seem to more than counter-balance the higher ferrous oxide of the Stromboli augite. The Stromboli augite, furthermore, is slightly higher in magnesia, which would tend to lower the refractive index. On the whole, it may be said that the chemical and optical data for both of these augites are quite in accord, and bear out observations made on the pyroxene molecules generally. --American Journal of Science January, 1921. BENZYL ALCOHOL FOR TOOTHACHE.* By DAVID 1 MACHT, M.D. IN 1918, I announced my discovery of the local anesthetic properties of benzyl alcohol, or phen methylol, and published both pharmacologic and clinical data on the subject (D. I. Macht, Jour. Pharmacol. and Exper. Therap., April, 1918, xi., 263). I found that solutions of that drug in concentrations of from 1 to 4 per cent by volume, in physiologic sodium chloride solution or in distilled water, furnished a satisfactory local anesthetic for general surgical work, on the one hand, and that benzyl alcohol was at least forty times less toxic than cocaine, on the other. It was found that solutions of phenmethylol produced efficient anesthesia, especially when infiltrated in the tissues, either alone, or, still better, combined with small doses of epinephrine. On application to mucuous membranes, solutions of benzyl alcohol produced also a distinct anesthetic effect, but the anesthesia is very superficial and does not pene. trate into the deeper layers of the tissues. It was found that a much better anesthesia of mucuous or skin surfaces could be produced by application of pure benzyl alcohol. Pure benzyl alcohol cannot be injected into living tissue for the same reason that pure ethyl alcohol cannot be administered in that way; it leads to local necrosis. When applied to mucuous surfaces, however, the drug is not irritating and produces a marked anesthetic effect. I undertook experiments with a view of enhancing the penetrating power of benzyl alcohol when applied to mucuous or skin surfaces. It was found that when the drug was mixed with certain lipoid solvents, the local anesthesia after its appli cation extended more deeply below the surface. Among the most satisfactory of such solvents were found to be xylene and chloroform, especially the latter. In the present note I wish to call the attention of the general practitioner to the very satisfactory minor use of benzyl alcohol. I have found, as have others, that benzyl alcohol either alone (100 per cent), or, still better, when mixed with an equal part by volume of chloroform, furnishes a most efficient anodyne for toothache, when introduced on a pledget of cotton into a tooth cavity, or applied to an exposed nerve. The relief obtained by the use of such drops is marked and almost instantaneous, and is also long-lasting. I am not aware of any other drug, with the exception of cocaine, which is more efficient in relieving tootache. As benzyl alcohol is the least toxic of all the well-known local anesthetics, the repeated and free use of such a combination as was described above is free from the objections which are * Pharmacological Laboratory of the Johns Hopkins University. where is the charge constant of the singularity. This result is obtained by a different method, and equations are obtained for the motion of a single electron about an atomic nucleus. It appears that the orbits are strictly periodic, with a rotation of the apse line. If a ray of light passes through the field of the electron, provided that the distance of closest approach is not too small, the ray is deflected towards the electron. For closer approach, however, the sense of the deflection is reversed until in the limit the ray is reflected back again along its original path. Finally, these results are used to ascertain whether any possible electric field of the sun would produce a measurable effect on the crucial phenomena of Einstein's theory. It is found that, while the sun's electric field would tend to diminish the displacement of the spectrum lines, the field required to produce compensation is of the order of 10' volts per cm. at the sun's surface. This value is taken to be far beyond the bounds of possibility. "A Physical Theory of Stellar Spectra." M. N. SAHA, D.Sc. By A theory of thermal ionisation (and partly of thermal radiation) of gaseous elements has been developed and applied to the explanation of the ionisation observed in the solar chromosphere, and the absence of certain elements from the Fraunhofer-spectrum. The theory was based upon the 25 application of Nernst's theorem of the reactionisochore for chemical equilibria towards the problem of ionisation, which is regarded as a sort of reversible chemical action between the atom, the electron, and the atom which has lost one electron (e.g., Ca Ca++e—U1). The energy of ionisation U, is calculated from the ionisation-potential, which is deduced either from the convergence frequency of the principal series in the spectra of elements or from the experimental work of Franck, McLennan, and others. In the present paper, the theory has been extended towards a physical explanation of the ordered gradation in the spectra of stars. The stellar data, particularly those accumulated by Harvard College Observatory, are discussed from the standpoint of the present theory, and it has been shown that the varying spectra of stars can be explained as functions of a single physical variable, viz., the temperature of the stellar atmosphere. To take a typical example, the K-line which is due to Ca+, just appears in the Mb class, marking that Ca-atoms have just begun to be ionised at this stage. The g-line which is due to Ca disappears from above the Bg class marking that all calcium has become ionised at this stage and upwards. The K-line of Ca + disappears at the Od class showing that from above this stage we have neither Ca nor Ca+ atoms but only Ca++ atoms. Similar calculations are made for Mg+, Sr, Sr+, He, He, and H. The temperatures obtained for the different spectral classes are quite concordant and in good agreement with the numbers obtained by H. N. Russell from other considerations. "The Ultra-microscopic Structure of Soaps." By W. F. DARKE, J. W. MCBAIN, and C. S. SALMON. I. The ultra-microscopic observations of Zsigmondy and Bachmann have been confirmed, interpreted, and extended. Their observations referred almost entirely to soap curds, not gels or sols, for the latter usually exhibit in the ultra-microscope nothing except Brownian particles, and that only under definite conditions. 2. The cinematograph has been employed as an aid in elucidating the formation and disappearance of the various structures observed. 3. Curds of sodium soap consist of a felt of hydrated fibres enmeshing, and in equilibrium with, a soap gel or gel of definite concentration, the solubility rising rapidly with temperature. The individual fibres may be many cm, long, but they are barely of microscopic diameter. 4. Potassium soap solutions, on cooling, first develop fibres which are similar to those of the sodium soaps, except that they are only a few hundredths of a millimetre in length, and that they have a strong tendency to form twins. The stable condition at room temperature is, however, the formation of innumerable tiny lamellar crystals of hydrated soap. by F. Riesz in his paper, “Untersuchungen über Past-Presidents President-Alfred Smetham. Ordinary Meeting, February 2, 1921. Certificates were read for the first time in favour of Messrs. Jules-Cofman-Nicoresti, Walter K. Fletcher, William Singleton, Francis G. H. Tate, James Darnell Granger, Ph.D., F.I.C., Russell G. Pelly, F.I.C., Ed. B. Maxted, Ph.D. (Berlin), B.Sc. A certificate was read for the second time in favour of Mr. W. R. Schoeller, Ph.D. The following were elected Members of the Society: Messrs. Urban Aspey, Herbert Corner Reynard, B.Sc. (Lond.), A.I.C., Edwin Burnhope Hughes, B.Sc., (Lond.), A.I.C., Harry Jephcott, M.Sc. (Lond.), A.I.C., Arnold Lees, A.I.C. The following papers were read :— "Iodimetric Determination of the Diastatic Power of Malts." By J. L. BAKER, F.LC. and H. F. E. Hulton, F.I.C. The authors make use of the quantitative oxidation of maltose to maltobionic acid by means of iodine in the presence of sodium hydroxide, and details for working the estimation are given, together with results obtained on the same samples by this and the Ling methods. The advantages claimed for this method are the greater accuracy with which the Functions of iodine titration may be carried out as compared 5. The hydrogen soap, cetyl-sulphonic acid, is similar to the potassium soaps, but the particles of colloidal cetyl-sulphonic acid are very much more prominent. "Linear Transformations and Positive Type." By J. MERCER, D.Sc. The paper contains developments of the theory of linear functional transformations as developed with Fehling's solution, the elimination of an external indicator, and the possibility of using artificial light for the final titration. "Extract of Red Squill (Scilla maritama) as a Rat Poison." By F. W. SMITH, B.Sc., A.I.C. After considerable practical experiment with different preparations of various types of squills, the author found that the most effective form of squill rat poison was that prepared in water from an alcoholic extract of the fresh bulb of the red squill (scilla maritama), and that salicylic acid may be used as a preservative without fear of hydrolysing the glucoside. "The Composition of Harrogate Mineral Waters." By WILLIAM LOWSON. The author gives a summary of the analyses carried out in connection with Prof. Smithell's recent general survey of the Harrogate mineral waters, and for comparison a table of analyses dating back some ninety years. NOTES. SIR JOHN CASS TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.-The Annual Prize Distribution was held on Thursday, February 10, when the prizes were distributed by Sir Frederick Black, K.C.B., who subsequently delivered an address on "Liquid Fuel in Peace and War." The Chairman of the Governing Body, the Rev. J. F. Marr, in giving a summary of the work of the Institute during the past session, stated that the total number of students was 1060, a higher figure than in any previous year, and an increase of over 50 per cent on the previous session. An important development of their work they hoped to be able to realise shortly was the initiation of courses of instruction on petroleum technology, adapted to the needs of those already engaged in the industry. They had received very helpful encouragement in connection with this project from representative members of the industry, and it was considered that the Institute was exceptionally well situated for the development of this branch of applied science. In the course of his address, Sir Frederick Black said that whilst the United Kingdom had become an important consuming centre of petroleum products, it was at present only on a comparatively small scale that petroleum, either natural or derived from shale or coal was produced in this country. So far as manufacture or refining was concerned, much more work of that nature was likely to be undertaken at home, and it was probable that home production would also increase. Large British companies interested in oil had their headquarters and distributing agencies here though their wells and refineries were mostly situated in distant countries. The scientific and technical training of men for oil work, geological, chemical, and engineering was already undertaken at such centres as Birmingham University and the Imperial College of Science at South Kensington in particular, where complete courses of instruction were given, similar to those in the mining profession. The Sir John Cass Institute, whilst not expecting to compete with such centres, hoped very shortly to arrange courses of lectures for some of the staff of the oil companies, which should aid them in the efficient discharge of their 25 duties. The Governing Body had prepared a scheme, modest to begin with, but capable of extension, and some of the large oil companies were assisting in working out the scheme and were favourably disposed towards practical help in the cost involved. After briefly describing how the products of petroleum used for fuel were obtained, Sir Frederick proceeded to give a general description of their use in internal combustion engines and for steam raising. If the war had not absolutely discovered any entirely new application of petroleum products, it had enormously developed their use and established their importance on land and sea and in the air. He touched upon the relative advantages of oil and coal for marine purposes, and the methods of handling, and made special reference to the progress in the building of motor-driven ships since the arrival of the "Selandia" in the Thames in 1912 created so much interest. Great attention was being given, not only to the opening up of new sources of supply, but to such important matters as the elimination of waste on the oil fields and in the use of liquid fuels. Oils that admitted of complete refining into such products as motor spirit, lighting and lubricating oils should be so dealt with, in preference to burning the more valuable fractions for steam raising, if a heavier oil not capable of such complete refining could be made available. He hoped that the new work to be undertaken in the Sir John Cass Institute would not be without useful result in respect of some at least of these problems. THE General Report on the Industrial and Economic Situation in Germany in December, 1920, recently issued by the Department of Overseas Trade, was sold out within a few days of publication. A further edition has been printed and the Report (Cmd, 1114) can be obtained, price od. (post free 10d.) on application to H.M. Stationery Office, at the following addresses : Imperial House, Kingsway, London, W.C.2; 28, Abingdon Street, London, S. W.1; 37, Peter Street, Manchester; 1, St. Andrew's Crescent, Cardiff; 23, Forth Street, Edinburgh; or from E. Ponsonby, Ltd., 116, Grafton Street, Dublin. UNDER the title "Famous Chemists: the Men and their Work," Messrs. George Routledge & Sons, Ltd., will shortly issue a new work by Sir William Tilden, F.R.S. The volume contains an account of the lives of 21 of the most famous discoverers in chemistry from Robert Boyle to Sir William Ramsay, and will be liberally illustrated. The selection of names has been made in accordance with a definite scheme which is explained in the preface, and the treatment is chiefly biographical. Information has been derived from original sources, some of which have not hitherto been accessible to the English reader. An attempt has been made to give not only a picture of the men and their achievements but also to trace the social and political conditions of the times in which they lived, so as to show something of the relation of discovery in physical science to the progress of civilisation. As it will be entirely free from technicalities, it is hoped that the volume will be acceptable not only to scientific people, but generally to the reading public. February 25, 1921. TO DETECT THE PRESENCE OF MOLYBDENE.-Some crystals of xanthogenate of potassium and a few drops of strong acid are added to the neutral cold solution. There is then a yellowish colour from free xanthogenic acid, followed by red and violet. With small quantities of molybdene the colour is red. With large quantities of molybdene, black oily drops are precipitated. Heat prevents reaction. The reagent can be made with a mixture of carbon sulphide and alcoholic potash, but the solid commercial product keeps well. The coloured product is soluble in ether, amyl acetate and chloroform. It is preferable to eliminate the salts of Cu, Co, Ni, of ferric iron, of hexavalent Ur, although the colouration they give is very much less than that from molybdene. Va,, Os, UO,, WO,, do not impede reaction. Oxalic acid does. Thus 5/1000 of a mgrm. of Mo can be detected. Chimie et Industrie, November, 1920. New Patents. THIS List is specially compiled for the Chemical News by Messrs. Latest Patent Applications. 3848-Briscoe, H. V. A.-Separating solids by crystallization from 3742-Duclaux, J.-Treatment of esters. Feb. 1st. Specification published this Week. Abstract Published this Week. ALSACE. In a very exhaustive report, M. de Retz, technical director-general of the potash mines under sequestration, estimates at 14,000 metric tons of potash salts per diem the tonnage which can be supplied daily in four or five years by the 17 shafts now being sunk in the Mulhouse basin, if the growth of the staff follows develop-potassium hydrogen sulphate in the forin of a coarse powder to the ment of the plant. An annual production of four million tons of sylvinite with 700,000 tons of pure potash would thus be obtained, but the area of the prospected deposits will permit of a greater production, and there is no doubt that grantees will not hesitate to sink new shafts.-L'Engrais. Bichromates.-Mr. R. L. Datta of Calcutta, India, has recently obtained a Patent No. 154810 in this country for an improved method of obtaining bichromates. Sodium and potassium chromates are converted into their respective bichromates by the addition of the corresponding acid sulphate. For example, by adding sufficient hot solution of potassium chromate, all the latter is converted into potassium bichromate. After filtering, the solution is concentrated; when potassium sulphate separates. From the mother liquor after all sulphate is removed, potassium bichromate is obtained by crystallization. Messrs. Rayner & Co., will obtain printed copies of the published specifications and will forward on post free for the officia price of 1/- each. MEETINGS FOR THE WEEK. Royal Institution, 3. Monday, February 28. Tuesday, March 1.3 "Darwin's Theory of Man's Origin" by Prof. ANALYSIS OF AMMONIACAL NITROGEN IN FERTILISERS. Calcic cyanamide is usually classed - amongst ammoniacal fertilisers. From the agricultural point of view this is admissible, but not from that of the commercial. In a humid atmosphere cyanamide quickly changes, and then contains a large quantity of dicyanamidic nitrogen, and it has been noted that dicyanamide clearly Royal Society of Arts, 8. delays nitrification of the ammonia from calcic cyanamide. It is therefore desirable that the percentage of dicyanamide in this product should be as little as possible, and it is necessary to be able to analyse the percentage of ammonia in a complex fertiliser with a base of calcic cyanamide and ammoniacal salts. According to Messrs. Froidevant and Vandenberghe (Chimie et Industries, November, 1920) the ordinary process based on distillation in presence of magnesia is not applicable in this case. They describe another method employed with success, based upon the action exerted by a cold concentrated soda lye and subsequent disengagement of ammonia. The appara Arthur Keith. (Annual Meeting). Wednesday, March 2. Society of Publie Analysts, 8. 'Acidity of Ink and the action of "Detection Bottle Glass on Ink" by C. Ainsworth Mitchell. of Adulteration in Butter by means of the Melting-Point of the Insoluble Volatile Acids" by George Van B. Gilmour. "Method and Appartus for Routine Determination of Melting Points of Fats and Fatty Acids" by S. H. Blichfeldt and T. Thornley. Royal Society of Arts, 4.30. Royal Society, 4.30. Thursday, March 3. Discussion on "Isotopes," opened by Sir J. J. Thomson. The following also will probably speak:Mr. F. W. Aston, Prof. F. Soddy, Prof. T. R. Merton and Prof. F. A. Lindemann. Royal Institution, 3. Chemical Society, 8. tus consists of a stoppered bottle, 125 cubic cm. Royal Institution, 9. Mason Wasps" by F. Balfour Browne. Friday, March 4. "Severn Crossings and Tidal Power" by W. A. Tait. THE Proprietor of British Letters Patent Volumes bound in Cloth Cases, Lettered, and Numbered No. 9291 of 1914 is prepared to sell the Patent or to license British Manufacturers to work under it. It relates to an improved method of mauufacturing condensation products of phenol and substances containing the methylene radical. Address: BOULT, WADE & TENNANT, E.C.1. at 35. per volume. CHEMICAL NEWS OFFICE, 97. SHOE LANE, LONDON, E.C.4. MESSRS. LONGMANS & CO.'S LIST. NEW EDITION OF THORPE'S DICTIONARY OF CHEMISTRY. A DICTIONARY OF APPLIED CHEMISTRY. By Sir EDWARD THORPE, C.B., LL.D., F.R.S., Emeritus Professor of General Chemistry and Director of the Chemical Laboratories of the Imperial College of Science and Technology, South Kensington, London; assisted by eminent contributors. With Illustrations. Royal 8vo. Vol. I. A to Calcium. 60s. net. Now Ready. **Vol. II. will be published early in the Summer, and it is hoped that the work will be completed in about two years, in six or possibly seven volumes at 60s. net per volume. Edited by Sir WILLIAM RAMSAY, K.C.B., D.Sc., F.R.S. TEXT-BOOKS OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY. A SYSTEM OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY. By WILLIAM C. McC. LEWIS, M.A., (R.U.I.), D.Sc., (Liv.). With Diagrams. 8vo. New Edition in Three Volumes, By ALFRED W. STEWART, D.Sc., Professor of Chemistry in the Queen's University of Belfast. RECENT ADVANCES IN PHYSICAL AND INORGANIC CHEMISTRY By ALFRED W. STEWART, D.Sc. With 25 Illustrations, and a curve of Atomic Volumes. MODERN INORGANIC CHEMISTRY. By J. W. MELLOR D.Sc. With 334 Illustrations. 8vo. 12s. 6d. 8vo. Fourth Edition. INTRODUCTION TO MODERN INORGANIC CHEMISTRY. By J. W. MELLOR, D.Sc. With 232 Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 9s. A TEXT-BOOK OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY. By G. S. NEWTH, F.I.C., F.C.S. With 155 Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 9s. 18s.net. A MANUAL OF CHEMICAL ANALYSIS, QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE. By G. S. NEWTH, F.I.C F.C.S. With 102 Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 9s. QUALITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS, ORGANIC AND INORGANIC By F. MOLLWO PERKIN, C.B.E., Ph.D. With 16 Illustrations and Spectrum Plate 8vo. 9s. Longmans, Green & Co., 39, Paternoster Row, London, E.C.4. |