page_title: Johnston Laboratories
section_title: Laboratory of Bio-Chemistry
hierarchical_section_title: Johnston Laboratories / Original facilities / Laboratory of Bio-Chemistry
caption_attribution_description: Black-and-white photograph of the Bio-Chemistry Laboratory of Johnston Laboratories at the University of Liverpool, Liverpool, England, in the United Kingdom. This photograph dates from the formal opening of the laboratories in 1903. "The Bio-Chemical Laboratory occupies the entire top floor, and consists of four rooms fitted up solely for research work upon chemical problems connected with the various departments of biological science. The principal room is 60 feet long and 30 feet wide, and is well lighted by ten large windows, 12 feet by 9 feet, the small remaining wall space being faced with white-glazed tiles, a wall cupboard being fixed to each pier to hold stock reagents and standard solutions. A complete belt of benches runs round the walls, and the middle of the room is practically divided into four working compartments by two large H-shaped benches, having an outside measurement of 22 feet by 16 feet. By this arrangement the laboratory is divided into bays in which investigators can work surrounded on all sides by working benches. The floor of the rooms and the tops of the benches are constructed of polished lito-silo, a material which lends itself well to such purposes on account of its resiliency, warmth, and non-absorbent properties. Drawers and presses are fitted underneath the benches for the storage of materials and apparatus, a free space being, however, left in the middle of each working space for convenience in sitting. Two large fume chambers, 9 feet by 3 feet, are built into the central benches, one at each end of the room, and contain six gas jets, regulated from outside, so that the fittings cannot be attacked by the fumes. Sinks are arranged in the wall benches opposite each pier, and each of the large central benches is provided with eight sinks. In addition, there are two large sinks placed one at either end of the room for washing glass apparatus. Steam is provided by a main pipe carried up the track of the lift and conducted along the wall on one side ot the room for a distance of 1 8 feet, distribution taps with screw-down valves being provided at intervals of 3 feet for the attachment of steam baths and other heating appliances. The steam supply is also made use of for the production of distilled water by means of a suitable apparatus. Opening from the south end of the large room is the Professor's Research Room, measuring 20 feet by 16 feet, provided with working bench, fume chamber, and cupboards. To the east of this room, and communicating both with it and with the large room, is the Balance Room, provided with slate slabs for the support of the balances, let into the wall to ensure greater steadiness. The walls of this room are lined with bookcases, and there are wr1ting tables under the windows. The fourth room, situated on the west side of the Professor's room is designed as a working library for the use of workers in the laboratory, and is fitted up with bookcases and a writing table."
context_page_description: The Johnston Laboratories at the University of Liverpool in Liverpool, England, performed a variety of pathology and medical research during the 20th century. They are now located in the Johnston Building. The Laboratories were founded by early University benefactor and ship owner William Johnston and formally opened on 9 May 1903. Research activities of the Laboratories were documented in the Thompson Yates and Johnston Laboratories Report by the University of Liverpool Press. During the 1900s and 1910s the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine was partly housed in the laboratories.
context_section_description: The Bio-Chemical Laboratory occupies the entire top floor, and consists of four rooms fitted up solely for research work upon chemical problems connected with the various departments of biological science.
  The principal room is 60 feet long and 30 feet wide, and is well lighted by ten large windows, 12 feet by 9 feet, the small remaining wall space being faced with white-glazed tiles, a wall cupboard being fixed to each pier to hold stock reagents and standard solutions. A complete belt of benches runs round the walls, and the middle of the room is practically divided into four working compartments by two large H-shaped benches, having an outside measurement of 22 feet by 16 feet. By this arrangement the laboratory is divided into bays in which investigators can work surrounded on all sides by working benches. The floor of the rooms and the tops of the benches are constructed of polished lito-silo, a material which lends itself well to such purposes on account of its resiliency, warmth, and non-absorbent properties. Drawers and presses are fitted underneath the benches for the storage of materials and apparatus, a free space being, however, left in the middle of each working space for convenience in sitting. Two large fume chambers, 9 feet by 3 feet, are built into the central benches, one at each end of the room, and contain six gas jets, regulated from outside, so that the fittings cannot be attacked by the fumes. Sinks are arranged in the wall benches opposite each pier, and each of the large central benches is provided with eight sinks. In addition, there are two large sinks placed one at either end of the room for washing glass apparatus. Steam is provided by a main pipe carried up the track of the lift and conducted along the wall on one side of the room for a distance of 1 8 feet, distribution taps with screw-down valves being provided at intervals of 3 feet for the attachment of steam baths and other heating appliances. The steam supply is also made use of for the production of distilled water by means of a suitable apparatus.
  Opening from the south end of the large room is the Professor's Research Room, measuring 20 feet by 16 feet, provided with working bench, fume chamber, and cupboards.
  To the east of this room, and communicating both with it and with the large room, is the Balance Room, provided with slate slabs for the support of the balances, let into the wall to ensure greater steadiness. The walls of this room are lined with bookcases, and there are wr1ting tables under the windows.
  The fourth room, situated on the west side of the Professor's room is designed as a working library for the use of workers in the laboratory, and is fitted up with bookcases and a writing table.
  The whole laboratory is admirably lighted by large windows, and is fitted with the electric light. It is warmed by hot water, and ventilated by the upper parts of the windows and by extraction shafts arranged down the centre.
  
  This is the first laboratory that has been constructed in Great Britain solely for carrying out research work in bio-chemistry.
  —  , The Opening of the Johnston Laboratories
caption: Laboratory of Bio-Chemistry
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