Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-11-26
A Plea for Chemistry.

There seems to be . tendency with
students today toward . classical rather
than Z scientific education. We will not
speak Of the advantage Of one over the
other bus leave this TO be decided By the
student according TO his vocation. We may
with advantage, however, consider some
points Of the scientific side Of the question,
especially - pertains to chemistry.
A search for cause and proof 10 charsc-
teristic Of this age Of progress and by this
search we have seen veil after veil lifted
and dogma after dogma exploded. Ii is not
likely At present Of least, that we shall At
tain TO degree Of learning. where our be-
lief will amount 10 proof, but We might
reach 3 point where our theories would
have q firm basis.
OF all sciences there 10 not one 30 def
mite. 90 absolute, SO governed by immitable
lava az chemistry and Zone Of such prActi-
cal value.
There is not special chemistry Of phar-
macy, another of sanitation, smother Of
agriculture, another Of metsliurgy, bus ~
there 10 one nature so there is one chemis-
try, with laws ~ clear and Is f1ed - the
stars and when properly studied and uuder-
stood, gives us the chemical basis Of I'll
aRis 0lh SNlCaScss asA9C AVN tAAv IVAN
concrete problems Of life, that confront
US each day, there is yet pleasure
and profit for Us in q little scien-
ufc research. Ard however much we
may be given 20 frivolity there is restfui
satisfaction in the conte mplation and ilve.-
LEGATION Of soma Of the real things Of life.
some of the fixed things Of nature. The
prevalent notion that chemistry 10 3 branch
" scientific knowledge lacking in interest
to common every day life is mistake.
The life Of every man is teemiug with
seeming mysteries and hidden forces out
modern investigation is fulfilling the proph-
cay Nothing Is hidden but it shsll be
revealed" What were oncs considered
occult forces are now common bits
of knowledge. Forces of nature that were
considered with awe are now the common
servants Of man.
10 our public schools chemistry is paid
but little heed TO. perhaps physiology q
llt.ie more. What then are some Of the ad-
vaptages to common MORALS obtained by a
somewhat clear understanding Of the pri,
mary principles Of chemistry We could
understand the food value of certain articles
Of diet.
We could alternate our field crops With
intelligence and advantage. We should
have always 81 hand sanitsry inspector.
We might be familiar with resdily obtain
able sntidote 10 case of poisoning chemistry
is connected more Or less, intimsting win
every b:auch of human industry. And
why should we no. possess knowledge
aside from the plain problems me-!
with in earning hving? Why
should not epery wood chopper know
that the same amount Of heat 10 generate
By the tree that decays 10 the forest that
would have been generated had he burned
il in his stove?
Why should we not know that the bread
we eat, the cuffs we we&r, the paper we
write or, the alcohol we m asst not drink are
all composed Of the same three elements.
Why should not every tiller Of the soil
know why the sewing of bone dust on q
worn out meadow increases his diary
product.
Why should not ere,y child OF nature
have clearly in mind, hey ond the prepond-
ersnce of any other idea, the fact that life
and death are OILY different states OF being
and tina. all 10 circulation Of atoms?
Why should not erery Sunday school
scholar know that Moses sweetened the Bit
ter waters Of the Msrsh by casting therein
tree or bush the juices Of which formed
chemical union and thus precipitsted the
impurities held in solution?
For these are the simplest Of chemical
problems.
There hiss been no great advance in
chemical knowledge Of late, that 10 there Is
no new chemistry. The causes of rain and
the process Of rainmAkiDg srtificislly were
known before this century began. From
the ancient alchemist, there has been ad-
vsncement From their idea that the
universe was composed Of four parts
or elements we know now that
there are sky seven separate and dis.
tiuct iorms Of matter from which nothing
else can be produced, and We call these
forms elements. The ancient idea Of ele-
ments was crude, our idea is exact.
As 8 last clause in our plea, it must be
said, tina. the honesty Of purpose, the men
tai fairness which is bred in the study Of
science ard born in the chemical lsbors-
tory, is in strong contras. with plausible
falscy and self delusion which ins vitsbly
beset the path of the student Of meta.
ply sizes and casuistry. r.