INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS FOR THE YEAR 1871. xxi 



In the writing of formula there is the same revolution, with 

 this difference, that the artistic element has been brought into 

 play, and a great variety of patterns now adorn our text- 

 books. Graphic formula were originally inserted for abbre- 

 viation and perspicuity ; they have now become voluminous, 

 and as unintelligible as' the ancient signs of the alchemist. 

 If we were to define the characteristic features of the present 

 state of chemical science we should undoubtedly say that it 

 was the general tendency to synthetic methods. 



This condition of things is the natural outgrowth of the 

 discussions about atoms, molecules, types, and graphic form- 

 ula. The chemist imagined certain reactions, and in many 

 instances has had the happiness to see them confirmed. As 

 soon as the way was pointed out, and the first barriers bro- 

 ken, the rush of chemists to the new fields of research was 

 great, and at the present time how to create by synthesis oc- 

 cupies the majority of the leading investigators of the world. 



Berzelius believed that chemical forces could not effect or- 

 ganic synthesis, and that when such changes occurred they 

 were due to the agency of vital force. This theory was ac- 

 cepted as correct, and synthetical chemistry was very little 

 studied ; we now find it overthrown, and even the fats have 

 been artificially prepared by Berthelot. Theoretical chem- 

 istry has therefore made great progress during the year, as 

 the number of workers has been more numerous than ever 

 before, and out of the theories advanced by chemists have 

 grown important practical applications. The whole subject 

 of bleaching, so happily founded by Berth ollet, has undergone 

 a great change. Instead of chlorine, oxygen is supposed to 

 do the work, and this renders it possible to introduce new 

 agents. Accordingly, we find the permanganate of potash, 

 a compound rich in oxygen, actually largely employed for 

 bleaching. Ozone also receives application for the same pur- 

 pose, and diligent search is made for a cheap method of its 

 preparation. 



The natural corollary of bleaching is disinfecting, and here 

 we observe the introduction of several new agents, the per- 

 manganate of potash, ozone, carbolic acid, and several metal- 

 lic salts. In this connection we must not fail to mention the 

 increased attention bestowed upon dry earth as a powerful 

 fixative agent, and its introduction into closets out of sani- 



