. General Grant has been confined to his room for several days and his condition has been such that he had to stop work on his book. He has suffered much from sleeplessness, but was a little better last night.

March 20th 1885

Francis Storms Glass Works in the Eastern District in Ruins. A destructive fire in, which property to the amount of nearly $100,000 was destroyed and through which over three hundred persons are thrown out of employment, occurred in the Eastern district last evening. For two hours fierce flames which shot up into the air illuminating the heavens swept the extensive glass house of Francis Stroms, in the Fourteenth Ward, which was reduced to a mass of smouldering ruins. The premises are situated at the northwesterly corner of North Eleventh and Second streets and extend westerly toward first street a distance of about 200 feet, running through to North Twelfth street. the establishment consists of large one story connecting frame buildings known as the workshops, with six high brick cupolas or chimmneys in which the material for the glass is melted, all of them fronting on second street. On the North Eleventh street side, west of the workshops, was a two story brick building used as a cutting shop and adjoining it was a five story fire proof building, the first floor of which was used as an office, the second floor as a cutting shop, the third floor as a moulding shop, and in the fourth and fifth stories valuable fancy glassware was kept. Both the brick buildings were connected on the second floor by an iron door, which served its purpose well doing the conflagration. At the base of the massive cupolas were pot arches or kilns, which received the iron vessels in which the substance from which the glass is manufactured is placed to undergo melting processes. In that portion of the workshop near the North Twelfth street cupola shortly before half past seven o'clock last evening flames were seen shooting up. There were several workmen in the building and they did what they could for a brief period to check the spread of the fire, but their efforts were of no avail. It was apparent to them, an opinion which Mr. Storms indorsed after investigating a few hours later, that one of the four or five pots in the cupola had exploded and tearing the bottom out of the brick receptacle, the vat and its seething contents, kiln and all, dropped into the cellar, where the burning mass came in contact with the heated beams and other woodwork. the flames spread over the dried and worn wood in the frame buildings with such surprising rapidity that by the time the engines arrived half the premises were consumed. Two more alarms were sent out, and eight engines and three hook and ladder companies in all, under Chief John N. Smith and the district engineers, responded. Inside of half an hour all the frame buildings were ablaze and fierce tongues of flame licked the great sides of the giant like brick cupolas, but with the aid of several streams of water from the engines they withstood the terrific heat. The flames as they ascended high into the heavens illuminated Greenpoint and the Eastern district wards and clearly outlined the shipping on the East River. It was supposed that Pratt's astral oil works, less than a block distant, was again on fire, and thousands flocked to the scene expecting to see a repetition of the great conflagration of four months ago. The police of the Fifth Precinct, under Sergeant Burford, were kept busy pushing back the great crowd the collected.
Chief Smith took all necessary precautions to keep the fire from advancing in the direction of Pratt's and the wind seconded his efforts. the firemen also fought bravely to save the two brick buildings constituting part of the premises, and partly succeeded. The two story building nearest the doomed workshops caught fire, and although the firemen made great efforts to check the progress of the flames, as its destruction would endanger the adjoining structure and the half block of dwellings, they only partially succeeded, the interior of it being completely gutted. The iron door connecting it with the five story structure withstood the heat and probably owing to that circumstance the larger building was saved. All the floors, however, were flooded with water, and in that way considerable damage was done. Every effort to save the extensive workshops was fruitless. Inside of two hours they were a smoldering mass of ruins. Rising Majestically above the general wreck around them and seemingly proud of the outcome of the their conflict with the flames were the colossal cupolas and the fireproof buildings. At half past 9 o'clock the fire was under control and an hour later most of the engines returned to their houses. When the fire was at its height, about eight firemen were at work at a heavy wooden fence on the premises, nearly twenty feet high. It fell outward and the men, seeing their danger, retreated, but Bryan De Hogg, of Engine No. 12, was struck by a portion of it, and had his right leg dislocated. He was taken to his home in the ambulance. A second fireman was injured. Christopher Leavy, of Truck No. 6, received a blow from the end of a hose, one side of his face being stripped from temple to neck. He was removed in the ambulance to St. Catharine's Hospital. Mr. Storms estimated his loss on the buildings and stock at over $75,000, and the superintendent laced it was $100,000. There is an insurance of $60,000, distributed in comparatively small risks among many companies. The superintendent stated that there were between 300 and 400 men employed in the establishment. The work of rebuilding the premises will be begun immediately. Mostly fancy and expensive glass of all kinds was manufactured in the establishment. Mr. Storms, who resides at No. 122 Bedford avenue, came from Philadelphia, Penn., about five years ago and purchased the premises from Mr. Schneider. he had the fire proof building erected three years since.

March 22, 1885, Sunday. About Brooklyn People.

Mr. William H. Nichols, recent president of the Young Men's Republican Club, has just been elected president of the Oxford.

Coroner Henry J. Hesse is at Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he was hastily summouned on Wednesday to attend a relative who is dangerously ill.

Miss Louisa A. Wildes, of Vanderbilt avenue, is at work upon a painting which she calls 'Sunset.' The work represents a field in which a number of cattle are grazing in the foreground.

L. P. Brockett, M. D., who was one of the associate editors of the, 'History of Kings County,' is now the editor in chief of the Magazine of Descriptive America, in New York.

Miss Sadie Ryerson, of Third street, South Brooklyn will shortly leave for the south for the benefit of her health. Miss Ryerson has been confined to the house for some months.

The marriage of Mr. Edward F. Lozier, of Willow street, and Miss Fannie Campbell, of New York City, is announced for next Tuesday evening, and some doubt is entertained as to whether or not the Thirty-ninth street Presbyterian Church will accommodate the host of friends who will be present on the occasion.

Kate McNichols is in Brooklyn searching for her cousin Mary, who, she says, lives with a family in Livingston street. If Mary will leave her address at the Eagles office, Box 23, or 31 Poplar street, it will relieve her relative of much embarrassment.

March 23, 1885. Obituaries

William B. Fitch died at his residence, No. 71 Hancock street, Friday morning last from pleuro pneumonia. Mr. Fitch was a brother-in-law of Supervisor Barnes, and died in the prime of life-in his 43rd year. He was born at Springfield, N. Y., came to Brooklyn twenty-five years ago, and has resided in this city continuously since. He was identified with the firm of MaGovern & Co., New York. he was buried from his residence this afternoon.

Dr. Joseph Culbertson Snively died at his residence, 157 Clinton street, on Sunday morning. he had been ailing for nearly a year, but was able to go about until three weeks ago. He was born on January 17, 1836, a New Albany, Ind., and graduated from the Dickenson college, Carlisle, Pa., and Long Island College of this city. his funeral will take place on Thursday, at 11, o'clock, from Grace Church, on the Heights. The remains will be interred in Greenwood.
Death Notice: In Brooklyn on Sunday morning, march 22, Joseph Culbertson Snively, M. D., aged 49 years. Funeral from Grace Church Brooklyn Heights, on Thursday, the 26th inst., at 11 o'clock. Members of the Kings County Medical Society and the Faculty of Long Island Medical College are invited to attend. Kindly omit flowers. Company D twenty-third Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y., Brooklyn March 23, 1885-The active and honorary members of this company are requested to attend the funeral services of our late honorary member, Dr. Joseph C. Snively, from Grace Church, (Grace Court).

March 31, 1885. The Death Of Broker Atwood.

This morning Coroner Henry J. Menniger, M. D., held an inquest upon the body of Mr. James G. Atwood, who died yesterday afternoon at his residence, 111 Berkeley Place. Mr. Charles G. Atwood, of 200 Berkeley Place, reported the death to the Coroner this morning. The deceased, was a tea broker and carried on business oat No. 95 Wall street, New York. He was in good circumstances, and his elegantly furnished brown stone front dwelling was regularly frequented by personal friends of the family who moved in the best society. He was 37 years of age, married and had a small family, but he was afflicted with a nervous disease, as the evidence shows, which necessitated the use of nervines and sedatives. Some of these failed to give the desired relief and recently he procured a narcotic proprietary medicine known as bromedia and which is prepared by Battle $ Co., of St. Louis. Yesterday afternoon Mr. Atwood had a severe attack and took a teaspoonful of the preparation. According to the testimony of his wife, Mr. Jennie Atwood, he fell into a deep sleep from which she was unable to rouse him. She became alarmed and sent for Dr Bennett and Dr. Brosnan, and a subcutaneous injection of strychnine was administered. Copious doses of strong coffee were given, but without the desired effect. Death occurred about 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon. The verdict rendered by Coroner Mennninger's jury this afternoon was to the effect that death was caused by stoppage of the heart's action, which was due to the excessive use of narcotics.

Obituary. Jonathan N. Tifft.

Jonathan N. Tifft, who died on Sunday at Willard's Hotel, Washington, in the 57th year ofhis age, was formerly a well known resident of this city. For some time he had been suffering from pulmonary and gastric catarrh, which finally proved fatal. The deceased at one time was a commission merchant, doing business at No. 32 Day street, New York. In 1865 he opened a banking office at No. 57 Broadway. He negotiated the Mexican loan. This brought him into prominence with the Mexican government, and it's commissioner appointed him the special financial agent of the government in New York, which relation he sustained at the time of his death. For the last two years, however, he had been gradually retiring from active business. He leaves a wife and two sons, both of whom are engaged in the practice of Law. The funeral will take place to-morrow his home, No. 53 East Twenty-first street, New York.

April 1, 1885. Grant Dying

The Old Warrior's Condition Very Serious.

Gerneral Grant may die in an hour or he may live three days. That is what his physicians say this afternoon; they limit him to three days. He was seized with a bad spell at 4:30 this morning and immediately the street in front of his residence at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Sixty-Sixth street resounded with the scurry of carriages flying to summon friends to witness what were supposed to be his last minutes on earth. The Rev. Dr. Newman and Dr. Chaffee were huriedly brought to the General's bedside, and his family gathered about him in anticipation of the end. The attack passed off, however, and by seven o'clock the patient had rallied but was very weak. At ten o'clock Fred Grant said his father was sitting up in his chair feeling somewhat better. Dr. Newman says that the General's mind is wonderfully clear and strong, and the physicians generally agree that he is living rather on his mental than his physical system. At two o'clock there will be a conference of physicians, when the question of a minor operation, making an aperature in the throat, to relieve suffocation will be advocated by Dr. Sands. There is no talk of an operation to remove the cancer and has not been among the physicians for a long time. The family still hope against hope and give the bright side of the General's condition. the physicians' views are darker. The patient's condition during the day is told in the following bulletins:
At 7 o'clock this bulletin was issued: 6:30 o'clock- General Grant rested well until 4 A. M., when he was seized with an attack of weakness, from which he has now rallied. 10:30 A. M.- Ex-Senator Chaffee has just left General Grant. He ways that the General is growing weaker, the throat is thickening, but the main trouble is with the heart. The doctors say he may die at any time. 10:45 A. M. - Senator Chaffee states that the sudden weakness of General Grant this morning was the result of an affection of the heart. It is understod now that General Grant has entirely lost the power of speech. 11:40 A. M.- General Grant is still alive, but is sinking fast. 2:45 P. M.- In response to an inquiry, colonel Fred Grant has just stated: 'Father is very feeble, and I think failing. I hardly think he will get through the night.'
General Badeau telegraphed to Colonel Payne at Washington to the effect that at the consultation this afternoon it was doublful if his (General Grant's) throat was in a condition to be examined, but if it should be in condition it was doubtful if any good result would follow, because the disease of the throat is regarded beyond the control of the physicians. Part 5