Abstract
REPORTING on the work of the Government Laboratory for the year ending March 31, 1939, the Government Chemist, Dr. J. J. Fox, surveys the scientific work which is carried on at the laboratory in Clement's Inn Passage, at the Custom House, London, at the chemical stations at certain seaports, at the Geological Survey Museum, at the Office of Works Stores, and at the War Office Supply Reserve Depot, Deptford. Substantially more than half a million examples were dealt with, although the number was about seven thousand less than in the preceding year. As is well known, these samples are drawn from an extremely wide range of products; foodstuffs and medicinal substances are tested for purity and for conformity with specification, beverages, oils, etc., are assessed for duty, metals, coal, rubber, cement and many other materials purchased by Government Departments are submitted to examination, and expert assistance is rendered in the detection of fraud. In addition, the Government Laboratory makes a very substantial direct addition to chemical science as a result of the many investigations which its normal work necessitates, of its participation in international oceanic research, of the pure research work which is constantly in hand, and of the personal contributions of members of the staff to the deliberations of various councils and committees which deal with scientific and industrial problems.
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The Government Laboratory. Nature 144, 663 (1939). https://doi.org/10.1038/144663b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/144663b0