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BELL SYSTEM TECHNICAL JOURNAL 



second, by augmenting his ability to make observations through the 

 use of adequate instruments; and third, by employing specific and 

 highly sensitive reactions as well as conversion products of high 

 molecular weight. 



Micromethods serve the obvious purpose of analyzing minute 

 amounts of material, thereby providing information otherwise unob- 

 tainable. Actual experience at Bell Laboratories, however, has shown 

 that the reduction in magnitude of operations frequently permits 

 analyses to be carried out with greater rapidity and more certain 

 results even when the quantity of sample available is not a considera- 



J'ig. 2 — General view of hood in the microanahtical laboratory, giving some idea of 

 the relative size of glassware and other equipment used. 



tion. The construction of apparatus, when more intricate set-ups are 

 necessary, is far easier and more economical on a small scale and the 

 breakage is less. Reactions run their courses more quickly and are 

 more easily controlled. Reagents may be used whose costliness would 

 be prohibitive on a larger scale. These advantages, added to the 

 capacity to make minute observations, provide a technique of great 

 flexibility, a fact repeatedly demonstrated by successful applications 

 to problems arising in the design, manufacture and maintenance of 

 telephone equipment. 



In microqualitative examinations, an effort is usually made to 

 bring the unknown material into solution in a volume not exceeding a 



