The Chinese Journal for the History of Science and technology  NO.2 2006 

The Constitution of the Chemistry Institute of Academia Sinica: an Attempt at the Institutionalization and Professionalization of Chemical Research in Republican China, 1927—1937

YUAN Zhendong

(Chemistry Department of Anyang Teachers College,Henan Anyang 45500,

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

Abstract In 1927, after the triumph of Northern Expedition, the Nationalist Government was founded in Nanjing. Adopting the proposal of Li Shizeng, Cai Yuanpei and others, the nationalists created a national academy, National Central Research Academy, or Academia Sinica, which was devoted to scientific research in Nanking. Under the academy were nine initial research institutes — for physics, chemistry, engineering, geology, astronomy, meteorology, psychology, history & philology and social sciences. The institutes of physics, chemistry and engineering were located in Shanghai, near the only reliable supply of electricity, gas, and water and near those industries that could most profit from their work. The chemistry institute was an important center for chemical research, which belonged to the government. Its establishment was a sign of the institutionalization and professionalization of chemical research in China. Before the War of Resistance Against Japan, the chemistry institute had made great strides in its constitution under support of the government. On the one hand, the chemistry institute purchased a lot of fixed assets — land, buildings, books, and equipment to provide the infrastructure for what was viewed as a long-range undertaking and its fixed assets had attained the highest level in China that was sufficient for their research work. On the other hand, the chemistry institute recruited many researchers with high quality. All had studied abroad: most of them in the United States, the rest divided between Europe and Japan. The majority of researchers had advanced degrees, doctorate or master, and postgraduate experience. The researchers were not only committed to research but also had a try to bring up graduate students so as to turn the chemistry institute into a perfect research system. As professionals of the government, the researchers and their knowledge had power granted by the state so that they could get high salary and social status. However, although their researches had been professionalized, that is to say, they worked for the government, but the government did not interfere with their researches. They could choose chemical problems (pure or applied) freely before 1937. On all accounts, the chemistry institute paid equal attention to both pure and applied chemistry with considerable success between 1927 and 1937. As most papers of its members’ was published in foreign journals, such as Journal of the American Chemical Society, Berichte der Deutschen Chemischen Gesellschaft etc., the chemistry institute won recognition in the international chemical community.

Key words 

Academia Sinica, Institute of Chemistry, chemical research, institutionalization, professionalization

The Evolution of Editions of Yuanxi Qiqi Tushuo Luzui (A Record of the Best Illustrations and Descriptions of Extraordinary Devices of the Far West) and Xinzhi Zhuqi Tushuo (Illustration and Descriptions of Several Newly-built Devices)

ZHANG Baichun，　  TIAN Miao，

(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)

LIU Qiang

(Institute for the History of Science and Technology and Ancient Texts, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084,China)

Abstract The authors of this article investigated more than 20 editions of Johann’s Terrenz and Wang Zheng’s Yuanxi Qiqi Tushuo Luzui (A Record of the Best Illustrations and Descriptions of Extraordinary Devices of the Far West) and Wang Zheng’s Xinzhi Zhuqi Tushuo (Illustrations and Descriptions of Several Newly-built Devices), compared the formats, illustrations, descriptions and collation of any edition with those of others, ultimately clearified the evolvement of the editions of these two books in history. For example, they drew the conclusions: in 1628, Wu Weizhong first had Yuanxi Qiqi Tushuo Luzui and Xinzhi Zhuqi Tushuo block-printed together in Yangzhou, of which the former was accomplished in 1627, the latter was written in 1626. After that, Wang Yingkui made a copy of Wu Weizhong’s wood block for printing the two books. On the basis of Wang Yingkui’s wood block, Wu made the two books reprinted in 1631. Based on these three editions, new editions of the two books were shaped by the authors of such books as Gujin Tushu Jicheng (1728), Siku Quanshu (1781—1782), Shoushange Congshu (1844) and the owner of Lailutang. In addition, some hand-copied editions, including one commented on by Mei Wending in 1686, came into being. Shoushange Congshu and Gujin Tushu Jicheng were copied over and over again by some publishers so that the Yuanxi Qiqi Tushuo Luzui and Xinzhi Zhuqi Tushuo were widely circulated in the 19th and 20th century China. The publishers and compilers of new editions of the books selected and changed the contents of them because of their interests in the Western knowledge about mechanics and machines. The majority of errors in the first edition were repeated by the following editions. Some revisers improved contents or caused new misunderstanding. All the editions played a role in the acceptance and transmission of western scientific knowledge in China, especially before the 20th century.

Key words　 Yuanxi Qiqi Tushuo Luzui (A Record of the Best Illustrations and Descriptions of Extraordinary Devices of the Far West), Xinzhi Zhuqi Tushuo (Illustrations and Descriptions of Several Newly-built Devices), Editions, Transmission

As Regards the Founding and Significance of the Central Committee for

the Preservation of Antiquities in the Early 20th Century

LUO Guihuan

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

Abstract In 1928, for checking the random investigations conducted by foreign countries in China, preserving cultural relics and scientific specimens, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of the nation, and propelled by the academic circles, the government founded the administrative institution of the Central Committee for the Preservation of Antiquities on the basis of the nongovernmental organization of the Chinese Association of Learned Organizations. This event is a symbol of the forging ahead of the protection of academic material, especially cultural relics towards gradual institutionalization. Though restricted by various factors, the above committee had done its best in confining the unbridled investigations of Westerners in China and in protecting academic research material.

Key words the Central Committee for the Preservation of Antiquities, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of the nation, investigation

Notes on Emendatory Text of Siyuan Yujian

LI Zhaohua

(School of Mathematics, Tianjin Normal University,Tianjin 300074, China)

Abstract Zhu Shijie’s Siyuan Yujian (Reflections on Mathematics up to Four Variables, 1303 ) is one of the masterpieces on traditional mathematics in China. Mathematicians Shen Qinpei, Luo Shilin (1789—1853) and Dai Xu (1805—1860) supplied detailed problem-solving procedure for Zhu’s work respectively,in which Luo’s work Siyuan Yujian Xicao(Detailed Problem-Solving Procedure for Siyuan Yujian, 1835 ) was an influential one. Based on Zhu’s text recorded in Luo’s work, this paper points out that in Zhu’s text there are eleven problems that need to be emended. In the paper, by consulting Shen’s work and Dai’s work, emendations for the text are given, including some new suggestions for five problems appearing in Vol. 3, Chap. 6.

Key words Siyuan Yujian (Reflections on Mathematics up to Four Variables),Shen Qinpei,Luo Shilin, Dai Xu, emendatory

A Supplementary Study on Some Historical Facts About the Institute of Geology

　  SONG Guangbo

(Institute of Modern History, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing 100006, China)

Abstract Basing on substantial historical materials discovered from Goverment Bulletin etc. and focusing on Ding Wenjiang, Zhang Hongzhao, Zhang Yi’ou, Weng Wenhao and the students graduated from the Instituted of Geology, this paper examines the historical facts of the institute, and clarifies some vague statements.

Key words Institute of Geology, historical facts

A Review of Huang Youli’s History of Chinese Diagnosis Methods Through Observation

GUAN Zengjian

 (Department of History of Science and Philosophy of Science, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200030，China)

Abstract This paper gives a brief review of Huang Youli’s work History of Chinese Diagnosis Methods Through Observation. It points out that his work not only divides the whole historical process of traditional Chinese diagnosis methods through observation into 5 stages and provides detailed description of them, but also studies some of their main methods such as diagnosis through observation of ear, tongue, and eye. The author mentions lots of important discoveries in his work. On the basis of paying great attention to the clinical test and verification of ancient Chinese diagnosis methods through observation, he advances the theory of traditional diagnosis.

Key words History of Chinese Diagnosis Methods Thorough Observation, book review, history of Chinese medicine, diagnosis through observation

Patriarchal Significance in the History of Chinese Medicine and Technology: A Review of The Ancient Chinese Science and Technology in Gender Perspective

XU Zhu

(Center of STS, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, China)

Abstract With an introduction to the historical research of ancient Chinese gynaecology and technology by Charlotte Furth and Francesca Bray, The Ancient Chinese Science and Technology in Gender Perspective, a new monograph by Liu Bing and Zhang Meifang, explicates the meaning of the feminist historiography of science for the research of ancient Chinese science and technology. The patriarchal significance, which is in the practices of Chinese gynaecology and everyday technology, has been brought out respectively by Furth’s research about the development of Chinese gynaecology in Song and Ming Dynasties, and by Bray’s historical study about technology of house-building, spinning & weaving and birth-control. The monograph also exhibits some connections between gender perspective and those anthropological, anti-Whiggish and post-colonist perspectives. However, it is the difference in outlook of science and technology that determines the essential distinction between feminist and positive historiography.

 Key words The Ancient Chinese Science and Technology in Gender Perspective, the feminist historiography of science, Charlotte Furth, Francesca Bray