THE LIBRARY POPULAR SCIENCB MONTHLY, Noumber, 1929
( P . 41.) "Helium Prices Drop." The new government helium extraction plant near Amarillo, Texas, which made its first shipment last May, is now producing a t the record low cost of two cents per cnbic foot. The pre-war price was about $2000 per cnbic foot. New helium sources of unusual richness recently discovered in Colorado and Utah give promise that the cost may decrease still more. (P. 46.) "Poison Gas for War on Rats." George Lee Dowd, Jr. Dr. E. W. Nelson, formerly chief of the United States Biological Survey, has said that rats are more dangerous to humanity than lions, wolves, snakes, or man-eating sharks, and have been responsible for more untimely deaths than all the wars of history. When one considers that some two billion persons have died of bubonic plague during the two thousand years of the Christian era, Dr. Nelson's statement does not seem exaggerated. But the rat is also suspected of complicity in the spread of a number of other dangerous diseases, and his thievery and damage to property are well Bnown. The United States Biological Survey and the Public Health Service are waging constant warfare against this pest. Each rope and cable connecting a vessel with a pier is provided with rat guards and all vessels are periodically "gassed with hydrogen cyanide. The rat is being made to repay a part of its damage to humanity through its services in biological and psychological laboratories. White, or albino, rats are used for such purposes. In diet, in physical structure, and organization, and in its reaction to drugs and to certain diseases, the rat is so similar to human beings as to be an indispensable aid in all physiological research. Experiments are now being conducted to determine the value of "ratinin," a bacterial culture harmless to human beings but apparently capable of spreading a fatal epidemic disease among rats. (Illustrated.) (P. 53.) "Minerals as Peace Makers." At the recent meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science in South Africa, Sir Thomas Holland, president of that body, made the statement that England and the United States have it in their power to absolutely outlaw war. The two nations control between them nine-tenths of the world's coal supply, two-thirds of its copper, and ninety-eight per cent of its iron. All that is necessary is to add to the Kellogg treaties, Sir Thomas says, a provision against exporting minerals to any country that wages war. (Any scheme to prevent war is worthy of serious consideration, but we must point out that neither the United States nor Great Britain furnished
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Germany with any great quantities of the aforementioned commodities during the past war.) (P. 53.) "Thumping Atoms." A novel feature of one of the recent WGY broadcasts was the translation into sound of the electrical effects set up as a result of the disintegration of radioactive minerals. (The particles thrown off by radioactive minerals are not atoms as stated in this item, but electrons, or a-particles, and helium nuclei, or ,'-particles.) Such particles allowed to enter a chamber containing a rarefied gas, ionize a small portion of the gas enabling i t to conduct a minute current between electrodes inserted in the chamber. This minute current, amplified many times, produces the sounds broadcast. (P. 54.) "Making Tires Live Longer." Chemical and physical research have already done much to prolong the life of the rubber tire, as any motorist of twenty years' (or less) experience will testify. The Bureau of Standards has taken a prominent part in such research. Recently, Bureau investigators have found that temperature has a great influence in determining tire wear. The tire which wears best in winter is not a t present the best tire for summer wear. When it is estimated that between thirty and fifty million automobile tires are discarded each year, the importance of further research becomes evident. (P. 64.) "Cows Fed Legume Hay Give More Milk." The United States Bureau of Dairy Industry tells farmers that because of their high quality protein and lime content, legume hays furnish more milk-making nutrients, a t cheaper cost, than the other varieties. (Legumes are plants which, through the aid of symbiotic bacteria, are capable of taking nitrogen from the air. Legume hays include such plants as alfalfa, the clovers, vetch, etc.) (P. 66.) "Alcohol Injection Tested as New Anesthetic." Dr. Miguel Garcia Marin, of Mexico, reports that he has had surprising success with pure alcohol injected into the veins to produce surgical anesthesia. The state of anesthesia produced is claimed to be more eflective than that brought about by chloroform or ether and to be far less injurious to the system. It can also be prolonged to an extent not hitherto possible. (P. 69.) "Matches and Cigarettes Made 'Fireproof.' " Self-extinguishing cigarettes and matches are now made possible by a fireproofing coating of waterglass (sodium silicate) applied over a portion of the cigarette or match so that neither will burn for any length of time after being discarded. (P. 135.) "Home Workshop Chemistry." The absorbing power, and hence the efficiency, of paper toweling may be tested by placing a piece of the material over the mouth of a bowl or other open vessel. Two drops (0.1 cc.) of cold water applied with a medicine dropper should be completely absorbed in a maximum of three minutes. (P. 142.) "Safer Refrigerators." Two procedures are advocated for
eliminating the danger inherent in the use of practically odorless but poisonous refrigerants like methyl chloride in apartment house refrigerating systems. One is the complete abandonment of methyl chloridethe other is the addition of some odorous material so that leaks may be detected a t once before the atmosphere becomes dangerously polluted. Refrigerants like ammonia or sulfur dioxide make their presence known long before they reach dangerous concentrations. (P.145.) "The New Anesthetics." Dr. G. H. W. Lucas of Philadelphia and Dr. V. E. Henderson of Toronto report that cyclopropane, a new anesthetic gas, offers unusual comfort to patients about to undergo an operation. Anesthesia is rapid and unaccompanied by struggling; recovery is also rapid and there are no after-effects. A mechanical and an electrical method for producing anesthesia are also described in this item. (P. 165.) "Neon Lights Give Color Effects in the Home." Neon lights, the multi-hued tubes widely known as advertising beacons, are now being used to produce unusual decorative effects in private homes and gardens. SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, November, 1929
(P. 381.) "Poisonous Refrigerator Gases." Editorial. Neither methyl chloride, ammonia, nor sulfur dioxide can he breathed with impunity but none is a violent poison when breathed for ashort timeat low concentrations. The danger inherent in methyl chloride is that its odor is so slight that it might not be recognized by a person unfamiliar with it and that it would almost certainly fail to arouse a sleeping person. (The gas is, in fact, anesthetic.) Until refrigerators can be made leak-proof or until all manufacturersusingmethyl chloride as a refrigerant add some malodorous compound to give warning of leaks, owners of such refrigerators had best make sure that adequate ventilation is supplied to rooms in which they are kept. (P. 382.) "Wall Street and the Research Laboratory." Raymond Francis Yates. The real wealth of the modem industrial corporation arises not so much out of the operations of its financial wizards as from the creations of its research lahoratories. The author cites instances of hard-pressed organizations carried to new heights of success by the results of research. New discoveries are often immediately reflected in stockmarket values. (Illustrated.) (P. 386.) "Synthetic Sweet Smells." Donald A. Laird. Many hitherto rare and costly natural perfumes and flavors are now synthesized in chemical lahoratories. Synthetic essences are made in two ways; first, by actually synthesizing the chemical compounds which occur in nature, and, second, by blending entirely different compounds to produce the same flavors or odors as the natural extracts. Evil-smelling compounds
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are chemically altered to produce pleasant odors. Some blended perfumes contain, as essential ingredients, materials which by themselves would smell like anything but perfumes. Specific products are discussed and some manufacturing methods described. (Illustrated.) (P. 390.) "Ice by Wire." This article begins with a brief resum6 of the history of refrigeration and of the principles of operation of compression type refrigerators. The General Electric refrigerator and its manufacture are described in some detail. (Illustrated.) (P. 408.) "America's 'Cleanest' Industry." The article includes a brief historical introduction, an account of the founding and development of the Procter and Gamble Company, and a description of modem soapmaking processes. (Illustrated.) (P. 422.) "Power from the Earth." Albert G. Ingalls. In portions of the so-called thermal region of Italy, and notably a t Larderello, commercial thermo-electric installations have been developed. Wells, drilled somewhat in the manner of our own natural gas wells, bring up live steam, which is used to operate turbines and drive generators. Chemicals carried by the steam are also recovered. (Illustrated.) This article is somewhat briefer and less detailed than the one on the same subject which appeared in the JOURNAL OP CHEMICAL EDUC.~TION, 4, 281-97 (March, 1927). (P. 432.) "Westinghouse Develops New Metal." The Westinghouse laboratories have developed a new alloy of cobalt, nickel, and ferrotitanium which they call "Konel." Dr. E. F. Lowry, responsible for the development of the new alloy, says: Almost without exception metals grow softer and lose tensile strength as they undergo high heat. We have found that Konel, heated to 600 degrees Centigrade. which is approximately 1100 degrees Fahrenheit, will withstand a pressure of 60,000 pounds to the square inch. Even further tests show Konel is tougher and harder when heated to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit.
(P. 433.) "Cutting Heavy Material with the Oxygen Lance." Although the oxy-acetylene torch is a familiar instrument for the cutting of steel plates, it is not generally realized that masses of metal several feet in thickness can also be cut by the oxy-acetylene method. The tool designed for such purposes is called the oxygen lance. The item describes the scrapping of a solidified ladle of steel. (One illustration.) (P. 435.) "The Value of New Light in Penetrating Fog." Practical experience and scientific test seem to agree that red light penetrates fog and mist better than light of any other color. Too much candle-power is lost by absorption when red filters are used over ordinary "white" electric lights. Electrified neon gas gives forth a natural orange-red glow a t so low a cost that some German airlines are reported to operate their course lights 24 hours a day.
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DECEMBER.1929
(P.438.) "Cheap Aluminum Chloride Now Available." Anhydrous aluminum chloride has long been one of the important aids to organic synthesis in the laboratory. Until recently, however, it has never been available in sufficient quantities or a t low enough prices to enter into commercial processes. At the recent meeting of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Dr. A. M. McAfee described the fifteen years' research and development work which have reduced the price of this chemical to about 5 cents per pound in carload lots. Already large quantities of AICIBare used in oil refining and no doubt there will be revolutionary changes in the manufacture of some synthetic organic materials. (P.438.) "Australian Motorists to Use Gasoline Mixed with Alcohol." Several plants are being constructed in Australia to produce absolute alcohol from molasses and blend it with gasoline to produce motor fuels. (P.440.) "Producers Censured for High Cost of Radium." A recent editorial in lnduslrial and Engineering Chemistry charges that the Belgian producers of radium, who have a monopoly on the only high-grade radium ore deposits in the world, are taking advantage of that monopoly to charge exorbitant prices for a material which may mean life or death to cancer sufferers or other persons in need of radium treatments. (P.440.) "New Heat-Resistant Alloy." The American Gas Association announces the development of a new ferro-chrome alloy capable of repeatedly withstanding working temperatures in excess of 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. Formerly crucibles had a life of 15 to 20 heats, but a single retort of the new alloy has already served for more than 250 heats and is apparently none the worse for wear. (P.440.) "German Chemist Tames Nitroglycerin." It has been found that nitroglycerin can be stabilized against shock by the addition of pentaetythritetetranitrate. The new mixture is called "Penthrinit." (P.442.) "Iodine Surveys." An account of some surveys of iodine distribution in waters and soils of various areas of the United States and their significance in relation to goiter incidence. (P.442.) "Radioactive Waters." The Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry of the American Medical Association issues the following statement: From an examination of the available evidence, it appears that the valuc of the internal use of radium solutions or of water containing radon in chronic arthritis, gout, neuritis, and high blood pressure is not demonstrated by controlled clinical evidence; that in spite of many years of trial, acceptable evidence has not become available and until such evidence does become available the Council has decided not to accept generators for the production of water charged with radon or radium solutions intended for intravenous use. SCIENCE AND INVENTION, October, 1929
(P.510.)
"Dust." On the basis of the amount of dust removed from a known volume of air by the Roxy Theatre air purification plant in New
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York City, it is estimated that the total amount of dust in the air over the city in any one day is equal in weight to 14 average-sized elephants. (Illustrated.) (P. 530.) "Simple Method for Making Celluloid Cement." Dissolve 5 square inches of celluloid in about 'Iz oz. of Duco thinner. This mixture can be thinned or thickened to suit requirements. It may be used to repair chipped or broken celluloid articles and will serve as a glue or as a spray lacquer. (P. 531.) "Is Your Silver Real?" To test, apply a small drop of potassium hichromate in dilute nitric acid. Silver will give a red stain of silver chromate. Wash off immediately. (P. 531.) "An Automatic Pipette."
Noerember, 1929
(P.589.) "Did You Ever Hear an Atom Talk?" An explanation of the manner in which disintegrating radioactive elements can be made to produce sounds. (Illustrated.) (P. 608.) "Glands-Monkey and Other Kinds." G. H. Estabrooks. The title and the drawing which adorns the first page of the text might discourage the serious reader by leading him to expect a sensational rather than an informative article. Actually this paper is a well-written elementary exposition of the functions of the various ductless glands of the body, with mention of some of the disorders which follow gland derangements. The reader is warned against the dangers of amateur experiments with so-called gland remedies. (Illustrated.) (P. 621.) "Useful Electrical Cement." A plastic, electrically conducting cement for use where solder is inapplicable: 1 gram copper powder, 0.1 gram iron powder, 0.01 gram magnesium chloride, "traces" of ammonium chloride, magnesium oxide, and phosphoric anhydride. Add enough water to form paste. P OPU L AR MECHANICS,November, 1929
P . 7 1 . "Diamonds Made from Carbon and Metal." Professor J. Willard Hershey of McPherson College claims to have made the largest synthetic diamonds on record by a method somewhat similar to Moissan's. (P. 711.) "Flame from Aluminum Dust Hotter than Gas." A new cutting torch, in which oxygen is combined with powdered aluminum rather than with hydrogen or acetylene, is the invention of Dr. Frank M. Strong of Syracuse University. The new flame is hotter than the gas flames. (P. 717.) "Gas Refrigerator for Ice-Cream Truck." Ice-cream and milk-delivery trucks are being equipped with gas-burning refrigerating
apparatus as a substitute for ice and salt. The new plan is said to be cheaper as well as cleaner and more effective. (P. 752.) "Cattle Thrire on Iron Rust Mixed in Feed." In recent experiments a t Iowa State College, cattle which received a ration to which was added a small quantity of iron st gained almost one-third more in weight over a period of eight months than cattle which received a plain ration. (P. 767.) "Air I s Not So Light." Similies such as "light as air" are hardly correct. A room ten feet wide, twenty feet long, and twelve feet high contains 180 pounds of air-no inconsiderable burden. (P.775.) "Palatable Glue for Stamps from Sweet Potatoes." Tapioca is the present source of starch which is converted into dextrin for stationery and stamp glue. Experiments are being conducted to ascertain whether or not cull sweet potatoes may be suitable for this purpose. If so, a market will be found for part of the 80 million bushels of culls produced each year. (P. 798.) "Wax from a Weed." A weed called candelilla which grows on the mountain slopes of western Texas and northern Mexico is the source of a wax suitable for the manufacture of phonograph records, floor polishes, linoleum, etc. Small local wax factories extract the crude wax and ship it east for refining. (P.807.) "Radium for Fish Bait." Unusual specimens of deep-sea fish have recently been captured by the use of hooks covered with radioluminous paint and attached to sounding wires about a mile long. (P. 808.) "Atom's Noise Heard on Radio." A note on the recent WGY broadcast. (Uranium, by the way, gives off helium nuclei, not helium atoms.) (P. 816.) "Volcano Spouts Paint, Ink, and Dyes." Ash and pumice emitted by a volcano in California are converted into pigments for paints and inks and have also been used as dyes. (P. 861.) "Removing Coffee and Milk Stains from Clothing.'' Make a solution consisting of glycerin, 1 part; ammonia, '/z part; water, 9 parts. Apply to spot with brush and then immerse stained part of clothing in solution for 8 to 10 hours. (P. 874.) "Simple Test Distinguishes Wood and Denatured Alcohols." A thin piece of celluloid will dissolve in wood alcohol, while denatured alcohol will have no other effect in 12 hours than to remove the polish.
Chemistry, perhaps morelargely than any other applied science, is responsiblefor the environment of modern civilized man, and, to the extent that man may he a creature of his environment, is responsible for his character.-CHARLES M. A. STINE
