THE WORLD'S NEWS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10299, 7 January 1927, Page 3

THE WORLD'S NEWS

MOONBEAMS AND MOODS.

A miner at Walsall, in opposing his wife’s application for a separation, pleaded tnat his married life had been cennortab.c, except during.. rtic caanges of tne moon, whicii a. ways infected his wife and caused her to nn>. Herein he voiced a b-ehei as ancient almost .as the human race, hive very word “lunatic'’ enshrines the eld idea Uiat tne moon is some mysterious way affects adversely the emotions, and through them the mind. Sailors say that to sleep on deck with their faces uncovered in the tropic moonlight causes them to become “light-headed,’’ while the influence of the lunar cycle on the prevalonce of suicide has been observed by several investigators.

THOSE BRIDAL BOBBINS. The “bridal bobbin,” which turned up the other day in a London auction room, is a reminder of the times when the manufacture of lace by hand was an important-rural industry in many parts of England. Bone’ bobbins were used, and were greatly prized. Many of them were tlie work and gifts of rustic sweethearts to the girls of their choice on their rustic wedding day. Henc-e the term bridal bobbins. They were frequently deeqratea with wliat were known in those days as “love posies,” spelt out in coloured beads. “Love me and forsake all others,” and “Let no false lovei 'gain thy heart,” were favourite posies that occur frequently.

WHEN SOLDIERS WERE

FLOGGED

The tombstone erected in Heston (Middlesex) Churchyard to the memory of Private John TV bite, who was the; last mail in the British Army to be flogged, has been renovated instance of the officers of the Hh. Hussars, to which regiment TV bite was attached. At the inquest on White at- Hounslow revelations were made as to the brutality shown- during the infliction of the punishment. That shocked the whole " British public, and led first of all to the reduction of the number of laslies to be given to any soldier condemned to Hogging to a maximum of fifty, and ultimately, in 1866, to the abolition of flogging altogether in tlie Army. >

EAT MORE FRUIT! It lias been definitely established that iodine is an essential to nealth, and that in it we have a new elixir of life. Lack of iodine in the blood is responsible for many ailments, including goitre or “Derbyshire neck. Tliis lack of iodine is termed “iodine starvation,” and to counter its effect it is necessary to absorb iodine into the system. The best way of doing this is by eating plenty ot fresh fruit, vegetables, and common salt. Nature realises the need of iodine, and we undo much of her work by refusing salt and by peeling and boiling our fruit and vegetables. lodine is a perfect external germicide, and during the war it's worth was realised as a first antiseptic dressing. Raw iodine should he taken only in reasonable doses, and always under the supervision of a doctor.

“CLOCK OF DEATH.” Mrs. Madden, widow of SurgeonGeneral O. D. Madden and aunt of Admiral Sir Charles Madden, who has just died, lived at Hampton Court Palace in a suite of apartments immediately under the famous astronomical clock known as the “Clock of Death.” On tlie death of Anne of Denmark, wife of James 1., it is said that the clock suddenly stopped, and several instances are recorded by tlie superstitious when the clock has stopped on, more recent occasions upon the death of a resident in the palace, tlie last only a few months ago. But on the death of Mrs. Madden the clock failed to endorse the- legend .

HOW TO PREVENT CANCER. Ninety per cent, of all cancer cases could be cured or prevented, claims Mr. H. TV. S. TV-right, M.S., F.R.C.S., the famous surgeon, in “The Conquest- of Cancer” (Kegan Paul). “l'f all persons over forty years of age,” he said, “were routinely examined once every six months to see that they had not canc-er or a: precancerous condition, and- if these when found were promptly dealt with, then cancers would cease to he the plagues they are at present.” Every 'intelligent person lias his teeth examined every six •'months, adds Mr. Wriglit, and a similar examination is not too much to pay for freedom from cancer.

An American experiment on these lines over twenty years caused a considerable drop in cases of fully-devel-oped cancer.

FROM BED TO POND

SLEEP WALKER DROWNED

That she was found drowned, having entered tlie water in her sleep, was the verdict returned at the inquest at Brochnm, (England), on Mrs. Eleanor Mackrell, aged 43. The husband, Henry Robert Mackrell, a lime burner, stated that he awoke in the morning and found his wife missing. Her body was found in a pond.

A doctor -said lie could not find that the woman struggled or attempted to breathe after entering the water. His opinion was that she walked in her sleep from the house and became unconscious through the shock of immersion.

]'?fcre Her marriage the woman was a domestic servant, and he understood that on one occasion she left her bed while asleep, cleaned up the nursery and got into bed again.

THE WRONG TWIN

TAKEN TO HOSPITAL BY MIS-

TAKE

That one baby boy was sent to bos-, •pital in, mistake for-his twin brother was reported by Mrs. Blackburn, wife of a Hull marine engineer, to the Hull coroner when an inquest was held oil one of the twins. According to the mother, one of the children suffered from minor illness, and it.was decided to send him to the hospital for attention. The other twin, who was then quite healthy, was taken in mistake, but later, when the mistake was discovered, he developed bronchial pneumonia and died suddenly in liis mother’s arms. A verdict is accordance with the medical evidence was returned.

A FRIENDLY SLAP

COSTS MAN HIS LIFE

Orrin Williams was thrown into the St. Lawrence River at Alexandra Bay, New York district,-and drowned last month as the result of a friendly slao on the back by Arthur Lc Febre. Le Febre was arrested and taken to Jefferson County Gaol on am open •barge. Harry Hunniwell, a witness ’colored he and Williams were standing near the end of a .dock when Le approached and slapped Wil•TYis between the shoulders, saying, : “Thi« is" a great niglit for ' a swim, - 'Willikins- staggerecf andtetl into the stream.