LETTERS TO T H E Abbreviations Sans Points DEAR
breviations except in the a.m., f.o.b., p., and in.
SIR:
Having given considerable thought to a method which would not only make Chemical Abstracts easier to read but at the same time result in a considerable saving of space, I have t h e following suggestion to propose for the views and comments of the Society members w h o might b e interested: That all abbreviations w h i c h do not spell out words, or might otherwise o e confused (e.g., number—no., liter—1.) be written without a period following t h e abbreviation. T h e advantage of this proposal will be evident by an examination of t h e following phrases taken from copy of CA. T h e quinone ( 0 . 0 1 mol.) in 25 cc. dioxane and 2 5 cc. H a O contg. 1.2 g. N a 2 C 0 3 T h e quinone ( 0 . 0 1 mol) in 25 cc dioxane and 2 5 cc HaO contg 1.2 g Na-COa Refluxed 2.5 hrs. with 3 7 5 cc. HaO, 750 cc. 50r/r HBr in AcOH, and 375 cc. NaOH Refluxed 2.5 hrs with 3 7 5 cc HaO, 750 cc 50'/fr HBr in A c O H , and 3 7 5 c c NaOH I ( 1 0 0 g . ) and 7 0 g. coned. HC1, added to 100 g. IV in 2 0 0 g. AcOH and heated I ( 1 0 0 g ) and 70 g coned HC1, added to 100 g IV in 2 0 0 g AcOH and heated 1 hr. at 7 5 - 8 ° , give 4 2 g. II, 13 g. of a mixt. of about equal parts of III 1 hr at 7 5 - 8 ° , give 42 g II, 13 g of a mixt of about equal parts of H I / . Am. Chem. Soc. J. Chem. Phys. J Am Chem Soc J Chem Phys Proc. Phys. Soc. C. A. Proc Phys Soc CA I have consulted a number of persons (both scientifically trained and nonscientific office personnel) for their opinions on this suggestion. They agree that the articles are actually easier t o read and comprehend at a glance. This is an advantage in addition t o any saving of space which might b e realized. A few rough calculations were made to determine the actual saving of space for CA. ( T h i s w a s computed as though a period occupies the same space as a regular letter w h i c h , of course, is not strictly true for set type.) It is amazing to learn that at least o n e additional line, and in many cases t w o additional lines, can b e added to each column. Over a period of one year I believe that as many as 210 columns can b e saved, or a saving of 5 2 sheets per volume of CA. W h e n this is multiplied by the number of copies of CA published (around 2 2 , 0 0 0 ) , the saving in paper amounts to about 1,144,000 sheets or approximately 0.5r/c of the total paper used. Incidentally, I understand the price of newsprint w a s just recently advanced. This idea, of course, is not original but is actually used by mam' publications and companies. T o further justify t h e correctness of this procedure I should like to point out that Rhodes in his book "Technical Report Writing, Chemical Engineering Series," p a g e 41 ( 1 9 4 1 ) states that the period should be omitted after abV O L U M E
2 8,
NO.
EDITOR
4 8 . N O V E
case of
JACK M.
Pittsburg,
p.m.,
FAHRNER
Kan.
oHIc LABORATORY GASES
CA Throws It Open DEAR
SIR:
I appreciate, always, suggestions for improving Chemical Abstracts. W e have been aware for several years of the modern tendency to drop periods after word abbreviations. It is realized that, with exceptions like those mentioned by Mr. Fahrner, periods are not used in the list of official word abbreviations issued by the American Standards Association. However, thus far w e have retained these periods in Chemical Abstracts in the belief that their use is helpful o n the side of clearness and exactness in abstracts since these consist of concentrated information expressed by the use of many abbreviations, often crowded closely together. A period after an abbreviation seems definitely to say: "This is an abbreviation, not a complete word." In particular it has been our belief that our many overseas readers are h e l p e d by having abbreviations thus labeled. Approximately 25r/r of CA goes outside the U. S. T h e period after a one-letter abbreviation often helps in distinguishing this from a symbol, as g. for gram and g for gravity, but the use of italics for t h e symbol -whenever used w o u l d perhaps take care of this. Some abbreviations used without periods seem better than others in that form. For example, I prefer capital initial letters used for abbreviation, as A C S to designate the
A M E R I C A N C H E M I C A L SOCIETY, in
E. J.
CRANE
Ohio
All 'Round Guy DEAR
SIR:
T o your appraisal of Benjamin D . Van Evera (C&EN, Nov. 6, page 3 8 7 1 ) , should be added: philosopher w i t h an outstanding sense of humor. He is good reading even for nonteachers. E . F.
Camden, MIB ER
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the
form just given. Without periods I do not like so well such abbreviations as abs, a c, alky, biol, calcn, cond, detn, exptl, manuf, p d, prepn, sep, and sp gr. Maybe I am too much influenced b y custom. H o w about authors' initials? More opinion is desired, but w e are seriously considering adopting Mr. Fahrner's proposal, as the space-saving effect has a strong appeal. CA is always seeking means of crowding more information into our available space. T h e general policy of CA is one of reasonable conservatism. A stable record, one which does not do a lot of varying as one searches back through the years, has advantages. However, w e are not opposed to change as such and, of course, do seek continuously to grow. Columbus,
For ev«ry commercial ana re*
KOHMAN
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N. J. 2 7,
1950
4155
