1068 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. May 21, 1915. THE NEW CHEMICAL LABORATORY OF THE IMPERIAL COLLEGE. No better example of the “ muddle through ” policy for which this country is noted can be found than that of our failure to realise the proper relationship which science bears to industry. In fact, it was left to the Germans to be our tutors in this respect, and it is only now that we are compelled to shift for ourselves that we have been forced to admit that science and industry are welded together in a bond of unmistakable strength. In this connection, it is satisfactory to note that the authorities are beginning to appreciate the extent to which national industrial progress is dependent upon scientific men; and that a scheme is under considera- tion for the assistance by the Government to scientific education and industrial research. The manufacture of coke and the recovery of by-products is but one of the many industries in which we have allowed our arch- enemy to forestall us in the matter of investigation and research. In view of this regrettable state of affairs, tube furnace for estimating chlorine; calorimeters for determining calorific power and viscosity; the Abel apparatus for determining flash points of petroleum; also appliances for the determination of sulphur and benzol in coal gas and the estimation of ammonia in gas liquor. In addition, there was the Bone and Wheeler gas analysis apparatus, and the Sinkinson filter washing apparatus. The upper floor is devoted entirely to research work, in which the student desirous of specialising in any particular branch obtains great assistance from the many special appliances placed before him for his use. There are three research laboratories, the first of which is private. In this room, besides surface combustion apparatus, there was an apparatus for investigating the electrical effects during the absorption of gases by metals, and with this there are connected a Gaede air pump, molecular pump for the production of high vacua, and the McLeod gauge for the measurement of very low pressures (from | to ToJno mm.). The pre- paration of pure electrolytic gas from barium hydroxide, and for preparing hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysing a solution of barium hydroxide, were provided for. The usual gas measuring and washing apparatus were also in evidence. The second room contained circulation students is not all accomplished in the laboratories, for one month in the year they are taken to the up-to-date by-product works of the Skinningrove Company, where the practical conditions afford much assistance. The Home Office authorities have also shown sympathy in the matter, and annually a visit is paid to the experi- mental station at Eskmeals. The needs of the student are thus admirably catered for, and the governing body of the college are to be congratulated upon their thoroughness. RESCUE WORK IN MINES. First-Aid Certificates. The Home Secretary gives notice that he has approved the first-aid certificates of the following bodies (in addition to the first-aid certificates of the St. John Ambulance Association and the St. Andrew’s Associa- tion) for the purposes of the General Regulations under the Coal Mines Act, 1911, in regard to rescue brigades, apd of the rules made by the Board for mining exami- nations as to the qualifications of applicants for first- and second-class certificates of competency. The date of approval is given in each ease, and only certificates obtained subsequently to that date can be 0 - 4I; ;.g Fig. 1.—Analytical Laboratory. A Fig. 2.—General Research Laboratory. T—T I +~.r i‘ I - Fig. 3.—Laboratory tor Refractory Material. t Fig. 4.—Mond Gas Plant. the work which the Imperial College of Science and Technology has accomplished in erecting and equip- ping a new department of chemical technology for the study of fuel and of refractory materials, can be fitly described as a national work. We recently had an opportunity of inspecting these laboratories, in which post-graduate students of not less than three years' training are given a course of study calculated to fit them for responsible positions in gas or coke oven works. The laboratories themselves are admirably built and equipped, and are arranged on two floors. The rooms are spacious and well appointed as regards heating and light. The ground floor contains the refractory materials and general laboratory, and a second room for analytical work. In the former, apparatus for the crushing and grinding of clays, such as the Simplex hand-crushing machine, Adie’s machine for the deter- mination of the tensile strength of cements and refrac- tory materials, and Scheme's elutriating apparatus for clays and soils. There are also an experimental and tar still, apparatus for testing the distillation of coals as used for the control of by-product coke oven plants, a muffle furnace and Fdry radiation pyrometer; and also apparatus for the fractionation of benzol. Coming to the analytical laboratory, we found com- bustion furnaces for the ultimate analysis of coals and fuel oils, and apparatus for determining nitrogen in fuels, such as the Kjeldahl apparatus and the Carius apparatus as used for scientific investigations upon surface combustion, the Bone and Wheeler apparatus for analysis of mine air and other gases, as used at the Home Office Experimental Station. A demonstration was given in this laboratory of the new Bolometric method of determining radiant efficiency of gas fires and the like. One of the most interesting things in the third room was the lonides constant pressure ratio system of applying gaseous fuels. Compressors for delivery gas and air at pressures up to 7 lb. per sq. in. are installed. In addition, there are to be found the Bonecourt surface combustion diaphragm, and the apparatus used by Prof. Bone in his researches on gaseous explosions at high pressures, including a large bomb fitted with Petavel recording manometer. On the same floor is a dark room, contained in which is the potentiometer apparatus for calibrating thermo- junctions. The drawing room is situated in the grounds, and adjacent to it is what may be said to be a unique feature for such an institution. This is an experimental gas producer plant and 3,000 cu. ft. holder presented to the department by Robert Mond, Esq. Although there are nearly 70 special apparatus and appliances, it is not intended that these should exclude others. Indeed, the equipment scheme, owing to the war, has not yet been completed, but this will be done over the next two or three years, according as the research work may require. The training of the considered as qualifying for the purposes of the regulations and rules. British Red Cross Society.—May 11, 1915. Glamorgan Education Committee,—February 2, 1915. Heriot-Watt College.—February 9, 1915. All enquiries as to classes and examinations for certificates should be made to the body or society con- cerned, and not to the Home Office. The largest industrialist in the Don district, Paramonoff, has (says the Novoie Vremya) taken on lease about 20 square miles of coal lands near Novocherkass station. The lessee engages to construct a branch railway, and the output is expected to reach over 20,000,000 poods a year. The 43rd annual report of the medical officer to the Local Government Board contains, as usual, some interesting notes on the subject of infant and child mortality—a ques- tion which demands special emphasis in the colliery districts. A closely related fact is the striking fall in the birth-rate that has taken place in recent years. Now, Dr. Newsholme, taking eight different social groups, shows the percentage deviation from the average infant mortality and from the average fertility rate, and from his statement it appears that amongst miners the first is 28 per cent., and the latter 42 per cent, above the average, showing that the mining community, whilst the most prolific section of the population, are also the least careful of infant life — a striking but lamentable fact, to which the medical officer has repeatedly called attention.