A MERICA'S fire loss for the past five years averaged $30,000 an hour. We destroy more property by fire than do any four nations of Europe, and this, despite certain recent and startling disclosures to the contrary, is not because we are a nation of incendiarists. The chief reason is that we, unlike Europe, have not learned that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In Germany, that stronghold of fire prevention, there has recently been perfected a new form of extinguisher which combines the two methods heretofore used in machines designed for fighting incipient fires. These are the well-known "chemical tank", which throws an acid liquid and is practically useless in fighting burning liquids, and the tube of powder, which depends upon the action of gravity and is limited in range by the proximity with which the operator may approach the fire. A German inventor has so adapted the two schemes that a solid powder is thrown under high pressure and in a well-directed manner. The apparatus consists of a reservoir for the extinguishing powder, connected with a flask containing compressed carbonic acid. As soon as the lever at the top is turned, the carbonic acid rushes out into the reservoir, projecting the powder on the conflagration under enormous pressure, and much more efficiently than any gravity apparatus could do. When the fire has been put out, the apparatus is closed by pressing the lever, thus storing for future needs the remainder of the powder and carbonic acid. The powder reservoir has a patented EXTINGUISHER BEING USED ON WOODEN CABIN lock, and being tested at about 15,000 pounds, both the reservoir and flask are safe against explosion. Many of the foremost German engineering and banking firms, the German Bank among others, have installed the apparatus in their various departments, and the managers of German fire brigades are considering its installation as a part of their equipment. Recent fire extinction tests were made by the builders of the machine in the suburb of Tempelnof (Berlin) at a secluded spot equipped with everything required for the lighting and extinguishing of fires. They were attended by interesting results. These headquarters of harmless incendiarism had been equipped with wooden huts, a row of bottles containing the most inflammable liquids, and half a dozen tiny apparatus painted a bright red. The first demonstration was planned to show the ease with which burning liquids may be extinguished. Into a ditch, dug a short time before for the sake of some public fire tests, was poured some kerosene, and on top of it, some gasoline. A burning match A MINIATURE FIRE ENGINE was then thrown into the mixture and the conflagration augmented by pouring some more gasoline on the fire from a flask fitted with a safety lock. When the flame had assumed sufficient dimensions, the firemen seized one of the extinguishers and projected on the fire a stream of fine powder, which put it out even more quickly than it had been lighted. The next test was made with a barrel containing tar, on top of which was poured some kerosene and gasoline to make it even more inflammable. The flames which issued from this combustible barrel were, of course, still higher than those of the gasoline. This conflagration was quickly extinguished by the efficient little apparatus. A heap of logs coated with tar and sprinkled over with kerosene and gasoline was then set on fire and extinguished in a similar way. Then followed a final and exacting test. A wooden cabin of respectable dimensions was ignited. It immediately threw off clouds of smoke and fire and was fanned by the strong wind into a huge blaze. The task of extinguishing such a blaze with the small instrument was accomplished in less than two seconds. It will readily be understood that extinguishers of this type are of the utmost value for safe-guarding extensive buildings where great crowds are gathered; for example, theatres, music halls, department stores, assembly rooms, and hospitals. Whenever a fire breaks out, the extinguisher-ever ready for operationcan always be brought to the rescue, and unless the conflagration has assumed too great dimensions before its discovery, the chances are that it will be extinguished before the arrival of the fire company. Owing to the effectual fire protection thus afforded and to the fact that, unlike water, the solid powder exerts no destructive effects, insurance companies will, of course, lower their rates for buildings equipped with such apparatus. The extinguisher is types containing four, "THE NEXT TEST WAS MADE WITH A BARREL CONTAINING TAR" made in three seven, and nine pounds of powder, respectively. In addition, there is a large transportable apparatus carrying 175 pounds of powder, and a carbonic acid flask sufficing for three charges. This apparatus is intended not only for incipient fires, for the huge quantities of powder which it projects make it valuable in fighting more extensive conflagrations. Such a device is really an efficient fire engine reduced to miniature dimensions. It should prove invaluable in dry countries. FOR FARM TREATMENT FOR THE INSANE T By ALFRED JONES HE asylum or congregational method of dealing with mental defectives should be declared obsolete and hurtful. It will come to be proscribed, and must follow to oblivion the institutional care of foundlings, orphans, and other social dependents. individual cottages for orphan boys and girls and the boarding out plan for foundlings are paving the way for colony treatment of the insane. Investigations such as were pursued by Dr. Kelsey, Professor in Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania, have laid bare fundamental fallacies in the principles of con At the opening of the liberal Blankenburg reform administration in Philadelphia a probe was made into the conditions existing at Blockley, the municipal asylum for the insane. It was found that the inmates were herded together like animals and that their malady was being aggravated by the fearful congestion in which they were forced to live. The results of the probe were reported to the city government and the problem of relieving the situation devolved upon the health depart ment. When Alexander Wilson, who was appointed Assistant Director of the Department of Health and Charities on the election of Mayor Blankenburg, made his first round of the done by the patients themselves. In these houses Mr. Wilson placed colonies of men under the supervision of a man and his wife, the latter acting as matron. Each colony consists of about twentyfive men, suffering with some mild form of mania, harmless, willing to make themselves useful, and eager to be given a share in the duties and responsibilities of A GAME OF CHECKERS AT NOON city properties his attention was called to Mr. Wilson organized the colony scheme of treatment for mild cases of insanity. His plan was to place the mildest and most hopeful of the patients in colonies where they could live normal, healthy lives with individual interests, and yet under the community plan. He remodeled two of the old farmhouses at a ridiculously low expense to the city. farm life. From inmates of an institution where they felt their dependence and were doomed to grow sullen and discontented in a state of enforced idleness, the men have developed into self-respecting citizens of one of the most remarkable communities in the country. Soon after the colony, a their admittance to "The health of the men in the colonies," said Dr. McLane, "is far better than that of the patients in the institution. The farmers are contented. They gradually learn to forget their grievances and manias under the influence of liberty, work, sleep, and recreation. Their health is improved and that has its effect upon ONE OF THE COLONY HOUSES AT BYBERRY FARM Philadelphia is experimenting with the colony scheme of treatment for mild cases of insanity. rarely a case of a man attempting to escape." The patients in the colony are not held under any restriction. They are watched only in a general way and are given absolute freedom in the selection of their work and in carrying on the labors of the farm. The scheme, a radical departure in the treatment of insanity, is epochmaking in significance. The two cottages which have been used for the Byberry experiment are comfortable old farmhouses which were renovated and made sanitary for their new purpose. The tall shade trees shielding them alike from sun and wind, toward a permanent cure. They are considered always as patients and never as farm hands. They are brought to Byberry to be restored to health, and the cultivation of the farm and the chores about house and barn are simply part of the cure. The aim of the plan is to make them happy and to give them such occupation as will take their minds off their particular mania. It is steady insistence upon these high ideals of conduct for the colony that has brought about the cures. When patients are admitted to the colony it is usually difficult to teach them to work. After they have mastered their tasks, however, pride in their achieve |