Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 January 1886 — The Megaphone. [ARTICLE]

The Megaphone.

This instrument, used on shipboard, is a machine for magnifying sound. It is constructed of two cone-shaped tubes, eight feet long and three in diameter at the large end, which diminish to an apex in the form of rubber tubes ■small enough to place in the ear. Between these tubes are two smaller ones, constructed in the same manner, but not more than half the diameter. By placing the rubber tubes in the ear and speaking through the smaller cones the person can hear and be heard at a long distance, and it thus aids mariners in listening for the sound of breakers or carrying on conversation with persons on shore or other vessels at a distance. Dr. Fitch, of Honolulu, believes that leprosy is not communicable from person to person, except by heredity, and that it is really a fourth stage of syphilis, or a form of scrofula subsequent to syphilis occurring in persons of a broken-down constitution.— Dr. Footers Health Monthly. There is a New England Judge named Eck, who is reported as originating some very funny sayings. He doubtless presides over the court of Eck-witty. A little praise is good for a shy temper; it teaches us to rely on the kindness of others— Landor.