BEYOND THE FLYLEAF Chemical Facts and Figures. Annual Statistics of the American Chemical Industry. 1st ed. 219 pages. Manufacturing Chemists' Association of the United States, Woodward Building, Washington, D . C , 1940. Price, 65 cents; west of the Mississippi, 75 cents. WITH t h e publication of Chemical Facts and Figures, another need disappears from the chemical scene. Here under one cover is gathered a factual, comprehensive tabulation of data which will greatly simplify the task of picturing the chemical industry from a detached statistical viewpoint. Information is taken almost solely from government sources, and a multitude of products and manufacturing interests are covered. All tables and data are not complete for 1939 but when such material becomes available a mimeographed supplement will be supplied to those who request it. The varied information included also makes it a pleasant book for idle browsing, even though it is composed almost solely of tables and charts. The growth of the chemical industry is traced, tabularly, from 1849 to the present; one m a y see the incomes, assets, number of employees, and other pertinent information on several of the large companies. Taxes paid by many of the chemical firms are shown, Commercial Solvents paying the astounding figure of $17,247 per employee while the average for 183 companies is $611 per employee. Here also are data showing how research has lowered the price of essential chemical products, ranging from aspirin to vanillin; the accident record, imports, production, and value—in all a book of vital statistics which will give to those who have never had to dig through similar government records a broad statistical view of the chemical industry; for those who have, a ready reference and telephone companion; and for those who must make talk, newly unearthed facts to amaze their audience.
Lacquer and Synthetic Enamel Finishes. Ray C. Martin. 526 pages. D . Van Nostrand Co., Inc., 250 Fourth Ave., New York, N . Y., 1940. Price, $5.50. J. HE title of this primer is somewhat misleading; it might better have been called "Nitrocellulose Lacquers", since it deals almost exclusively with finishes based on nitrocellulose, alone and in combination
with the familiar natural and synthetic fortifying resins. The author, in his efforts to condense a vast amount of technical information into a usable primer or layman's handbook, is guilty of a degree of oversimplification which seriously detracts from the worth of the book. Little really quantitative information is given; certainly not enough to enable the book to be used as an operating or reference manual. There is a marked insufficiency of bibliographic references. The general format and make-up of the book are excellent; the type is-large and easily read; the numerous illustrations are up to date, instructive, and well chosen. In phraseology and grammatical construction, however, there is occasional lack of clarity. Typical is the sentence (p. 27), "This is desirable, as through mechanical (spray-gun) application, fewer coats of permanent film having true solid deposit on the work may be accomplished", and (p. 109), "Satisfied polar non-polar substances possess high electrical moment". Chapter II on cellulose derivatives is predominantly limited to nitrocellulose. The bare mention of cellulose mixed esters of the acetobutyrate and acetopropionate type, and of ethers such as methyl, ethyl, and benzyl cellulose seems unduly restricted. For unknown reasons the author discusses chlorinated rubber (Tornesit) in this chapter, whereas it might logically have been included in Chapter V on resins. Chapters III and IV on solvents and plasticizers are generally adequate; particularly t o be commended is the author's tabulation of qualitative properties under each individual compound. Where reference is made to trade names it might have been well to mention alternative designations. Thus tricresyl phosphate is described as "Lindol A and B". Another well-known manufacturer of plasticizers markets this compound as "Kronitex AA" and this name is not listed. Chapter V on resins is limited to qualitative descriptions only for all of the numerous types except the familiar alkyds. The author describes the manufacturing operations for production of raw materials and cooking procedures for alkyd resins in some detail. The theoretical reaction for polybasic acids and polyhydric alcohols given on page 72 is perhaps naive; recent published studies by Kienle and co-workers would discredit the author's pictured mechanism. On page 79 the statement appears that alkyd
107
resins are thermoplastics; this is not in accord with currently accepted concepts of thermoplasticity and convertibility in resins. An excellent inclusion in this chapter is a summary of commercially available synthetics with the manufacturer's trade name and code designation. Chapter I X on analytical methods and tests is a convenient and useful summary of laboratory procedures frequently encountered in handling nitrocellulose lacquers. Part V, a glossary of terms often encountered in this field, is splendid and deserves special commendation, as does the section in Chapter VII on fire prevention and plant safety methods. As a rather elementary and nontechnical introduction to the field of nitrocellulose lacquer manufacture and application, this book appears to be adequate but hardly outstanding.
G. H. YOUNG
Physical Chemistry of High Polymeric Systems. H. Mark. 345 pages. Interscience Publishers, Inc., 215 Fourth Ave., New York, N. Y., 1940. Price, $6.50. 1 HIS is Volume II of "a series of monographs on the chemistry, physics, and technology of high polymeric substances". In the preface the author states that "while previously in the field of high polymers it was possible to be satisfied with a few, more or less empirical relationships and rules, it appears necessary and possible today to visualize the extension of many of the more exact laws of physical chemistry—and thus to incorporate the chemistry of the high polymers securely in the fundamentals of our science". It is his intention to discuss the "physical and chemical methods which have proved necessary and effective" in the study of high polymers, the conditions under which, and manner by which, the fundamental laws of physical chemistry may be applied, and to "take the reader shortly through those parts of general and physical chemistry particularly necessary to a study of the high polymers". The major part of this book is a concise, critical review of the experimental methods and theory pertaining to the structure and behavior of molecules and to the interrelated forces between atoms and molecules. This discussion is amply illustrated by references, tables of data and figureSj and no opportunity is lost in pointing out the particular significance of any part to the study of polymeric substances. Particular emphasis is placed
NEWS
108
Welding Metallurgy. Volumes I and II. O. H. Henry and G. E. Cl-aussen. 359 pages, illustrated. American Welding Society, 3 3 West 39th St., New York, N . Y., 1940. Price, $1.50.
upon x-ray and cathode ray interferometry. The remainder of the book deals more intensively with the peculiar properties of high polymers, and these properties are discussed in the light of what has gone before and of contemporary theory. The book is certainly not an undergraduate text nor is it a mere compilation of data and references. It will serve as an excellent reference book for any physical chemist who wishes to investigate polymer chemistry. I t should be required reading for anyone who seriously considers active participation in the development of this new branch of chemistry. Technical men with no training in theoretical chemistry will find little of interest, but those who have the required background will do well to review their knowledge in the light of the views expressed in this book. The binding and printing are good. More care might be taken in the make-up of future books, particularly the location of tables and figures in reference to the descriptive text, and redrawing of some of the figures to conform with American practice would have improved the appearance. WINTON
I / H E New York Section of the American Welding Society sponsored a series of lectures to familiarize members of the welding industry with the composition and structures of the metals commonly used, to show the effect of varied conditions of heat and stress in welding, to explain heat treatment, and to illustrate how the knowledge of metallurgy can be used to control the welding processes. These lectures are reproduced in this book. Volume I consists of the first series of 10 lectures given by the New York Section in cooperation with the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn in 1939. Volume II includes the series of lectures given in 1940. Volume I consists of Temperature Changes during Welding, Types of Steels and Their Manufacture, Crystals, How Crystals Grow from Other Crystals, Why Crystals Are Strong, The Weld Melt (Pure Iron), The Weld Melt (Steel), The Iron-Iron Carbide Equilibrium Diagram, Difficulties, T h e Solid Weld, Rate of Cooling, Alloy Steels, Metallurgical Constants. Volume II covers H e a t and Time in Welding, The Weld during Cooling, Brittleness and Cracking, Shrinkage,
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Chrome Ore and Chromium. Reports on the Mineral Industry of the British Empire and Foreign Countries. Robert Allen and G. E. Howling. 118 pages. Imperial Institute, Mineral Resources Department, South Kensington, S. W. 7, London, England. Price, 2s. 6d. net, postage 4d. . D U R I N G the period between 1918 and 1939 output of chrome ore increased from less than a quarter million tons a year to more than a million. This monograph presents facts concerning chrome ore and chromium as they were at the outbreak of war in September, 1939. There is a brief discussion of the ore, its mining, dressing, and uses, followed by some reference t o marketing, prices, and world production, with accompanying tables of statistics. The main portion of the monograph gives details on the occurrence of chrome ore throughout the world. N o less than 43 countries are included, with data on location of deposits, grade of ore—giving tables of analysis in some cases—and some mention of imports and exports. The book concludes with a lengthy list of literature references, and for those directly or indirectly concerned with chrome ore production and use the report as a whole should prove of interest and value. CONTINUED ON PAGE 1 1 0
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January 25, 1941
E D I T I O N
109
PHOTODYNAMIC ACTION A N D DISEASES CAUSED BY LIGHT by Harold Francis Blum, Ph.D. Research Fellow, National Cancer Institute. National Institute of Health, U. S. Public Service.
A. C. S. Monograph No. 85 T h e vast extent of the research on both photodynamic action and diseases caused by light is not generally realized, and this is the first effort to systematize and correlate the findings of scores of investigators in this important field. As a necessary introduction the elementary principles of t h e physics of radiation, and of photochemistry are explained in detail. This is done with the needs of t h e biologist and medical scientist specifically in mind, and will be particularly valuable to those who are encountering the quantum aspects of radiation for the first time. The general nature of photobiological effects is also reviewed for the benefit of those unfamiliar with this field. A large part of the volume is devoted to diseases caused by light in man and in domestic animals. Considerable space is given to the action of sunlight on normal skin. Physicians will find here an authoritative account of a group of skin diseases which are often wrongly grouped together as a single entity, but which have very different etiologies. Of general interest are the accounts of the relationship or sunlight to skin cancer, photosensitization by drugs, sunburn, and others. Photosensitization by cosmetics, by plants and by certain substances employed in industry will be o f particular interest to those having to do with such materials. Veterinarians and those concerned with animal husbandry will find discussed, not only t h e familiar buckwheat poisoning, but less well known, though economically important, photosensitivities of domestic animals. T h e book is carefully documented, and has a bibliography of approximately one thousand references.
310 Pages
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What are the
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by Walter H. Eddy Professor of Physiological Chemistry: Teachers* College, Columbia University Director: Good Housekeeping Institute, New York, N. Y, WHAT ARE THE VITAMINS? Origin o f the Name — Vitamins Arc Organic Chemical Compounds — Kinds of Vitamins — Availability and Potency — Therapeutic Sources — Tables of Vitamin Potency and Unit Equivalcnts — Bibliography WHAT DO THE VITAMINS DO? Vitamins and Enzymes— Cell Respiration —- Methods of Oxidation—Hydrogen Carriers — Coenzymes — Cytochromes— Phosphorylation — Carboxylases — Bibliography PROPERTIES OF VITAMINS A Relation to Eye Function — Metaplasia and Its Consequences — Vitamin A and the Blood System — Diagnosis of Vitamin A Deficiency — Bibliography PROPERTIES OF VITAMIN Bi (THIAMINE) ThcPart of Vitamin Bi in Carbohydrate Metabolism—Hypoacidity —Peptic Ulcers — Constipation — Vitamin Bi and the Nervous System - Vitamin Bx and Heart Effects — Vitamm Bi and the Endocrine Glands - - Vitamin Bi and Alcoholism — Diagnostic Methods — Bibliography
THE FUNCTIONS OF OTHER MEMBERS OF THE B COMPLEX Vitamin B3 — Vitamin B4 — Vitamin B5 — Filtrate Factor (Pantothenic Acid) — Vitamin B7 or I — Vitamin H (Biotin) — Vitamin J — Anti-Gray Hair Factor — Other Watersoluble Vitamins — Grass-juice Factor — Bibliography THE FUNCTIONS OF VITAMIN C Scurvy — Modification of Intercellular Substances — Scorbutic Bleeding — Scorbutic Bone Changes — Teeth — Pigmentation — Indications of Vitamin C Deficiency — Blood Changes -—• Vitamin C and Immunology — Other Correlations of Vitamin C Deficiency and Pathology— Vitamin CfjRcquircment — Bibliography THE FUNCTIONS OF VITAMIN P ^HE FUNCTIONS OF VITAMIN D Vitamin D and Rickets — Rickets and Mineral Metabolism _ W h c r c D o e s Vitamin D Function?— Vitamin D and Skin Lesions — Arthritis — Relation of Vitamin D to Ultraviolet Light — Vitamin D Requirements — Bibliography
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t i o n - C y t o f l a v - Q u a n t i t a t i v e Needs for R i b o f l a v i n Other Uses of Riboflavin — Bibliography THE FUNCTIONS OF NICOTINIC ACID (VITAMIN P-P) Nicotinic Acid Therapy — How Docs Nicotinic Acid Function? — Pellagra A Complex — Bibliography. THE FUNCTIONS OF VITAMIN B«
THE FUNCTIONS OF VITAMIN K Phothrombm and Blood Coagulation — Bibliography Appendix A. CHEMICAL NATURE OF THE VITAMINS. Structural Formulas and Properties Appendix B. TABLE OF VITAMIN VALUES IN FOODSTUFFS — AUTHOR AND SUBJECT INDEXES
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110 B e y o n d the Flyleaf CONTINUED FROM PAGE 108
Minerals Yearbook. U. S. Bureau of Mines. 1514 pages. Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D . C , 1940. Price, S2.00 (cloth). T H I S 1940 edition consists of reviews, summaries, and statistics of the mineral industries for 1939. It contains a wealth of data concerning production, prices, consumption, and reserve stocks of all metallic and nonmetallic minerals and mineral products, as well as reviews of technological progress and foreign trade. More important than ever is the infor mation with respect to the status of those strategic minerals and related commodities which are of vital necessity for industrial and national preparedness. Because of wartime restrictions by a majority of European countries on information re garding the details of imports and exports of mineral commodities, as well as pro duction data, n o chapter on world mineral production and trade appears in this volume. All data are final except those for bi tuminous coal, petroleum, natural gas, and natural gasoline. As usual, the vol ume is replete with statistical graphs, dia grams, and tables. The Minerals Yearbook represents the best buy of the year for those interested in any of the minerals or mineral products, their economic trends and technological progress. A. W.
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