Chemistry for t h e Health Sciences, Slxth Edltlon George I. Sackhelm and Dennls 0.L& man. Macmillan: New York, NY, 1990. x 726 pp. Figs. and tables. 20.3 X 25.7 cm.
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In the Preface, the authorsstate that this textbook "is designed primarily for firstyear students in various health-related programs-nursing, dietetics, laboratory teehnology, inhalation therapy, medical assisting, dental technology, and so on. Emphasis is placed on practical aspects of inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry. Theoretic topics are dealt with only as an aid to understanding bodily processes in the human." This last statement and one interpretation of "practical" may help explain some apparent weaknesses. Like Gaul, the text is divided into three parts, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Biochemistry. One gets the impression that the first two parts, which comprise about half of the running teat, are there only because they have to be there before the third can be introduced. A student who has had a decent college preparatory high school chemistry course will have been exposed to a more rigorous presentation than is offered in the "Inorganic Chemistry" part. There is little emnhasis here. and elsewhere. an develo~ine reasoning, predictive or pnhlem-solving skills. Concepts are presented pretty much as conclusions without much suggesting how they might have been developed or how a thinking person might be able to rationalize them. E&ctronie energy levels are suddenly presented, probably to be memorized. A student will have little feeling regarding geometries or how they may arise. Where problems are offered, the approach is pretty much, this is how to do it. A student will not find much to aid in developing a feeling for significant figures or concepts related to them since accepted behavior toward figures is violated in the text. There are many sloppy or inaccurate offerings. On page 23 we learn of the existence of metals and nonmetals but are left unaware of those on the harderline. Oxidation numbers are used for single element and for polyatomic ions (the oxidation number of the sulfate ion is -2). Page 96 carries the statement that "Atomic weights are usually rounded off to the nearest whole number." Unfortunately these are only a small sampling from the list of troubling points made while reviewing the book. Many readers may find that some topics which they want to present are missing or slighted.
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-Reviewed
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The organic chemistry part of this book is the shortest of the three. Students are introduced to some of the various classes of organic compounds. Chapters following "Introduction to Organic Chemistry" are entitled L'Hydrocarbons," "Alcohols a n d Ethers," "Other Organic Compounds," "Aromatic Compounds" and "Heterocyclic Comnounds." Aldehvdes. ketones. hemiscetals A d hemiketals,acids, esters (including phosphate esters), amines, amino acids, and amide are among the "Other Organic Compounds." The functional groups and a little of their chemistry is presented. Nomenclature, including IUPAC, is presented. There are some interesting and useful references to some relationships to some compounds of medicinal and biological interest. About half of the text is devoted to Part 111,"Biochemistry." The preface states that the chapters on "Immunology" and Clinical Chemistry are new to this edition and lists many topics introduced or given expanded treatment. There is a tremendous amount of information in this part. Chapter titles are, Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, Enzymes, Digestion, Metabolism of Carbohydrates, Metabolism of Fats, Metabolism of Proteins, Body Fluids: Urine, Body Fluids: The Blood, Immunology, Vitamins, Hormones, Heredity, and Clinical Chemistry. A large number of reaction sequences are presented. The sequences and the chemistry, in general, are merely presented as interesting facts. There is a considerable effort to relate diseases and ailments to the biochemistry involved. I learned some interesting things as I read this part. There is much more material thanstudents may retain for lung, but thry may find rhia mawrial usrful later on if they refer hack tait. Whlle.1 would ~ r r f r r t o see-less material covered at a mor; fundamental level, this is the best part of the hook. The authors have furnished a useful g l w w r y at the end of the book. Student- may find i t useful. indeed necessary tu consult it when some terms come up for the first time. I referred to it often as I read the teat to see how terms were defined. Occasionally, I was disappointed when the term was not there, hut more often I was pleased. A set of questions and problems follows each chapter. Answers are given to the odd numbered ones. Oneof theadditions to this edition is a
short practice test following the study questions. They are all simple multiple choice questions. Their nature reinforces my impression gained from the general approach of the book that students will expect to put mast of their energies in memorization rather than understanding. I t is my opinion and experience that while time limitations imposed by a standard four-year undergraduate experience have lead to the common scceptance of the kind of course for which this book is designed, it is nearly impossihle to accomplish that which should be done in the limited time available. Teachers, closely tied to this book would, indeed, fall short of what ought to he. There is very little to give the students a feeline for chemistw as an expermental science: developed and still developmg hy real people who arr guided by reason, theory and intuition. The impact of chemistry (and other sciences and technology, except for health-related examples) is unnoted. The development of problem-solving and reasoning abilities of students is largely untouched. In short, this does not treat chemistw as a liberal art but mav suflice in giving ~ t u d e n t sa utilitarian exposure to some chemically related vocabulary and a survey of hegmnmg biochemistry. Albert W. J a c h e Marqueue University Milwaukee. WI 53233
Contrasts In Sclentlflc Style. Reaearch Groups in t h e Chemlcal a n d Biochernlcal Xlences Joseph S. Fruton, Eugene Hlgglns Professor Emeritus of Blochemlstry and Professor Emeritus of the History of Medlclne, Yale University. New Haven. CT. Amerlcan Philosophical Society, Independence Square. Philadelphia. PA. 1990. ix 473 pp. 18.7 X 26 cm. $40.00.
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In Contrasts in Scientific Style, Fmton examines how some prominent leaders of the larger research groups in chemical or biochemical sciences in 19th century Germany were able to develop research programs and influence through their students (Continued on page ,4232)
in This Issue
George I. Sackheim and Dennis D. Lehman, Chemistry for the Health Sciences Joseph H. Furton, Contrasts In Scientific Style: Research Groups in the Chemical and Biological Sciences E, Brian Smith, Basic Chemical Thermodynamics. Fourth Edition M. A. Armour, Hazardous Laboratory Chemicals Disposal Guide NlOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards Monographs New Volumes in Continuing Serles
Reviewer Albert W. J a c h e
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Ram K. Sharma
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Carl W. David Malcolm M. Renfrew
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Malcolm M. Renfrew
Volume 66
Number 9
September 1991
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