T H E J O U R N A L OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y . without being refined b y additional treatment applied for t h a t purpose. I n this condition i t is mixed with various impurities. This is worthy of notice, although i t may not be the controlling consideration with the purview of paragraph 499. The filtering and washing process described in the testimony had no effect on the article itself, other than “ t o get it b y itself.” Second, it is a n article in a crude state within the meaning of the paragraph because as imported it is not in a condition fit for use in dyeing or tanning, but i t is only a raw material which is to be converted b y further treatment into other articles fit for such use. This is the important aspect in which the article may be said t o be in a crude state. The paragraph treats of materials which are used in dyeing and tanning. The importation is simply a raw material in its relation t o those uses and is therefore in a crude state in that respect. To prepare it for such uses other chemical elements must first be added t o it, so t h a t when finally used for such purposes it presents a different chemical combination. The court finds that this substance is used in this country as a mordant in the printing of textile fabrics a n d in tanning. I n neither case, however, it is claimed, is i t used in the form in which it is imported. For use in tanning it is treated with sulphuric acid, forming a sulphate of chrome. I n all its uses it appears t h a t the article imported has t o be converted chemically into new and different combinations.
---THE ORIGIN OR HYDROCARBONS.
I n Bulletin 401 of the, United States Geological Survey, entitled “ Relations between Local Magnetic Disturbances and the Genesis of Petroleum,” b y George F. Becker, the condition of knowledge with reference t o the origin of petroleum and other bituminous substances is reviewed. Some oils, says Mr. Becker, are undoubtedly organic and some are beyond question inorganic. They may have been derived from carbonaceous matter of vegetable or animal origin, and they may have been derived from carbides of iron or other metals. It is also barely possible t h a t the hydrocarbons exist as such in the mass of the earth. While studying the subject, Mr. Becker was led to inquire whether any relation could be detected between the behavior of the compass needle and the distribution of hydrocarbons. Not much could be expected from a comparison of these phenomena, for magnetite exerts an attraction on the needle whether this ore occurs in solid masses or is disseminated in massive rocks ; moreover, many volcanic rocks possess polarity. In glancing over a map of the magnetic declination in the United States Mr. Becker found t h a t the irregularities of the curves of equal declination of the compass werestrongly marked in the principaloil regions. The most marked agreement is found through the great Appalachian oil field, which is the area of greatest variation in declination. In California, also, strong deflections accompany the chain of hydrocarbon deposits.
July,
1911
These observations are t o some extent also supported b y conditions in the Caucasus, where great magnetic disturbances exist. While the theory of the inorganic origin of the hydrocarbons as exploited b y various scientists is not proved by this study, yet the contention t h a t great oil deposits are generated from iron carbides is strongly borne out b y a study of the map of magnetic disturbances in the United States. The map shows that petroleum is intimately associated with magnetic disturbances similar t o those arising from the neighborhood of substances possessing sensible magnetic properties, such as iron, nickel, cobalt, and magnetite. VANADIUMISM.
Dr. Walton Forest Dutton, of Carnegie, Pa., describes in The Journal of the American Medical Associat i o n , June 3 , 1911, under the above name, a new industrial disease of interest t o chemists, caused b y the exposure t o dust and fumes of the various vanadium compounds, especially vanadium trioxid. Vanadiumism is a chronic intoxication, of which the symptoms are emaciation, an anemia not altogether unlike chlorosis, a dry irritating paroxysmal cough, sometimes so intense t h a t hemorrhages result, irritation of the nose, throat and eyes, gastro-intestinal involvement demonstrated b y nausea and diarrhea, followed b y obstinate constipation. Albumin, casts and blood are often present in the urine. In the absence of grave, renal, blood, nervous and lung involvement, the prognosis is good, but where there is active inflammation of the kidneys and lungs i t is unfavorable. Dr. Dutton states t h a t the prevention of vanadiumism is difficult in vanadium works, owing t o the carelessness of employees and employers. Means t o allay and carry off the dust and fumes should be employed constantly. Perfect ventilation and the use of respirators are imperative. The nasal and oral cavities should be thoroughly cleansed with some efficient alkaline spray, such as the ordinary Dobell solution, followed b y a mentholated oil spray. The stomach should be washed out, and later the intestines freely evacuated with a saline laxative. The cough may be allayed b y giving terpin hydrate I / & grain, heroin I/* grain, and creosote minim, every two hours with counter-irritations of iodin or mustard applications over the chest. The inhalation of stimulating vapors is salutary. Iron, calisaya, and strychnin will meet the needs of anemic, nervous and debilitated conditions. Codliver oil may be given with advantage. Active outdoor exercises are essential. Turkish, Russian or cabinet baths may be given to aid elimination. ADRENALIN AND A NEW MEMBER OF THE “DIGITALIS SERIES.”
One of the most interesting investigations of modern times has just been carried out and published in the May 27, 1911,number of The Jour?iaL of the American Medical ~ 4 s s o c i a t i o nb y John J . Abel and David I. Macht, of Johns Hopkins.
July, 1911
T H E JOURLVAL OF I A V D U S T R I A L A N D ENGINEERIIVG C H E M I S T R Y .
In examining the convulsant action of certain organic dyestuffs, the authors had the opportunity of trying the effect of these substances on a tropical toad, Bufo Agua. Scraping off some of the milky secretion which exudes from the parotid gland of the animal with an iron knife, the authors noted a bluish green discoloration on the blade. This observation led them to test the diluted secretion with ferric chloride, whereupon the characteristic green color of the pyrocatechin reaction was developed. As this reaction is given by the active principle of the suprarenal glands i t was soon demonstrated that the secretion contained a substance identical with epinephrin (adrenalin). Quantitative experiments showed that the secretion contained rather large amounts of this substance (0.3 per cent. in the suprarenal glands of beeves and about 5 per cent. in the secretion) and since the secretion is obtained b y squeezing (or milking) the parotid gland, it is not a t all impossible t h a t this toad may be utilized in the future for furnishing the raw material for the production of adrenalin. Associated with adrenalin in the venom of the toad is a digitalis-like substance, to the presence of which the secretion of the toad owes its efficacy as an arrow poison. The authors call this new material “Bufagin” a n d give it the formula C,H,,O,. If the content of adrenalin is j per cent. in the secretion, bufagin occurs in i t to the amount of 36 per cent. Pharmacological experiments showed that bufagin is one of the most effective members of the digitalis series. The toads which were experimented upon were obtained from the neighborhood of Montego Bay, Jamaica, where they are popularly known as bullfrogs. A PRACTICAL MANUFACTURER ON THE SYNTHESIS OF RUBBER.
I n the May number of the new journal Kunststoffe, Dr. Gerlach-Hannover, a practical rubber manufacturer, makes the following statement: “ The problem of producing caoutchouc synthetically has been solved. But just as in the case of indigo, 20 years lapsed before the synthetic product was successfully launched, it will take a t least 2 0 years before synthetic rubber will make its appearance commercially. I t will take perhaps longer with caoutchouc because the physical properties of this material are not as well known as those of indigo. The high price of the natural product, stimulated research and after the pioneering experiments of Harries, the Elberfeld Farbenfabriken have finally succeeded in producing larger quantities of a product derived from a material closely related t o isopren. At this stage of the development it was found out t h a t there exist many sorts of rubber which are near relatives, but still possess different characteristics. “The first synthetic caoutchouc which was placed a t my disposal, for example, did not unite with sulphur and had a leathery appearance. This was not to be wondered a t , as there are known some varieties of natural caoutchouc which cannot be vulcanized.
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Soon another sort of rubber came to my notice which showed better affinity for sulphur. but still could not be perfectly vulcanized. Above all it lacked elasticity. Soon, however, larger quantities of a third sort were submitted to me which t o my great astonishment showed all the excellent properties of natural rubber. “ But now the question arises whether this material of the Elberfelder can be economically produced on a large scale and may thus become a danger for natural rubber. It cannot be denied that the substance, which possesses good qualities, can be utilized for practical purposes. Its price is not high but it is a complex question to decide whether this synthetical product will become a danger to natural rubber. All kinds of economical and commercial conditions must be taken into consideration. One thing, however, is certain, t h a t synthetic rubber will soon be a commercial article.” WEARING AWAY OF MOTHER EARTH.
Investigations by the United States Geological Survey of the erosion of numerous drainage basins of the United States show that the surface of the country is being removed a t the average rate of about a n inch in 760 years. Though this amount seems trivial when spread over the surface of the country, it becomes stupendous when considered as a total, or even in separate drainage basins. Mississippi River, for instance, carries annually to the sea 136,400,000 tons of dissolved matter and 340,500,ooo tons of suspended matter, and of this total Ohio River carries 83,350,000 tons and Missouri River contributes more than twice as much. Colorado River, which has built up for itself a vast delta, brings down more suspended matter than any other river in the United States, delivering annually 387 tons for each square mile of its drainage basin, or a total of 100,740,ooo tons. The rivers of the United States carry t o tidewater every year 2 7 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 tons of dissolved matter and 513,000,ooo tons of suspended matter. This total of 783,000,000 tons represents more than 350,000,ooo cubic yards of rock, or 610,000,000 cubic yards of surface soil. If this erosive action had been concentrated on the Isthmus of Panama a t the time of American occupation it would have excavated the prism for an 85-foot level canal in about 73 days. GLASS MACHINE COMPANY INSOLVENT.
On May 18th involuntary bankruptcy proceedings were filed in the United States District Court a t Pittsburg against the Colburn Machine Glass Co., on petition of The Star Glass Co., of Reynoldsville, Pa., The H. L. Dixon Co. and The Pittsburg Clay Pot. Co., of Pittsburg, and The Dover Fire Brick Co., of Cleveland, Ohio, whose aggregate claims amount to $12,03 7 . 0 7 . *These proceedings have t o do with the sheet glass drawing process upon which the eyes of glass manufacturers throughout the world have been centered for upwards of a decade, which a t various times has been
