Abstract
MANY who, like myself, are privately engaged in biological research, will feel grateful to Sir William Ramsay for having directed attention to the difficulties which are unreasonably put in their way in regard to the supply of alcohol. May I take this opportunity of adding that, for those not connected with some university or museum, the only methylated spirit obtainable is adulterated to make it undrinkable, which also makes it absolutely useless for the operations of the biologist, who is thus driven to incur great expense in the purchase of alcohol. Some time ago I applied to the excise officers here for a licence to be supplied with methylated spirit for use in research work, and I offered to enter into any bond and to comply with any regulations they liked to impose to ensure its safe custody and honest use. After a correspondence extending over nearly three months, this licence was refused. I hope that Sir William Ramsay's letter may receive attention in the proper quarters, and that reasonable facilities may be given for the supply of both alcohol and methylated spirit for the purposes of research.
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WATSON, A. A Penalty on Research. Nature 94, 700 (1915). https://doi.org/10.1038/094700a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/094700a0
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