A UNIQUE LABORATORY*

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1668

JOURNAL OB

CEIEMICAL EDUCATION

DECEMESER, 1928

A UNIQUE LABORATORY* FRANCIS P. PLEMINO, ST.CHARLES SEMINARY, CARTHAOENA, OHIO The chemical laboratory is so intimately connected with the science of chemistry, that, without experimentation, the true spirit of the science cannot possibly be acquired. When the name chemist chances to reach the ear, there is conjured up in the imagination a picture of a man wearing a rubber apron, perhaps rubber sleeves and gloves, and mixing together various kinds of "liquors." In the minds of all, the scientist is surrounded with the complete environment of the laboratory. And this is only as it should be, for the "workshop of the chemist" is a sine qua non condition, not only for the acquisition of productive knowledge in the veriest of tyros, but also for the fructifying of that knowledge in the greatest of masters. Chemistry, which has so changed the face of the world, has evolved from the hidden recesses of chemical laboratories. But, here were we, just one year ago this month, two enthusiastic devotees of chemistry, ready for intensive work in the science, most anxious to plunge into its depths-and no place was at hand in which we could do our "plunging;" no laboratory tempted us to try our skill. The one year of general chemistry offered to us during college days had served to whet our appetities most keenly for more. But what course was open to us, when all avenues leading to the fulfilment of our ideals seemed closed? Only one, and that was to build a laboratory of our own. We pooled our resources, therefore, and decided that if all went well, we were going to have that laboratory. Before starting upon any definite program, we had to determine what line of chemistry, descriptive or analytic, would be most beneficial to us. Upon the advice, and with the promise of the continuous help of our former instructor, it was decided to enter the analytic field, the text of A. A. Noyes on "Qualitative Chemical Analysis" being chosen as our guide. Accordingly, all plans for laboratory equipment were made in such a way as to facilitate the attainment of this end. By judicious buying, we obtained, with our l i i t e d resources, all the necessary apparatus, and a supply of chemicals which would last for the next five years; serving not only for the one-year course of analytical chemistry, but also for anything that we should care to undertake thereafter. Under our eager hands, the laboratory gradually took definite form. A handy work-table was erected, shelves for the chemicals, a hood to take out the various unnecessary fumes, in fact everything that was recommended to us by an able analyst as tending to simplify and perfect manipulation. The work-desk was covered with a plate of Venetian glass, and I

* Winner of ten-dollar award in the student contribution contest dosing November 15, 1928.