I04 Associations and Societies 



many years, and one which through the stern teaching of the war 

 is gradually being brought home to the bulk of the nation. This, 

 however, is a matter which is intimately bound up with our whole 

 System of education, and until that System has been thoroughly re- 

 formed it is hopeless to expect that chemistry and the other experi- 

 mental sciences will take their proper position. 



So far as our Colleges are concerned, I feel very strongly that a 

 more thorough training in analytical chemistry is desirable, and I 

 would, in addition, venture to suggest that the present curriculum 

 of those chemical students who intend to become professional chem- 

 ists should, whenever possible, be amplified so as to include a f urther 

 year of study. 



During this post-graduate year, the Student should be trained by 

 thoroughly competent and specially-selected teachers under condi- 

 tions approximating more to those of the technical than to those of 

 the academic laboratory. 



During his academic course of practical work the Student is very 

 properly taught that accuracy is the first consideration, and the 

 factor time, which is so important in the works laboratory, scarcely 

 enters into his calculations. Again, he has been taught to work on a 

 small Scale, has little or no knowledge of the disturbing influence of 

 mass, and has never learned to think in terms of large scale Opera- 

 tions. He has not, moreover, acquired even the most elementary 

 knowledge of engineering, and does not know how to construct or 

 to interpret even the simplest drawings of plant. 



During this additional year of study I am far from suggesting 

 that the Student should attempt to familiarise himself with any one 

 special brauch of applied chemistry ; but I feel convinced that, under 

 the working conditions I have in mind, he would acquire a new 

 mental attitude and a new way of looking at chemical problems 

 which would do much to bridge over the gap which exists at present 

 between his academic studies and his work in the factory. Even 

 with this additional knowledge the young chemist must, if disap- 

 pointment is to be avoided, realise that he has much to learn, and 

 that a good deal of his f urther technical training will have to be 

 done at the expense of his employer. 



Whilst words fail to express the indignation which one some- 



