89 
THE CHEMIST AND THE COMMUNITY. 
Won. M. BLANCHARD. 
Some twenty-five years ago there was to be found in a certain college 
town a spring to whose waters had been ascribed for many years very pro- 
nounced medicinal qualities. People came from quite a distance to exper- 
ience the efficacy of the healing fountain. The water possessed an odor 
suggestive of hydrogen sulphide and it became known as a sulphur water. 
It was taken on faith, no analysis of the water ever having been made. 
During long, dry summers the spring had a habit of withholding its heal- 
ing fluid. 
In course of time the benevolent old gentleman who taught chemistry at 
the college passed away and was succeeded by a much younger man whose 
interest in practical chemistry had kept pace with his studies of atoms and 
molecules. The famous spring attracted his attention. An analysis of the 
water showed evidence of marked sewage contamination and further in- 
vestigation revealed the fact that the main sewer of the town, whose 
location had apparently been forgotten, passed within twenty feet of the 
spot 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 
but 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 
but, 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 were submitted 
to the city council, each guaranteed to contain fifty per cent asphalt, prices 
practically the same. It was suggested that the chemist at the University 
in the town test them out and to such a request he readily responded. The 
oils were found to contain anywhere from 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- 
plied Greencastle varied considerably in quality and at times was practic- 
ally of no use at all. Complaints had been made for some time but all 
break-downs and poor 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 provided 
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 standard gas 
