350 
LIVERPOOL CHEMISTS 5 ASSOCIATION. 
French system of weights and measures should be adopted as the system of this country. 
They express themselves, however, as sensible of the great difficulties in the way of its 
early universal use, and they say that some evidence “ tends to prove that the existing 
system meets the popular wants,” and will not be easily expelled from popular use. 
They recommend that metric standards shall be provided by the local authorities for 
the use of the inspectors, and that the French names shall be applied to them ; they 
also recommend an international and decimal currency. 
In conclusion, I beg to express my hope that the Society may have a prosperous 
Session, and that the meetings may be well attended, and, especially, I hope that every 
member who can spare the time will attend the lectures by Mr. Davies, for I believe that 
there is not one who will not find it a pleasure and advantage to do so. 
A vote of thanks was moved by Mr. Tate, F.C.S., and seconded by Mr. Sharp, and, 
after some discussion on the topics of the address, was carried by acclamation. 
Second General Meeting, held October 28th, 1869 ; the President in the chair. He 
informed the meeting that the Council were unanimously of opinion that tea and coffee 
should continue to be provided at the meetings of the Association. 
The Secretary announced donations of ‘Chemistry,’ by Professor Attfield, presented 
by the author, and another copy of the same work presented by the President. A vote 
of thanks was passed to the donors. 
The President exhibited a sample of chloral, and described its use as an anaesthetic. 
Dr. Carter said that the dose proposed was much too small. A friend of his had 
given it in doses of 30 grains to a dram, in delirium tremens and other diseases, but had 
found it rather uncertain in its effect. 
Mr. A. Norman Tate, F.C.S., then read the paper for the evening, on “ The Ex¬ 
amination of Petroleum,” with some remarks on petroleum accidents. 
This paper first called attention to the discrepancies which at present exist in the re¬ 
sults obtained by the different operators with the apparatus defined by the Petroleum 
Act, 1868. 
The shape and size of the apparatus, as the author interpreted the Act, was first de¬ 
scribed and illustrated by means of an apparatus specially made according to the author’s 
directions by Mr. Anthony Casartelli, of Castle Street, Liverpool. 
Attention was particularly directed to the thermometer ordered to be used, Mr. Tate 
remarking that many of these instruments were very inaccurate, and frequently the cause 
of variance in the results of the tests. He preferred, instead of the round, bulb ordered 
by the Petroleum Act, that it should be drawn out in an elongated form, as he found 
practically that thermometers so made were as a rule more sensitive. 
The flame to be used under the outer or heater vessel, he said, should be that of a small 
spirit lamp, which would cause the temperature of the oil to rise at the rate of about one 
degree per minute. When the test was completed more rapidly, he (Mr. Tate) has found 
that the results were incorrect, and that the thermometer indicated a lower temperature 
than that preserved bj T the top layer of the oil from which the vapour was evolved. He 
said that the bulb of the thermometer should be placed only just below the surface of 
the oil, and not one and a half inches below, as indicated by the Act. 
He further remarked that, having examined most of the importations of petroleum 
burning oil into Liverpool during the last few months, he was able to say that the 
“flashing-point” was higher than formerly, but yet so near 100° F., although above that 
point, that it was necessary that very great care should be exercised in testing them, so 
that no vexatious proceedings on the one hand should be taken to unnecessarily interfere 
with trade; and on the other, that perfect safety of the oil should be ensured, so as to 
properly protect the public. 
He thought that it was to be regretted that persons not acquainted with mineral oils, 
and not familiar with testing operations, should be those appointed under the Act to 
sample and test petroleum, and commence prosecutions. The directions of the Act re¬ 
quired to be much more complete and explicit before inexperienced persons could un¬ 
dertake the test with a certainty of correct results. Yet the test was one which any in¬ 
telligent man could perform after a little practice, if distinct and definite instructions 
were first given him. Mr. Tate feared that such necessary instructions were not given at 
present, and mentioned some cases in which prosecutions had taken place when the oil 
was really not liable to the provisions of the Act. 
