© 2012 Cardiff Scientific Society

There was also a demonstration of the brain and spinal cord of a monkey. A formidable biological array, and then, as recorded in the minutes, 'light refreshments were provided'. In keeping with the custom of the times, these were served by the ladies. At the next meeting, Mr. Barlow delivered a lecture on 'Bridges' using lantern slides to illustrate contractors Dorman Long 's £4 million tender to build the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Another lecture was entitled 'Turning the searchlight on our meat supply'.

Not all lectures were easy to follow or appreciated by the mixed ability audiences and the secretary was required, when inviting speakers to address the Society, in future 'to impress upon them that a popular lecture should be given as members of the Society were purely laymen'. A suggestion was made that speakers should indicate books that could be read to enhance understanding of the subject and a sub-committee was formed to organise and manage a small scientific library.

Membership participation was being encouraged and on May 28th 1931, four members each gave a lecture/demonstration beginning with Mr. R. Hogan's 'Germs found in disease' followed by Mr. W.M. Branson on 'Muscles and how they work'. Mr E.G. Holden followed with a description of 'Liquid Air' and the evening ended with Mr. C.M. Parsons describing 'The Modern Wireless Set'. The evening ended at 10.15pm. At the next committee meeting it was proposed and agreed that evening meetings would be advertised as 7.45 for 8pm, and that they would end at 9.30pm.

Later the same year, another members evening was held with lantern slides, exhibits and conversazione. The focus was on tubercle bacilli; other colonies of bacteria; trypanosoma, the cause of sleeping sickenss in Man; the mouth parts of insects carrying disease, fleas, tapeworks, filaria - the cause of elephantiasis and the trichinella worm which infects pork. There was also a demonstration of the brain and spinal cord of a monkey. A formidable biological array, and then, as recorded in the minutes, 'light refreshments were provided'. In keeping with the

custom of the times, these were served by the ladies.

At the next meeting, Mr. Barlow delivered a lecture on 'Bridges' using lantern slides to illustrate contractors Dorman Long 's £4 million tender to build the Sydney Harbour Bridge.  Another lecture was entitled 'Turning the searchlight on our meat supply'.

Not all lectures were easy to follow or appreciated by the mixed ability audiences and the secretary was required, when inviting speakers to address the Society, in future 'to impress upon them that a popular lecture should be given as members of the Society were purely laymen'. A suggestion was made that speakers should indicate books that could be read to enhance understanding of the subject and a sub-committee was formed to organise and manage a small scientific library.

Financial difficulties continued, but suggestions that whist drives and dances could be arranged were rejected. A varied lecture programme was organised for 1934, Mr Herrenden-Harker M.A. spoke on 'Harmonics'; Professor D.T. Jones addressed the problem of 'Silicosis' and Dr. Dan Davies spoke on 'Glands and Personality' and again on 'Enzymes'.

Another topic of interest was 'Infra-red photography and its influence on Spiritualism'. Dr. McGowan spoke on the 'Sterilisation of the unfit'. This, and many other lectures were followed by an off the record conversation.

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