Marcu 19, 1914] 
NATURE 
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tween 3oool. and 10,000l. before any important results | gress can only be realised by the more slowly working 
or improvements can be obtained. 
It sometimes happens that preliminary operations 
of a seemingly innocent nature induce material changes 
which cause endless difficulties in subsequent treat- 
ment. These disturbing causes will be entirely over- 
looked if the chemist does not carry his investigations 
back to the raw material and examine processes on 
the broadest lines. 
In the process of mercerising the fibre must be kept 
under a condition of strain during at least one part of 
the process; and a long staple cotton (Egyptian) 
must be used if the treatment is to have its maximum 
effect. The mere chemical operation of mercerising 
was, in itself, ineffective (Figs. 1 and 2). 
Fic. 1.—Cotton fibres ( X 100). 
Thus, it is evident that the modern chemist must 
be prepared to carry his investigation to the extreme 
limits of experiment, or satisfactory results will not be 
obtained. Also that he must extend his work beyond 
the realm of chemistry proper. A more general know- 
ledge and scheme of working are necessary if the 
laboratory is not to remain a mere adjunct to the 
engineering department. The term, ‘‘chemical tech- 
nologist,’’ is one which possibly best describes the 
qualifications of the industrial investigator, and the 
knowledge he must possess. 
Fic. 2.—Cotton fibres after mercerising under tension (x 100). 
When the student considers such processes, he will 
realise that the difficulties and nature of modern 
industrial research are closely concerned with detail. 
This is always so. Many problems of similar import- 
ance undoubtedly still exist in the textile industry, but 
these will be solved only by the trained investigator 
who attends to this essential point. * 
Thus, success is often closely associated with the 
art of carrying existing processes a stage further. 
[t is with the careful working out of additional detail 
that it is associated. 
In numberless cases, progress is only secured by 
following up a seemingly unimportant point. This 
being so, the importance of a training, be it self- 
inflicted or otherwise, which qualifies a man to deal 
with such problems is evident. In its absence, pro- 
NO 2nO. VoL. a2 | 
aid of rule-of-thumb. 
The presence of this factor has given. the rule-of- 
thumb man great power in the past, for he has at 
his command a wonderfully accurate instrument. in 
the trained eye. The chemist with all his apparatus 
is in some cases no match for him. 
The investigator, sooner or later, realises the essen- 
tial value of empirical methods, and if he is wise lets 
the worker know that he does so. In this way, the 
chemist gains, the worker’s confidence, and the latter 
more clearly realises the true aim of research. Once 
this position is established, the workman will natur- 
ally direct attention to any variations in working 
| which may occur, or make suggestions of distinct 
| value. 
The workman has a great advantage. His 
mind is continuously concentrated on one operation. 
| Thus, it often happens that only by a careful study 
of deviations from the normal will the research chemist 
be able to report progress. His aim is to explain and 
control, the workman’s to manipulate. 
Facts which are but “ curiosities’? to the workman, 
and have remained so for many years in some cases, 
must be carefully investigated in detail by the chemist. 
They often represent the starting point for improve- 
ment—a first aid to progress, when all other means 
have failed. Time given to such investigation is never 
lost, for experience in the ways of processes is a com- 
manding asset to the industrial chemist. 
Where operations are conducted on a large scale 
there is a greater chance of recognising such condi- 
tions. An improvement when. applied on a larger 
scale has also a greater value. It is, therefore, better 
for the young chemist to get into a large works; 
unless he is compelled to enter a single department, in 
which case the greater freedom in a small works may 
be more valuable in spite of restricted output. 
Attention may be directed to a list of the probable 
actions which may be involved during dyeing opera- 
tions, which I advanced some time ago. 
(1) A solution state of the dye within certain limits 
of aggregation as determined by the laws of solution. 
(2) A fibre state corresponding to this state of aggre- 
gation and of a permeable nature. 
(3) Localisation of dyestuff within the fibre area 
through surface concentration effects. 
(4) Localisation of salts, acids, etc. (assistants), 
within the fibre area from the same cause. 
(5) The direct entrance of dye aggregates by mole- 
cular migration, with subsequent reformation of 
aggregates within the fibre area. 
(6) De-solution, due to surface concentration effects 
‘salting out’’), or secondary attraction, between the 
fibre substance and the dyes. 
(7) Primary or chemical action, which may play 
seme-part at this stage, and may even in some: cases 
take the place of, or cause, de-solution phenomena. 
(8) De-solution effects in the case of basic dyes, 
which may lead to alteration in constitution, and the 
production of basic salts in a state of high molecular 
aggregation (insoluble) within the fibre area, 
In recent years, Perrin has suggested that the action 
of dyeing is a purely electrical phenomena, and this 
suggestion has been followed up in some detail by 
Gee and Harrison in this country. 
It is only in certain cases that the chemist has a 
voice in the purchase of textile fibres, when certain 
physical or even chemical factors are recognised as 
being in question. 
The need for such supervision may be seen in the 
agitation which has been actively carried on by trade 
| associations and others concerning the methods used 
in South Africa in the dipping of sheep. 
For some reason best known to the authorities, a 
sheep dip is officially recommended which consists of 
