Chemistry in the Industries 301
provides complete protection to the eyes and to the respira-
tory organs, against all known chemical warfare agents.
Methods are being worked out for the protection of the body
and suitable material for this purpose has been produced.
In the present war, chemical weapons have as yet played
no important part; but smoke screens and incendiary agents
are being used. Both Great Britain and Germany have made
great efforts for defense against gas attacks, and doubtless
both nations have the means to conduct vigorous offensive
action with chemical agents. Possibly the fact that Germany
is unable to keep her enemies from coming over her country
accounts for her not starting chemical warfare. But it is by
no means certain that chemical warfare will continue to play
a negligible rôle in this conflict.
The nation will emerge from this war with enormous ca-
pacities for making plastics, synthetic fibers, nitrates, hydro-
carbons, high-octane fuels, and many other raw materials on
a scale that only two years ago was beyond our comprehen-
sion. In a world at war the impression is given that all forces
are used solely for destruction. When the war is over, the
new technology will quickly, efficiently, and effectively con-
vert the war effort to peacetime pursuits with amazing
speed. With the tremendous pressure of necessity, commer-
cialization of processes has occurred which would have taken
years under normal conditions to complete.
But now Chemical Industry is fighting for an American
victory and an American peace.
A. J. Hartsook.