Abstract
FEW, apart from those who study the annual report of the Government Chemist, are well acquainted with the character and volume of the work which is carried out at the Government Laboratory. A detailed and illustrated account of the activities of this laboratory has recently been published in the Chemist and Druggist; since much of the information which relates to processes and figures has been supplied to the author, the article can be accepted as an accurate and fully informed review. Tho Department of the Government Chemist, in its capacity of a protector of the revenue, undertakes the routine analysis of large numbers of samples of dutiable goods, handling, for example, some 5,000 samples of tobacco every week. As a public servant assisting in suppressing adulteration, it acts as a referee when reports of public analysts are challenged. The samples concerned have frequently undergone changes by the time they reach the laboratory—this applies particularly to samples of milk—so that the necessary analytical procedure is much more elaborate than normally. Such considerations involve a good deal of research, leading to the working out of satisfactory analytical methods. Another function of the Department is that of acting as an adviser to the State on chemical matters, of taking part in international studies on the mass-movement of tho sea from place to place, and of examining samples submitted by other Government departments. In addition to the principal laboratory at Clement's Inn Passage, other laboratories under the control of Sir Robert Robertson are the Custom Houso laboratory, and laboratories at the Geological Survey, at the Army Supply Depot at Deptford, at Park Royal, and at five seaports. Tho public thinks of these laboratories as places where a great deal of ‘testing’ is carried out; chemists, however, know that in addition they house a vigorous research organisation, only part of the work of which can, in the public interest, be published in the scientific journals as notable contributions to the common stock of chemical knowledge.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
The Government Laboratory. Nature 136, 215–216 (1935). https://doi.org/10.1038/136215c0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/136215c0