VOL.8. NO. 7
CORRESPONDENCE
1399
returned and must be rewritten correctly before any grade is given. A sample write-up follows. I. Cobalt Sulfate COSOI No common name. A . A small portion of the substance heated on a clean charcoal blodt yielded a dark blue t o black residue. A speck of the original substance is now fused with a dear borax bead, and imparts t o the bead a blue color, showing the presence of cobalt. B . A small portion of the substance is put in a clean, dry test tube and is treated with concentrated sulfuric acid. The substance remains inactive, even when heated, although the color changes from reddish to blue, due to the dehydrating action of concentrated sulfuric acid. C. A water solution of the substance when treated with barium chloride solution yielded a white precipitate, insoluble in hydrochloric acid, confirming the presence of a sulfate.
As a student who bas just finished this course in unknowns the writer feels safe in stating that the course is of inestimable value. First-hand knowledge is gained as to the basic laws of analytical chemistry. Chemical equilibrium, and its displacement by heat, knowledge of solubilities, and observation of gaseous products are some of the factors gained from the course. The course also makes an ideal basic foundation for more advanced work in analysis. If the student does not go on to college the course is still of great value. The average person in daily life frequently needs to know or would profit greatly if he did know the composition and reaction of various chemical compounds. This course fits a person so that he is able, if need be, to analyze any simple compound he runs up against. The writer feels that an elementary course in blowpipe analysis should be included in all high-school chemistry courses. EARL MCANDRESS ORANGE UNION HIGH SCHOOL ORANGE, cA~raORNl.4
What Is a Chemist? The answer seems to depend somewhat vpon which side of the ocean he is on. I n Great Britain, where the pharmacist has long been called "chemist" and the pharmacy known as a "chemist's shop," there is a movement t o get away from the old designations and t o adopt the American nomenclature. On the other hand, some American pharmacists call themselves chemists. This latter practice is not approved by the Journal of Industriel ond Engineering Chemistry, published by the American Chemical Society, but quite the contrary. Says the Journal, with some show of choler: S ~ c c c sdways ~ i ~ capitalized, sometimes by thore q h o have contributed t o i t , but often by those who, though having no part in it, would subvert it t o then own uses. The accamplishment~of chemistry hnvc made things chemical attractxvc to many who prey upon the gallible, and a Bagrant rnlmse of the word "chemist" ha3 just came t o our noflce. If those who sell the multitude of things now found in the madern drug stores are to be allowed to call themselves "refail chemists" then certainly those who sell drugs only should be called ''rctad doctors;' and where dentifricer and tooth brushes are handled over the counter we shall expect to find "retail dentirts." he whole tbiogir utterly absurd and vigorous steps must be taken to have nllpnd sundry underthat the word "chemist" rightfully belongs to an aodent and honorable cal1mg.-Unrdcnlijird British Trodc Po#" via The Chrmirl
