76o 
Disposal  of  Phenol 
f  Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
November,  19 19. 
and  percussion  of  the  chest.  Even  a  skilled  and  experienced  physi- 
cian may  fail  to  detect  the  lesion  in  a  tuberculous  lung. 
"  When  we  get  a  positive  reaction  we  may  conclude  that  the 
patient  is  affected  with  tubercle,  but  it  is  not  necessarily  active;  it 
may  be  latent  tubercle. 
"  The  impression  left  on  my  mind  by  the  application  of  these 
tests  is  that  they  are,  on  the  whole,  helpful  aids  to  diagnosis.  And 
these  cutaneous  tests  have  the  advantage  that  we  may  use  them 
without  fear  of  doing  harm." 
DISPOSAL  OF  THE  GOVERNMENT  STOCK  OF  PHENOL. 
An  announcement  of  importance  to  the  chemical,  pharmaceutical 
and  dyestuff  industries  has  been  made  by  the  United  States  govern- 
ment concerning  disposition  of  its  large  surplus  of  phenol. 
Prior  to  the  signing  of  the  Armistice  many  millions  of  pounds  of 
phenol  were  required  by  the  War  Department  for  the  manufacturing 
of  picric  acid  and  other  explosives. 
As  was  to  be  expected  the  sudden  termination  of  hostilities  left 
an  unprecedentedly  large  amount  on  hand.  It  was  estimated  the 
quantity  was  sufficient  to  cover  the  peace-time  requirements  of  the 
United  States  for  four  years  or  more. 
The  result  was  a  generally  depressed  market.  Phenol  being 
quoted  freely  much  below  actual  cost  without  sales.  It  was  a  prob- 
lem for  the  government  to  get  rid  of  this  great  surplus  without  seri- 
ous injury  to  the  producers  and  with  the  greatest  possible  profit  to 
the  government. 
To  formulate  plans  and  with  the  view  of  cooperating  with  the 
industries  concerned,  a  meeting  was  called  during  the  early  part  of 
April  at  the  Chemists  Club,  New  York  City,  which  was  attended  by 
representatives  of  the  various  interested  houses.  Pessimism  ruled. 
Many  suggestions  were  made,  among  others  that  this  vast  stock  be 
destroyed  with  the  view  of  protecting  the  industry.  Finally  a  repre- 
sentative of  the  Monsanto  Chemical  Works  expressed  faith  in 
Phenol  and  its  future,  and  gave  the  opinion  that  with  the  proper 
tariff  protection  of  dyestuffs  increased  production  would  result,  with 
a  corresponding  increased  use  of  phenol. 
While  nothing  definite  resulted  at  the  time  of  the  meeting  re- 
