Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1893-11-11
rluoREScEiN.
A Bright Chemist Settles q Quarrel by .
Remarkable Optical Test.


A remarkable addition TO the vast and
continually increasing number Of applica-
tions which chemistry has found In practi-
cal life is reported from Germany. The
event Is the more striking by giving evi-
dence OF the incredibie sensibility some
times observed In chemical reactiona In
q mountainous part OF the above mentioned
country located ut the watershed Of two
large streams, the population from ancient
times enjoyed an abundance OF delicious
trout frequenting the environinR brooks
Moderu industry, however, did not hesitate
TO place several manufactures on the
shores OF these creeks, aud their refuse
waters soon were noticed to pollute the
downward courses
The raisers and consumers OF fish, how
ever, were soon 10 protest: they sued one Of
these establishments for damages, claim
ing thai the refuse fluids had killed all the
fish in their brooks. To this the manufac-
turcr objectesl, declaring that there was no
| communication between the water passing
his works and the plaintiffs brooks. The
latter, however, though no visible COM
municiaton OF both waters could be asccr-
tained maintained that the communicar
tion was a subterranean one
| This being the state OF affairs, q chemist
happened to visit the scene Of the quarrel,
and having been informed about the
trouble, at once declared that the question
might very easily be settled by a simple OPP
tical test Both parties agreeing to sub
init to his decision as 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
| "fiuoresceine," from the peculiar intense
fuorescent properties Of itself and some OF
Its compounds.
The substance represents q dark red
powder. dssolving In alcohol with a red
dish color having green fiuorescence. Its
compound with sodium Offers this green
iuorescence to AN almost incredible degree
Of intensity; II is perceivable In water con.
tanning one part OF the compound TO TO-
100000 OF water. In its effect upon man
and animals of any kind, however, fiuorcs-
ccine is a perfectly harmless substance
IL was to the optical property OF duores-
ceine that our expert resorted when ono
fine day. provided with n tin box contain
ing two pounds Of sodium compound, he
proceeded to dissolve Il In barrel OF wa
ter, the contents then being poured into
the brook above the factory buildings. No
sooner had the adInixture taken place than
the brook, formerly clear and transparent,
became Opaque. but OF shining green
color. which spread rapidly downward
with the lowing water All the water In
the lower course Of the brook. and even in
some bitches and creeks which had not
been known to communicate with the
brook subjected to the test became green,
and kept this color unto its inflow into the
broad stream about Eve miles away.
The population was astonished and be
came excited, fancying that the water hat
been poisoned. fear which they did no
abandon before having been convinced tina
the water was still drinkable and un
changed In taste and even In color whel
, held against the sun. The green hue WA
| only perceived in the water covering tn
dark background Of the river bed. Peopl
also became easily persuaded that only tn
water In communication with the strean
passing the factory was subject to tn
? change, all the others having remained I
their former condition. including the on
belonging To the suing fishermen. VIII
thereupon gave up the complaint and n
sorted to efficient expedients to provid
fresh trout for their waters.-Popular Sc
I ence News