THOMPSON YATES AND JOHNSTON LABORATORIES REPORT 
The laboratories were designed for post-graduate class work and for special 
research, the rooms or cubicles for the latter being very numerous on every floor. 
Laboratory of Bio-Chemistry 
The Bio-Chemical Laboratory occupies the entire top floor, and consists of 
four rooms fitted up solely for research work upon chemical problems connected with 
the various departments of biological science. 
The principal room is 60 feet long and 30 feet wide, and is well lighted by 
ten large windows, 12 feet by 9 feet, the small remaining wall space being faced with 
white-glazed tiles, a wall cupboard being fixed to each pier to hold stock reagents and 
standard solutions. A complete belt of benches runs round the walls, and the 
middle of the room is practically divided into four working compartments by two 
large H -shaped benches, having an outside measurement of 22 feet by 16 feet. By 
this arrangement the laboratory is divided into bays in which investigators can work 
surrounded on all sides by working benches. The floor of the rooms and the tops 
of the benches are constructed of polished lito-silo, a material which lends itself well 
to such purposes on account of its resiliency, warmth, and non-absorbent properties. 
Drawers and presses are fitted underneath the benches for the storage of materials 
and apparatus, a free space being, however, left in the middle of each working space 
for convenience in sitting. Two large fume chambers, 9 feet by 3 feet, are built 
into the central benches, one at each end of the room, and contain six gas jets, 
regulated from outside, so that the fittings cannot be attacked by the fumes. Sinks 
are arranged in the wall benches opposite each pier, and each of the large central 
benches is provided with eight sinks. In addition, there are two large sinks placed 
one at either end of the room for washing glass apparatus. Steam is provided by a 
main pipe carried up the track of the lift and conducted along the wall on one side of 
the room for a distance of 18 feet, distribution taps with screw-down valves being 
provided at intervals of 3 feet for the attachment of steam baths and other heating 
appliances. The steam supply is also made use of for the production of distilled 
water by means of a suitable apparatus. 
Opening from the south end of the large room is the Professor's Research 
Room, measuring 20 feet by 16 feet, provided with working bench, fume chamber, 
and cupboards. 
To the east of this room, and communicating both with it and with the large 
room, is the Balance Room, provided with slate slabs for the support of the balances, 
let into the wall to ensure greater steadiness. The walls of this room are lined with 
bookcases, and there are writing tables under the windows. 
The fourth room, situated on the west side of the Professor's room is 
designed as a working library for the use of workers in the laboratory, and is fitted 
up with bookcases and a writing table. 
