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briancrandall's review
cf. Ben Marcus’ [b:The Age of Wire and String|155677|The Age of Wire and String|Ben Marcus|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1323550510l/155677._SY75_.jpg|268934]
December 21
One may attach oneself to any ribbon. They sinuate through all the towns at the approach of a disease, either to conjure it or to provoke it. A gyratory movement is established, which sweeps the interested parties along in its train. The last to get moving are ejected laterally and form a buffer at the corner of the buildings. To tell the truth, no sooner has he joined the ribbon than each demonstrator degenerates in the web, where he becomes filified. In the workers’ districts this superribbonning is liable to cause disasters. Some time ago the wave had become so compact at “Navigation” that it even dragged the buildings into its wake and rolled on as far as the Forest of Grance. No trace of either stones or inhabitants was found there. The web had devoured the lot.
July 31
Wobbly knees are immobilized on bail. The bail money is paid when children are born. It is collected by the register offices. Earth taken from molehills, with the addition of pulverized Molasse and water has proved to be an excellent “barbotine,” or potter’s clay. Provided that a supply depot can be found not far from the place where the sick person collapses—for he cannot be moved—they immediately immobilize his knees. They coat them with barbotine and leave it to dry. The patient stays on the ground, wherever he happens to be, until a decision has been taken by the coater on duty at the supply depot. The latter declares the fall to the register office himself. The bail money is then reimbursed to the parents, or, if they are dead, to the victim. It is irreclaimable in cases where they haven’t managed to master the wobbling. It’s a barbotine-insurance.
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