ACHIEVEMENTS OF CHEMICAL INDUSTRY — DUISBEEG. 249 



The devclopinent of the anthracene colors, aside from the tinctorial 

 progress, brought about remarkable results in pure chemical research, 

 for example, the peculiar action of boric acid and the catalytic action 

 of quicksilver in the sulphonation processes of anthraquinone. 



But in this branch of our science as well there is still much room 

 for develo])ment. ]Many problems remain unsolved and new ones are 

 continually arising. To satisfy the demand of the dyer many dye- 

 stuffs must still be S5rnthetized. 



The ceaseless efforts of the color chemist will undoubtedly bring 

 us farther and farther along tliis road, and complaints about the 

 insufficient fastness of dyed materials will be silenced at last. If this 

 goal is to be reached, it is absolutely necessary for the consumer to 

 support the manufacturer, and I take tliis opportunity to state that 

 m the United States of America these fast colors are to-day more 

 generally used and found recognition and widespread application 

 here earlier than in any other country. 



PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY. 



I will now deal with the progress and problems of the pharmaceu- 

 tical industry in the synthetic production of medicinal drugs. This 

 industry is the youngest daughter of the coal-tar industry, and it is 

 not long since she celebrated her twenty-fifth anniversary. Those 

 who, like myself, had the good fortune to stand at her cradle when 

 Ludwig Knorr discovered antipyrin and to guide her first tottering 

 steps at the time phenacetin and sulphonal were brought out must 

 look back with a jo}'ful heart to this period of splendid growth. 

 Much biilliant work has been accomplished, but a vast amount still 

 remains to be done. Here we see chemistry and medicine intimately 

 bound together, the one dependent upon the other and powerless 

 without its aid. What an organization, what boundless intelligence 

 is necessary, and what immense energy has to be expended in order 

 to discover a new synthetic remedy and to smooth its path through 

 the obstacles of commerce! First, we need a fully ec^uipped chemical 

 laboratory, then a pharmacological institute with a staff of men 

 trained in medicine and chemistry, an abundance of animals to exper- 

 iment upon, and, finally — the latest development in this field — a 

 chemo-therapeutic and bacteriological department equipped accord- 

 ing to the ideas of Prof. Ehrlich, these in close connection with one 

 another. Whatever has been evolved and, after much painstaking 

 cffoit, selected as useful finds its way into the manufacturing depart- 

 ment, there to be elaborated in the most minute details and brought 

 to the liighest possible pitch of perfection. Now begins the arduous 

 work of the scientific department. Here the right sponsors must be 

 found; here all ])rejudices must be brushed aside and an extensive 



