ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN95176FX017

出版商:RSC    

年代:1951

数据来源: RSC

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN95176BX019

出版商:RSC    

年代:1951

数据来源: RSC

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN95176FP041

出版商:RSC    

年代:1951

数据来源: RSC

摘要:

THE ANALYST vii-One of ourreagents intablet formwhich has awide varietyof uSeS as aNALYTICAL CHEMIST required for analytical researchAlaboratory in East Anglia. Work involved will includedevelopment of analytical methods and investigation of avariety of problems connected with chemical production.Applicants must have had minimum of three years’ experiencein analytical work and should be of A.R.I.C. standardpreferable. Salary will be in the range of E400-€700 perannum according to ability and experience. Write statingage and full particulars to Box No. 3770, THE ANALYST, 47,Gresham Street, London, E.C.2.ASSISTANT CHEMISTS required for analytical researchlaboratory attached to Home Counties chemical works.Applicants should have had some experience in analyticalwork.Salary according to experience and qualifications.Write stating age details of qualifications and experienceand salary requirid to Box No. 3771, THE ANALYST, 47,Gresham Street, London, E.C.2.NALYSTS required by a Major Oil Company for itsALondon Laboratory handling a wide variety of problemsaffecting oils greases and special petroleum products. Goodeducation add Honours BSc. degree or A.R.I.C. are essentialqualifications. Those appointed will be required to assist theHead of the Analytical Section in applying standard oil testmethods and special analytical techniques to samples of newand used lubricants, engine deposits, etc. The vacancies carryopportunities for progress for young, energetic men, andinvolve some responsibility for the supervision of others.Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experi-ence ; conditions of employment include pension and sicknessbenefit schemes.Applicants should write giving full par-ticulars, quoting reference (Z.170G) to Box No. 3772, THEANALYST, 47, Gresham Street, London, E.C.2.“ANALOID” Regd.Compressed ReagentsReacting ConstituentSod. DiphenylamineSulphonate (Oxidised)0.001 8. No. 32 AnaloidsMiddlesbrough,Eng.RIDSDALE & co. LTD.- ~ ~~ ~~ACANCIES exist for Chemists in Products ControlVDepartment. Applicants should possess Higher NationalCertificate in Chemistry or equivalent minimum qualification,and be prepared to work shifts. Excellent Non-contributoryStaff Assurance Scheme facilities available.Apply in writingto the Personnel Manager, Petrochemicals Limited, PartingtonIndustrial Estate, Urmston, Manchester.HE ANALYST. 32 Vols., 191549 bound blue clothTand one decennial index. Excellent cdndition. Fair offersinvited. Some other books and laboratory apparatus. Staterequirements. Write Box 3773, THE ANALYST, 47, GreshamStreet, London, E.C.2.ANALYTICALLY STANDARDISEDSAMPLESNow availableSpecial series of Low Alloy SteelSpectrographic Standards (&.I dia. rods)and Photometric Standards (turnings)List No. 3 6 6 ~ free on request fromBUREAU OF ANALYSED SAMPLESLTD.234, Marton Road, MIDDLESBROUGH llP H JOHNSONS OF HENDON offera series of five test papers ofgreat utility to chemists andmanufacturers for the measure-ment of pH values.UNIVERSALis one paper covering com-pletely the range from pH Ito pH 10 enabling pH valuesto be checked to within 0-5 pH.COMPARATOR test papersmake a set of four separateindicators for obtaining a stillgreater degree of accuracy bydetermining the pH value ofany solution to within 0.3 pH.Descriptive leaflet willbe sent free on requestJOHNSONS OF HENDON LTDLONDON, N.W.4 ESTAB. 1743ON T H E CHEMICAL BOOKS & ALLIED SCIENCESLarge Stock of Recent Editions.Foreign Books. Select Stock. Booksnot in stock obtained under Board ofTrade Licence. Catalogue on requestSECONDHAND DEPT.140* Gower Street, W.C.l.Large Stock of Scientific and TechnicalLiterature availableLENDING LIBRARYScientific and TechnicalAnnual Subscription fromTwenty five ShillingsProspectus post free on requestThe Library Catalogue revised toDecember, 1949. Just Published.Pp. xii + 1162. To subscribers 17s. 6d.net.; to non-subscribers 36s. net, postage 1s.Bi-monthly List of New Books and NewEditions sent post free to subscriberson requestH. K. LEWIS & Co. Ltd.LONDON :136, GOWER STREET, W.C.l.Telephone : EUSton 428

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN95176BP045

出版商:RSC    

年代:1951

数据来源: RSC

摘要:

MAY, 195 THE ANALYST Vol. 76, No. 902 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY OF PUBLIC ANALYSTS AND OTHER ANALYTICAL CHEMISTS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TI-IE seventy-seventh Annual General Meeting of the Society was held at 3.15 p.m. on Friday, March 16th, 1951, in the meeting room of the Royal Society, Burlington House, London, W.l. The Chair was taken by the President, Mr. George Taylor, O.B.E., F.R.I.C. The financial statement for 1950 was presented by the Honorary Treasurer and approved, and the Auditors for 1951 were appointed. The Report of the Council for the year ending March, 1951 (see pp. 251-260), was presented by the Honorary Secretary and adopted. The Scrutineers, Messrs. J. B. Attrill and G. G. Elkington, reported that the following had been elected Officers for the coming year- President- J.R. Nicholls, C.B.E., D.Sc., F.R.I.C. Past Presidents serving on the Council-Lewis Eynon, E. B. Hughes, G. W. Monier- Vice-Presidents-R. C. Chirnside, D. C . Garratt and J. G. A. Griffiths. Honorary Treasarer- J. H. Hamence. Honorary Secretary-K. A. Williams. Other Members of Council-The Scrutineers further reported that 406 valid ballot papers had been received and that votes had been cast in the election of Ordinary Members of Council as follows-H. E. Cox, 278; T. McLachlan, 200; A. J. Amos, 189; E. C. Wood, 178; D. C. M. Adamson, 165; G. H. Osborn, 159; C. G. Daubney, 149; C. H. Manley, 143; H. E. Monk, 139; G. E. Forstner, 134; R. H. Jones, 129; C. H. R. Gentry, 118; H. Wright Hodgson, 78; S. G. Burgess, 74; R. F. Milton, 60. The President declared the following to have been elected Ordinary Members of Council for the ensuing two years-€€.E. Cox, T. McLachlan, A. J. Amos, E. C. Wood, D. C. M. Adamson and G. H. Osborn. A. L. Bacharach, H. H. Bagnall, J. Haslam, D. W. Kent-Jones, A. A. Smales and E. Voelcker, having been elected members of the Council in 1950, will, by the Society’s Articles of Association, remain Ordinary Members of the Council for 1951. A. A. D. Comrie (Chairman of the North of England Section), H. C. Moir (Chairman of the Scottish Section), C. L. Wilson (Chairman of the Microchemistry Group), B. S. Cooper (Chairman of the Physical Methods Group) and N. T. Gridgeman (Chairman of the Biological Methods Group) will be ex-oficio members of the Council for 1951. After the business outlined above had been completed, the meeting was opened to visitors, and the retiring President, Mr.George Taylor, O.B.E., F.R.I.C., delivered his Presidential Address (see pp. 260-275). Williams and George Taylor. CHANGE OF EDITORSHIP OF T H E ANALYST CONSEQUENT on the death of Mr. J. H. Lane, announced briefly last month, the Council has appointed Mr. F. L. Okell as Editor of The Analyst. Mr. Okell has been Assistant Editor since 1946, and has been Acting Editor for some months during Mr. Lane’s illness. SECRETARYSHIP OF THE SOCIETY ON her return from her recent illness, Miss D. V. Wilson has been re-appointed Secretary by the Council. 249250 OBITUARY [Vol. 76 NEW MEMBERS Roger Arnot, BSc. (Lond.), A.R.I.C.; David John Barke, BSc. (Lond.), A.R.I.C.; Roland Gordon Booth, BSc., Ph.D.(Reading) ; Leonard Frederick Burroughs, B.Sc. (Reading), A.R.I.C. ; Wilfred Cassidy, B.Sc., A.M.C.T. ; Edward Alfred Clough, B.Sc. (Liv.) ; David Ian Coutts; Edward Druce, M.Sc. (Manc.), A.R.I.C., A.M.C.T.; Joseph Harold Ewence, B.Sc. (Lond.), A.R.I.C. ; Joyce Eleanor Fildes, B.Sc. (Sydney) ; John Crossfield Hawkes, B.Sc. (Wales) ; Alfred Grenville Hill, F.R.I.C.; Brian Hulme; John Herbert Humphrey, B.A., M.D. (Cantab.); Ethel Muriel Johnson, M.Sc. (Manc.), A.R.I.C.; John Kay, BSc. (Manc.), A.M.C.T., F.R.I.C.; James William Lightbown, .M.Sc., Ph.C., Dip.Bact. (Manc.); Barbara Macauley, B.Sc. (Lond.) ; William Whalley Myddleton, D.Sc. (Belfast), F.R.I.C. ; Walter Laing Macdonald Perry, Ch.B., M.D. (St. And.) ; Winifred Marian Phillips, B.Sc.(Lond.) ; Cyril Alfred Shacklady, B.Sc. (Liv.) ; Ronald Sinar, B.Pharm. (Lond.), Ph.C. ; Frederick Randall Smith, BSc., Ph.D. (Edin.), A.R.I.C. ; Pamela Dorothy Waterhouse, B.Sc. (Reading) ; David Watt, Ph.C. (Edin.) ; Anthony Arthur Robinson Wood. DEATH WE regret to record the death of Harri Heap. PHYSICAL METHODS GROUP THE Thirtieth Ordinary Meeting of the Group was held at 5.30 p.m. on Friday, March 9th, 1951, in the Chemistry Lecture Theatre of the University of Leeds. This was a joint meeting with the Infra-red Discussion Group, and was preceded by a visit to the Wool Industries Research Association Laboratories. Mr. B. S. Cooper was in the Chair and about 48 members and visitors were present. The following papers on “Infra-red Spectroscopy” were read and discussed : “The Scope of Infra-red Analysis,” by Dr. N. Sheppard; “The Applications of Infra-red Spectroscopy to the Analysis of Polymer Composition,” by H. A. Willis, BSc. ; “Infra-red Spectrometry in the Petroleum Industry,” by Dr. H. Powell..

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN9517600249

出版商:RSC    

年代:1951

数据来源: RSC

摘要:

250 OBITUARY [Vol. 76 Obituary JOSEPH HENRY LANE JOSEPH HENRY LANE died on March 9th, 1951, in his 68th year. He had been in failing health for more than a year and for some weeks before his death it was evident that the end could not be far off. Lane was educated at Raine’s School, Stepney, and at the Finsbury Technical College. After completing the College course he remained as research assistant to Professor Meldola for two or three years and was joint author with Meldola of papers published in the Journal of the Chemical Society. Towards the end of 1904, Lane and the -writer became associated in the laboratory of the Beetroot Sugar Association (later the Sugar Association) of London, and in 1910 we began in practice as consulting chemists and analysts, a partnership which continued until Lane’s death.Lane’s serene and equable temperament made him an ideal companion in the laboratory, and he was ever more considerate for others than for himself and ready to give others more than their due. A very large part of Qur work consisted in the analysis of sugars and sugar products, and we spent a considerable amount of our spare time, all too abundant in the early days of our practice, in making trial of numerous compounds for use as an internal indicator in the estima- tion of reducing sugars with Fehling solution--a very long-felt want. Methylene blue was found to be the solution of this problem. The discovery was Lane’s, but with characteristic generosity he insisted on joint publication. Lane also found that such small quantities of calcium salts as are frequently present in tap water are sufficient to affect appreciably the estimation of reducing sugars with Fehling’s solution.The error due to the use of tap water instead of distilled water in the volumetric estimation could hardly have been detected prior to the use of methylene blue as internal indicator. The writer has the happiest memories of this long association.May, 19511 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL 251 For many years Lane was an abstractor for the Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry and for the Journal of the Institute of Brewing. For several years he gave a course of lectures on the Sugar Industry at the City of London College, Moorfields. Lane joined the Society in 1024. He succeeded T. H. Pope as Assistant Editor of The Analyst in 1936, C. A. Mitchell as Secretary of the Society in 1937, and Mitchell again, as Editor of The AnaZyst in 1945. To follow Mitchell as Editor was a very formidable task, but Lane was fully equal to it and The Analyst is an enduring memorial to both. The work involved increased greatly, however, during Lane’s tenure of the Editorship, and additional editorial assistance became necessary. Lane had a great love and appreciation of music and was very widely read in general literature. In his younger days he had a great liking for walking, a taste which he shared with the writer, who has very pleasant recollections of walking week-ends in Lane’s company. It is hardly an exaggeration to say that during the latter half of his life Lane’s sole interest was his work, carried on, despite increasing weakness, until nearly the end. LEWIS EYNON

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN9517600250

出版商:RSC    

年代:1951

数据来源: RSC

摘要:

May, 19511 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL 251 Annual Report of the Council: March, 1951 THE roll of the Society numbers 1562, an increase of 15 over the membership of a year ago. HoNouRs-During the year Professor R. A. Morton has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, and the Council offers him its congratulations. DEATHsThe Council regrets to have to record the death of the following members- E. E. Billington G. M. Hills W. J. Rees N. P. Booth E. C. Keeley T. Rendle B. S. Evans J. H. Lane F. W. Richardson E. M. Hall G. Lawson F. R. Stephens C. A. Hallas K. S. MacManus W. H. Thorns John Hanley A. H. Mitchell Muter H. G. Tribley J. A. Heald Billington graduated with honours in Chemistry and Botany at Liverpool, and then went to McGill University, taking his M.Sc. degree in Engineering.He practised engineering in Canada and the United States of America. On the death of his father he returned to this country and became a director of Edward Billington & Son, of Liverpool. From then he studied chiefly nutrition, especially of animals, and as director of this firm and of Criddle & Co. and Wright, Crossley & Co. he built a reputation as a chemist and scientific adviser of the first rank. He was three times President of the Liverpool Seed, Oil, Cake and General Produce Association, and for some years acted as European representative of McGill University. He was a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chemistry and a Justice of the Peace. He joined the Society in 1928, and was 61 when he died. Booth was educated at King Edward VI Grammar School, Camp Hill, and Mason College, Birmingham.He worked in the laboratories of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London from 1898 to 1901, when he became the first qualified chemist to be employed by Cadbury Brothers Ltd. In 1911 he set up the research laboratory for that company, and he was appointed managing director and chairman of Cadbury - Fry - Pascal1 Ltd., at Hobart, Tasmania, in 1923, holding these posts until his retirement in 1938. He became an Associate of the Institute of Chemistry in 1901 and a Fellow in 1903. He joined the Society in 1900. Evans received his early education at the Grammar School, Faversham, Kent. He worked in the laboratories of L. Taylor, Public Analyst for Hackney, and Briant and Harmon, Consultants. In the 1914-18 war he was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry and was severely wounded at Arras.He was invalided from the Amy and undertook research in the Ministry of Munitions, Chemical Warfare Department, for which he was awarded the M.B.E. In 1919 he was appointed to the Analytical Section, Metallurgical Branch, Armament Research Department, Woolwich, where he remained until his retirement on account of ill- health in 1948. He became a member of the Society in 1917, served as Vice-president from 1937 to 1939 and was an active member of the Publication Committee from 1929 until his death in his 70th year, in December, 1950. (Obituary, Analyst, 1951, 76; 188.)252 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL [Vol. 76 He was educated at Lucton School, Herefordshire, and Birmingham University. His first appointment was science master at Blundells School, and he later became assistant chemist in the Department of the Government Chemist.In 1919 he joined the laboratory staff of the Olympia Oil and Cake Co., Selby, and shortly afterwards was appointed chief chemist. In 1941 he transferred to the British Oil and Cake Mills Ltd., Hull, to take charge oE the Hull laboratory, and also became chief chemist to the Oil Mills Executive, Lever Brothers and Unilever Limited. He was elected an Associate of the Institute of Chemistry in 11917, and joined the Society in 1950. Hallas obtained the fellowship of the Royal Institute of Chemistry in Branch E ; he joined the Society in 1947. He had been chemist at the Royal Institute of Public Health and later became chemist to James Pascal1 Ltdl.Since 1929 he was chemist at the British Association of Research for the Cocoa, Chocolake, Sugar Confectionery and Jam Trades. He was educated privately and a t University College, Liverpool, and became a student in the laboratory of Norman Tate under Watson Gray. He joined J. Bibby & Sons Ltd. as a chemical engineer in 1896. He did much pioneer work for the firm and was their chief chemist for many years, retiring from that post in 1936. He carried on a consulting practice from his retirement until during the war. For many years he was Honorary Treasurer of the Committee of Learned Societies of Liverpool. He became an Associate of the Institute of Chemistry in 1894 and a Fellow in 1901. He was a member of the Institution of Chemical Engineers; he joined the Society in 1925.Heald was educated a t Sedgebrook Grammar School, Grantham, and University College, Nottingham, where he graduated under the late Professor S. S. Kipping. He enlisted in the Royal Engineers, and served in “E” Special Company in France, being mentioned in despatches and awarded the Military Cross. He joined Levinstein Ltd. in 1919 and in 1922 was appointed a chemist in the Department of the Government Chemist. He obtained the Fellowship of the Institute in Branch E in 1925 and was called to the Bar in 1933. At the time of his death, in his 57th year, he was a Principal Scientific Officer and was seconded for special advisory duties to the War Department, where he was head of the Laboratory Services dealing with the Royal Army Service Corps supplies.Hills was drowned in his 38th year while bathing. He was educated at the Central Secondary School, Sheffield, and Corpus Christ i College, Oxford, where he obtained second class honours in Chemistry and was awarded the degrees of B.Sc. in 1934 and of M.A. in 1937. After working for a short time in the Medical Chemistry Department of the University of Edinburgh he went, in 1934, as personal assistant to Professor E. C. Dodds at the Courtauld Institute of Biochemistry. He held a’ Mackenzie - McKinnon Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians from 1936 to 1939, and then joined the Medical Research Council Unit for Bacterial Chemistry under Sir Paul Fildes. He later worked in the Department of Bacteriology in the University of Sheffield and in the Microbiological Research Department at the Experimental Station (Ministry of Supply), Porton. He was a Principal Scientific Officer a t Porton up to the time of his death. He became an Associate of the Institute of Chemistry in 1934 and a Fellow in 1947.He joined the Society in 1948, and was a member of all the three Groups of the Society. Keeley died in his 48th year. He was educated at Maidstone Grammar School and King’s School, Canterbury. He was a pupil of the late P. A. Ellis Richards from 1921 to 1923, and then entered King’s College, London, where he graduated B.Sc. in 1926. The following year he obtained an appointment with Bovril Ltd. as analyst, and in later years was on the research side. He became an Associate of the Institute of Chemistry in 1927, and joined the Society in 1925.He was educated at Raine’s School, Stepney, and a t the Finsbury Technical College. He subsequently obtained the degree of BSc. (Lond.), with first class honours in Chemistry. In 1910 he went into partnership with Lewis Eynon as Consulting Chemist and Andyst. He became a Fellow of the Institute of Chemistry in 1910. He joined the Society in 1924, became Assistant Editor of The Analyst in 1936, Secretary of the Society in 1937 and Editor of The Analyst in 1945. (Obituary, Analyst, 1951, 76, 250.) Lawson was in his 41st year when he died. He was educated at Newmilns Public School, Galston Higher Grade School and Kilmarnock Academy. In 1930 he entered the Royal Technical College, Glasgow, qualifying as a pharmaceutical chemist.He was later demonstrator in botany and in organic chemistry at this college. In 1936 he became chief Hall died at Hull on February 6th, 1951, aged 58. Hanley died in his 80th year. He joined the Society in 1934. Lane died on March 9th, 1951, at the age of 68.May, 19511 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL 253 chemist to Cumming, Parsons Ltd., and was later general manager and director of the company. He was elected an Associate of the Institute of Chemistry in 1937, and joined the Society in 1944. McManus worked for many years in the Powell Duffryn Laboratories at Ystrad Mynach, and was later appointed chief analyst for the South-West Regional Coal Board. He joined Bowmans Chemicals Ltd. in 1947 as head of the Chemical Research Department.Muter was educated in Germany and at King’s College, London. He became assistant to his father, Dr. J. Muter, an early Editor of The Analyst, and on his father’s death in 1912, was made Public Analyst for the Metropolitan Boroughs of Lambeth and Wandsworth and for the Parts of Lindsey, Lincolnshire. In 1936 he became Public Analyst and Official Agricultural Analyst for the Parts of Holland and Kesteven, Lincolnshire. He was made a Fellow of the Institute of Chemistry in 1899, obtaining the certificate in Branch E in 1903. He joined the Society in 1893. Rees joined the Society in 1934. He became an assistant in the Physics Laboratory at Mason College, Birmingham, in 1896; he studied chemistry at the Royal College of Science, London, in 1899-1900 and resumed part-time study in Birmingham in 1901.In that year he became senior assistant in the laboratory of Chance Brothers & Co., Ltd., Smethwick, and in 1907 he was made chief chemist t o the company. He was appointed lecturer on refractory materials in the Department of Applied Science, University of Sheffield, about 1918, graduated B.Sc.Tech. of the University, and later proceeded to M.Sc.Tech. and D.Sc.Tech. He received a Sir George Beilby award in 1932 and after his retirement from the University practised as a consultant. He was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Chemistry in 1917 and acted as a special examiner in Branch G, Industrial Chemistry. He spent two years in the laboratories of A. Boake Roberts & Co., Ltd., and a year as assistant to B. E. R. Newlands, and he was then chief assistant to A.R. Ling for eight years. He was appointed chief chemist to Hargreaves Brothers & Co. in 1911, but returned to A. Boake Roberts & Co., Ltd. in 1916 as chief chemist and works manager. He went back to Hargreaves & Co. in 1921, and in 1924 went to Chivers & Co., Ltd., Histon, as chief chemist and senior technician. He was senior technical manager of the company at the time of his death. He became a Fellow of the Institute of Chemistry in 1940. He joined the Society in 1925, and was a member of the Council from 1940 to 1941, and a Vice-president from 1942 to 1943. Richardson attended the Hull Grammar School and, a t the age of 18, became pupil-assistant to Rimmington, Public Analyst to the City of Bradford.Subsequently, in partnership with Adolf Jaff6, he founded an important consulting practice and held several appointments under the Food and Drugs Acts as Public Analyst. He joined the Society in 1888 and died in December, 1950, at the age of 90. (Obituary, Analyst, 1951, 76, 190.) He received his early education at the Bristol Grammar School and Sidcot School. His scientific training was obtained in the laboratories of the Pharmaceutical Society, King’s College, Finsbury Technical College and the Birkbeck Institution. He gained the Ph.C. Diploma in 1893, and F.R.I.C. in 1918. On completion of his scientific training, he joined Idris Ltd., of Camden Town, London, as assistant to the late Dr. W. H. Symons, whom he succeeded as chief chemist. He remained with Idris throughout his career, and latterly became a director.He joined the Society in 1897. Thorns was educated at the Clapham School, London, and he became an apprenticed pupil to the late Dr. F. W. Passmore in 1894 and attended classes at the School of the Pharmaceutical Society. In 1898 he became assistant to Dr. Passmore and was from 1907 to 1918 his chief assistant. He then entered into partnership with Dr. Passmore, and after the latter’s death he carried on the analytical and consulting practice. He was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Chemistry in 1928. Tribley was educated a t Boyle’s School, Yetminster, Dorset, and Foster’s Grammar School, Sherborne, and at the Finsbury Technical College, obtaining the diploma of the latter in 1919. After being assistant for a short time to the County Analyst for Worcestershire, he became chemist to the United Chemists Association Ltd., at Cheltenham.He later became chief chemist to this company and remained so until his death. He became an Associate of the Institute of Chemistry in 1920 and a Fellow in 1943; he joined the Society in 1944. (An obituary notice will appear later.) He was awarded an O.B.E. in 1944. He died in his 71st year. Rendle was educated a t the Carpenter Company’s Institute. Stephens died on December 7th, 1950, in his 81st year. He served in the chemical section of the R.N.A.S. from 1915 to 1919.254 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL vol. 76 ORDINARY MEETINGS-Five Ordinary Meetings of the Society were held during the year and the following papers were communicated and discussed- “The Determination of Bromine in Brine.” By J.Haslam, M.Sc., F.R.I.C., and G. Moses, A.M.C.T., F.R.I.C. “The Bromine Content of the Cheshire Salt Deposit and of Some Borehole and Other Brines.” By E. C. Allberry, B.A., J. Haslam, M.Sc., F.R.I.C., and G. Moses, A.M.C.T., F.R.I.C. “Survey of the In-shore Waters Round the Coasts of Great Britain, with particular reference to the Bromine Content.” By R. 0. Gibson, D.Sc., F.R.I.C., and J. Haslam, M.Sc., F. R.1 .C. “The Analysis of Bromine and Compounds containing Bromine.” By J. Haslam, M.Sc., F.R.I.C. “The Testing of Atmospheric Conditions in Theatres and Cinemas.” By J. F. Clark, M.Sc., A.R.C.S., D.I.C., F.R.I.C., F.A.C.I. “Determination of Fluoride by Etching.” By H. Amphlett Williams, Ph.D., A.C.G.F.C., F.R.I.C.“Observations on the Spectrophotometric IZstimation of Vitamin D.” By H. E. Cox, Ph.D., D.Sc., F.R.I.C. “The Analysis of Petrol - Kerosine Mixtures, with Special Reference to the Boiling- Point.” By C. H. Manley, M.A., F.R.I.C. “The Evaluation of Liming Materials for Agricultural Purposes.” By A. M. Smith, Ph.D., D.Sc., A.H.-W.C., F.R.I.C., A. Comrie, BSc., A.R.I.C., and K. Simpson, B.Sc., A.R.I.C. “The Accurate Determination of ‘Phosphoric Anhydride’ by Means of Quinoline Phosphomolybdate.” By H. N. Wilson, F.R.I.C. “The Determination of Potassium in Fertilisers by Flame Photometry.” By L. Brealey, BSc. “Chemical Determination of Magnesium in Cast Iron.” By W. Westwood, B.Sc , A.I.M., and R. Presser. “The Determination of Sodium in Aluminium and its Alloys by Vacuum Distillation.” By W.McCamley, B.Sc., T. E. L. Scott, and R. Smart, B.Sc., A.R.I.C. “The Determination of Lead Oxide in the Presence of Lead.” By R. If. Black, M.Sc., A.R.I.C. “Inorganic Chromatography on Cellulose, Part IV. Determination of Inorganic Com- pounds by Paper Strip Separation and Polarography.” By J. A. Lewis, A.R.I.C., and Mrs J. M. Griffiths. “Inorganic Chromatography on Cellulose, Part V. The Use of Columns of Cellulose in Combination with Organic Solvent Extraction for the Separation of Uranium from Other Metals.” By F. H. Burstidl, MSc., F.R.I.C., and R. A. Wells, B.Sc., A.R.I.C. “Microphotometric Determination of Carbcixyhaemoglobin in Blood.” By H. B. Salt, MSc., F.R.I.C. JOINT MEETING-A Joint Meeting was held on December 6th, 1950, with the Food Group of the Society of Chemical Industry, at which Mr.A. L. Bacharach, Chairman of the Food Group, took the Chair. By H. C. S. de Whalley, F.R.I.C., M.I.Chem.E., N. Albon, B.Sc., A.R.I.C., and D. Gross, Dip.Eng., Ph.D. NORTH OF ENGLAND SECTION-Four meetin,gs have been held during the year at which “The Estimation of Small Amounts of Zinc.” By R. W. Sutton, B.Sc., F.R.I.C., and “Seeing the Invisible.” “Food Standards and Kindred Topics.” By C. A. Adams, C.B.E., B.Sc., F.R.I.C. In addition to the above, a number of matters of professional and scientific interest At this meeting the following paper was presented- “Applications of Paper Chromatographic Methods in the Sugar Industry.” the following contributions have been made- J. Markland, €3 .Sc., F.R.I.C.By H. Baines, DSc., Hon.F.R.P.S., F.R.I.C. have been discussed.May, 19511 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL 255 SCOTTISH SECTION-In addition to the Annual General Meeting, three ordinary meetings were held during the year, one in Edinburgh and two in Glasgow. The Edinburgh meeting took the form of a display of Scientific Films shown by Dr. H. Dryerre. The selection of films included the following: “The Discovery of a New Pigment,” “War Under the Microscope,” “Pattern of Chemistry,” “A Ship Comes from Texas,” “Cracking” and “Ammonia.” At the other two meetings the following papers were presented and discussed- “Microbiological Assay as an Analytical Technique.” “The Polarograph, its tJses and Applications.” By J. C. Speakman, M.Sc., Ph.D., and Mr.R. S. Watson who has been Honorary Secretary of the Section for the last eight years has retired, and the Council thank him for his services. There has been a slight increase in membership of the Section during the year, the total membership now being 91. MICROCHEMISTRY GROUP-Three meetings have been held during 1950; in London, Teddington and Birmingham respectively. The Teddington meeting was held jointly with the London and South-Eastern Counties Section of the Royal Institute of Chemistry, and the Birmingham meeting with the Birmingham and Midlands Section of the Royal Institute of Chemistry. By R. F. Looney, A.R.I.C. J. C. James, B.Sc., Ph.D. The following twenty papers have been read- “Split-Type Micro Furnace.” By G. Ingram. “One-millilitre Syringe Burette and Stirrer Outfit.’’ By G.Ingram. “Heating Blocks for Micro-electrolytic Apparatus.’’ By A. J. Lindsey, M.Sc., Ph.D., “Combustion and Absorption Tube for the Micro-determination of Sulphur and By W. T. Chambers, B.Sc., Ph,D., A.R.I.C. “Simple Pressure Regulator for Micro-combustion Trains.” By W. T. Chambers, “Semi-automatic Micro-combustion Furnace.” By F. J. McMurray. “A Photo-electric Micro-nephelometer.” By A. C. Mason, B.Sc., F.R.I.C. “Micro-magnetic Bar Stirrer.” By M. A. Fill, A.R.I.C., and J. T. Stock, M.Sc., “Vacuum Operated Stirring Devices.” By M. A. Fill, A;R.I.C., and J. T. Stock, “Clamps and Stands for Micro-apparatus.” By M. A. Fill, A.R.I.C., and J. T. Stock, “Improvised Micro-burette.” By M. A. Fill, A.R.I.C., and J. T. Stock, M.Sc., Ph.D., “Hydrogen Sulphide Delivery Systems in Semi-micro Qualitative Apparatus.” By “Apparatus for Conductiometric Micro-titration.” By J.T. Stock, M.Sc., Ph.D., “Paper Chromatography.” “The Micro-mavimetric Determination of Sodium as Sodium Zinc Uranvl Acetate and F.R.I.C. Halogens.” B.Sc., Ph.D., A.R.I.C. Ph.D., F.R.I.C. M.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.I.C. M.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.I.C. F.R.I.C. P. Heath, W. Marshment, and J. T. Stock, M.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.I.C. F.R.I.C. By R. A. Wells, B.Sc., A.R.I.C. its Appkation to the Analysis of Refractories.’’ By A. F. Colson: B.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.I.C. “Micro-analysis in the Oil and Colour Industries.’’ By C . Whalley, B.Sc., A.R.I.C. “Analysis of Organic Fluoro-compounds.” By F. P. Johnson, B.Sc. “Micro-determination of Carbon and Hydrogen in Fluoro-compounds.” By W.T. Chambers, B.Sc., Ph.D., A.R.1 .C. “A Study of the Potentiometric Titration of Fluoride with Lead.” By F. R. Cropper, BSc., Ph.D., F.R.I.C. “Demonstration of a Multiple Apparatus for the Determination of Micro Quantities of Fluorine.” By R. F. Milton, BSc., F.R.I.C. An exhibition of microchemical apparatus was held in London in Januaq, and the Committee hope that this may become an annual event in connection with the Annual General Meeting in London.256 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL [Vol. 76 Three meetings will be held during 1951; the Annual General Meeting in London in January, the Spring Meeting in Edinburgh in April, and the Autumn Meeting at Liverpool. Work has continued on the compiling of a card index showing the special interests of each member of the Group.The papers given at the Nottingham meeting in 1949 are due to appear as a Royal Institute of Chemistry monograph on Micro-balances, the three authors concerned having rewritten their papers in expanded form. In response to a request from Messrs. British Drug Houses Ltd., a Sub-committee on Micro-analytical Reagents has co-operated with that company in evolving specifications for purity of reagents and to recommend what substances should be standardised. The 1st International Microchemical Congress in Graz was held in July, and 18 Group members participated, including 7 Group officers and members of Committee. The Chairman, Ronald Belcher-who also represented the Parent Society at the Congress-was one of the six microchemists on whom was conferred the distinction of Honorary Membership of the Osterreichische Gesellschaft fur Mikrochemie. An illuminated translation in German of the message of greeting from the Microchemistry Group to the Congress was presented to the Osterreichische Gesellschaft fur Mikrochemie.A, total of 623 delegates was present, repre- senting no less than 28 different nations, and upwards of 130 papers were read. These papers are to be published in Vol. XXXVI of Mikrochemie. The Congress was most inspiring to all who took part and marks a definite milestone in the progress of microchemistry. The number of Group members is now‘341, an increase of 32 since the last report. PHYSICAL METHODS GROUP-The Group has held three meetings in London and one each in Cambridge and Poole during the past year.The Cambridge meeting was organised by the Polarographic Discussion Panel. The Poole meeting was held jointly with the Mid- Southern Counties Section of the Royal Institute of Chemistry. All the meetings were well attended. The Group also organised the meeting of the Parent Society on the subject of “Modern Methods of Moisture Determination.” This was held on February lst, 1950. The Polarographic Discussion Panel, which now has 71 members, organised one Group meeting. Mr. J. Haslam is the Chairman of the Panel and Mr. G. A. Wood is Honorary Secretary. The following papers were read and discussed a t meetings of the Group- “The Mass Spectrometer, a Survey of its Applications in Analysis.” By J. G. A. Annual General Meeting, London, November 29th, 1949.Griffiths, B.A., Ph.D., F.R.I.C. Spectroscopy Meeting, London, January 3rd, 1960. “The Determination of Strontium in Sea Water by a Combination of Flame Photometry “A Photo-electric Spectrophotometer for the Visible and Ultra-violet Regions.” By “The Application of the Uvispek Spectrophotometer to Biochemical Problems.” By and Radiochemistry.” R. A. C. Isbell, A.1nst.P. D. C. M. Adamson, F.R.I.C. By A. A. Smales, B.Sc., A.P.I.C. Polarography Meeting, Cambridge, April 21st, 1950. “The Indirect Determination of Aluminium.” By G. Jessop, M.Sc., Ph.D. “The Ilkovic Equation-its Present Status.” By W. Cule Davies, DSc., Ph.D., “An Electronic Polarometer for Metallurgica.1 Purposes.” By C. H. R. Gentry, B.Sc., A.R.I.C. A.R.I.C. Radiochemistry Meeting, London, May 23rd, 1950.“Radiometric Assay in Tracer Research.” By F. P. W. Winteringham, A.R.I.C. “The Determination of Potash (in Fertiliser) by Measurement of its Radioactivity.” By D. S. Lees, B.A., A.Inst.P., W. Broomfield and H. N. Wilson, F.R.I.C. “Radib-activation Analysis-Some Glimpses of its Scope.” By A. A. Smales, B.Sc., A.R.I.C.May, 19511 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL 257 Flame Photometry Meeting, Poole, October 6th, 1950. “Flame Photometers-A Description of Two Instruments.” By L. Brealey, B.Sc., and R. E. Ross. “Notes on the Internal Standard Technique (in Flame Photometry), with Special Reference to Liquid Filters.” By T. C. J. Ovenston, B.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.I.C. “The Rapid Determination of Sodium and Potassium in Rocks and Minerals.” By G. H. Osborn, F.R.I.C., A.M.Inst.M.M., and H.Johns, B.Sc. The number of Group members is now 356. This represents an increase of 30 since BIOLOGICAL METHODS GROUP-During the period under review the Group has held four The Annual General Meeting on December 13th, 1949, was followed by an Ordinary “The Microbiological Assay of Riboflavine in Yeast and Yeast Products, using Lacto- bacillus lzelveticus in a 17-hour Titrimetric Method.” By A. Jones and S. Morris, D.Sc. “A 24-hour Plate Assay Technique for the Vitamin B6 Complex of Yeast, with a Note on the Possible Presence in Certain Yeasts of a Fourth Member of the B6 Complex.” By A. Jones and S. Morris, D.Sc. “The Assay of Serum Gonadotrophin by the Ovary Weight Method.” By G. L. M. Harmer. On March 14th, 1950, the Group held a symposium jointly with the Biometric Society (British Region), under the title “The Design and Evaluation of Biological Assays.” Dr.Trevan, F.R.S., was in the Chair for the afternoon session, when the following papers were presented- . “The Graphical Calculation of the Results of Biological Assays with Graded Responses.” “The Estimation of Error in Certain Types of Biological Assays.” By E. C. Wood, “The Problem of Combining the Results of Independent Assays.” By E. C. Fieller, The evening session was something of an innovation, and was devoted to a discussion of problems related to the subject of the symposium that had been submitted by members and announced prior to the meeting. The occasion provided a unique opportunity for practical bio-assayists and statisticians to get together and discuss, quite informally, questions of common interest.The good attendance at the meeting and the favourable comments it provoked were evidence of its success. Dr. S. K. Kon took the Chair for a meeting on May 23rd, 1950, when the subject under discussion was “The Assay of Vitamin B12.” The papers read were- “Assays of Vitamin h2 in Man.” “Chick Assays.” By M. E. Coates, Ph.C. “The Cup-Plate Assay of Vitamin B,,.” By W. F. J. Cuthbertson, B.Sc., Ph.D., “Some Observations on Cup-Plate Assay for Vitamin hZ, using Lactobacillus Zactis By F. E. Larkin and R. E. Stuckey, B.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.I.C., Ph.C. “The Assay of Vitamin B12 by the Turbidirnetric Method, using Lactobacillus leichmanii “A Comparison of Lactobacillus lactis Dorner and Lactobacillus leichmanii for the Assay “Experience with Microbiological Assay of Vitamin K2 in an Analytical and Consulting Finally, on October 24th, 1950, attention was focussed on another subject of topical The following papers By M.Pickford, the last Annual Report. meetings, during the course of which a total of 18 papers have been read and discussed. Meeting, at which the following papers were presented- By N. T. Gridgeman, B.Sc., A.R.I.C. BSc., Ph.D., A.R.C.S., F.R.I.C. M.A. By C. C. Ungley, M.D., F.R.C.P. F.R.I.C., J. T. Lloyd, B.Sc., and H. F. Pegler. Dorner 10697.” 313.” of Vitamin B,, by a Test-tube Method.” Laboratory.” By W. B. Emery, B.Sc., F.R.I.C., K. A. Lees and J. P. R. Tootill. By G. E. Shaw, B.Sc., Dip.Bact. By H. Pritchard, M.Sc., F.R.1 .C. interest, “The Assay of Adrenocorticotrophic and Cortical Hormones.’’ were presented and discussed- “Technique for Hypophysectomy and Adrenalectomy in Mammals.” M.Sc., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.258 ANNUAL REPORT 01; THE COUNCIL [Vol.76 “The Adrenal Ascorbic Acid Depletion and Adrenal Repair Methods for the Bio-Assay of the Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone.” By C. J. 0. R. Morris, M.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.I.C. Experiences with the Ascorbic Acid Depletion Method and Comparison with Preliminary Observations on the Use of the Inhibition of Tissue Repair.” By B. E. Clayton, M.B., Ch.B., Ph.D., and F. T. G. Prunty, MA., M.D., B.Ch. “ Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone Assay. “Assay of Cortical Hormones on Small Laboratory Animals.” By M. Vogt, M.D., Ph.D. “Methods in the Evaluation of Adrenocort icotrophic and Cortical Hormones in Man.’’ The growing interest of members of the Society in biological and microbiological methods of assay is apparent from the continued increase in membership of the Group, which has more than doubled in the last four years.Nineteen new members have joined during the year and there have been three resignations and one death; membership now stands at 179. ANALYTICAL METHODS COMMITTEE-A report from the Carotene Panel of the Sub- Committee on Vitamin Estimations on the Determination of Carotene in Green-Leaf Material , Part 1 : Fresh Grass (Analyst, 1950,75,568) has been published, and reports from the Aneurine Panel, Chemical Panel, Soapless Detergents Sub-Committee and Meat Extract Sub-committee have been passed and are to be published in the near future.The compilation of the Bibliography of Standard Methods of Analysis has been completed and the Bibliography has now been published. I t is believed to be the first complete guide to the literature of analytical methods and consists of annotated references to a very wide range of subjects. The text is divided into 3:3 subject groups, classification being based on that used in “British Abstracts.” The activities of the Sub-Committees will produce more work for publication shortly; methods for traces of lead in foodstuffs, for Linalool in certain essential oils and examination . of the Hortvet freezing-point test are among the Sub-committee work showing good progress. has met formally twice and informally on several occasions. Negotiations with the County Councils Association , the Association of Municipal Corporations , the Urban District Councils Association and the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee regarding the remuneration and seivice conditions of Public Analysts have been carried on by correspondence throughout the year.On November 2nd, Messrs. Cox, Taylor, Monk and Sutton met representatives of the various bodies for the first time. A letter has been received from the Ministry of Fuel and Power thanking members of the Committee for the assistance they gave regaxding the testing of commercial (red) petrol. Bulletins No. 7 and 8 have been published and Public Analysts have been kept informed of current matters. LIAISON COMMITTEE-During the year the following appointments have been made- Dr.H. E. Cox, Glycerine Committee. Mr. D. D. Moir, Distillation Apparatus Coinmittee. Dr. K. A. Williams, Sampling of Oils and Fats Committee. Dr. H. J. Stern, Tests for Cellular Rubber Committee. Mr. R. F. Milton, Granular Soda Asbestos Committee. Dr. J. T. Stock, Laboratory Ovens Committee. Dr. R. C. Hoather, Laboratory Autoclaves Committee. Mr. Noel L. Allport, Ampoules Committee. Mr. W. M. Seaber and Mr. A. H. Ward, Dried Grass Marketing Standards Advisory A number of interesting reports have been received from representatives of the Society, and the Council takes this opportunity of thanking all its representatives for the work that they have carried out on the various Committees during the year on behalf of the Society. By E. G. L. Bywaters, M.B., B.S., M.R.C.P., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.PUBLIC ANALYSTS AND OFFICIAL AGRICULTC RAL ANALYSTS COMMITTEE-The Committee It is anticipated that a further meeting will take place in the near future. B. S.1 . Committees- Other Committees- Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.May, 19511 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL 259 HONORARY TREASURER’S REPORT-This is the first year for which the increased sub- scription to the Society has been in operation, and it is pleasing to report that this increase has not zffected the membership of the Society. Furthermore, although the cost of The Analyst to outside subscribers was also increased at the same time as the subscription to the Society, this has not resulted in a drop in the sales of The Anahst. The increase in subscrip- tion rates has now put the Society on a satisfactory financial basis, and although from a financial point of view this has been a bad year for the Society owing to unexpected expenditure as a result of illness, we were able to show a satisfactory balance. As a result of this improved financial position, ,it has been possible to increase the grants to the Groups of the Society in order to assist them in extending their activities.This year has also seen an extension of the Society’s office accommodation, which it is hoped will enable the office staff to keep pace with the considerable increase in the Society’s activities. THE ANALYST-The publication date of The ,4naZyst is now restored to the 16th of each month. I t is to be regretted that a dispute in the London printing trade prevented the simultaneous appearance of “Abstracts C” for several months.The volume for 1950 contained 694 pages, compared with 662 pages in 1949, and carried 103 original papers and 38 Notes against 75 papers and 35 Notes in 1949. This increase in the amount of original work published in 1950 has absorbed the space formerly occupied by abstracts of papers from other journals. Nearly 40 per cent. of the total circulation of The Analyst is sent abroad and distributed to 53 different countries. The decennial index for the years 1936 to 1945 is ready for printing as soon as paper, deliveries of which to the printers are still delayed, is available. JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP OF THE SociETu-The Council has discussed a t length the recom- mendation of a Sub-committee appointed to consider the matter that a grade of Junior Membership should be established.The principle of forming such a grade has been agreed upon, and a recommendation will be made to the Society that the Articles of Associa- tion should be altered accordingly. ORGANIsATIoN-~7e very much regret that Mr. Lane’s health did not permit him to resume full-time work as Editor of The Analyst, but he nevertheless attended at the Society’s office whenever it was possible, and the Society was very grateful for the efforts he made on its behalf in trying circumstances. Mr. Lane died just before the Annual General Meeting; his loss will be felt by the Society very much indeed. (Obituary, AnaZyst, 1951, 76, 250.) Mr. Okell has continued as Acting Editor during the year with the assistance of Mr.Attrill. Miss Wilson fell ill soon after she had been appointed Secretary of the Society early last year and was granted sick leave. We are very pleased to record that she has made a very good recovery from a serious illness, and that she resumed work in the office at the beginning of February. MISS ELLIOTT Fum-The Society has purchased a bookcase with a sum left by the late Miss Elliott to act as a memorial to her, and this is now in the Society’s office. INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, 1952-The President of the Society has continued to act as Chairman of the Executive Committee. The date and place of the Congress have now been fixed and it will be held a t Oxford in September, 1952. The Council of the Society has agreed to place The AnaZysyst a t the disposal of the organisers for the publication of the proceedings of the Congress.CENTRAL RIVERS PROTECTION couNcIL-The Society is a constituent body of this Council, which has recently become active in connection with the new Bill on River Pollution. The Council’s objects include the prevention of pollution in rivers and the drawing of the Govern- ment’s attention to such pollution whenever it becomes necessary. The Society has agreed, through its representatives on this Council, to act as its technical adviser. BUREAU OF ABSTRACTS-The Society is a constituent body of the Bureau of Abstracts and during the year has distributed Abstracts C of the Bureau to all members and subscribers to TJze Analyst. We have had the benefit of nominating Dr. J. R. Nicholls to sit on the Board of Directors of the Bureau, and Dr. D. C. Garratt and Mr. H. S. Rooke to sit on the Committee of Abstracts C. Mr. Rooke has resigned from this Committee on taking an appointment with the Bureau.260 ADDRESS OF THE RETIRING PRESIDENT [Vol. 76 BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION-AS is noted above, the Society has nominated a number of representatives to sit on technical Committees of the British Standards Institution. The Council has resolved during the year to continue its support of the B.S.I. on the lines of the agreement negotiated between the two bodies a number of years ago, and means are now being worked out to ensure a proper liaison between the B.S.I. and the Society. FERTILISERS AND FEEDING STUFFS ACT-The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Secretary of State for Scotland have appo'inted a reconstituted Advisory Committee to advise and assist them with respect to the making of Regulations under the Act of 1926, and the members of this Committee include Mr. Gleorge Taylor, O.B.E., F.R.I.C., and Mr. Eric Voelcker, A.R.C.S., F.R.I.C., both nominated by the Council of the Society. PRESERVATIVE REGULATIONS-At the insta:nce of the Society and the Food Group of the Society of Chemical Industry, the Ministry of Food has set up a Sub-committee of the Food Standards Committee to review the Public Health (Preservative etc. in Food) Regulation and to make any recommendations considered desirable for their amendment. Dr. H. E. Cox has been appointed to represent the Society on this Sub-committee. GEORGE TAYLOR, President. H:. A. WILLIAMS, Honorary Secretury.

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN9517600251

出版商:RSC    

年代:1951

数据来源: RSC

摘要:

260 ADDRESS OF THE RETIRING PRESIDENT [Vol. 76 Address of the Retiring President GEORGE TAYLOR, O.B.E., F.R.I.C. (Delivered after the Annual General Meeting, March 16th, 1961) IN our Society it is the practice that the Presidential Address shall be given at the end of the presidential two years of office. Accordingly, it must be regarded as conventional that the retiring President will refer to the Society’s activities during the preceding two years and will further, with suitable humility, express his personal views on the spirit that has animated the Society-the spirit that must animate any living Society such as ours-and which in its trend has in fact directed either the general or any special activities. With regard to the first matter I am greatly indebted to Dr. Williams, our Honorary Secretary, for his last two Annual Reports, in which he gives a much better r6sum6 of our activities than I can give, and which I therefore regard as perrrtitting me to turn immediately to my second matter.I would, however, take this opportunity of referring to our excellent position with regard to membership and financial status, and paying my personal tribute tc the hard and devoted work of our Honorary Secretary, Dr. K;. A. Williams, and our Honorary Treasurer, Dr. J. H. Hamence, to whom this very satisfactory position is largely due. Coming now to the second matter, I find that over the last two years I have become aware on every side of an increasing consciousneiss of the fundamental purpose of our Society. You will remember that the first object of our Society as declared in our Memorandum of Association, is as follows- “To encourage, assist and extend the knowledge and study of analytical chemistry, whether by the holding of periodical meetings, by the establishment and promotion of lectures, demonstrations, experiments, discussions, conferences or correspondence, by the formation of reading rooms and libraries (whether of reference or lending), or by the publication of newspapers, periodicals, journals, pamphlets, reports or books.” This is the rock on which our Society was founded.The objectives of the Society were at first of course somewhat fluid, and could be regarded as applying only to one branch of analytical chemistry and as being limited in scope. But with the publication of the journal of the Society, The Analyst, the objectives became sharply crystallised.It is interesting to refer to the title page of volume one (1877), where the following is recorded-“The Analyst, including the proceedings of the Society of Public Analysts-a monthly journal of analytical chemistry.” This, however, was altered in the second volume, and then read-‘The Analyst--including the proceedings of the Society of Public Analysts, a monthly journal for the information of those interested in the purity of food and drugs and in general analytical microscopical research.”May, 19511 -4DDRESS OF THE RETIRING PRESIDENT 261 But in 1891 there appears a significant change, for now we find the journal described as “the crgan of the Society of Public Analysts, a monthly journal devoted to the advancement of Analytical Chemistry.” From being a periodical with a purpose, which incidentally included the proceedings of a Society, it now proclaims itself as the voice of a Society devoted to that purpose.And, in effect, the title page has so remained since. During the two years of my office I have had the opportunity of observing very closely the trend of our Society and I have noted the following. The three Groups dealing with the specialised branches of analytical chemistry, Biological Methods, Microchemistry and Physical Methods, have continued to develop, a.nd have pub- lished the results of much original investigational work, so much so that The Analyst now claims many new subscribers on this account alone. Some eighteen members of the Micro- chemistry Group attended the First International Microchemical Congress in Graz, and our Society was there honoured by the conferment on Mr.Ronald Belcher of the distinction of Honorary Membership of the Austrian Microchemical Society. In my view, much of the continued progress of our Society is directly due to the work of these three Groups. The Analytical Methods Committee steadily continues its work of publishing standard methods of analysis, Perhaps most important, because it marks a new departure in this country, is the publication of the first edition of a Bibliography of Standard Methods of Analysis. The work of compiling and editing this Bibliography has been very hard and tedious and has covered some four years; and the thanks of the Society must be given to Dr.Kent- Jones, upon whom fell practically the whole of this work, and who was the originator of the idea and the main-spring of the responsible Sub-committee. Our Society is concerning itself very intimately with the Second International Congress of Analytical Chemistry to be held in England, at Oxford, in 1952. We contributed the money necessary for the initial expenses of the preliminary arrangements, we are well repre- sented on both the Central and the Executive Committees, and The Analyst has been accepted as the organ in which the proceedings of the Congress will be published. Also during the last two years our Society has, through its nominated members, concerned itself with Government legislation in connection with the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, the Rivers (Pollution of Effluents) Bill and the Preservative Regulations.One other matter in this connection is the continued increase in circulation of The Analyst-and this despite the increased price to outside subscribers, that is, persons, firms or institutions not members of our Society. It is interesting to mention here that of a total of 2350 of these outside subscribers, no less than about 1600 are scattered throughout the world outside the United Kingdom, in no less than 57 different countries. While dealing with The Analyst I would wish to acknowledge the invaluable work of the Assistant Editors, F. L. Okell and J. B. Attrill, during the many months of illness of our late Editor. Now this is a two years’ record and I have dealt with it at some considerable length as a backgrcund to a matter that has caused me very much concern and one that I regard it as my duty now to deal with to the best of my ability.When I first took office there was a movement among members to alter the name of the Society to one more indicative of its fundamental purpose for the advancement of analytical chemistry, and also to remove from our Memorandum of Association two sections dealing with professional objects. Early in my period of office a resolution to this end was submitted to members at a general meeting but failed to get the necessary majority for its purpose. Since then, however, a new factor has emerged which may well have a great influence on this question, namely, an announcement of the Government’s intention to found a Science Centre.In May, 1950, Mr. Phillips Price, M.P., the Chairman of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, a body on which our representative, Dr. H. E. Cox, takes an active part, was fcrtunate in the House of Commons (to quote the Rt. Hon. Viscount Samuel) “in the fact that his devoted work for this Committee was recognised by Providence in giving him the first place in the ballot for Private Members Motions. He seized that opportunity by putting down a resolution on the utilisation of Britain’s scientific resources. Seventeen members of the House of Commons spoke, of whom thirteen were members of this Committee. In November, Mr. Morrison announced, on behalf of H.M. Government, the acceptance of a proposal long advocated for the creation of a new British Science Centre in Londcn.” Sub- sequently, the Rt.Hon. Herbert Morrison, M.P., stated that the actual building of such a Observe the change!262 ADDRESS OF THE RETIRING PRES1DEN.T [Vol. 76 Centre was a long-term policy; the planning of the Centre and the preliminary arrangements were to proceed immediately, and the Royal Society would take a great part in the negotiations. In December, Sir Robert Robinson, in his presidential address at the anniversary meeting of the Royal Society, said that it was possible that the scientific societies wGuld be housed in a worthy and impressive building, and that the quarters of the various societies would be separate, each retaining its individual library. He enumerated the various societies which had agreed to participate, a list of some sixteen.He further stated that it was under- stood that many of the smaller scientific clubs and societies would receive hospitality as they did at the present and had done in the past. But our Society is not included in that list,, although I believe that at least one of the societies included has a membership no larger than ours. There is, of course, no official reason given for our non-inclusion. It is to be observed, however, that all the societies included in the list fall into the general category of “pure” scientific bodies, that is to say, they have no professional interests. It is probable, therefore, that it is because we have professional objects in our Memorandum and our name suggests a professional angle that we are not considered to be eligible.I doubt whether the name carries much weight from this point of view, but certainly the fact as regards our Memorandum is another matter. It may be also that the position of analytical chemistry as a branch of the science of chemistry is not considered of sufficient separate importance to justify a position among the chosen scientific societies; this point, however, I will deal with later. I have referred to the fundamental purpose of our Society, and to the background of our activities during my years of office. I hold the view that as our Society represents analytical chemistry in the United Kingdom, arid that as analytical chemistry, a branch of the science of chemistry, has now attained a status of national importance, the Royal Society could and should be persuaded, even now at this somewhat late stage, to consider favourably any application that we may make for inclusion in the bodies to constitute the Science Centre.I know that: the movement among some members of our Society to remove the particular sections of our Memorandum is again reviving. I think that we are now at a turning point in our Society’s existence. We have to make a decision that will vitally affect our future. We can remain constituted as at present and hope that we shall continue our present excellent progress, or we can reconstitute ourselves with the hope that thereby we shall be admitted into the Science Centre, with the prospect of a permanent home, and of being universally accepted as the Society representing the science of analytical chemistry.I believe that we cannot possibly evade this issue. Personally, I am convinced that we should be a body devoted only to the advancement of the science of analytical chemistry without any professional interests; and as a professional analyst I am now also convinced that my professional interests would best be served by a separate but closely connected association devoted to that special purpose. This is not the time or place to go into the question of how such reconstitution could be brought about, but I am aware of suggestions, which have been put forward after grave consideration, that offer a course of action that might well be acceptable to all members of our Society. Coming now to the question of the status of analytical chemistry in the chemical world, it has repeatedly been urged that this is not properly recognised.It is said that analysis is regarded as the handmaiden but not as an essential branch of chemistry. L. Eynon, my predecessor in the presidential chair, laid emphasis in his presidential address1 on the desira- bility of recognition by the Universities by the institution of Chairs of Analytical Chemistry. The President of the Royal Institute of Chemistry, Professor J. W. Cook, in his presidential address in Glasgow,g in 1950, referred to the need to publicise the work of chemists and their real achievements as opposed to the popular conception of men engaged in the develop- ment of the destructive forces of atomic energy; and although not specifically referred to, his address quoted instances of analytical achievements.C. L. Wilson3 has also recently dealt with this subject in considerable detail ILn an article on “The Future of Analytical Chemistry.’’ These are all typical of many earnest endeavours in many places towards the same end. Where, however, they fail to some extent is in their direction and their aim; and in the method of attaining publicity. To a large extent they consist of claims and statements made in wide and general terms. These I fear do not have sufficient weight; they constitute the advertisement, but there is I think much to be said for the old adage, as forceful to-day as it was in the yesterdays, that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. We should, I believe,May, 19511 ADDRESS OF THE RETIRING PRESIDENT 263 progress much more rapidly in general acceptance if we would talk more about what has been accomplished by analytical chemistry and what it would be fair to say could not have been accomplished without the aid of analytical chemistry. Taking this point of view, I propose to give a brief survey this afternoon of some examples of the Service of Analytical Chemistry in Food and Agriculture, within the particular field in which I work.ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY IN THE SERVICE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE In submitting my thoughts on the services of analytical chemistry to food and agriculture, I am immediately concerned with the fact that generally when food and agriculture are referred to collectively the emphasis is on food and matters connected directly with food, and the subject of agriculture is relegated to the background.It is of course natural that life should be considered in terms of food. Of all the forces that influence, govern, or determine the life of a people-religion, education, physical comfort, social amenities, the law-none is greater than food. But what is not so generally recognised is that food is co-existent with agriculture, its quality and quantity are dependent on the quality and quantity of agriculture; the question of food supplies cannot be properly considered inde- pendently of the question of agriculture. I t is a biological law that man cannot live without plants. It is for this reason that in discussing, and putting forward instances of, the service of analysis, I have thought it desirable to deal, in the main, with agricultural matters.At the present time, service to food and agriculture can scarcely have any real significance other than that of increasing productivity. The problem of an increasing population without a corresponding increase in the food supply is a topic of everyday conversation. Although this question is outside the particular purpose of my talk and has beendealt with recently at length by Professor S. Z~ckerman,~ under the heading of “Food Production in Relation to National Economy,’’ I should, however, like to show you a table from the 1947 F.A.O. report which shows vividly the position of the U.K. in this matter (see Table I). TABLE I F.A.0. REPORT, 1947 Greece . . .. Rumania.. .. Poland . . . . Hungary ..Italy . . .. Belgium . . .. Netherlands . . Germany.. .. France . . .. Sweden .. .. Denmark .. United Kingdom England and Wales .. . . . . . . . . .. . . .. .. .. . . .. .. .. .. .. . . . . .. .. . . .. .. a . .. .. .. ,. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. * . .. . . .. .. .. Acres of arable land per person 0.74 1-53 1-70 1.33 0.74 0.30 0.27 0.69 1-24 1.46 1.73 0.27 - Rate of population increase per 1000 11-8 6.9 10.1 11.2 9.4 1-2 11.6 7.6 0.4 3.1 7-6 2.2 - Years needed to double population 69 118 69 62 74 679 61 92 224 93 314 - - It will be noted that the U.K. and the Netherlands have the smallest amount of arable land per person, Agriculturists generally are being encouraged on the highest levels to increase pro- ductivity. It must be recognised, however, that there is little parallel between an increased productivity in industry of the necessities, other than foodstuffs, of our modem civilised life and an increased productivity of foodstuffs.With the former, articles are produced more or less unalterable and ready for use. On the other hand, the production on a farm of a certain amount of food, either animal or vegetable, does not mean that that same amount will be available for consumption. It may suffer, either while being grown or in the interval between full growth or harvesting and consumption, from one or more possible causes of deterioration, such as disease, breakdown and decomposition due to inherent natural vital activities, the action of bacteria or fungi, or the attack of insect or rodent pests.Viscount Bledisloe,6 in his presidential address to the Second International Congress of Crop Protection, 1949, stated that a conservative estimate of the loss due to this cause, excluding weeds, is This fact has the greater implication in an island like the U.K.264 ADDRESS OF THE RETIRING PRESIDENT [Vol. 76 given at 30 per cent. of crops growing, harvested and stored, and the F.A.O. has estimated the annual loss of grain at approximately 65 million tons. Again, separate farms may yield the same weight of produce, yet the produce of one may have significantly greater nutritional value, quite apart from any question of decom- position or the effects of outside deteriorating agencies. That is to say, the productivity of agriculture cannot be assessed, from the national point of view, only in terms of weight or volume, it must also be assessed in respect of nutritional value.This fact is so important that it hardly needs stressing, but it brings me to my first example of the service of analytical chemistry. COBALT AND ANIMAL HEALTH Recently, an agricultural correspondent in, an article on New Zealand in The Times6 referring to the frequently repeated warning t!iat the world must soon go hungry because human beings are increasing rapidly and there is no new land that can readily be brought into food production, points out that there are many square miles in the North Island of New Zealand waiting for development. To quote: “New Zealand’s youngest soil was created with the Napier earthquake in 1931, but much more was made in 1886, when Mount Tarawera erupted and showered ashes and mud over 6’700 square miles.This pumice soil, which grows useless tussocks and the scrub ‘ti-trees’ (Manuka) when left to nature, can quickly be transformed by burning, cultivating and fertilising into excellent grazing country for cows, beef cattle and sheep. The new soil which is friable and easily worked will grow abundant rye grass and clover. The key to this new wealth was found by incorporating a trace of cobalt (6 lb to 1 ton of superphosphate in the fertiliser dressing).” You will observe this quite casual reference to cobalt, an element which cannot be described as well known to the average person. But, in fact, it was a considerable amount of analytical work that discovered this key.For many years settlers in certain areas in New Zealand and Australia had experienced severe losses of sheep and cattle from “wasting diseases” of unknown cause. Animals, after grazing for several months, lost their appetites, wasted and finally died, although feeding in a luxuriant growth of pasture. Horses fed in the same areas remained in excellent health. Spectacular recovery followed change to other pastures, although apparently these were inferior in quality and quantity. The clinical picture was that of chronic starvation. I t was natural enough, therefore, that the earliest treatment was for anaemia, and consisted in dosing with iron compounds. At first this seemed successful in New Zealand, as cures were obtained with the aid of massive doses. You will note the massive doses! But later work in Australia suggested that the curative agent was some impurity in the iron compounds.(Hence the need of massive doses.) It was also observed that while the amounts of iron found in good and bad pastures were not significantly different, there was often a very marked difference in the type of soils. Limonite soils were generally-though not invariably-good soils. So much so that treatment of the affected animals with drenches prepared from limonite had generally proved so effective that they were in common use. But these drenches were not invariably successful, so the next siep was to add copper salts to the drenches, on the assumption that the value of the massive dosage of iron was due to traces of copper. It was at this point that the analytical approach to the problem began to appear of significant value.Dilute hydrochloric extracts of curative limonites proved effective, even after removal of iron from the extracts. Further fractionation showed that the potent element was in the , fraction containing nickel, manganese, cobalt and zinc. Tests that followed with supposedly pure nickel oxide indicated nickel as the cur<ative agent, until it was subsequently found that pure nickel chloride failed. Now, from another part of Australia, came the suggestion that the wasting disease, known locally as “coast disease,” was due to lack of one of the trace elements, together with the further suggestion that cobalt might be required in ruminant nutrition, the latter suggestion being based on the demonstration a few years previously of the effect of traces of cobalt on rats.Analysis of the nickel compound showed the presence of substantial amounts of cobalt. The solution of the problem was found. In affected areas of Western Australia, sheep were kept inL excellent condition by a daily dose of 0.1 mg of cobalt, and cattle by from 0.3 to 1.Omg. In South Australia, however, it was found that copper as well as cobalt was necessary for complete cure. About the same time, in New Zealand, it was independently established by Askew and Dixon’ that the effectiveness of ores and soil drenches was related to their cobalt content. The story of cobalt deficiency in animals is; a fascinating one. This proved fallacious.May, 19511 ADDRESS OF THE RETIRING PRESIDENT Consideration of some of the results of analysis are interesting (see Table 11).265 TABLE I1 COBALT CONTENT OF PASTURES, ETC. Cobalt, p.p.m. (in dry matter) “Pure nickel oxide” . . .. .. .. .. .. 7000 Ferric ammonium citrate . . . . .. .. .. 24 Limonite .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 to 55 “Nelson” soil . . . . .. .. .. .. .. 45 Acid extract of top-soils, bad . . .. .. .. .. 0.09 to 0.23 Y3 $9 good . . .. .. .. 0.26 to 0.94 .. .. average 0.038 Healthy pasture . . .. .. .. .. .. average 0.106 Unhealthy pasture . . .. .. . . Livers of unhealthy sheep . . .. .. .. .. 0-02 to 0.03 Livers of healthy cobalt-treated sheep . . .. .. 0.07 to 0.25 Since then many other investigations have been carried out in various parts of the world and cobalt deficiency has been found t o be the cause of apparent malnutrition in many places, even in some parts of Scotland.One fact brought to light by this work was illuminating. While it was now established that cobalt is an essential factor in ruminant nutrition, it seemed clear that very much smaller amounts, if any, are required by non-ruminants. Though it might well be said that the original problem had been solved, the interesting problem of how the traces of cobalt function and why in one class of animal they should be necessary, and not in the other class, remained unanswered until quite recently, when light was thrown on this question by J. Tosie and R. L. MitchellS with the aid of recently-developed methods of analysis using radio-active techniques. When radio-active cobalt was injected intravenously into adequately fed cattle and its course traced, somewhat surprisingly poor absorption of the element was shown, but some unexpected results were also shown which led to the examination of the micro- organisms in the rumen by the application of a spectrographic method for the determination of their cobalt content.This appears to have been an extraordinarily fertile line of investiga- tion, for it established a reasonable possibility that the rumen micro-organisms accumulated cobalt from their external environment. The findings suggested that (1) in cobalt-deficient sheep the host and the microbes compete for the already low concentration of cobalt available in the feed; or (2) that cobalt may be essential for the micro-organisms and not for the host; or (3) that absorption of the element by the host would deprive the micro-organisms of a factor essential for their growth and metabolism.Conversely, if cobalt is an essential metabolite for the host, then its concentration in micro-organisms may reduce its availability for the host. But I would contend that it is an outstanding picture of how analytical chemistry first indicated the cure for a serious cattle disease and then, with the advance in the science, began to sketch in the cause of the trouble as a background to the picture. In their account in Nature, Tosie and Mitchell finally add the comment that it is of interest to note that cobalt has been found to occur to the extent of 4.0 per cent. of the crystals of the naturally occurring anti-pernicious anaemia fact or.GRASS IN ENSILAGE I t is accepted by many thoughtful agriculturists that from a national standpoint the greatest scope for increased home food production lies in raising the productivity of our grasslands. Sir George Stapledons suggests that nearly one-third of the land surfaces of Great Britain is in rough and hill grazing and by far the larger proportion lies comparatively snug below the 1500 ft. contour. In general terms and on technical grounds there is no reason why this land should not be made the master instrument in producing an honest meat ration for all of us, here at home. The Minister of Agriculture1* put the possibilities somewhat tersely when, at the Smithfield Show in London in December, 1949, he gave the farmers the slogan “Ten per cent.more grass from ten per cent. less land.” Professor S. Zuckerman4 puts the point that an increase from the present 11 cwt of starch equivalent per acre to 14 to 15 cwt of starch equivalent per acre would mean an additional approximate amount of 3+ million tons of starch equivalent, equal at the ruling price to El00 million. This is the picture to date. I t is clearly not yet finished.266 ADDRESS OF THE RETIRING PRESIDENT [Vol. 76 Professor Zuckerman favours artificial drying of grass rather than ensiling, but this question is controversial. The assessment of quality is largely dependent on chemical analysis, and of late years new factors, such as “trace elements,” protein constitution and mineral composition have added to the difficulties of the assessment.Moreover, the calculations for that useful unit of measurement, “cwt of starch equivalent per acre,” can only be made from analytical data. The following table, by R. A. Hamilton,lf illustrates the present-day value of grass- TABLE I l l ESTIMATED QUANTITIES OF STARCH EQUIVALENT AND PROTEIN EQUIVALENT PROVIDED BY CROPS AND GRASS IN THE U.K. I N 1948 Million acres Starch Per cent. Protein equivalent of total equivalent Million tons 13.1 Arable crops . . .. .. . . 11.0 49 1.1 17.9 Grass-temporary and permanent. . 9.9 45 1-8 17.2 Rough grazings . . .. , . 1.3 6 0.1 Total 48.2 22-2 3-0 The available calculated figure for utilised starch equivalent for grasslands in is from 10 to 12 cwt Der acre. Per cent. of total 37 60 3 the U.K. Although man d6es not eat grass and the objection to these figures that they over- emphasise the importance of grass can therefore be raised, the extent to which arable crops are used for livestock feeding is often forgotten.TABLE I’V ESTIMATED QUANTITIES OF STARCH EQUIVALENT AND PROTEIN EQUIVALENT PROVIDED It is illustrated in Table IV. I N THE U.K. I N 1948 BY CROPS AND GRASS WHICH WERE EATEN BY LIVESTOCK Starch Per cent. Protein Per cent. equivalent of total equivalent of total Million tons Arable crops . . .. .. .. . . 6.8 38 0-7 27 Rough grazings . . .. a . . . 1.3 7 0.1 4 Grass-temporary and permanent. . . . 9.9 55 1.8 69 Total .. .. .. . . 18.0 2.6 Grass is ordinarily utilised in several ways. It may be directly grazed, or cut frequently during the growing season and immediately artificially dried, or cut at or towards the end of its growing season and dried naturally to produce that age-old product, hay, or it may be cut and ensiled.Regarded as a source of protein-or meat in embryo-there must always be discussion as to the best way to treat grass that cannot be directly grazed. On this point it is to be observed that silage is a succulent and palatable article very largely used as a staple cattle food in the dairy countries of Denmark and Holland, and it is stated that most of the dairy farms of any size in the U.S.A. possess a silo, because in the early days young maize-a crop extensively grown there-is particularly suitable for ensiling. In the U.K., however, silage has had a chequered career. Prepared from a mixture of cereals and legumes, e.g., oats and vetches, it attained considerable popularity at the end of the nineteenth century.But the practice declined, probably because although the silage then produced was a sweet and palatable food, it was produced at a high temperature from crops at an advanced stage of growth and its feeding value was low. Also it was in direct com- petition with hay-making. Now, within the last ten or twenty years, there has been a very strong revival, due without doubt to a better understanding of the chemistry involved in the underlying principles as interpreted by analysis of the constituents produced during the varying phases of its preparation. This is shown in detail and at considerable length by Sir S. J. Watsonf2 in a recent article on the chemistry of ensilage.After describing grass silage as to-day’s most important and most promising of the foodstuffs that can be produced on the farm, and further asserting that if we are to survive present-day economic conditionsMay, 19511 ADDRESS OF THE RETIRING PRESIDENT 267 its use on farms will have to increase in a marked degree, he deals convincingly with the nutritional evaluation of silage by consideration of analytical data. When cut, the crop is alive and respiring; in due course the cells die and the micro-flora come into action. The time interval and forms of organic breakdown can be controlled and influenced by physical means and aerobic and anaerobic conditions so that the silage produced shall be of the highest nutritional value and of a satisfactory palatability.Analytical investigation of the various types of silage produced under varying conditions of aeration due to packing, and of the temperature of the mass, led to an evaluation of such end-products as butyric, lactic and acetic acids, alcohol, carbon dioxide, amino-acids, fatty acids, valatile bases and ammonia. Thus, butyric acid over 1 per cent. means a silage that must be fed with caution, but is controllable because the butyric organisms cease growth at pH 4-2. Acidity produced by lactic acid organisms is considered a most important factor, and the lactic acid may reach 2 per cent. by weight of the fresh silage. Good quality means more than 1 per cent. of lactic acid, and in greater amount than the volatile acids. Mould growth with volatile bases and ammonia is restrained by high acidity, i.e., a low pH.These essentials for a good silage would indicate that the crop should be harvested when it is richest in carbohydrate, that is at a late period in its growth; but this, unfortunately, is when it is poorest in protein. The difficulty has been resolved by adding extra carbohydrate to the grass in the silo; this makes it possible to reap the crop at an early stage of growth when its protein content is at a maximum. The English practice is to add molasses, in the U.S.A. the additional carbo- hydrate is supplied by the addition of sugar-beet pulp, potato meal or even whole potatoes. Another modern procedure to encourage the lactic acid organisms is by artificially lowering the pH below 4 by the addition of dilute mineral acids, usually hydrochloric and sulphuric acids, this procedure being in principle the well-known Continental A.I.V.process. Finally, the feeding value of a silage can be quite properly judged by determination of the amounts of dry matter and nitrogen (crude protein) and the pH value. Colour is a good guide to the carotenoid value. It would appear that present-day practice in the manufacture of good silage owes a very great deal to chemical analysis. METALLIC CONTAMINATION OF FOODSTUFFS-CROP PROTECTION : PEST CONTROL I have put these two apparently somewhat dissimilar subjects together because they are intimately associated. Commonly, the metallic contamination of foodstuffs occurs during the course of manufacture, that is, during the course of the journey from the raw material to the finished product. On the other hand, contamination due to crop protection or pest control occurs before the plant becomes the raw material of commercial practice.Nevertheless, the final result may be the same: a potential cause of toxicity or malnutrition or illness to the human or animal consumer. It is well in the first place to consider the question of toxicity or poisonous quality. It is not easy to assess poisonous quality. There are some substances that appear to be potentially harmful, that is to say, poisonous, in the smallest quantities-and this quite apart from idiosyncrasy-while others, although definitely harmful if taken in any sub- st antial amount, are apparently harmless in traces. Furthermore, the position is becoming increasingly complicated with the advance of analytical practice and the development of inore sensitive and more comprehensive tests with the aid of which the physiologist or bio- chemist discovers more and more elements essential to human life in yet more minute traces.The question therefore arises: Is there in fact a proportion or amount of each of the so-called poisonous metals that is essential to life and can be assumed to be non-poisonous or harmless in the proportions naturally present ? This question possibly really concerns only metallic contamination of foods, because the increasing tendency in crop protection and pest control is to use synthetic organic chemicals, such as DDT, or the phenoxyacetic acids, which can hardly be considered as natural to life in the same sense as may the minute traces of the now very large number of elements found to be normally present in vegetation. It seems likely that others will also be found to be essential.For instance, it is now suggested that that popular aid to murder and suicide-arsenic-belongs to this class. Bearing all this in mind it may well be regarded as fundamental to know whether any proportion of any one poisonous element can be considered as harmless. The answer to this question becomes of importance to the analyst when having found so many parts per million, or so many micro- grams per ounce, of, say, arsenic or lead in a food, he is faced with the necessity of giving an268 ADDRESS OF THE RETIRING PRESIDENT [Vol. 76 opinion as to whether or not the food is safe for human consumption.Clearly no analyst can answer this question from knowledge gained from personal experience. He must seek the aid of medical or physiological authorities. Let US then examine the evidence of these authorities. Perhaps the first to consider are -the findings and recommendations of the Royal Commission on Arsenical Poisoning published in 1903. During the course of the year 1900 medical men in Lancashire and Staffordshire became aware of a serious increase in the illness generally diagnosed as alcoholic peripheral neuritis. This increase became so marked as to become epidemic in certain areas and to necessitate a closer and more critical examina- tion. I t was then observed that while alcoholic peripheral neuritis was normally an illness of spirit drinkers, the victims in this instance were generally beer drinkers.This led to examination of the beer particularly implicated, first for lead, then for higher alcohols, then for mineral poisons generally, these being the suggestions which arose successively. But these examinations yielded negative results. In November, 1900, however, Dr. Reynolds, of Manchester, recognised that one of the common skin symptoms-shingleewas also a common result of medicinal arsenical treatment. He applied the Reinsch test to the beer, obtained a good positive result; Dixon-Mann confirmed his findings, and so the cause of the trouble was found. It is estimated that from 2000 to 3000 illnesses, and about 100 deaths were caused by arsenical beer. In the period 1901 to 1903 (when the final report of the Royal Commission was published), an immense amount of investigational work was under- taken, both in respect of the analytical methods for the determination of arsenic, and in respect of arsenical contamination of foodstuffs ; work in which our Society participated as well as the Government Laboratory and a brewers’ research association.In 1903 the final report of the Commission, recommending maximum limits of 1/100th of a grain of arsenic per pound and per gallon respectively for solid and liquid foodstuffs, was published. Thus we have one authoritative recommendation, not an Order or Regulation, in respect of arsenic -and I shall return to it presently for another reason. But other than this the analyst will find himself in difficulty. Medical and physiological literature abounds in data con- cerning the toxicity of poisonous elements.Mainly they are concerned with fatal, or near-fatal, doses, and the duration and character of the accompanying symptoms. On the question of what may be described as tolerances for human beings, there is little information. This is understandable, as experimental work on humans in order to ascertain degree of tolerance to poisons is not usually regarded as permissible. On the other hand, a very considerable mount of work has been done in connection with the reactions and well-being of animals, both large and small, and the available data is extensive and comprehensive. But however sound the general application of such data to humans may be, it cannot be accepted when the question arises as to whether or not a specified minute trace is harmful or beneficial, or whether a specified minute trace exceeds the safe limit. The angle from which the problem in respect of human beings has been attacked so far- and it is difficult to see any other line of approach-is, in short, to add together the amounts of the particular element under consideration that are normally present in the daily diet, the amount normally present in the liquids that may be drunk daily and the amount inhaled in the dust of the atmosphere. The figure so obtained then constitutes the basis for an assessment of what may then be described as the safe daily limit.It will be seen that this approach is dependent on very comprehensive analytical data, and for many elements it is not available.That it is a sound a proach, however, would appear to be very substantially confirmed when the applications of t K e recommendations of the report on arsenical poisoning referred to earlier are reviewed and considered. These recommendations have now been in force over forty-seven years, and have been generally accepted. During that long period I think it is safe to say that there is no significant clinical or physiological evidence that the daily ingestion of foods and liquids which may contain arsenic, but not in excess of 1.4 and 0.14 p.p.m. respectively, has led to any illness or other harmful effect. That is to say, such maximum limits for arsenic may now be accepted as safe limits for human beings. That is also to say, a safe limit for one poisonoris element has been established practically entirely on the basis of data supplied by the analysis of foods.And I would venture to say that it could not have been established in any other way. So much for arsenic. Now official action seems likely in connection with limits for other potentially poisonous elements, particularly lead: so that if the same method of attacking the problem is pursued, then analysis still remains as the dominating factor for determining the answers. But they are limited data.May, 19511 ADDRESS OF THE RETIRING PRESIDENT 269 I t will be seen from the foregoing how intimately crop protection and pest control is connected with contamination of foodstuffs. When a crop is dusted or sprayed with a fungicide or an insecticide it is a reasonable requirement that these shall remain effective for a significant period of time.It follows that, despite the action of wind and rain, there is always the possibility that they remain still effective to some extent when the crop is marketed for human consumption. It will further be immediately observed that this widens the whole question enormously. Whereas the older kind of chemical used for the purpose of pest control can be generally described as metallic poisons, e.g., lead, arsenic, and copper compounds, the newer methods of control depend on the use of synthetic organic chemicals, many, if not most, of which are of unknown toxicity to human beings. The problems that apply to the metallic contamination of foods, therefore, apply even more strongly to these newer poisons, particularly when it is realised that analytical control must now be dependent on the development of sufficiently sensitive and precise methods of analysis.COMMERCIALISED PHOTOSYNTHESIS AS A SOURCE OF INCREASED FOOD SUPPLY In recent times consideration of the increased food needs of the present day and of any possible new sources of supply has focussed attention on the observation that while only a small proportion of the solar radiation suitable for the photosynthetic reduction of carbon dioxide by plants is actually converted to chemical energy in this way-the efficiency of the primary producers of agricultural economy, the so-called higher plants, amounting to only about 1 per cent. and not being susceptible to much improvement-certain uni-cellular forms of life can under suitable or appropriate conditions attain a much greater efficiency. Some algae, such as the Chlorella species, can utilise as much as 30 per cent.and may possibly TABLE V YIELDS FROM CHLORELLA COMPARED WITH CROP PLANTS U.S. tons per acre per crop year, Source dry weight Chlorella . . .. .. .. 2.85 1-74 1-66 1.15 0.75 0.46 Flax (seed) . . .. .. .. 0.70 Soya (seed) .. .. .. 0.63 Groundnut . . .. .. .. 0.60 Percentage of fat 7.0 17.0 42.0 66-5 55.0 78.0 37.0 18-0 30.0 lb. fat per acre per growing season of 120 days 400 693 1390 1303 747 687 51 8 227 360 attain a maximum efficiency of more than 80 per cent. In the higher plants th,e products of photosynthesis are translocated to non-photosynthetic structures or organs in the plant, but a Chlorella cell multiplies by simple division into daughter cells, each of which is capable both of growth and photosynthesis, and there occurs no diversion of the products of energy derived from solar radiation to support the growth elsewhere in the cell.It has now been found that the direction of what may be described as the metabolic activity and the detennina- tion of the end-products of such activity in algae is dependent, among others, on the following conditions: the supply of essential nutrient elements, the incidence of light of suitable wave- length and intensity, a controlled range of temperature and constant aeration, including a minimum of carbon dioxide. It has been found that the main product can be either protein, carbohydrate or fat, according to the stage of growth, the strain or variety of algae and the cultural conditions; and that in connection with the latter the most important factor is the concentration and nature of the combined nitrogen in the medium.The position t o date, as shown in a very recent contribution by W. H. Pearsall and G. E. Fogg13 from which this summary is taken, may be described as only in the experimental stage, although trials are reported of large-scale continuous culture in California for a period of over two months, where it is claimed that 6 per cent. of the incident sunlight was utilised in the produc- tion of organic matter. So far the investigational and experimental work show the following results. Different algal groups under differing cultural conditions and with differing nutrient media have specific tendencies towards predominance of protein or fat or carbohydrate.270 ADDRESS OF THE RETIRING PRESIDENT [Vol.76 The value of these algal proteins, fats or carbohydrates, from the point of view of human nutrition, is still however largely undetermined because the knowledge of this chemistry is incomplete, that is to say, they have not yet been subjected to comprehensive and detailed chemical analysis. What is known to date ist that the proteins, theoretically the most economical food products of the controlled growth of algae, may well be of very low grade, lacking some of the essential amino-acids and containing substantial proportions of nitrogenous bases; the lipid fraction includes from 20 to 80 per cent.of fatty acids with a large proportion of unsaturated acids; and that although the carbohydrate portion includes some sugar and starch, there appears to be no published detailed analysis and it is thought to be largely of doubtful value in animal nutrition. The authors conclude with an interesting table of yields from Chlorella compared with crop plants, and with the suggestion that as a means of supplementing our resources simple algae have considerable potentialities and are well worth further investigation from this point of view (see Table V). I would add that clearly such investigation waits on the analyst. IRRIGATION AND SOIL CONDITIONS In the U.S.A., soils low in organic matter, poor in permeability to water, often con- taining an accumulation of salt and of extremely low fertility, occur in many river valleys and are known under the generic name of black-alkali soils.Usually the pH of these soils is in excess of 8, sodium is the predominant exchangeable base, and the organic matter may tend to dissolve in alkaline solution. The association of black-alkali formation with sodium carbonate and biczrbonate in irrigation waters was pointed out as far back as 1911, and was then used in rating formulae for irrigation waters; subsequently, the question of the influence of salts in irrigation waters was discussed when considering land reclamation and agricultural production in a north-western area cbf the U.S.A.; and in 1950, Frank M. Eaton, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Texas Agricultural Experimental Station,l4 published a paper entitled “Significance of Carbonates in Irrigation Waters,’’ in which he first points out that “in terms of the difficulty and cost of reclamation and the severity of its effects, black-alkali continues to occupy a prominent position among the unfavourable consequences of irrigation,” and then proceeds to postulate as fundamental that the problem can only properly be attacked by consideration, in the first place, of the character of the water, as indicated by fully detailed analytical examination; it is only when these data are known that the potential physical effects of the passage of the water through the soil can be forecast or assessed and a suitable method of reclamation outlined.Only occasionally does it occur that a water supply contains a sufficiently high concentration of salts to be directly harmful to plants; but as the irrigation water becomes thle soil solution and loses volume and suffers changes due to concentration, to plant uptake, arid to base exchange, then the picture alters.The author discusses at some length the quantitative significance of the relative amounts of Ca, Mg, Na and HCO, and CO, ions upon which depend the possibility of an ultimate condition of alkalinity due to sodium carbonate, and also the types of soil that may be developed in time and in absence of good drainage or when used too sparingly, namely: (1) calcium saline soils, produced by waters much higher in Ca .f Mg than HCO, + CO, and which have relatively low Na value, usually readily reclaimable by draining and leaching; (2) sodium saline soils, produced by waters which initially or after partial evaporation and the precipita- tion of CaCO, have high Na values but no residual Na,CO,, which then deteriorate in pennea- bility unless the water remains fairly saline; and (3) alkali soils, saline or non-saline, produced when irrigation waters containing more HCO, $- CO, than Ca + Mg are used so sparingly that little leaching occurs.In the case of the last-mentioned type, however, if the Na is not too greatly in excess of Ca and Mg, and enough of such water is used that drainage continues to contain a substantial proportion of Ca and Mg, there may be no ill effects. Perhaps the most generally interesting pan: of this paper is the author’s observation that the discussion presented in it is the outcome of observations of the effects of prolonged use of water in two of the world’s oldest irrigated areas: in Egypt, along the Nile, where black-alkali occurs, and where reclamation is now being accomplished in certain districts by providing drainage and then leaching with water from the same source as that which produced the condition; and in Iraq, along the Tigris and Euphrates, where the accumulation of salt in the land has been sufficient to account for a major decline in population >and damage to a great civilisation. With regard to the Euphrates, it is pointed out that the character of the river water is such that it would have supported a flourishing irrigation agriculture hadMay, 19511 ADDRESS OF THE RETIRING PRESIDENT 271 the people, through the centuries, recognised the need of drainage to carry away the excess of salt; but there is no record of any ditch ever having been dug for this purpose.Confirmation of at least one of the points emphasised in the above conclusions is inde- pendently afforded in a letter on problems of irrigation by E. Hayward,15 in Chemistry and Industry, in December, 1950, when the writer deals with his personal study of the extensive irrigation system of the Punjab in North India. Here, owing to financial difficulties, the irrigation canals had been built without linings, with the result that in the course of fifty years large areas of the Punjab have been and are being thrown out of cultivation owing to constant seepage from the canals into the soil.The seepage gradually raises the sub-soil water level, which may ultimately produce swamps, but in any case brings the dissolved salts in the sub-soil water sufficiently near the surface of the soil for capillary action to come into operation, with the result that evaporation by heat of the sun causes a concentration of these salts in the surface soil and a consequential base exchange of sodium for aluminium, etc., in the surface soil. There is thus produced an untillable clay which will only support a sparse and reedy vegetation, and is quite incapable of bearing crops of foodstuffs. FERTILISER TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH IN THE U.S.A. If it is accepted that in any estimate of the potential crop possibilities of the agricultural land still in existence as such in this world, the assistance afforded by “artificial” fertilisers must have a significant bearing on the estimate, then the programme of future research in fertiliser technology, as recently outlined by K.D. Jacob,16 will have a very great interest for us. In the first place it may be briefly pointed out that while originally (1911) the emphasis in this research lay in exploration and investigation within the U.S. to determine possible sources of supply, it is now more particularly directed to transformation of nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash into high analysis compounds of satisfactory physical condition and better efficiency for crop production, evaluation of new products as sources of plant nutrients and study of the consumption of plant nutrients-factors affecting consumption and trends in fert iliser usage.The U.S.A. current programme includes the following general lines of investigation- (1) Production of high analysis, synthetic nitrogen fertilisers of low solubility and (2) Quality of water-insoluble nitrogen in commercial mixed fertilisers. (3) Composition, properties and fertilising value of phosphates made by thermal and other processes. (4) Factors influencing moisture absorption , caking, drillability and other physical properties of fertiliser materials and mixtures, including chemical reactions that cause loss of available plant nutrients during preparation and storage of mixed fertilisers. controlled rate of availability to crops. (5) Development of improved methods of fertiliser analysis.(6) Evaluation of agricultural liming materials. (7) Studies of domestic and world resources, technology, production, consumption and trade of fertilisers and fertiliser materials. Let us briefly consider this programme. Perhaps, in the first instance, it is of interest to glance at the approximate composition of Florida Land Pebble Phosphate, as compiled by K. D. Jacob and shown in Table VI. Discussing the programme we have- Item 1-This, at the moment, is particularly directed to the use of products known as “urea-form,” i.e., the plastic product of the interaction of urea and formaldehyde containing about 38 per cent. of nitrogen. Different ratios of the constituents result in products of different solubility. Greenhouse and field experiments indicate that owing to its low solubility and slow rate of availability it shows promise of being a superior fertiliser for long-growing crops that require substantial quantities of nitrogen throughout the season.Grass appears to be specially benefited by its application. A considerable amount of work is being done to assess rates of hydrolysis, nitrification and nitrogen availability of this material for the purpose of evaluating its fertilising value by an analytical method rather than by pot or field experiments. I n this connection I should like to refer to the outstanding work of one of our members, J. H. Hamence, in this field. For a number of years he has studied the nitrogen availability of fertilisers by an analytical method of a semi-biological nature, whereby the extent of the272 ADDRESS OF THE RETIRING PRESIDENT [Vol.76 nitrification that occurs when the fertiliser is mixed with soil in proportions common to agricultural practice, and with adequate cont:rols, is measured by the amount of nitrate produced. The results of his earlier work has already been published,17 but there is much more yet to come. Included in the fertilisers on which he has worked are the urea - form- aldehyde plastics. Item 2 T h i s is really an extension of the work referred to under Item 1, as it is a comparative study of the present official (in the U.S.A.) method for determining the avail- ability of water-insoluble nitrogen by treatment with permanganate, and of the rate of TABLE VI COMPOSITION OF FLORIDA LAND . . ... . .. .. .. .. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . .. .. .. * . . . .. .. .. .. .. . . . . .. .. . . . . .. .. . . .. .. . . a . .. .. .. . . .. . . .. .. .. .. .. Organic carbon . . N .. .. .. Total water . . . . .. .. .. . . .. .. .. . . . . .. .. .. .. . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . .. .. * . nitrification. In this brief account by .. .. .. .. .. .. . . .. .. .. . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. * . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . . . .. .. .. PEBBLE .. . . . . .. .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. .. PHOSPHATE Per cent. 30.0 to 36.0 0-7 to 2.6 0.7 to 1.1 46.0 to 50.0 0.05 to 0.6 3.5 to 3.9 0.003 to 0.03 0.0008 to 0.002 7.0 to 10.0 0.002 to 0.05 0.05 to 0.6 0.05 to 0.5 0.2 to 1.5 0.03 to 0.08 trace 0*0005 to 0.003 0.003 0.005 0.002 0.002 trace to 0.02 trace to 0.015 0-002 to 0.01 0.001 to 0-005 trace 1-5 to 4-5 0.25 to 0-4 0.005 t o 0.02 1.3 to 2.6 Jacoblf; no indication of the methods adoDted for determining rate of nitrification are give< but p:robably they are on the lines of the Hamence method.Item 3-Comparison of solubility tests of phosphates produced at high temperatures, e.g., glasses such as calcium metaphosphate and the phosphate rock - magnesium silicate fusion product cooled in such a way as to preclude partial crystallisation and then finely ground, as determined by such procedures as shaking with ammonium citrate solutions, with the yields obtained in field-growing experiments, seems to be giving interesting results.Item &This clearly calls for over-all analytical control. Items 5 and &These also are obviously analytical. It would surely not be an exaggeration to say that the fertiliser technology research programme of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is based on the use of all resources of modern analytical chemistry. GENETICS AND ANIMAL COMPOSITION Doubtless most of us have been more than a little interested in the controversy which has recently seriously disturbed the quiet and even tenor of the Soviet scientific way of thought. I refer, of course, to the Vavilov - Lysenko controversy, which, fundamentally is a question whether genetic factors or environment influences directly determine the progressive evolution of life, particularly in respect of plant life.John Hammond,18 in an illuminating discussion of the genetic differences in the composition of animal products, has clearly shown that if such genetic differences have any bearing in the controversy then it is only with the aid ofMay, 19511 ADDRESS OF THE RETIRING PRESIDENT 273 intensive methods of analysis for resolving the primary composition of animal products that any really powerful contribution to the discussion can be put forward. Thus, in the instance of milk-the only possible food for the just-born, and therefore presumably in- evitably the vehicle for any continuing genetic factor that may be potentially operative- the statement that “the higher evolutionary forms of milk, such as that of the cow, repeat in general, in their development in the individual, the composition of milks of the lower evolutionary forms” can only be supported by analysis of the milks.For example, “at the seventh month of pregnancy in a heifer the secretions from the mammary gland contain about 9.1 per cent. of albumen and globulin and about 4 per cent. of casein-not very dis- similar to the proportion in cats’ milk-and very different from the 0.4 per cent. of albumen and globulin and 3 per cent. of casein of normal cows’ milk. Similar considerations apply to the casein - lactose ratios in some species, such as the mare and donkey, which have a higher lactose - protein ratio than the sheep, goat and cow.” On similar lines, Hammond deals with the composition of meat and eggs. It seems clear from these studies of genetic differences that the interpretation is dependent on a profound knowledge of the primary composition of the relevant living and evoluting animal.A final lighter touch in this positive affirmation must, I think, be referred to when, in dealing with the inherited quality of the relative quantities of the different albumen layers of the egg, it is noted that this has a com- mercial importance from the point of view of the poaching of eggs. THE TRUMAN FOURTH POINT AND AN IMPLEMENTATION So far the examples quoted are of analytical work done or being done; looking forward, perhaps one of the most important investigations now being awaited in agriculture is that dealing with a better knowledge of the soil. In January, 1949, President Truman put forward his now much discussed Fourth Point: a call for the intensification and sharing of American technological knowledge for the benefit of the undeveloped areas of the world.Later in 1949, the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee-an unofficial group of members of both Houses of Parliament and representatives of certain scientific societies and technical institutions-set up a sub-committee to consider the political and scientific implications, and the interim report of this sub-committee sets out the steps considered to be necessary for establishing or improving crops and crop produc- tion in these circumstances. Briefly stated these steps are- (1) Supplementation of ordinary ground geological survey by stereoscopic examination of air photographs.(2) Eradication of tsetse as preliminary to bush clearance. (3) Establishment of research centres in pasture development. (4) The fullest attention to water : supply, conservation, irrigation and drainage. (5) Survey of crops and determinative factors, such as soil conditions, plant pathology, pests and fertilisers. Clearly attention is here directed to such undeveloped areas as are now in existence in many parts of Central Africa, where regeneration and the establishment of fertile soil is a task of immense difficulty. When these five suggested steps are carefully considered it will be observed that they constitute a chronological sequence of work, from preliminary survey, through pest eradication, establishment of pasture research centres and attention to water, to examination of the soil and soil conditions.The endeavour to control or favourably influence conditions directly or indirectly affecting crop production, is quite properly of first importance, and is, of course, indispensable, but it is doubtful whether the enormous importance of a basic or fundamental knowledge of the soil is sufficiently appreciated. The ill-fated plan for the mechanised production of groundnuts in East and Central Africa was conceived as a solution of the end-of-the-war shortage of fats and animal feeding stuffs, and it may well be said, as it came into operation in 1948, that it anticipated the Truman Fourth Point. It may also be said that the major cause of the failure t o attain any com- mercial success was lack of sufficient knowledge of the soil.Contrary to much public opinion, a very considerable amount of investigational and research work on the soil and groundnut production had been undertaken. The First Annual Report of the Overseas Food Cor- porationlg includes a very full and complete account of the results of soil analysis and small plot experiments which had been undertaken. Samples of soil from the various districts were subjected to analysis on the conventional lines now customary in English agricultural institutions, covering the range of pH values and amounts of “available” P, Ca, Mg and K,274 ADDRESS OF THE RETIRING PRESIDENT [Vol. 76 and, as was expected, a deficiency of P was found to be general. An interesting relationship of N to P, for these soils, was determined. Furthermore, experimental work with different types of phosphatic materials and resultant yields of groundnuts showed that the deter- mination of citric-solubility of the phosphate in these materials was a useful criterion.So it may be fairly said that the major operation of ,growing groundnuts was not initiated without substantial preliminary work. But Africa has been gloomily described as a dying land,20 presumably in the same sense that Babylonia may now be said to be dead. Sand and wild vegetation cover buildings and monuments, olive groves and cornfields in the Mediterranean littoral where once Roman colonies flourished; the Sahara and other deserts extend their boundaries year by year, and new deserts are stated to be emerging; the forests are being felled or burnt down, to be followed by soil and wind erosions and the silting up of rivers; lands are being over-grazed with the same ultimate result; the water table falls and the land dries up.It seems reasonable, therefore, to assume that as the soil is the food-store for all the minerals essential for plant growth, then in countries such as East and Central Africa, where the soil may have suffered seriously over many years from leaching and oxidation by a tropical sun, the soil analysis necessary to ascertain mineral deficiencies, the chemical and physical characteristics of the clay and organic fractions, and indeed possibly the condition of the population of micro-organisms, must of necessity be much more complete, intricate and searching than that normally required in lands such as England, where it has been under cultivation for very many years.It may well be that the unexpected poor yield of groundnuts was due to some such cause as the deficiency of a trace element. Recently, Professor T. Wallace,21 dealing with research on the status and functions of mineral nutrients, has stressed the importance of the inter-relationship between the various elements, and regards the various factors affecting the supply of mineral nutrients in soils as- (1) The fixing power of soil. (2) Soil reaction. (3) Organic matter, drainage conditions and aeration. Even more emphatic was the profound thought of Professor N. M. Comber at the 1949 meeting of the British Association, when he said: “We have considerable knowledge of genetics and plant breeding, there is much work done in the problems of plant pathology, bacteriology, mycology and entomology, the long-standing science of botany has brought detailed know- ledge of the plant and the much more recent science of pedology is bringing new knowledge of the soil, knowledge of its formation, its morphology and the structure of its materials.But the basis of it all is the relationship of the soil and the plant and that is an almost un- explored field. . . . It used to be stated-indeed in some writings still is-that the root hairs dip into the soil solution and the root albsorbs substances dissolved there just as in the case of plants grown in culture solutions. Some of us were able to show some time ago that the problem is much more complex than that. The plant and the soil are not two separate things that just touch one another: the intermingling of their colloids makes them one system-the soil colloids on the roots cannot be removed without rupturing the roots, they have come to be a part of the plant, and what goes on in this soil -plant system is the fundamental thing in all farming.” Briefly, it is important to know not only how the plant is fed, but also with what it is fed. For this purpose the aid of chemical analysis in its most advanced form is fundamental to the knowledge of the composition of the nutrients translocated from the soil through the semi-permeable rootlets or hairs of the plant roots into the plants. 1. -2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. REFERENCES Eynon, L., Analyst, 1949, 74, 163. Cook, J. W., Chem. and Ind., April 29th, 1950, No. 17, 325. Wilson, C. L., “The Future of Analytical Chemistry,” Chemical Age, 1950, 62, 677. Zuckerman, S., J . Sci. and Agric., 1950, 1,. 255. Bledislow (Viscount), Chern. and Ind., Dec. 24th, 1949, No. 52, 899. The Times, Dec. 19th, 1950. Askew, H. O., and Dixon, J. H., The New Zealmad Journal of Science and Technology, 1949, 18, 73. Tosie, J., and Mitchell, R. L., Nature, 1948, 162, 602. Stapledon, Sir George, The Times, Dec. 21st, 1948. Agriculture, 1950, 56, 493. Hamilton, R. A., “Role of Fertilisers in Increasing Output from Grass-land,” The Fertiliser Society, Proceedings No. 8, 1950.May, 19511 ANNIVERSARY DINNER 275 Watson, S. J., “The Chemistry of Ensilage,” Chem. and Ind., Oct. 8th, 1949, No. 41, 699. Pearsall, W. H., and Fogg, G. E., “The Utilization of Algae for Industrial Photosynthesis,” Food Eaton, F. M., Soil Science, 1950, 69, 123. Haywood, E., Chem. and Ind., Dec. 23rd, 1950, No. 51, 825. Jacob, K. D., “Fertiliser Technology Research in the United States Department of Agriculture,” Hamence, J. H., J . Sci. Food and Agric., 1950, No. 3, 92. Hammond, J., “Genetic Differences in the Composition of Animal Products,” Chem. and Ind., “The First Annual Report and Statement of Accounts of the Overseas Food Corporation for the H.M. Stationery Office. Vogt, W., “Road to Survival,” Victor Gollancz Ltd., London, 1949. Wallace, T., “The Mineral Nutrition of Crops-Some Recent Developments in Research,”N.A.A.S. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. Science Abstracts, 1951, 23, 1. The Fertiliser Society, Proceedings No. 9, 1950. Aug. 26th, 1950, No. 34, 631. period ended March 31st, 1949.” Quarterly Review, No. 11, 1951.

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN9517600260

出版商:RSC    

年代:1951

数据来源: RSC

摘要:

May, 19511 ANNIVERSARY DINNER 275 Anniversary Dinner IN the evening of the day of the Annual General Meeting, a Dinner to celebrate the seventy- seventh anniversary of the Society was held, by kind permission of the Master, in the Hall of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London, Blackfriars Lane, London, E.C.4. The members and guests, numbering 82, were received by the President, Mr. George Taylor, O.B.E., F.R.I.C., and Mrs. Taylor. The President afterwards took the Chair at the Dinner. The guests of the Society and of the President included: Professor E. K. Rideal, M.B.E., M.A., Ph.D., D.Sc., F.R.S., and Mrs. Rideal; Professor J. W. Cook, Ph.D., D.Sc., F.R.S., F.R.I.C.; S. Robson, M.Sc., D.I.C., M.I.Chem.E., M.I.M.M., F.R.I.C., and Mrs. Robson; H. W. Cremer, C.B.E., M.Sc., M.I.Chem.E., M.Inst.F., F.R.I.C.; N.C . Wright, B.A., D.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.I.C.; the Master of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries, Dr. F. Howitt, and Mrs. Howitt; and the Clerk of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries, E. Busby. After the loyal toasts had been honoured, Professor J. W. Cook proposed the toast of the Society. He referred to the happy relationship that had ever existed between the Society and the Royal Institute of Chemistry, the last outstanding example of which had been the success that had attended the Summer School of Analytical Chemistry, sponsored by the two bodies, last year. This collaboration between the two bodies had also been exemplified by their united co-operation with the Ministry of Food in legislation in connection with the Food and Drugs Acts; this had resulted in improvements in the working of the Acts and in analytical chemistry.He congratulated the Society on its elevation to the Presidency of one who had for so long been an enthusiastic supporter of the Royal Institute of Chemistry. The election of Dr. Nicholls would also set the seal on the harmonious relationship that existed between the Public Analysts and the Government Laboratory. He also noted with great satisfaction that although the Society had been the leaders in the advancement of the science of analytical chemistry, the Universities were now beginning to take more interest in the subject. The toast was coupled with the name of the President. The President , in response, thanked Professor Cook for his appreciative remarks on the work of the Society.He referred to the International Congress of Analytical Chemistry to be held at Oxford in September, 1952, and expressed the hope that all analytical chemists in this country would use their united endeavour to ensure its success. The proceedings of the Congress would be published in the Society’s journal, The Analyst. Dr. Roche Lynch, in proposing the toast of the guests, expressed his satisfaction that the Society should have chosen for the entertainment of such distinguished company the beautiful surroundings of the ancient hall of the Apothecaries, which had been made available to them by the kindness and generosity of the Master, who with his wife, was their honoured guest. He welcomed the ladies and the other eminent guests, most of whom were presidents or past presidents cf learned institutions, and coupled with the toast the name of Dr.Norman Wright of the Ministry of Food. Dr. Norman Wright, replying for the guests, said that he welcomed the opportunity of expressing on their behalf their appreciation of the entertainment and fare provided. He had had personal experience of the good work done by analytical chemists in their pro- fessional capacity on the Food Standards Committee of the Ministry, and was gratified to276 REPORT OF JOINT COMMITTEE ON PRESERVATIVE REGULATIONS [Vol. 76 find that in their pleasures they set themselves the same high standards and ideals as in their work, The Ministry of Food greatly appreciated the work, knowledge and background of experience that members of the Society put at their disposal; this experience had been enlarged by the recent visits to the United States of America of Mr. Adams and Dr. Nicholls, who had established personal contact with the Food and Drugs Administration in Washington. Dr. Wright expressed the hope that there would be some reciprocal visits. The President then invested Dr. Nicholls with the presidential badge and wished him success during his term of office. Dr. Nicholls expressed his thanks for the honour that had been done him.

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN9517600275

出版商:RSC    

年代:1951

数据来源: RSC

摘要:

276 REPORT OF JOINT COMMITTEE ON PRESERVATIVE REGULATIONS [Vol. 76 Report of the Joint Committee on Preservative Regula. tions AT the request of the Public Analysts and 0;Kcial Agricultural Analysts Committee, the Council of the Society suggested to the Committee of the Food Group of the Society of Chemical Industry that a Joint Committee should be set up to report to the Ministry of Food and the Ministry of Health on the desirability of amending the Preservative Regulations. The Committee of the Food Group agreed to the suggestion and the Joint Committee of the two bodies was set up early in 1949, consisting of- Representing the Society of Public Analysts and Other Analytical Chemists : Dr. G. W. Monier-Williams (Chairman) Dr. H. E. Cox Mr. J. F. Clark Mr. H. E. Monk Mr.G. Taylor Representing the Society of Chemical Industry-Food Group : Dr. L. E. Campbell Dr. J. M. B. Coppock Dr. E. B. Hughes Dr. C. H. Lea (non-voting) Mr. R. Harold Morgan (Convenor and Secretary) The report prepared by this Joint Committee was received by the Council of the Society It was sent jointly by the Society and the Society of Chemical Industry to the Ministry In January, 1951, the Ministry of Food appointed a Sub-committee of the Food Standards To review the Public Health (Preservatives, etc., in Food) Regulations and to make any recommendations the Sub-committee may consider desirable for the amendment of the Regulations. It is anticipated that the review will be concerned primarily with the technical and scientific as distinct from the administrative aspects of the Regulations, and the Sub-committee has been invited, without prejudice to any other matters, to consider- (a) The definition of “preservative” and the application of the Regulations specifically to anti-oxidants, anti-staling agents, anti-mould agents and similar substances.(b) The permitted preservatives and similar substances, and the quantitative control of their use. (c) The application of the Regulations tcl stabilising agents, emulsifying agents and allied chemicals, (d) The provisions governing the control of added colouring matters and, in particular, whether a list of permitted colourings or dyestuffs should be substituted for the existing list of prohibited substances in Schedule I (Part 2) of the Regulations. (e) The provisions relating to labelling of food containing preservatives, etc.Professor E. C. Dodds, Director of the Courtauld Institute of Biochemistry at Middlesex Hospital, has agreed to act as Chairman; the following are particulars of the Government Departments and bodies that it is considered should be represented on the Sub-committee in November, 1949, and was given their approval. of Food and the Ministry of Health in March, 1950. Committee with the following terms of reference-May, 19511 REPORT OF JOINT COMMITTEE ON PRESERVATIVE REGULATIONS 277 and of the individual representatives to whom invitations to serve on the Sub-Committee are being issued- Ministry of Food . . .. .. . . Ministry of Health . , . . , . . . Department of Health for Scotland . . Department of the Government Chemist Society of Public Analysts and Other Analytical Chemists .. . . .. Food Manufacturing Industries . . . . Society of Chemical Industry (Food Group) Medical Research Council . . . . . . Mr. C. A. Adams Dr. N. R. Beattie and Mr. P. N. R. Dr. J. M. Johnston Dr. J. R. Nicholls Butcher Dr. H. E. Cox Mr. A. Glover, Co-operative Wholesale Dr. E. €3. Hughes, Research Department, Professor S. J. Cowell Society Messrs. J. Lyons & Co., Ltd. Report of Joint Committee The Preservatives Regulations of 1925-27 have been in existence with only slight modifications, for nearly 25 years. They have undoubtedly been of immense value in s u p pressing several undesirable methods of food preservation. It is clear, however, that in 25 years, there have been many developments in food manufacture and processing that could not have been foreseen at the time, and that make it essential that the definition of the term “preservative” in the regulations be amended, and the application of the regulations more precisely defined. The Committee has noted below a number of specific instances in which the regulations as they stand have been found to be ambiguous or not in accordance with modern knowledge.Admittedly it will be extremely difficult to frame a satisfactory definition of “preserva- tive” that would be generally and permanently applicable. It will be necessary that a more detailed schedule than exists at present be drawn up, and that this schedule should be kept constantly under review. The Committee has considered in detail the Public Health (Preservatives in Foods) Regulations, S.R.& O., 1925, No. 775, as amended, and makes the following suggestions- PART I- 2 (1)-That the definition of “food” be replaced by that given in the Foods and Drugs Act, 1938, and Defence Regulations, viz., “Food” means any article used as food or drink for human consumption, and includes any substance which is intended for use in the composition or preparation of food, any flavouring, sweetening matter or condiment and any colouring matter intended for use in food, and an article shall not be deemed not to be food by reason only that it is also capable of being used as medicine. (N.B .)-The legal implications of the proposed definition should be considered, with particular reference to the final clause.2 (1)-That in the definition of “preservative” the word “chemical” shall replace “substance” and the word “deterioration” shall be substituted for “decomposition.” -That all exceptions to the definition of preservative should be put into the Schedule to the Regulations, and that provision should be made for amendment of the Schedule for which purpose suitable machinery should be established to permit of frequent consideration of suggested amendments. That the definition of “thickening substance” appears out of place in the Pre- servatives Regulations. (This recommendation applies to all references to thickening substances wherever mentioned in the Regulations.) That mention should be made of the various compounds of benzoic acid and of sulphur dioxide, which can be permitted for use in preservatives. PART II- 4 (1)-That a list of the only colours permitted to be used in foods should be given, such a list to be subject to frequent revision.As a basis, the colours now in common use should be considered, and the whole matter should be investigated carefully in con- junction with the manufacturers of food colours.278 REPORT O F JOINT COMMITTEE ON PRESERVATIVE REGULATIONS [vol. 76 4 (1) (ii)-That this paragraph needs clarification and re-drafting. The Committee is of the opinion that there is no objection to a Scheduled Food containing two preservatives provided that if any article of food specified in Part I of the said Schedule contains a second preservative necessarily introduced by the use of another Scheduled Food, the amount of preservative allowed by Schedule for the first named food should be reduced by the amount of the second preservative introduced by the use of the other Scheduled Food: 600 parts benzoic acid being regarded as equivalent to 350 parts sulphur dioxide for the purposes of calculation.4 (1) (iii) (a) and (b)-That these paragraphs should be more specific and refer to foods not intended for retail sale. 4 (2)-That this sub-section be reconsidered in view of existing labelling regulations. THE FIRST SCHEDULE- 1. That this food classification requires extension. 2. That this classification should also include fruit products and vegetable products, and that “for manufacturing purposes only” should replace “for conversion into jam or crystallised, glad or cured fruit.” 4.That this classification needs clarification and explanation of its specific purpose. 5. That “cordial” should be replaced by “concentrated soft drink” and that the comma after “juices” be deleted. 6. That the sulphur dioxide limit for jams, etc. be raised to 100 parts per million. 14. That “sweetened mineral waters” be replaced by “ready-to-drink soft drinks.” 16. That “coffee and chicory extracts” should also be included. 17. That this classification needs extension. 60 C.A.A.-That the relaxation regarding the use of boric acid in 60 C.A.A. be reconsidered. The Committee, in recommending a wider definition of the tern1 “preservative” as mentioned heretofore, desires to bring under control the addition of substances to foods for other purposes, such as anti-oxidants, prevention of staling, anti-mould agents, stabilisers, etc., and recommends that a policy should be formulated with regard to such usages, giving a list of substances permitted for these purposes. The following lists mention substances which appear to be added to food in various countries for the purposes mentioned.ANTI-OXIDANTS ANTI-MOULD AGENTS Tocopherols Calcium propionate Lecithin Sodium di-ace t at e Guaiacum resin Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) Citric and phosphoric acids Glyceryl stearates Propyl gallate Polyoxy ethylene stearates Butylated hydroxy anisole Sorbitol stearates PREVENTION OF STALING EMULSIFYING AGENTS STABILISING AGENTS Glyceryl mono-stearate and di-stearate Sodium and calcium pectates Glyceryl mono-oleate and di-oleate Sodium alginate Glyceryl mono-laurate Methyl cellulose Cetyl palmitate Ethyl cellulose Pent aeryt hri t yl st earat es Sulphonated laurol Polymerised linseed oil Sodium carboxymethyl celluloseMay, 19511 EXAMINATION OF DETERGENT PREPARATIONS 279 FATTY MATERIALS BUT NOT EMULSIFYING MISCELLANEOUS AGENTS Lane t t e wax Lanolin Diphenyl (orange preservative) Methyl naphthyl acetate (potatoes in clamp) Thiourea Certain quinoline derivatives Bromacetic ester (milk preservation) Signed for and on behalf of the Joint Committee: G. W. MONIER-WILLIAMS (Chairman) R. HAROLD MORGAN (Convenor and Secretary)

ISSN:0003-2654    

DOI:10.1039/AN9517600276

出版商:RSC    

年代:1951

数据来源: RSC