VOL. 7, No. 4
THE CHEMISTRY STUDENT
881
careful not to damage the painted surface. Wash the surface with a 5% solution of thymol in alcohol. Remove the mold spots by applying a weak solution of ammonia in alcohol. Rewash the entire surface with the solution of thymol in alcohol. Retouch any damaged paint areas. Brush on a solution of paraffinand thymol in petroleum ether, containing 17-18% paraffin and 2% thymol based on the paraffin. Apply a second coat if it seems desirable. When this procedure was laid before the Governor, a question was raised as to the maximum temperature of the rotunda and the possibility that the paraffin-thymol coating might soften a t this temperature. In order to satisfy every one on this point, a recording thermometer was placed near the paintings and a continuous record taken for a week. Glass slides coated with the paraffin-thymol were suspended near the pictures and kept there during the same period. The msximum temperature recorded was SOoF. and no softening of the films could he detected. Then the entire procedure was adopted and authority was given for the work to proceed. After the paintings had been cleaned, it hecame apparent that no retouching was needed. With this exception, the work was carried out strictly in accord with the outlined procedure. An unexpected result was the freshening of the coloring of the paintings. The restoration of the paintings was completely successful. Only time will tell whether or not they have been protected against future mold attack, but it is felt that every reasonable precaution has been taken. If a t some future time there should he a recurrence of mold growth, it would be an easy matter to wash off the paraffin film by the use of petroleum ether or gasoline. Then the mold could be destroyed and removed by the methods outlined above, after which a fresh coating of paraffin could be applied. All of this work could now be handled in a routine manner by skilled labor. Mr. Van Ingen holds a letter from the Governor expressing his satisfaction with the results obtained. The writer desires to express his appreciation of the faithful and capable assistance rendered by Mr. Herman Yagoda, who carried out the experimental work in New York and who assisted Mr. Van Ingen in executing the work a t Balboa Heights.
Refonn of Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry. The Division of Chemistry and Chemical Technology of the National Research Council is circulatimg a report of the Commission of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry on the Reform of the Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry and is seeking comments and criticisms of the proposed rules. I t is expected that the rules will be further considered at the meeting of the Union at Litge in 1930. Any criticisms or suggestions should he sent to the chairman of the American committee, Austin M. Patterson, Xenia, 0hio.-Ind. Eng. Chem., News Ed.
