196 PROCEEDINGS OF THE OHIO ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



contributions to the "Chemical News" of London, the first being 

 "A Study of the Chemical Reactions of Strychnine," and for 

 a few years he was the editor of the Ohio Medical and Surgical 

 Journal." He rapidly specialized in the study of poisons and 

 especially ini the microscopic examination of their efifect upon 

 bloods, the by no means impossible tradition being that in the 

 nearly ten years during which these investigations were going on, 

 he immolated upon the altar of science no fewer than two- 

 thousand cats and dogs. At any rate, his laboratory in the 

 Medical College building was always an open market for the dis- 

 posal of stray specimens of Felis domestica or Canis familiaris, 

 and in an emergency he did not hesitate to draw upon the re- 

 sources of his friends. I recall the fact that an incorrigible 

 puppy, adopted into my own family and foreordained to scientific 

 renown by the bestowal upon him of the name "John Tyndall" 

 was hastily summoned to contribute his life's blood to the solu- 

 tion of a certain important problem. The culmination of these 

 years of patient research was in the publication in 1867 of that 

 great work, "The Micro-Chemistry of Poisons" to the prepara- 

 tion of which his accomplished wife contributed in a remarkable 

 manner; first, by making beautiful and accurate drawings of 

 minute crystals as seen under the microscope ; and then, after 

 expert engravers had comjpletely failed in their attempts to re- 

 produce them, teaching herself the art of engraving on steel so 

 successfully that the illustrations when published commanded 

 the admiration of both the artistic and the scientific world. 



While residing in Columbus, Dr. Wormley served as chemist 

 to the Ohio Geological Survey and filled other important offices 

 to which he was appointed by various governors of the state. 

 He was the author of numerous state reports and of a volume 

 on "Methods of Analysis of Coals, Iron Ores, Furnace Slags, 

 Fire Clays, Limestones and Soils." He was frequently called 

 upon from all parts of the country to make examinations and 

 give testimony in cases of suspected poisoning. His "Micro- 

 Chemistry of Poisons" was pronounced to be the most valuable 

 contribution to toxicology and medical jurisprudence that Amer- 

 ica has ever made, and unsurpassed by anything done in Europe. 



