MARCH 22, 1901. ] 
the scientific principles involved in the 
special construction of apparatus and plant 
for chemical processes on a large scale.”’ 
Dr. Ost, whose connection with both the 
industries and teaching has been so inti- 
mate, says: “ Liebig, who had for long 
years taught technical chemistry in Giessen 
and, as none other, had promoted the ap- 
plications of chemistry, could say in 1840 
‘T know many (those trained in pure science 
only) who now stand at the head of soda, 
sulphuric acid, sugar and cyanide works, 
dyeing and other industries, and without 
ever having had previously to do with them, 
were completely entrusted with works proc- 
esses within the first half-hour, and in the 
next brought forth a number of most im- 
portant improvements.’ Sixty years ago, 
this judgment characteristic of the time, 
this enthusiastic declaration of Liebig, 
would constitute a dogma, but it is no 
longer tenable. The chemist graduated 
from the technical high school is no longer 
in position to begin his factory experience 
with introduction of improvements.’’ This, 
Ost says, is because of the better and more 
perfect organization of modern works. And 
Dr. Lorenz of the Zurich Polytechnicum 
says: ‘‘ The electrochemist should not be 
graduated until he has been taught how to 
use modern methods in very large appara- 
tus. We find in electrochemistry wide 
difference between the theory and the facts. 
In the laboratory current yield and greatest 
economy of electrical energy are often the 
principal consideration, but in technology 
corrosion of electrodes or diaphragms is 
much more expensive than any variation of 
energy.”’ What an important illustration 
of a special study of materials of engineer- 
ing in the preparation for the chemical in- 
dustry. And what a sensation of sympathy 
this must arouse in all those who have had 
to do with the handling of corrosive mate- 
rials in the very large quantities and 
volumes, which modern methods involve. 
SCIENCE. 
451 
How often it happens that success of an im- 
portant operation is delayed and even made 
impracticable because of want of knowledge 
of suitable resistant material for construc- 
tion of containing vessels or apparatus. 
Probably the most important contribution 
to this subject is that of Mr. Beilby. In his 
address he says: ‘‘I have rarely seen the 
chemistry of a process lagging behind the 
engineering; most frequently it is the other 
way. Thechemical reactions involved in the 
ammonia soda process are simple and easily 
understood, but it required the genius and 
practical skill of men like Solvay and Mond 
to devise apparatus which could establish 
the manufacture on its present secure basis. 
What are the elements of which the skill is 
made up? ‘The scientific basis must be a 
thorough knowledge of the principles of 
chemistry, physics, dynamics and me- 
chanics, and added to this there must be a 
practical acquaintance with the materials 
of construction and the methods by which 
they are worked into structures. The de- 
signing and construction of apparatus for 
chemical works is a distinct branch of ap- 
plied science. It is in this that special 
skill is required, for works operations are 
not simply laboratory operations. 
‘The ideal chemical engineer should be 
in thorough sympathy with the modes of 
thought and with the methods of working 
of both the chemist and theengineer. Just 
as the professor of engineering teaches how 
to apply the law of statics, dynamics and 
kinematics to the design of structures or 
machines, so should the professor of chem- 
ical engineering trace the applications of the 
laws of chemistry and physics and dynamics 
in the problems which occur in designing 
chemical apparatus for works. I am quite 
satisfied that in the present state of popular 
opinion the position and work of the tech- 
nical chemist will not be properly recog- 
nized, unless he can associate himself, by his 
training and practice, with the engineering 
