The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-01-14
Ftu1ResceIN.
Bright Chemist settles Quarrel by .
Remarkable Optical Test.

Bright Chemist settles Quarrel sy q
Remarkable Optical Test.
A remarkable addition Ia the vast and
continually increasing number of applica-
tions which chemistry mas found in practi-
cal lie IS reported from Germany The
event is the more striking by giving evil
dence Of the incredible sensibility some
times observed in chemical reactions. In
mountainous part Of the above mentioned
country, located az the watershed Of tive
large streams, the population from ancient
times enjoyed an abundance of delicious
trout frequenting the envroning brooks
Modern iEiustry, however. did not hesitate
to place several manufactures on the
shores of these creeks. and their refuse
waters soon were noticed TO pollute the
downward courses.
The raisers and consumers OF fish, how.
ever, Were soon TO protest; they sued one OF
these establishments for damages, claim
ing that the refuse fluids had killed all the
fish in their brooks To this the nIsnufae
turer objected, declaring that there was nc
communication between the water passing
his works and the plaintiffs brooks. The
latter. however, though no visible com.
municiaton of both waters could be ascer
tanned, maintained that the communica
ton was a subterranean one.
This being the state OF affairs. chemist
happened TO visit the Scene of the quarrel,
and having been informed about the
trouble, IT once declared that the question
might very easily be settled by simple OPP
teal test. Both parties agreeing TO sub
NIT TO his decision Us an expert, he under
took TO perform the task.
The class OF organic compounds com
prised by the name of benzine derivatives.
and Astounding with brightly and richly
colored bodies, as well as with important
medicines, also includes a substance called
''fuoresceine. from the peculiar intense
fluorescent properties of itself aud some of
its compounds.
The substance represents a dark red
powder, dissoving in alcohol with a red
dish color having green fuOrusceDce. Its
compound with sodium offers this green
fuorescence to an almost incredible degree
of intensity; it is perceivable in water con
tanning one part Of the compound to TO-,
100000 of water In it's effect upon man
and animals of any kind. however, fluores-
ceine IS perfectly harmless substance.
1t was to the optical property of fiuoreS-
ceine that our expert resorted when one
fine day, provided with tin box contain.
ing two pounds OF sodium compound, he
proceeded to dissolve it in a barrel OF wa
ter, the contents then being poured into
the brook above the factory buildings. No
sooner had the admiXture taken place than
the brook, formerly clear and transparent,
became Opaque, but of shining green
color. which spread rapidly downward
with the flowing water. All the water in
the lower course of the brook, and even in
some bitches and creeks which bad not
been known to communicate with the
brook subjected 70 the test, became green,
and kept this color unto its inflow into the
broad stream about five miles away.
The population was GstGnished and be
came excited, fancying that the water had
been poisoned. fear which they did not
abandon before having been convinced that
the water was still drinkable and I'M
changed in taste and even in color when
he'd against the sun. The green hue was
only perceived in the water covering the
dark background of the river bed. People
also became easily persuaded that only the
water in communication with the stream
passing the factory was subject to the
change ali the others having remained in
their former condition, including the one
belonging to the suing fishermen, who
thcreupon gave up the complaint and re-
sorted TO efficient expedients to provide
fresh trout Tor their waters-Popular Sci
ence News.