VOL. 4. No. 9
T m EWY ORGANIC C E B ~ T Ron Y A~RIWL
1157
He was also the first (1832) to publish an account of its therapeutic effects as a diffusible stimulant. Indeed, in these memorable discoveries he was a benefactor of mankind. Think for a moment of the benign influence of chloroform as an anesthetic; for There is No danger in what show of death it makes. More than locking up the spirits for a time, To be more fresh, retiwing.
This is a chapter of home endeavor in the organic division of our science in which we may well rejoice. It was written in a now "historical laboratory" located in the wilds of the State of New York, away from seats of learning and remote from the arteries of commerce, by a man of medium stature, slender build, dark complexion, slightly stooping figure and thoughtful mein, whom even the close observer of the throng in New York, in which he frequently mingled, would not recognize as a man whose fame as the discoverer of chloroform, and whose work in other original scientific investigations gave h i rank among the eminent men of that early period. Other instances of the experimental activity of early American chemists might readily be given; indeed, it was the writer's intention to prepare a sketch of the "rise and development of organic chemistry in America," but as he gathered in the bright sheaves they grew in multitude so rapidly that he thought it unjust to try to give them briefly, because they deserved an ample and complete presentation, so he contented himself with "a glance a t the early organic chemistry of America." Why should not some enthusiast in organic chemistry give himself to assembling and offering the observations made in this branch of chemistry as a separate and distinct chapter? It would repay every outlay of effort. Further it would show that though the labors of the fathers were crude and of a pioneer character, they were meritorious beginnings, having actual and genuine value. ~jmtheticThymid Hormone Works Like Natural Product. The chemical composition of the active principle of the thyroid gland has finally been completely established by Dr. C. R. Harington, and Prof. GeorgeBarger of University College, London. These workers, who have received widespread recognition for their successful attempt to manufacture the hormone in the laboratory about a year ago, have definitely ascertained the position of the iodine atoms in the complex thyroxin molecule. Clinical tests show that the synthetic product will reproduce the results of the natural thyroxin in cases of thyroid deficiency, the metabolic rate having been raised from minus 40 per cent to normal in the course of a week by three or four intravenous injections of 4 to 5 milligrahs on &ernate days, it is stated in a report of the research to the scientificjournal, Nature.-Science Service
