89 



THE CIIK.MIST AND 'I'lIK ('( tM.MrMTV. 



WM. M. I'.I.A.NC MAUI). 



Sniiic (\v('iit.v-liv(^ yoars ai^o tliciv was (o l»c round in a (■crfiuii colli't^c 

 tdwii a spring,' lu wliosc waters Iia<I lu'oii ascribed for many yoars very pro- 

 noiuiccd iiH'dicinal (lualitics. P('o])lc c-aiiic from (luiti- a distance to cxiicr- 

 icuco the efficacy of (lie licaiint,' fountain. 'I'lic water possessed an odor 

 su.i,'.s;estive of liydroircn sul|iiudr and it liecanie i<nown as a sulphur water. 

 It was taken on faitii, no analxsis of tlie water ever having been made. 

 1 >uring long, dry summers the sprint: had a liaiut of withholding its heal- 

 ing fluid. 



In citurse of time the benevolent old geidleman who taught chemistry at 

 I he college p.issed away and was succt'eded by a much younger man whose 

 interest in practical chemistry had kept iiace with his studies of atoms and 

 molecul»»s. The famous spring attracted his attention. An analysis of the 

 water showed evidence of nuirked sewage contamination and further in- 

 vestigation revealed the fact that tlie main sewer of the town, whose 

 location had apparently been forgotten, passed within twenty feet of the 

 sjiot from which the curative waters flowed. 



The writer had a similar experience several years ago with several 

 springs of Greencastle. Waters that were believed to be not merely potable 

 hut even particularly beneficial on account of the supposed presence of 

 special salts were found to be merely well charged with bicarbonate of lime 

 and the products of sewage decomposition. 



But it is not merely in the examination of public waters that the teacher 

 of chemistry may be of service to his community. To illustrate further, the 

 town of Greencastle has not felt able to supply itself with paved streets 

 iiut. like many other towns of the state, must still be content with Indiana 

 lime stone. To keep down the dust during the summer liberal applica- 

 tions of road oil have been used for several years. The effectiveness of the 

 oil has been by no means uniform and in some cases it has served its pur- 

 pose for only a few weeks. Last spring various samples wei'e submitted 

 to the city council, each guaranteed to contain fifty per cent asphalt, prices 

 l>ractically the same. It was suggested that the chemist at the University 

 in the town test them out and to such a request he readily resix)nded. The 

 oils were found to contain anywhere frcmi thirty-two to fifty-six per cent 

 of asphalt. The one with maximum content was chosen and as a result, 

 although the summer was an unusually dry one. the residents were not 

 troubled with dust during the entire summer. 



One other instance may be cited. Last year the quality of coal gas sup- 

 l»lied Greencastle varied considerably in quality and at times was practic- 

 ally of no use at all. romplaints had been made for stmie time but all 

 break-downs and iM)or service generally, like every other evil, were 

 attributed to the war. Near the close of the year the gas company asked 

 the State Commission for an increase in rates and was granted it provide<l 

 the company would maintain a gas output of standard quality. The plant 

 being a small one, the company did not feel able to install a standanl gas 



