THE CHEMICAL ELEMENTS—RAMSAY. 195 
pounds; by creating the power at the pit mouth, and distributing it 
electrically, as is already done in the Tyne district. Economy can 
also be effected in replacing beehive coke ovens by recovery ovens; 
this is rapidly being done; and Dr. Beilby calculates that in 1909 
nearly 6 million tons of coal, out of a total of 16 to 18 millions, were 
coked in recovery ovens, thus effecting a saving of 2 to 3 million tons 
of fuel annually. Progress is also being made in substituting gas for 
coal or coke in metallurgical, chemical, and other works. But it must 
be remembered that for economic use, gaseous fuel must not be 
charged with the heavy costs of piping and distribution. 
The domestic fire problem is also one which claims our instant 
attention. It is best grappled with from the point of view of’smoke. 
Although the actual loss of thermal energy in the form of smoke is 
small—at most less than a half per cent of the fuel consumed—still the 
presence of smoke is a sign of waste of fuel and careless stoking. In 
works mechanical stokers which insure regularity of firing and com- 
plete combustion of fuel are more and more widely replacing hand- 
firing. But we are still utterly wasteful in our consumption of fuel 
in domestic fires. There is probably no single remedy applicable; 
but the introduction of central heating, of gas fires, and of grates which 
permit of better utilization of fuel will all play a part in economizing 
our coal. It is open to argument whether it might not be wise to 
hasten the time when smoke is no more by imposing a 6-penny fine 
for each offense; an instantaneous photograph could easily prove the 
offense to have been committed; and the imposition of the fine might 
be delayed until three warnings had been given by the police. 
Now, I think that what I wish to convey will be best expressed by 
an allegory. Aman of mature years who has surmounted the troubles 
of childhood and adolescence without much disturbance to his physical 
and mental state gradually becomes aware that he is suffereng from 
loss of blood; his system is being drained of this essential to life and 
strength. What does hedo? If he is sensible, he calls in a doctor, or 
perhaps several, in consultation; they ascertain the seat of the disease, 
and diagnose the cause. They point out that while consumption of 
blood is necessary for healthy life, it will lead to a permature end if 
the constantly increasing drain is not stopped. They suggest certain 
precautionary measures; and if he adopts them, he has a good chance 
of living at least as long as his contemporaries; if he neglects them, his 
days are numbered. 
That is our condition as anation. We have had our consultation in 
1903; the doctors were the members of the coal commission. They 
showed the gravity of our case, but we have turned a deaf ear. 
It is true that the self-interest of coal consumers is slowly leading 
them to adopt more economical means of turning coal into energy. 
But I have noticed and frequently publicly announced a fact which 
