The Chinese Journal for the History of Science and technology  NO.4 2006 

Peter Pan Tieh Sah’s Early Career in China: 1912—1946

ZHANG Li

（Institute for the History of Natural Science, CAS, Beijing 100010,China）

Abstract Peter Pan Tieh Sah (1900—1987)，organic chemist, physiologist and pharmacologist, was one of the few scientists of the 20th century being known internationally. During his 40 years of research career, scientific papers that he had contributed far exceeded all other Chinese scientists of his day. Moreover, his research was found at the time to be second to none in the eyes of academic world. Among his over 200 treatises published, many were still cited for the past 5 decades, even in the beginning days of this century. Yet till today, works on Dr. Sah or his disquisitions are absent.　

This article, compiled from the archives in Tsing Hua University and National Peking University (during Japanese Occupation), Dr. Sah’s published papers, periodicals of the 1920—40s (Tsing Hua Weekly, Fu Jen Yearbook) and correspondences with Dr. Sah’s nephews, firstly draws a closer picture starting from Dr. Sah’s early studies in Tsing Hua School and University of Wisconsin, his return to China to teach at Tsing Hua University, Fu Jen Catholic University and National Peking University occupied by Japanese, his move to the United States in 1946, and his research and teachings in different periods. The article is meant to supply the missing details in the past about Dr. Sah and also an attempt to break through the conventional writing of study on the biography of scientists in today’s China. It tries to start from social, personal and family to look into decisions that Dr. Sah made during those few critical moments in his life as an initial step to construe the mixed feelings that Dr. Sah had gone through in his character and political belief.

Key words　　 Peter Pan Tieh Sah, biography of scientists

Neptune (Haiwang): A Magazine of the Modern China National Industry Group Yung-Chiu (Yongjiu) and Its Scientific Papers

YE Qing

（Center for Social Studies of Science, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China）

AbstractNeptune (Haiwang) is a magazine issued by Yung-Chiu-Group once every ten days from 1928 to 1949. Yung-Chiu-Group, an industry group of modern China, includes Yungli (Yongli ) Chemical Industry Company, Chiu-ta (Jiuda) Refined Salt Company, Yung-yü (Yongyu) Salt Industry Company and Yellow Sea (Huanghai) Research Institute of Chemical Industry. Based on source material, this paper describes the origination and development of Neptune and shows that the most of the articles in the magazine are about science and technology which were written by a group of great learning and celebrated scholars. Having analyzed the contents of these papers, the author considers that Yung-Chiu-Group advocated science and its application in industry, and that this group adjusted measures to suit local conditions. All of these characteristics distinguish Neptune from the other magazines issued by enterprises of the time.

Key words　　 Neptune (Haiwang), science and technology, Industry Group Yung-Chiu, National Industry, magazines of enterprises, modern China

Researches in the Institute of Radium of National Academy of Peiping

ZHANG Feng， HU Huakai

(Department of Scientific History and Archaeometry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China)

AbstractThe Institute of Radium of National Academy of Peiping was the first institute in the field of radioactivity in China. In 1948, it was reorganized into the first institute of Atomics in China. Making use of historical archives and relevant documents, the authors attempt to narrate the origin of its foundation and evolution, research achievements during different periods, and analyze the contribution of the Institute in the physics of modern China.

Key words　　 National Academy of Peiping, the Institute of Radium, research achievements

Research of Mei Wending’s Commentaries on the Yuanxi Qiqi Tushuo Luzui

TIAN Miao, ZHANG Baichun

(The Partner Group of Max Planck Institute for the History of Science at the CAS Institute for the History of Natural Science, Beijing 100010, China)

Abstract In the Yuanxi Qiqi Tushuo Luzui (Best Illustrations and Descriptions of Extraordinary Devices of the Far West), European mechanical knowledge was transmitted into China systematically, and the book acts as the main source for Chinese scholars’ cognition of European mechanics. Mei wending studied the Qiqi Tushuo, and published at least two books concerning it. On the basis of newly discovered material, a handwriting version of Qiqi Tushuo with Mei’s commentaries, this paper analyzes Mei Wending’s understanding of his learning of European knowledge. It also provides a comparative research on the method of proving mechanical theories given by Mei Wending and Simon Stevin, in order to show the difference in the method of research and knowledge expression between Chinese and European scholars in the 17th century.

Key words　 Mei Wending, Yuanxi Qiqi Tushuo Luzui (Best Illustrations and Descriptions of Extraordinary Devices of the Far West),Simon Stevin

Pao-Lu Hsu：A Pioneer of Chinese Probability Theory and Mathematical Statistics

XU Chuansheng,

( Department of Mathematics, Linyi Teachers’ College, Shandong Linyi 276005；

Centre for the History of Mathematics and Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069，China)

QU Anjing

(Centre for the History of Mathematics and Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069，China)

AbstractAs a pioneer of Chinese probability theory and mathematical statistics, Pao-Lu Hsu was a statistician who was the most creative in the 20th century. The fruits of his research propelled the development of the modern probability theory and mathematical statistics maximaly. His contributions for a few decades exerted exceptional influence on the theory of probability and mathematical statistics in China and the world. Up to now, his thoughts still have far-reaching influence on modern mathematical creativity.

Key words　  Pao-Lu Hsu, probability theory, mathematical statistics, testing hypotheses, multivariate statistical analyses

　  Study on Dr. Tchen-Ngo Liou’s Sino-French Northwest Scientific

Expedition in China

HU Zonggang

(Lushan Botanical Garden, CAS, Lushan, Jiangxi 332900, China)

AbstractBased on available archives, Dr. Tchen-Ngo Liou’s scientific collections with the Sino-French Northwest Scientific Expedition in the 1930s, and his personal collections through northwest and southwest China as well as India are documented and recorded.

Key words　 Sino-French Northwest Scientific Expedition,China, moder, botany Tchen-Ngo Liou

The Founding of Modern Architectural Acoustics China—— A Case Study of Acoustical Problems of the Tsinghua Great Hall

YAO Yaxin，YANG Jian，TIAN Qian

（Tsinghua University，Beijing 100084，China）

AbstractModern architectural acoustics, as a branch of acoustics, was founded by W. C. Sabine in Harvard Universtiy in early 1900s. From the correction & research for acoustical difficulty in Great Hall of Tsinghua University in 1920s to the independent architectural acoustics founded in China in late 1950s, the transplantation of architectural acoustics to China completed. From the angle of scientific sociology, this article narrates the history of how architectural acoustics transplanted to China, analyses different topics of three different phases, and reveals the key role of two generations of scientists represented by Ye Qisun and Ma Dayou. Scientific community and social context influence the logical process of architectural acoustics transplanted to China. From the research subject, researchers, academic environment and academic institutions, Tsinghua University play an original significant role in this process of transplantation.

Key words　　 modern architectural acoustics，Great Hall of Tsinghua University，acoustic difficulty，Ye Qisun，Ma Dayou

Historical Materials from the Heilongjiang Provincial Military Government Archives on Plague Prevention in Northeast Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang Provinces

MA Xuebo

(Department of Medical History, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086,China）

AbstractThere is an official letter from the Foreign Ministry to the Heilongjiang provincial military government in the latest findings of Heilongjiang archives, files of the Heilongjiang provincial military government. The letter records in detail the background of the establishment, the source of funds, and the evolution of China’s first modern epidemic prevention organization, the Plague Prevention Service in Northeast China.

Key wordshistory of plague prevention, Institute of Harbin Plague Prevention, Plague Prevention Service of Northeast China

An Arduous Task of Historical Significance: Review of Guo Shuchun’s Collected Textual Criticism on Jiu Zhang Suan Shu (Supplemented Edition)

ZHOU Hanguang

(Institute for the Study of Ancient Books, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China)

AbstractThis paper is a review for Guo Shuchun’s Collected Textual Criticism on Jiu Zhang Suan Shu (augmented edition). The collation of Jiu Zhang Suan Shu is not only very important but also extremely difficult, which should be called an arduous task of historical significance. Guo Shuchun’s work might be looked upon as the most important and valuable one that comes after Dai Zhen of the Qing Dynasty and Qian Baocong of our era. It can be the best help for reading and researching Jiu Zhang Suan Shu. The book has three main characteristics. First, it makes an overall collection of different editions. Second, Mr. Guo has spared no effort in detailed investigation. Third, it has innovational ideas. There are, however, still some points to be discussed. For instance, with respect to the writing of the Song edition, it is a bit too biased.”

Key wordsGuo Shuchun,Collected Textual Criticism on Jiu Zhang Suan Shun, review