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measure to Beckmann. For many years it was the finest chemical research laboratory in the world. Willstiitter headed the organic section; Hahn the radioactive division. Accommodations were provided for 12 assistants, and for a number of volunteer workers. Much of Beckmann's time and energies were consumed in getting things in real running order, but with the aid of an experienced coworker he started some studies. Spectral analysis and molecular weight detenqinations were emphasized. He particularly wished to study the applicability of dynamic measurements to the detennination of the thermodynamic relations between vapor pressure, heat of vaporization, and critical data. In his speech at the dedication exercises (October 23, 1912), the Kaiser had suggested a problem, namely, the development of apparatus to signal the presence of explosive mixtures in mine atmospheres. Beckmann produced a fairly successful indicator and to the end of his career worked toward "improving this important device. Beckmann had always remained aloof from politics, and so when war came in 1914, he was not in close touch with the military authorities. Consequently he was not asked to participate in the solution of their large-scale technical problems. This neglect grieved him, and characteristically he turned to matters to aid the home folks and the men in the ranks. For instance, he studied the use of explosives in preparing dug-outs and trenches, the ventilation of shelters, gas masks, the use of his gas detector to warn the creWs of dirigibles of dangerous accumulations of hydrogen-air mixtures. He did this work without encouragement from the High Command. The latter, however, invited him and other professors to deliver lectures at Warsaw "to increase in Poland the respect for German ability, diligence, and aspirations, and to act as the advance guard for the tasks We shall undertake when peace comes." Beckmann became a prominent member of the censor's office, and it often Was not easy to compose the differences between the authorities and the authors and publishers of chemistry books and articles. When the food shortage began to make itselt felt he, as a nutrition expert, was put on the commission to study substitute foods. He worked out simple, cheap
methods of converting seaweed, straw, and sawdust into materials that could be digested by domestic animals. Though his process was excellent, it was not adopted because the plants were already in operation on the older methods. Later he turned to the important problem of making the high protein content of the poisonous lupine seeds available for human consumption. He developed a satisfactory small-scale procedure, but it Was not successful in technical form, through no fault of his. These disappointments broke his spirit. Furthermore, for months he audaciously used his throat to determine the extent of the removal of the toxic· bitter principles. Occasionally some of the liquor was accidentally swallowed, and in time severe stomach disorders resulted. Consequently, when he reached the retirement age in 1921, he was a: sick man, both in body and soul. His years at the 1nstitut had brought him little pleasure, and the fulfillment of his years of desire had turned to ashes. After his retirement, he was given a laboratory, two assistants, and supervision of several doctorate candidates. He returned to his early triumphs: the "rearrangement" and boiling point apparatus. He hoped to apply the latter to the distillation of binary and more complicated mixtures of liquids, with the goal of making findings that would be useful in industry. He worked all day, with youthful enthusiasm, but protracted spells of illness came at ever shorter intervals. On his 70th birthday the Zeitschrift fur angewandte Chemie issued a Festschrift, with articles contributed by 11 of his fonner collaborators. However, too ill to see visitors, the token of esteem was received with a faint smile of gratitude. Ernst Beckmann died a week later, on July 12, ]923. His grave is in the cemetery at Dahlem. BIBLIOGRAPHY
"Ernst Beckmann, Sein Leben und Seine Werke," Verlag Chemie, Berlin. 1937. Idem, Ber., 61A, 87 (1928); Z. angew. Chern., 36, 341 (1923). HABER, Ber., 56A, 81 (1923). PAAL, "Ber. Sachsische Akad. Wissellschaft," Math.-Phys. KIa-sse, 76,85 (1923). FISCHER AND BECKMANN, "Das Kaiser Wilhelm Inst'itut fiir Chemie," Verlag Vieweg und Sohn, Berlin, 1913. LOCKEMANN,
VITAMIN C AND TOOTH DECAY Whil~ fluorine hall been engaging the attention oj the nutritionists as an impor.ta'~t Jactor in dental nutrition, work has aillO been progressing 01~ the effects oj vitamin C deficiency on tooth health. Experimental tests have shown pronounced alterations oj the elwmel, the dentin, and the dental pulp due to a deficiency oj this vitamin. The results are more rwticeable in the paradentiu,m than in the tooth itselJ. A large number oj pnradenl,oses were Jound to be either caused or exacerbated by vitamin C .deficiency. In treating them, I,he synthetic vitamin, ascorbic acid, was efficacious either as vitamin or ph(,rmacooyn,nmic agent.-Food Materials on(1 Eqll,ipmen'
