One kilogram is equal to a weight represented by one liter of distilled water at 4° C. In the centigrade scale 0 (32°+F.) is the freezing point; 100°+ (212°+ F.) is the boiling point. Five degrees C. corresponds to nine degrees F.

All measures in the metric system are derived from the meter, and their names express their values. Some of the names in the French system (like our "dime") are not in practical use; eg, hectometer, decagram, etc.

One inch 2.5 centimeters nearly; one quart (wine measure) 0.946 liter; one pound Troy=0.373 kilogram; one acre =0.4046 hectare.

AN INQUIRY

INTO THE

TRANSMISSION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES

THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF RAGS.

BY CHARLES F. WITHINGTON, M.D.

TRANSMISSION OF

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF RAGS.

BY CHARLES F. WITHINGTON, M. D.

I. INTRODUCTORY.

From the United States Census of 1880 it appears that in that year the consumption of rags by the paper industry, in all the States, amounted to 187,917 tons, and the total value of all the products of the paper manufactories to $55,109,914. The single State of Massachusetts consumed 62,922 tons, or exactly one-third of this total amount of rags; and with three other of the New England States, namely, Maine, New Hampshire and Connecticut, nearly one-half of all the rags used in the country. The States that came next to Massachusetts in the amount of rags used were : Ohio, with 20,012 tons; New York, with 19,083; Pennsylvania, with 16,678.

About forty per cent. of the rags thus used are imported from foreign countries. From the United States Commerce and Navigation Reports we learn that the importation of cotton and linen rags into the ports of the United States for the last four years has been as follows:

These importations are from all parts of the world. For instance, in 1884, rags were brought to us from sixty-five different countries. The chief sources of these rags, with the number of tons, respectively, from each country were as follows: England, 28,000 tons; Germany, 25,500; Scotland, 6,500; Italy, 4,500; Belgium, 4,000; the Netherlands,