tKESIDKNTIAL ADUKKSS. ^(59 



tlyeirig with indigo. Hydro.Kylaniiur and liydiaziue arc used iji considerable 

 quantity, and the manufacture of cyanides by one or other of the modern 

 methods has become quite an important industry, mainly owing to the use of 

 the alkali salts in the cyanide process of gold extraction. These remarkable 

 compounds the metallic carbonyls have been investigated, and nickel carbonyl 

 is employed on the commercial scale in the extraction of the metal. Fine 

 I'hemicals for analysis and research are now supplied, as a matter of course, 

 ill a state of purity rarely attained a quarter of a century ago. 



In the organic chemical industry similar continued progress is to be noted. 

 Accessions are constantly being made to the already enormous list of synthetic 

 dyes, not only by the addition of new members to existing groups, but also 

 by the discoveiy of entirely new classes of tinctorial compounds ; natural indigo 

 seems doomed to share the fate of alizarine from madder, and to be ousted by 

 synthetic indigo, of which, moreover, a number of useful derivatives are also 

 made. Synthetic drugs of all kinds — antipyrine and phenacetin, sulphonal and 

 veronal, novacain and ^-eucaine, salol and aspirin, piperazine and adrenaline, 

 atoxyl and salvarsan — are produced in large quantities, as also are many 

 fiynthetic perfumes and flavouring materials, such as ionone, heliotropine, and 

 vanillin. Cellulose in the form of artificial silk is much used as a new textile 

 material, synthetic camphor is on the market, synthetic rubber is said to be 

 produced in considerable quantity ; and the manufacture of materials for photo- 

 graphic work and of organic compounds for research purposes is no small 

 part of the industry. However, it would serve no useful purpose to extend this 

 ffitalogue, which might be done almost indefinitely. 



British chemists are entitled to regard with satisfaction the part which they 

 have taken in the development of scientific chemistry (iuring the last three 

 decades, as in the past, but with respect to the progress of industrial chemistry 

 it must be regretfully admitted that, except in isolated cases, we have failed 

 in keep pace with nur competitors. Consider a single example. Although 

 (here still remain in South America considerable deposits of sodium nitrate 

 which can be worked at a profit, it is clear that sooner or later other source.s 

 of nitric acid must be made available. The synthetic production of nitric 

 acid from the air is now a commercial success ; several different processes are 

 ill operation abroad, and Germany is reported to be quite independent of outside 

 supplies. Electrical energy, upon the cost of which the success of the pTocess 

 largely depends, can be produced in this country at least as cheaply as in Ger- 

 many, and yet we have done nothing in the matter, unless we count as something 

 the appointment of a committee to consider possibilities. This case is only 

 too typical of many others. A number of different causes have contributed to 

 bring about this state of affairs, and the responsibility for it is assigned by sonie 

 to the Government, by others to the chemical manufacturers, and by still others 

 to the professors of chemistry. I think, however, it will be generally admitted 

 that the root of the matter is to be found in the general ignorance of and in- 

 difference to the methods and results of scientific work which characterises the 

 p'eople of this country. For many years past our leaders in science have done 

 all that lay in their power to awaken the country to the inevitable and deplor- 

 able results of this form of 'sleeping sickness,' but hitherto their reception has 

 been niuch the same as that accorded to the hero of ' The Pilgrim's Progress,' 

 as depicted in the following passage : — 



' He went on thus, even until he came at a bottom where he saw, a little out 

 of the way, three Men fast asleep with Fetters upon their heels. 



' Thename of the one was Simple, another Sloth, and the third Piesuiiiptioii. 



' Christian, then seeing them in this case, went to them, if peradventure he 

 might awaken them. And cried, You are like them that sleep on the top of a 

 Mast, for the Dead Sea is under you, a Gulf that hath no bottom.' Awake there- 

 fore and come away ; be willing also, and I will help you off with your irons. 

 He also told them, If he that goeth about like a Ttouring Lion comes by, yoti 

 will certainly become a prey to his teeth. 



' With that they lookt upon hini, and began to reply in this sort : Simple said, 

 I see no danger; Sloth said, Yet a little more sleep; and Presumption said,* 

 Every Vat must stand upon his own bottom. And they lay down to sleep again, 

 and Chrisiia7i went on his way.' 



1916 



