FOR MERCHANTS AND MANUFACTURERS OF CHEMICALS AND DRUGS
[Sidenote: A Factor in All Industries]
The chemical and drug industry is not only in itself an enormous
business, but it supplies essential materials for almost every branch of
manufacturing. Chemical products are employed in our buildings, our
clothing, our food; we come into the world and go out of the world with
the odour of chemicals about us. The manufacturer or dealer cannot
analyze all the influences that affect his market, and when he tries, as
he must, to consider the future of the trade, to reckon with the
channels of demand that will arise in the course of new applications of
chemical products, he is facing all the problems of all the industries.
The variety of raw materials from which chemical products are derived,
and the activity with which new sources are discovered and developed,
are almost as bewildering. Only a century has passed since coal-tar was
first distilled, and to-day no chemist would venture to fix the limits
of its industrial possibilities. Electrolysis has been in use since
1804, and yet the future of the world’s wheat supply probably depends
upon processes, as yet hardly beyond the experimental stage, of
utilizing atmospheric nitrogen.
In connection with so comprehensive an industry, the uses of the
Britannica are so manifold that this whole Guide might be devoted to
them. Articles on every manufacturing process touch upon the use of
chemicals. The articles on countries, states and cities are full of
relevant information; and there is hardly a scientific article that
would not be helpful. But the 40 general articles on chemistry, the 350
on chemical compounds, and the 75 on manufactured products call most
immediately for attention; and, with the aid of other chapters in the
Guide, the reader who desires to go further will easily find his way.
[Sidenote: Articles on Chemicals]
The article CHEMISTRY (Vol. 6, p. 33), equivalent to 135 pages of this
Guide, is divided into 6 sections. The first, _History_, traces the
general trend of the science from its infancy to the foundations of the
modern theory. The second section, _Principles_, treats of nomenclature,
formulæ, chemical equations and chemical changes. It provides a brief
but complete introduction to the terminology and methods of the chemist,
and there is not a line in it which will not prove of value in some way
or other to the chemical manufacturer. Sections 3 and 4 are devoted to
_Inorganic and Organic Chemistry_, giving a history of the subjects and
the principles underlying the structure of compounds, with cross
references to all articles dealing with their preparation and
properties. Sections 5 and 6 deal, respectively, with _Analytical_ and
_Physical Chemistry_.
Dr. Walter Nernst, professor of physical chemistry, University of
Berlin, is the author of CHEMICAL ACTION (Vol. 6, p. 26), which deals
specifically with the nature of chemical forces and deduces the laws of
chemical statics and kinetics. Of interest and importance in connection
with the manufacture of chemicals is SOLUTION (Vol. 25, p. 368), by W.
C. D. Whetham, of Cambridge University, author of _Theory of Solution_,
etc. Another theoretical article which will be found widely useful is
THERMOCHEMISTRY (Vol. 26, p. 804), by Prof. James Walker, of Edinburgh
University. For further details see the chapter on CHEMISTRY in this
Guide.
[Sidenote: Manufacture of Chemicals]
It is possible here to mention only a small amount of the material
dealing with the manufacture of chemicals. At the end of this chapter
there is a fuller alphabetical list. It may be noted, however, that the
articles on the elements, metallic and non-metallic, give much
consideration to their compounds, how these are made and how used in the
arts and in medicine. But in addition to this there are many noteworthy
contributions dealing with chemical manufacture. For instance, ALKALI
MANUFACTURE (Vol. 1, p. 674), by Dr. Georg Lunge, professor of technical
chemistry, Zurich Polytechnic, 11 pages in length and with 10
illustrations. The chief processes described are the Leblanc,
ammonia-soda, and electrolytic, together with others dependent upon
them. The facts about the manufacture of the carbonate, hydrate, and
sulphate of soda, chlorine, hydrochloric acid, etc., are fully given.
POTASSIUM (Vol. 22, p. 197) treats of the commercial compounds of this
metal in the same manner. NITROGEN (Vol. 19, p. 714) explains the new
process for the commercial manufacture of nitric acid from atmospheric
air—a matter of enormous industrial importance—and also the conversion
of nitrogen into ammonia, which has been done successfully only within
the past few years.
The manufacture of chemical products by the use of electricity is the
subject of ELECTROCHEMISTRY (Vol. 9, p. 208), and a still larger field
is covered by ELECTROMETALLURGY (Vol. 9, p. 232). Both of these valuable
articles are by W. G. M‘Millan, formerly secretary of the Institute of
Electrical Engineers of Great Britain. SULPHURIC ACID (Vol. 26, p. 65),
illustrated, by Dr. Lunge, describes the properties, reactions and
manufacture of the most important of all chemicals, including the more
modern contact processes.
[Sidenote: Drugs, Origin and Manufacture]
As a key to the subject of the origin and manufacture of drugs, the
article PHARMACOLOGY (Vol. 21, p. 347), by Dr. Ralph Stockman, professor
of materia medica and therapeutics in the University of Glasgow,
presents a great amount of interesting and valuable information on the
action of chemical substances (apart from foods) on all kinds of
animals, from bacteria up to man. A short history of pharmacology is
given and a large part of the article concerns the action of drugs.
There is also a classification of drugs according to the latest and most
scientific methods into twenty-eight groups, describing the effects of
each group. An appendix to the article, by Dr. H. L. Hennessy, is
entitled _Terminology in Therapeutics_, and is a general explanation of
the common names used in the therapeutic classification of drugs.
Since therapeutics is concerned with the remedial power of drugs and the
conditions under which they are to be used, the article THERAPEUTICS
(Vol. 26, p. 793), by Dr. Sir Lauder Brunton, of St. Bartholomew’s
Hospital, London, and author of the well-known treatise, _Modern
Therapeutics_, should not be overlooked, nor POISON (Vol. 21, p. 893),
by Dr. Sir Thomas Stevenson, lecturer on chemistry and forensic medicine
at Guy’s Hospital, London, wherein all poisons are classified and their
antidotes are indicated.
PHARMACY (Vol. 21, p. 355), by E. M. Holmes, of the Pharmaceutical
Museum, London, is largely historical in its nature, and yields much
interesting and valuable information about the pharmacist. We learn that
an Egyptian papyrus of the date 2300 B.C. gives direction as to the
preparation of prescriptions, and that diachylon plaster, invented by
Menecrates in A.D. 1, is used for the same purposes to-day. A great deal
of curious knowledge about ancient remedies, such as the thigh bone of a
hanged man, moss grown on a human skull, the ashes of the head of a
coal-black cat, etc., renders this article especially entertaining.
PHARMACOPŒIA (Vol. 21, p. 353), also by Mr. Holmes, tells about the
pharmacopœias in use in different countries, the standardization of
drugs, etc.
In the list at the end of this chapter are noted the numerous separate
articles on drugs, their preparation and use that appear in the
Britannica. Mention should be made of the articles on the elements, such
as IRON (Vol. 14, p. 799), ARSENIC (Vol. 2, p. 653), MERCURY (Vol. 18,
p. 158), IODINE (Vol. 14, p. 725), BROMINE (Vol. 4, p. 633), SODIUM
(Vol. 25, p. 343), POTASSIUM (Vol. 22, p. 200), MAGNESIUM (Vol. 17, p.
321), BISMUTH (Vol. 4, p. 11). Separate sections dealing with
pharmacology are found in the articles on very many plants, such as ALOE
(Vol. 1, p. 720), ANISE (Vol. 2, p. 55), ARROWROOT (Vol. 2, p. 649),
_Iceland Moss_ (Vol. 14, p. 241), CINCHONA (Vol. 6, p. 369), COCA (Vol.
6, p. 614), COLCHICUM (Vol. 6, p. 661), DANDELION (Vol. 7, p. 801), HOP
(Vol. 13, p. 678), HOREHOUND (Vol. 13, p. 692), LOBELIA (Vol. 16, p.
837), MINT (Vol. 18, p. 557), MUSTARD (Vol. 19, p. 97), PEPPERMINT (Vol.
21, p. 128), etc.
[Sidenote: Biographies of Eminent Scientists]
The scientific biographies include not a few subjects which will be of
interest, owing to familiarity with the names, to those engaged in the
chemical and drug business. Among these are LISTER, BARON JOSEPH L.
(Vol. 16, p. 777), to whose work and teaching the present importance of
the manufacture of antiseptics is largely due; PASTEUR, LOUIS (Vol. 20,
p. 892); CURIE, PIERRE, and MME. MARIE CURIE (Vol. 7, p. 644), the
physicists who first announced the existence of radium; LIEBIG, BARON J.
VON (Vol. 16, p. 590), the great physiological chemist; LUNGE, GEORG
(Vol. 17, p. 126), the noted expert in technical chemistry, already
mentioned as a contributor to the Britannica, and GLAUBER, J. R. (Vol.
12, p. 114), the German chemist who made a living chiefly by the sale of
secret chemical and medicinal preparations.
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF ARTICLES IN THE ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITANNICA OF SPECIAL
INTEREST TO THOSE ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURE AND SALE OF CHEMICALS AND
DRUGS
Abel, Sir Frederick A.
Acacia
Acenaphthene
Acetic Acid
Aceto-Acetic Ester
Acetone
Acetophenone
Acetylene
Achard, F. C.
Acid
Acid Amides
Aconite
Acorus Calamus
Acridine
Adenine
Adipocere
Affinity, Chemical
Albumin, or Albumen
Alcohol
Alcohols
Aldehydes
Alembic
Algaroth, Powder of
Alizarin
Alkahest
Alkali
Alkali Manufacture
Alkaline Earths
Alkaloid
Alkanet
Allantoin
Alloxan
Alloxantin
Allyl Alcohol
Almond
Aloe
Alum
Aluminium
Amidines
Amines
Ammonia
Ammoniacum
Amygdalin
Amyl Alcohols
Amyl Nitrite
Anaesthesia and Anaesthetics
Analysis
Anatto
Andrews, Thomas
Angelica
Aniline
Animé
Anise
Anthracene
Anthraquinone
Antimony
Antipyrine
Antiseptics
Apothecary
Araroba Powder
Archil
Argol
Aristolochia
Arnica
Arrowroot
Arsenic
Asafetida
Asparagine
Aspen
Asphodel
Azo Compounds
Azoximes
Baeyer, Adolf von
Balard, Antoine J.
Balsam
Barium
Base
Baumé, Antoine
Bdellium
Becher, J. J.
Bell, Jacob
Belladonna
Benzaldehyde
Benzine
Benzidine
Benzoic Acid
Benzoin
Benzophenone
Benzyl Alcohol
Berberine
Bergman, Torbern Olof
Berthelot, M. P. E.
Berthollet, C. L.
Beryllium, or Glucinum
Berzelius, J. J.
Betaine
Betel Nut
Bhang
Bibirine or Bebeerine
Bichromates and Chromates
Bismuth
Bittern
Black, Joseph
Borage
Borax
Boric Acid or Boracic Acid
Boron
Boussingault, J. B. J. D.
Brande, William Thomas
Bromine
Brown, S. M.
Brucine
Buchu
Bunsen, P. W. von
Butyl Alcohols
Butyric Acid
Cadmium
Caesium
Caffeine
Cajuput Oil
Calabar Bean
Calcium
Calomel
Calvert, F. Crace
Camphors
Cannizzaro, Stanislao
Cantharides
Capsicum
Capsule
Caraway
Carbazol
Carbide
Carbohydrate
Carbolic Acid
Carbon
Carbonates
Carbon Bisulphide
Carbonic Acid
Cardamon
Carvacrol
Cassia
Castor Oil
Catalysis
Catechu
Caustic
Cavendish, Henry
Cayenne Pepper
Cellulose
Cerium
Chamomile, or Camomile Flowers
Charcoal
Chemical Action
Chemistry
Chevreul, M. F.
Chloral
Chlorates
Chlorine
Chloroform
Chlorpicrin
Chromium
Chrysene
Cimicifuga
Cinchona
Cinnamic Acid
Cinnamon
Cinnolin
Citric Acid
Clark, Thomas
Cloves
Coal-tar
Cobalt
Coca, or Cuca
Cocaine
Coco-nut Palm
Cod-liver Oil
Colchicum
Colcothar
Collodion
Colocynth
Colt’s-Foot
Columbium
Combustion
Condenser
Conine
Copaiba
Copal
Copper
Copperas
Coriander
Corrosive Sublimate
Coumarin
Coumarones
Creosote
Cresols
Crookes, Sir William
Crotonic Acid
Croton Oil
Crystallization
Cubebs
Cumin
Curie, Pierre
Cyanamide
Cyanic Acid and Cyanates
Cyanide
Cyanogen
Cytisine
Dalton, John
Dammar
Dandelion
Daniell, John F.
Davy, Sir Humphry
Decolourizing
Depilatory
Dessication
Dewar, Sir James
Dextrine
Diazo Compounds
Didymium
Digitalis
Dill
Diphenyl
Disinfectants
Distillation
Dividivi
Döbereiner, J. W.
Dragon’s Blood
Drug
Dulong, Pierre Louis
Dumas, J. B. A.
Durene
Earth
Ecgonine
Elaterium
Elecampine
Electrochemistry
Electrolysis
Electrometallurgy
Element
Elixir
Elm
Epsom Salts
Equivalent
Erbium
Erdmann, Otto Linné
Ergot, or Spurred Rye
Erythrite
Esters
Ether
Ethers
Ethyl
Ethyl Chloride
Ethylene
Eucalyptus
Eugenol
Euphorbium
Eupion
Europium
Fehling, Hermann von
Fennel
Fenugreek
Fig
Filter
Fir
Fischer, Emil
Fittig, Rudolf
Flamel, Nicolas
Flavin
Fluoranthene
Fluorene
Fluorescein
Fluorine
Formalin, or Formaldehyde
Formic Acid
Formula
Fourcroy, A. F., Comte de
Foxglove
Frankland, Sir Edward
Frémy, Edmond
Fresenius, Karl R.
Friedel, Charles
Fructose, or Fruit-sugar
Fuchs, Johann N. von
Fulminic Acid
Fumaric and Maleic Acids
Fumitory
Furazanes
Furfurane
Fusel Oil
Gadolinium
Galangal
Galbanum
Gallic Acid
Gallium
Gamboge
Gannal, J. N.
Garlic
Gay-Lussac, J. L.
Geber
Gelatin
Gelsemium
Gentian
Geoffroy, E. F.
Gerhardt, Charles F.
Germanium
Gibbs, Oliver Wolcott
Gilbert, Sir Joseph H.
Ginger
Ginseng
Gladstone, John Hall
Glaser, Christopher
Glauber, Johann R.
Glauber’s Salt
Glucinum
Glucose
Glucoside
Glutaric Acid
Glycerin, or Glycerol
Glycols
Gmelin (family)
Gold
Graham, Thomas
Grains of Paradise
Greenheart
Guaco, Huaco or Guao
Guaiacum
Guanidine
Guarana
Guelder Rose
Guimet, Jean B.
Gum
Guyton de Morveau, Baron
Harcourt, W. Vernon
Hartshorn, Spirits of
Hashish
Hellebore
Helmont, Jean B. van
Hemp
Henbane
Henna
Henry, William
Herb
Hippuric Acid
Hofmann, A. W. von
Homberg, William
Homoeopathy
Hop
Horehound
Houseleek
Hydantoin
Hydracrylic Acid
Hydrastine
Hydrate
Hydrazine
Hydrazone
Hydrocarbon
Hydrochloric Acid
Hydrogen
Hydroxylamine
Hyposulphite of Soda
Hyssop
Iatrochemistry
Iceland Moss
Imidazoles, or Glyoxalines
Indazoles
Indene
Indicator
Indigo
Indium
Indole
Indulines
Inulin
Iodine
Iodoform
Ipecacuanha
Iron
Isatin
Isomerism
Isoxazoles
Jaborandi
Jalap
Juniper
Kámalá
Kekulé, F. August
Kelp
Kermes
Ketenes
Ketones
Kino
Klaproth, M. H.
Kolbe, A. W. Hermann
Kopp, Hermann F. M.
Kousso
Kunkel, or Kunckel von Lowenstjern, J.
Lactic Acid
Lactones
Laevulinic Acid
Lanolin
Lanthanum
Laudanum
Lavender
Lavoisier, A. L.
Lead
Le Blanc, Nicolas
Lemery, Nicolas
Lemon
Liebig, Baron J. von
Lime
Linseed
Liquorice
Lister, Baron
Lithium
Litmus
Lobelia
Lunge, Georg
Madder
Magnesium
Magnus, H. G.
Malic Acid
Mallow
Malonic Acid
Malt
Mammee Apple
Mandelic Acid
Mandrake
Manganese
Mangosteen
Manna
Marggraf, Andreas S.
Marignac, Jean C. G. de
Mastic
Mayow, John
Medical Jurisprudence
Medicine
Mellitic Acid
Mandeléeff, Dmitri I.
Mercaptans
Mercury
Mesoxalic Acid
Methyl Alcohol
Meyer, J. Lothar
Meyer, Victor
Microcosmic Salt
Mineral Waters
Mint
Mitscherlich, E.
Mohr, K. Friedrich
Moissan, Henri
Molybdenum
Mond, Ludwig
Morphine
Mucic Acid
Murexide
Murray, John
Musk
Muspratt, J. and J. S.
Mustard
Mustard Oils
Myrrh
Myrtle
Naphtha
Naphthalene
Naphthols
Naphthylamines
Nepenthes
Newlands, John A. R.
Nickel
Nightshade
Niobium
Nitre
Nitric Acid
Nitrobenzene
Nitro Compounds
Nitrogen
Nitroglycerin
Nobel, Alfred B.
Nux Vomica
Officinal
Oils
Olefine
Oleic Acid
Opium
Orcin
Orpiment
Orris-root
Oxalic Acid
Oxazoles
Oxide
Oximes
Oxygen
Oxyhydrogen Flame
Palladium
Palmitic Acid
Paraffin
Paraldehyde
Pasteur, Louis
Pelouze, T. Jules
Pennyroyal
Peppermint
Pepsin
Perfumery
Perkin, Sir W. H.
Pettenkofer, Max J. von
Pharmacology
Pharmacopoeia
Pharmacy
Phenacetin
Phenanthrene
Phenazine
Phenol
Phenolphthalein
Phosphates
Phosphorus
Phthalazines
Phthalic Acids
Picene
Picric Acid
Picrotoxin
Pilocarpine
Pimento
Pine
Piperazin
Piperine
Piperonal
Platinum
Plattner, K. F.
Podophyllin
Poison
Polymethylenes
Pomade
Potashes
Potassium
Priestley, Joseph
Primuline
Propiolic Acid
Propyl Alcohols
Proust, Joseph Louis
Prout, William
Prussic Acid
Pumice
Purin
Purslane
Pyrazines
Pyrazoles
Pyrene
Pyrethrum
Pyridine
Pyrimidines
Pyrocatechin
Pyrogallol
Pyrones
Pyrophorous
Pyrrol
Pyruvic Acid
Quassia
Quercitron
Quinazolines
Quinine
Quinoline
Quinones
Quinoxalines
Radium
Ramsay, Sir William
Raoult, François M.
Rare Earths
Regnault, H. V.
Resorcin
Retene
Rhamnus Purshiana
Rhatany, or Krameria Root
Rhodium
Rhubarb
Richter, J. B.
Roebuck, John
Roscoe, Sir H. E.
Rose
Rouelle, G. F.
Rouge
Rubidium
Ruthenium
Saccharic Acid
Saccharin
Safflower
Saffron
Safranine
Sainte-Claire Deville, E. H.
Sal Ammoniac
Salep
Salicin, Salicinum
Saliscylic
Salt
Saltpetre
Samarium
Sandalwood
Sandarach
Santonin
Sarsaparilla
Scammony
Scandium
Scheele, K. W.
Schlippe’s Salt
Schönbein, C. F.
Schützenberger, P.
Senega
Senna
Sesame
Silica
Silicon
Silliman, Benjamin
Silver
Snake-root
Soap
Soap-bark
Sodium
Solution
Spectroscopy
Spikenard, or Nard
Spirits
Sponges
Squill
Stahl, G. E.
Stas, J. S.
Stearic Acid
Sterochemistry
Stero-isomerism
Stoichometry
Stramonium
Strontium
Strophanthus
Strychnine
Styrolene
Succinic Acid
Sugar
Sulphonal
Sulphonic Acids
Sulphur
Sulphuric Acid
Sumbul, or Sumbal
Supra-renal extract
Talc
Tamarisk
Tannin or Tannic Acid
Tantalum
Tar
Taraxacum
Tartar
Tartaric Acid
Tellurium
Tennant, Charles
Tennant, Smithson
Terbium
Terpenes
Tetrazines
Tetrazoles
Thénard, L. J.
Therapeutics
Thermochemistry
Thiazines
Thiazoles
Thiophen
Thomsen, Julius
Thomson, Thomas
Thorium
Thymol
Thyroid
Tin
Tincture
Titanium
Toilet Powders
Toluene
Tonqua Bean
Tooth Powders and Pastes
Triazines
Triazoles
Triphenylmethane
Trophine
Tungsten
Turmeric
Upas
Uranium
Urea, or Carbamide
Urethane
Urotropin
Valency
Valerian
Valeric Acid
Vanadium
Vanilla
Van’t Hoff, J. H.
Vaseline
Vauquelin, L. N.
Veratrum
Veronal
Viburnum
Vitriol
Weighing Machines
Weights and Measures
Weldon, Walter
Wenzel, K. F.
Williamson, A. W.
Wine
Wintergreen
Winter’s Bark
Wislicenus, J.
Witch-hazel
Wöhler, Friedrich
Wollaston, W. H.
Wormwood
Wurtz, C. A.
Xanthic Acid
Xanthone
Xylene
Yew
Young, James
Ytterbium
Yttrium
Zinc
Zirconium