World-Wide Chemistry Italy
ing company. The premiums will be used to increase the funds of the National Institute, and losses will be debited against the same funds. This reinsurance will b e assumed with the expressed clause that, in relations between t h e insuring institute and the insured company, i t will be agreed that, in the event of credits due to losses exceeding premiums received, the maximum loss, which will be made u p by the institute, will not be more than 2,000,000 lire in a n y one solar year. T h e insuring company will, at same time, be liable f o r the entire losses sustained b y the clients.
RAFFAELE SANSONE, Via G. B . D'Albertis 5 / 4 , Genoa (15) EFFORTS B E I N G M A D E TO H E L P ITALIAN INDUSTRY
Every effort is being made to help industry in general, and i n this the chemical industry has also shared. After the subscription of 100,000,000 lire in nine-year bonds for the Italian M o bilization Institute, the ministry formed the Industrial Reconstruction Institute in Rome. This has two sections—one for industrial investments, and the other for industrial liquidation. The first coordinates the functions of the Mobilization Institute in assisting Italian-owned private industries, but only in so far a s concerns their technical, economic, and financial reorganization. The other takes the place of the Institute for Liquidations, which has been abolished. The capital of the investment section amounts to 100,000,000 lire; while that of the liquidation department is 1,000,000,000 lire. The Mobilization Institute—a superstate organization—has a capitalization of 551,100,000 lire, of which 165,000,000 have been advanced.
I T E M S A R E A D D E D TO I M P O R T S ALLOWED E N T R Y
REDISCOUNT RATE REDUCED
Until February, production in the chemical industry had not reached the December level, because of reduced exports and for other special reasons. A measure of unusual importance was the lowering of the rediscount rate from 5 to 4 per cent. This has created much interest and a noticeable rise in the price of securities, especially in all government obligations. This low rate has not been equaled since 1881, when it rose to 6 per cent and afterwards was reduced to 5, and then to 4.5 per cent; in 1886, i t fluctuated between 5 and 6 per cent; it was steady a t 5 per cent for twelve years—from 1895 to 1907; and then, again fluctuating, it reached 7 per cent in 1925. In 1928 it went down to 5.5; and in 1929 it was up again to 6 and 7 per cent; in 1930 it was reduced wisely to 5.5 per cent, but then international conditions beyond control again forced the rate up t o 7 per cent in September, 1931; in March, 1932, it was reduced to 6, and in May to 5 per cent. BUILDING OF INDUSTRIAL PLANTS M U S T B E AUTHORIZED BY GOVERNMENT
A new law stipulating that new industrial plants to be built only after being authorized by the government was passed without discussion. This provision was made in order that there would be no interruption in the program of liquidating overexpanded branches of industry. The government will veto plans to build new plants, or to enlarge existing plants in those sectors which - are already saturated, and thus avoid any speculative moves not in accord with sane industrial competition. The government has no intention of producing a condition of stagnation by stifling private initiative, or by interfering with small industries, which represent the large majority (about 730,000) of Italian industries, and which employ 83 per cent of all the gainfully employed persons. C R U D E SODIUM NITRATE Is RELEASED TO INDUSTRY
R o y a l Decree No. 1716, of December 22, 1932, adds the following to the list of goods which may be admitted temporarily for being processed: artificial fibers of the Celta type, 100-120-150 denier, up t o a total of 50,000 kg., and for the manufacture of velvets, a provisional concession good for one year only, 100 kg.; gold lea,f, concession for one year, in unlimited quantity for six months ; phosphorus trichloride for the manufacture of chemicals, concession good for one year only, 100 kg. a year; nonpulverized cinchona bark and quinine sulfate for the production of pharmaceutical chemicals, unlimited quantities for one year. The importation of metal products, already permitted for other uses, is now allowed for domestic purposes. Unlimited quantities may b e admitted temporarily with a maximum time allowance before reexport; of two vears. Royal D e c r e e N o . 1488, of November 10, 1932, rules that t h e temporary admission of nitrocellulose lacquers and related solvents, for use in finishing automobile bodies, which was allowed b y the decree of August 12, 1927, N o . 1555, and extended until October 15, 1932, by t h e decree of November 14, 1929, N o . 2072, is extended for another year, limiting the amount t o 450 quintals of the lacquer and a corresponding amount of solvent, which will be defined by the Minister of Finance. T h e quantity for temporary admission is unlimited, and the maximum time before reexport i s one year. INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN 1932 I s COMPARED WITH 1931
The 1932 production of cast iron was 460,538 tons, and for steel, 1,391,357 tons, compared with 509,174 tons for cast iron and 1,452,694 for steel in 1931. In the following data the figures in parentheses are for t h e corresponding period in 1931: 27,852 tons of iron allovs (23,082); 28,766 tons of lead (24,794); 16,602 tons of zinc (15,673); 13,413 tons of aluminum (11,109); 437 tons of copper (721); 858 tons of mercury (1109); and 238 of antimony (267). Production for the first 11 months of 1932 was as follows: 29,493,492 quintals of ground cement in the 138 plants operating (22,897,074); 5,951,874 quintals of superphosphate in 87 plants (7,447,973); 28,997,186 kg. of artificial silk in 27 plants (31,635,917); 2,696,577 kg. of silk in 776 plants (5,055,660); 858,083 quintals of copper sulfate in 16 plants (680,939); and 3,000,864 quintals of paper and cardboard in 250 paper mills (2,987,595) employing 15 or more men. Electrical production amounted to 9,126,233,000 kilowatt hours or 47,344,000 kilowatt hours more than t h e corresponding 1931 period. For the entire year of 1932, production of gasoline amounted to 156,873 quintals (132,567). INCREASE TS SHOWN I N PETROL-EUM PRODUCTION
Arrangements have been made by the Confederation of Commerce to turn over to the Consortium of the Confederation of Italian Agriculturalists a part of the crude sodium nitrate admitted duty-free up to December 31, 1932 (23,000 tons), which had previously been entirely consigned to the Confederation of Commerce. This releases a quota of 7000 tons to industry, which has, in turn, been apportioned among the wholesalers, in proportion to their total sales in the years 1929-30-31, starting from a basic minimum quota of 1500 tons. These firms have agreed to distribute their quota among the retailers according t o the regulations of the Agrarian Federation. In addition, the wholesalers must divide their quota among the largest number of retailers possible, but no retailer can be furnished quotas by more than one wholesaler.
The Emiiian district reports that noteworthy production of petroleum has been attained in the Cento Pozzi region, in the Province of Parma. These last borings confirm the predictions of the technologists. T h e present production in this region is approximately 90,000 liters a day, and the quality is very good. These results are being followed with great interest in Rome, as any increase in petroleum production makes the country that much less dependent on imports. It is stated that the Petrolifera in Emilia still continues to give excellent results. In fact, it is estimated that 1932 production was four times that of 1931. This explains the popularity and rise in value realized b y the shares of this company, which belongs t o the Italo-Americano per il Petrolio group.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INSURANCES ASSUMES R I S K S ON DOMESTIC EXPORTS
ALCOHOL INDUSTRY F E E L S THE DEPRESSION
The Royal Decree of October 14, 1932, N o . 1438, published i n the Official Gazette of November 15, 1932, N o . 263, establishes the following regulations: The National Institute of Insurances, utilizing the fund set aside by Article 10 of the Royal Decree of June 2, 1927, No. 1040, on the guaranties of credits on exports, will assume u p to December 3 1 , 1934, all risks inherent to the export of domestic products, which have already been insured b y the company authorized to take these insurances beginning witn January 1, 1933. The reinsurance will be up to 70 per cent of the credit quota, not exceeding 75 per cent, assumed b y the insur-
This industry has felt the effects of the depression very strongly, especially in the field of domestic consumption, where there has been a drop of approximately 25 per cent in consumption compared with 1930, and 4 2 per cent less than in 1929. T h e excise taxes ill various forms, such as manufacturers', consumers', and exchange tax, have reached such a level as to make its use almost prohibitive. The consumption of alcohol for domestic purposes, including erfumery and pharmaceuticals, which in 1929 was less than 0.5 ter a year per capita, and which in 1931 had dropped to 0.25
E
107
108
NEWS
E D I T I O N
liter, indicates that the alcohol problem does not exist in Italy in so far as the use of liquors is concerned. A new lease of life must, therefore, be given to the alcohol industry, so that the government will not be deprived of this fruitful source of revenue. T h e use of denatured alcohol also contracted somewhat in 1931, in spite of the conflicting conclusions drawn from government statistics. I t must be realized that a large proportion of the alcohol "which has been denatured" is still in dealers' hands, as they are obliged to take this step to avoid the tax on spirits of alcohol. This drop in consumption is not a serious problem, however, and may be classed as only transitory. Y e t it must not be overlooked, as it may contain unknown factors which might reduce its absorption on the markets. T h e amount of vinous alcohol was normal. Distillation of wine was reduced because the industry is somewhat depressed, in consequence of the lowered income from alcohol and tartrates. There was also a shortage of wines that could be utilized for this purpose. Under these conditions, it is idle t o attempt t o separate the uses of alcohol according t o its source. T h e experience of last year proves that distillation cannot be considered a normal use for this material. It is, therefore, dangerous t o build a legislative system on exceptional circumstances which are based on the absurd principle of favoring a less economically convenient, and therefore more costly, source of supply. The shortage has been made up partly by allowing gasolines to be mixed with absolute alcohol, and by materially reducing the amounts which need be held for gasoline producers, as in practice they had shown only a limited ability to absorb t h e amounts reserved for them. These experiences will point t h e way for the future course, as well as bring about a reduction in the stocks of alcohol which must be kept on hand. The related industries represent a very important branch and are showing more and more activity, 'the work has been satisfactory, both in volume and in economic vaiue. It has been possible to maintain the same relative position, in spite of the inevitable contraction in consumption, increased competition, and reduced prices. N O T A B L E PROGRESS I S S H O W N IN Y E A S T PRODUCTION
Especially noticeable is the progress in the production of yeast. This is due to an extensive advertising policy, assisted by the excellent quality of the product. M A N U F A C T U R E OF SOLID C 0 2 A P P E A R S TO B E PROMISING
In t h e manufacture of sodium bicarbonate and carbonic acid, a relative stability was shown; the manufacture of solid carbonic acid has been started recently and promises interesting possibilities. P L A N S A R E RECOMMENDED F O R M O R E I N T E N S I V E L A N D FERTILIZATION
T h e Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Products has foiwarded very specific recommendations to all its branches relative t o a plan for more intensive fertilization of lands devoted to forage. T h e minister states that the success of t h e cereal and grain crops of last season will permit farmers to adopt a plan of more extensive fertilization, as the quotas of chemical fertilizers have been increased materially over the 1931-32 period. This comforting increase in the release of fertilizers makes it possible for the quotas of nitrogenous fertilizers also to be increased. I t is important, however, that they be m a d e available for other crops, so that the development of these fertilizers may take place throughout the country, thus avoiding any possible lack of balance later on. I t must be kept in mind that there is a relation between the cultivation of legumes, forage, and the availability of manure, which is usually employed in conjunction with mineral fertilizers, and that the supply of manure depends on having a satisfactory quantity or forage available, and vice versa. It is also idle to discuss the possibility of artificial cultivation in certain regions where the soil and climate are such that any organic matter added to t h e soil is quickly destroyed. T h e increase in land available for cultivation b y reclaiming lands formerly unsuitable for such purposes and the improvement of poor lands is a problem which must still claim a large share of the attention of agriculturalists. T h e minister is therefore advising that active propaganda must be started to induce those engaged in raising forage to use fertilizers as intensively as those cultivating cereals and other food products. STATISTICS SHOW PRODUCTION A N D CONSUMPTION OF FERTILIZERS
T h e production and consumption of chemical fertilizers, domestic as well as imported, for tne first six months of 1932, were as follows: superphosphates, 3,776,526 quintals, compared with 3,896,515 in 1931; Thomas slag, 85,605 quintals, compared with 5 6 3 1 ; ground phosphates, 6866, against 11,970; ammonium sulfate, 796,351, against 689,4^8; calcium cyanamide, 526,774, against 472,126; dilute ammonium nitrate, 155,697, vs. 120,386; ammonium sulfonitrate, 5382, vs. 4882; calcium nitrate, 444,168, vs. 246,134; sodium nitrate, 420,155, vs. 426,625; potassium salts, 154,593, vs. 96,066; potassium-bearing salts, 49,627, vs. 23,217;
leucite, 5343, vs. 6900; 4339.
Vol. 11, N o . 7 diammonium phosphate, 22,576,
vs.
AROMATICS I N D U S T R I E S A F F E C T E D BY D E P R E S S I O N
Among the industries which h a v e felt t h e results of the depression are the aromatics industries, including producers of essences, perfumes, toilet soaps, synthetic perfumes, and t h e constituents of essences. In exports there h a s been a noticeable contraction, compared with 1931, a drop w h i c h amounts to 5 0 per cent for some products. T h e most affected have been t h e citrus industries. Official export figures for the first eight months of 1929 in round figures were: 150,000 k g . of essence of orange, valued a t 24,000,000 lire; 188,000 kg. of essence of bergamot, worth 33,000,000 lire; 555,000 kg. of essence of lemon, worth 77,000,000 lire; 6000 kg. of essence of tangerine, worih 1,500,000 lire. Statistics for the same period in 1932 s h o w t h a t the industry has been losing ground, exports amounting to o n l y 54,000 kg., worth 2,600,000 lire for orange; 46,000 kg., valued at 3,200,000 lire for bergamot; 277,000 kg., valued a t 9,000,000 lire for lemon; 3000 kg., worth 317,000 lire for tangerine extract. Conditions in the lemon and bergamot industry are particularly bad, a s they are aggravated by those in the citric acid industry, because of competition b e tween *he product derived from fruit juices and that from t h e fermentation of sugars. Essence of bitter orange (neroli) which has been produced in appreciable quantities in the last few years in Liguria, Calabria, and Sicily is less than half its 1931 value. The exports on lavender extract have remained stationary; in contrast, exports of mint h a v e increased from 10,000 to 16,000 kg. in this period. Floral extracts for perfumes of rose, geranium, etc., have dropped considerably in consumption, as well as in price, so as to stop all production except in the regions of lowest cost. T h e only section where this industry is still expanding is in Calabria, where the Experimental Station at Reggio for t h e Industry of Essences and Their Derivatives has a powerful plant for extraction and solvent recovery, and develops and markets the crops of the cultivators, charging only enough to cover t h e cost of operation. Market conditions have also caused a drop in t h e activities of t h e Society for African Undertakings, as far as essences are concerned. In 1931 this society had started t h e industrial development of the very rich flora of t h e Eritrean colony, and had o b tained very interesting products, which would h a v e commanded ready markets in less trying t i m e s . In the field of synthetic perfumes and their constituents since 1929 the industry has shown marked progress, causing a large drop in the amount of materials which h a d to be imported, and which a year ago had to be wholly imported. Investigation has shown t h a t from the first of the year up to t h e present, there has been a drop of 3 0 per cent in the consumption of alcohol-containing perfumes, nonalcoholic perfumes, and toilet soaps, as compared with 1931, together w i t h a drop in price here as well as abroad, of 10 per cent. C O U N C I L M E E T S TO D I S C U S S PHARMACEUTICAL, SPECIALTIES
•
The directive council of the National Federation of Wholesale Dealers has m e t at t h e Federation of Commerce for a discussion of t h e status of the chemico-pharmaceutical a n d medicinal specialties industries. T h e subjects discussed were: (1) The application of the law of 1913, imposing strict regulations in the extension of credit to drug stores, thus seriously affecting wholesalers, since the drug stores are their principal clients. (2) That the branch of registration of medicinals bear in mind the hundreds of millions invested in this industry, and t h a t in all cases lists of registered remedies be published in order to prevent t h e merchandising of materials not up to the standards of the Directors of Public Health. (3) The publication by certain wholesalers of price lists which are not only unprofitable, but actually below the cost of production. A note has been sent to the directors concerning such dealers, in order that this practice may be suppressed. (4) A proposal for the formation of a body which should have control of the industry, regulating production, distribution, and sales of all pharmaceuticals and medicinal specialties. A request for a referendum was sent to the president of the council. (5) A request for the abolition of exchange taxes and substituting therefor a tax uno tantum was approved.
I t is proposed to submit t o t h e federation a request for the p u b lication of a federal bulletin. There are over 10,000 specialties produced in Italy. B y t h e decree of August 7, 1925, N o . 1732, and b y the regulations by d e cree of March 3 , 1927, N o . 478, t h e y are all registered and subject t o rigid control. T h e development of these specialties has been paralleled by the development in t h e production of the raw m a t e rials for their manufacture. Until about t w e n t y years a g o , almost all pure chemicals for laboratory or industrial use were imported. After the war their production and development expanded v e r y rapidly, and n o w
April 10, 1933
INDUSTRIAL'
AttE> E N G
practically t h e entire requirements of the country are being m e t by t h e domestic industry. T h u s , for example, t o a a y there are produced: iodine a n d all i t s inorganic and organic derivatives, not only sufficient for domestic consumption, b u t for export a s well; bromine and i t s derivatives; t h e basic alkaloids (morphine, codeine, caffeine, theobromine, e t c . ) ; t h e glycerophosphates, t h e cacodyllates, t h e methylarsenates, t h e citrates, t h e various formate salts; the general anesthetics, the vast branch of synthetic products. All producers of these products belong to t h e National Fascist Federation of t h e Chemical a n d Related Industries, which h a s combined them i n a special group. This organization aims t o regulate t h e industry, and t o solve all economic and commercial problems arising. Factories manufacturing medicinal specialties in I t a l y are distributed as follows: LOCALITY
Piedmont Lombardy Venice Julian Venice Tridentine Venice Liguria Emilia Tuscany Marches Urobria Latium Abruzzi and Molise Campania Puglie Calabria Sicily Sardinia TOTAL
PLANTS
PRODUCTS
48 285 68 33 8 46 93 89 9 3 13 4 48 8 1 27 2
761 4355 184 1T4 41 267 476 204 76 63 190 32 1009 30 6 203 13
785
8084
Translation b y A. W. C O N T I E R I
February 18, 1933
Hungary S. S. DE FINALY, Battai-ut 13-B, Budapest, 2 P R I C E S OP CHEMICAL PRODUCTS S H O W D E C R E A S E
T h e latest statistical data published b y the League of Nations about world industrial production in recent years show t h a t Hungary's contribution w a s 0.4 per cent both in 1928 a n d in 1932. Assuming t h e 1928 rate of Hungarian production equal to 100, the trend is a s follows: 1 9 2 9 , 1 0 3 ; 1930,100; 1931,88; 1932,72. This means a decrease of 28 per cent from 1928 to 1932. Actual production, however, is somewhat larger, since, with lower relative prices, more wares nad t o be produced t o be equivalent to t h e same sums. Prices of chemical products have decreased within the last two years by 10 t o 50 per cent; t h e prices of glue, mineral oil products, machine fats, cart greases, plant oils and fats, starch, linseed varnish, candles, paint lacquers, and boot polish decreased b y 10 t o 20 per cent; drugs and plant insecticides, 15 t o 2 5 ; coal tar, edible fats, soap, glycerol, and oil cake, 2 0 to 25; industrial carbon dioxide and oxygen, 23 to 33; alcohol, 4 0 ; stearin, 35; cosmetic preparations, 25 to 4 0 ; animal serum preparations, 40; rubber articles, 25 to 35. N E W LAWS AFFECT D R U G S AND VINEGAR
A proposed government decree will establish a new t a x on t h e drug-manufacturing industry under the name of D r u g Control Charge. T h e so-called simple drugs, such as aspirin tablets or single injections, will be charged 2 t o 3 dollars, and drug specialties about 4 t o 6 dollars each year for an investigation of drug preparations b y t h e Institute for Public Hygienics. This new system will remove valueless or unreliable drugs from t h e market. Another decree will prescribe uniform methods for examination of table vinegars. The present situation has caused much trouble between vinegar producers and control stations, since the use of different methods has brought about considerable variation in the acid content of various vinegars. I M P E T U S I S G I V E N M A N U F A C T U R E OF L A C Q U E R C O T T O N , D R U G S , SERUM, CHEMICALS
T h e nitrogen fertilizer plant at P6t has begun the production of lacquer cotton which is a n important material for making cellulose lacquers. T h e German concern, I. G. Farbenindustrie, plans to build factories in Hungary to invest the money obtained from imported drugs and preparations, which for the time being cannot be sent to Germany. T h e rumor is that a great plant for drugs and serum manufacture and another for the production of electrolytic chlorine, alkalies, and chlorine derivatives will be located near P e t where lignite mines will supply the electric energy.
N E E R I N G
C H E M I S T R Y
109
INTERESTING PATENTS ISSUED
A patent of t h e Gottlieb factory covers the production of a must which can be stored without t h e addition of bactericidal agents b y clearing with gelatin and tannin, filtering through an asbestos filter, and pressing t h e liquor through thick asbestos plates under a pressure of 15 to 20 atmospheres; thus, fermenting material is removed, and t h e filtrate i s led through sterilized pipes and machinery into air-tight bottles. A recent patent attempts t o prevent t h e further movement of runs which have started in stockings b y applying a solution of nitrocellulose in acetone and amyl or b u t y l acetate. Boron nitride as a n important component of electrically resistant materials i s proposed by the patent of S. Just. First- and second-class conductors (e. g., coal and graphite, and various oxides, silicates, and carbides) are mixed with boron nitride and coal tar or pitch, and are pressed into forms, dried, and heated. PRODUCTS FROM B R O W N C O A L A R E INVESTIGATED
Gasoline made from brown-coal tar contains much sulfur which makes its use as a motor fuel impossible. The patent of B . Honk attempts to remove sulfur compounds b y transforming them, before treatment with sulfuric acid, into compounds which will react easily with the acid. Then t h e mixture, treated w i t h acid and separated from the acid, is washed with 5 to 10 per cent of water and distilled with steam. Most of the sulfur compounds are said to remain behind, and pure gasoline is obtained in t h e distillate. T h e investigations of J. Sz6ki and A. Romwaiter on a n unrefined brown-coal light oil containing 4.67 per cent of sulfur showed that most of this sulfur is present in the form of resistant heterocyclic compounds a n d even ih t h e benzene ring itself. T h e removal of these compounds b y destruction would be very e x pensive. Experiments proved that this resistant part of oil sulfur h a s small oxidizing effect on metals; the oil was used in a motor without any apparent difficulty. Refining such oils seems to b e both unnecessary and uneconomical. T h e difficulty of importing foreign gas coal makes the problem of producing gas from Hungarian brown coal a real one. T h e recent address of J. Gyorki reported t h e possibilities of accomplishing this, and t h e discussion with experts proved t h a t this question is worthy of further investigation and large-scale experimentation, especially as regards t h e possible uses of browncoal tar and t h e removal of sulfur from t h e products. INSECTICIDES FOR B E E T B E E T L E AND C E R E A L B U G S INVESTIGATED
Until now barium chloride has been used as an insecticide against the beet beetle. Investigations b y Mr. and M r s . Fari have shown that these insects become accustomed t o this insecticide and another one should replace it. Experiments with different arsenates showed calcium arsenate preparations to b e thirteen times more toxic than barium chloride. Much damage has been caused recently in several counties of Hungary by three kinds of cereal bugs. Messrs. Manninger have investigated their life cycles and methods of winter hibernation; they propose either a chemical treatment during the winter or, eventually, a biological treatment b y means of the fly parasites of t h e insects. N E W SYSTEM OF S O I L CLASSIFICATION D E V E L O P E D
T h e latest work of A. A. J. de' Sigmond consists of a general system of soil classification which is equally applicable t o soils of any country or continent. T h e new system is based on t h e method of soil formation and simplifies the systematic scientific classification of soils according to their origin and chemical and physical character. Recently the sixtieth birthday of Professor Sigmond was celebrated, and he received congratulations from scientists throughout t h e world. ALCOHOLIC B E V E R A G E S R I P E N E D BY M E T A L O X I D E S
Experiments of G. T 6 t h with finely dispersed metal oxides (cupric oxide, nickel monoxide, titanium dioxide) show that various alcoholic beverages can be ripened artificially a t 150° t o 1£0° C . T h e oxidation coefficient of Lusson increased and t h e taste was ameliorated in all experiments. The method can also be applied t o liqueurs made in the cold. L U T E I N IN E G G YOLK DETERMINED
A colorimetric method for lutein determinations in yolk was recently worked out b y S. Ter6nyi. T h e yolk is extracted with a 1:1:1 mixture of alconol, ether, and petroleum ether, and t h e color of t h e filtered solution compared with a standard solution made of potassium dichromate. T h e usual lutein content of yolk ranges between 0.009 and 0.018 per cent. M E T H O D FOR D E T E R M I N I N G SODIUM BICARBONATE I N M I L K I S PROPOSED
A rapid titrimetric determination of sodium bicarbonate i n milk is proposed b y K. Sarlo. T h e ash of 10 cc. of milk i s treated in a special apparatus with 20 per cent hydrochloric acid and t h e
NEWS
110
EDITION
carbon dioxide developed is absorbed by saturated lime water. As the ash content of natural milks averages about 2 per cent carbon dioxide, the excess amount found allows the direct determination of the sodium bicarbonate which has been added. SODIUM A N D POTASSIUM ARE D E T E R M I N E D GRAVIMETRICALLY
A gravimetric method for the determination of sodium and
has been worked o u t by L. Szebell6dy and K. Schick, gotassium eparation i.? made by transforming the salts to iodides b y treating with concentrated hydriodic acid. The different solubilities of sodium iodide and potassLiini iodide in absolute butyl alcohol make the separation of iodides e a s y . Even sulfates can be changed t o iodides. Phosphates snould be removed previously. The practical data agree well with t h e theoretical. HEXAMETH YLENETETRAM INE D E T E R M I N E D IN D R U G MixrxrRES
A titrimetric determination, of hexameth vlenetetramine in drug mixtures h a s been worked o u t by E . Scnulek and V. Gervay. The method is based on distilling with 50 per cent sulfuric acid and titrating with 0.02 or 0 . 2 AT potassium cyanide solutions. Also a micromethod without distillation has been worked out, and the results show good agreement with data obtained by the iodometric method of Romijn. COMPONENTS OF B A U X I T E S DESCRIBED
Hungarian bauxites form a considerable portion of the ores worked for aluminum in Ger-many. An interesting paper of T. Gedeon describes the additional components found in Hungarian bauxites: 0.001 per cent N i O ; 0.2, Mn 2 O s ; 0.07, Cr 2 0 3 ; 0.06, V 2 06; 0.5, CaO; 0.2, MgO; 0 . 5 ^ 0 * ; and traces of beryllium. At present these components are n o t utilized. STORAGE A F F E C T S ETHEREAL. OIL CONTENT O F POWDERED CIN^TAMOM
The study of I. Horvath proves that samples of powdered cinnamon stored in closed glass tufcoes for 12 months undergo insignificant changes in their ethereal oil contents. Samples stored in open paper sacks lose 11 t o 33 per cent of their ethereal oil contents. March 4, 1933
Off the Press HEATING AND VENTILATING ENGINEERS GUIDE, 1933
Vol. 11, N o . 7 T H E STANDARDS YEARBOOK 1933
T H I S I S THE S E V E N T H EDITION of the standardization annual,
compiled b y the Bureau of Standards, United States Department of Commerce, which in previous years has proved of much value to manufacturers, industrial experts, and engineers, a s well as to purchasing agents generally. In the various chapters are found outlined t h e activities and accomplishments, not only of the bureaus and agencies of the Federal Government, but also of states and .counties. I n addition, there is a resume of the standardizations of scientific and technical societies and trade associations. The section devoted t o international standardizing agencies is followed by one of national standardizing laboratories, which, in addition to listing such laboratories in foreign lands, devotes some space to a discussion of the principal work undertaken in those institutions. The fourth section deals with the national industrial standardizing bodies, arranged alphabetically b y countries. Next we find each of the federal standardizing agencies of t h e United States accorded brief paragraphs, indicating the scope of the particular bureau's activities, the extent of its cooperation, and along what lines it endeavors to effect standardization. The sixth section is devoted to the work of the Bureau of Standards, and under activities and accomplishments are listed alphabetically b y subjects brief discussions of the standards and the results of efforts to achieve accepted standards in other particulars. The section on county and state purchasing agencies includes an alphabetical list of state purchasing agencies. Under the eighth section, on general standardizing agencies in the United States, are to be found details concerning t h e American Standards Association, American Marine Standards Committee, American Society for Testing Materials, and the Central Committee on Lumber Standards. The book concludes with a section of standardizing activities of technical societies and trade associations, and a bibliography on standardization. From this book the manufacturer can learn of the current standardization movements affecting his industry, the purchasing agent will find information on new standard specifications, and the scientist engaged in research will learn much as to current research projects which may lead t o standardization. The volume consists of 255 pages, is bound in cloth, and may be procured from the Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C , for S1.00. BIBLIOGRAPHY ON ALUMINUM I N THE N E W S EDITION of February 20, 1933, page 57, reference
T H E American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers Guide, 1933, is now available in i t s 11th annual edition, as an attractive volume of 852 i>a,ges, which comprises a standard reference o n heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning. The contents have been extensively enlarged and revised to include the latest results of research* and modern engineering practice. Eleven new chapters have t>een added, and extensive changes have been made in sections which have been retained. The text section contains 45 cha.ptere, 608 pages, supplemented by 180 pages of manufacturers' catalog data with an index to modern equipment, and 64 pages of the roll of membership of the society. The book is available at a cost of $5 & copy from the American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers, 51 Madison Ave., New York, X. \T.
was made t o a bibliography on aluminum. A correspondent inquires the cost of this bibliography. In general, its distribution has been restricted to professional persons, but anyone especially interested in the subject and having legitimate use for the bibliography may have one without charge, and should make known his wants to Mellon Institute of Industrial Research, Pittsburgh, Pa.
A N E W NOMENCLATURE OF CHEMISTRY
PAUL H. MANTZ has resigned from the Pittsburgh Station of the Bureau of Mines and is now employed a s physical chemist by the A. C . Spark Plug Co., Flint, Mich. E. I I . MERRICK, 3020 Coleridge Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, has been appointed exclusive sales representative of H . O. Swoboda, Inc., covering northern Ohio territory. CORNELIA T. SNELL has left the Fifth Avenue Hospital t o take a position at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, where she will work with T. F. Zucker and Benjamin Berg in connection with their studies of diabetes.
A REPRODUCTION of "A New Nomenclature of Chemistry Proposed b y Messrs. D e NTorvcau, Lavoisier, Berthollet, and Fourcroy with Additions an
