analytical chemistry – Quillets and Quackery

Chemistry, Medicine, and the Legitimization of English Spas, 1740-1840

March 6, 2018

Christopher Hamlin, “Chemistry, Medicine, and the Legitimization of English Spas, 1740-1840,” Medical History, Supplement No. 10 (1990): 67-81. Hamlin, much like he does in A Science of Impurity, discusses the role of chemistry in the legitimization of health spas. He argues that their domination of the conversation was not due to any sort of revolution … More Chemistry, Medicine, and the Legitimization of English Spas, 1740-1840

“The Most Difficult Part of Chemistry”

March 5, 2018

Noel G. Coley, “Physicians, Chemists and the Analysis of Mineral Waters: ‘The Most Difficult Part of Chemistry,’” Medical History, Supplement no. 10 (1990): 56-66. Coley approaches the historical practice of analyzing mineral waters as someone interested in the development and refinement of analytical chemistry techniques. This isn’t particularly useful for my research, but her work does provide … More “The Most Difficult Part of Chemistry”

From medical chemistry to biochemistry

March 5, 2018

Robert E. Kohler, From medical chemistry to biochemistry (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1982). “European ideals and American realities, 1870-1900” Many early American chemists trained in Germany, and as a result, “American biochemical institutions between 1875 and 1900 strongly resembled German institutions.” (95)

Juan H. Wright, Analytical Chemist

February 12, 2018

E. H. S. Bailey, “Vol VII. Special Report on Mineral Waters,” in The University Geological Survey of Kansas (Topeka: W. Y. Morgan, 1902). Analysis of Arlington Springs, KS, no. 1-3, divided into ions and hypothetically combined (277-279) Analysis of Wetmore mineral springs, KS, divided into ions and hypothetically combined (300) Chapter VI: Methods of Analysis, of Calculation, … More Juan H. Wright, Analytical Chemist

A Science of Impurity

January 21, 2018

Christopher Hamlin, A Science of Impurity: Water Analysis in Nineteenth Century Britain (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1990). In a case study of the political, social, cultural, and newly scientific conversation surrounding concerns about water quality in 19th century England, Christopher Hamlin shows that through the powerful claim at absolute, unbiased, and natural knowledge, science (especially chemistry) … More A Science of Impurity