Chemistry in Medicine (Stieglitz, Julius, et al., eds.) - Journal of

Chemistry in Medicine (Stieglitz, Julius, et al., eds.) William McPherson. J. Chem. ... Published online 1 March 1929. Published in print 1 March 1929...
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tion between chemistry and medicine. . . . . Chemistry is the fundamental science of the transformation of matter, and our life, from our inception to our return t o dust, in every breath we draw and in every moment we live, is indissolubly connected Chemistry in Medicine. A co6pperative with most complex transformations of treatise intended to give examples of matter. These take place in our blood, progress made in medicine with the aid in our tissues and our organs. Admittedly of chemistry. Edited by JULIUS the life sciences still know far too little STIEGLITZ, Professor of Chemistry, about these complex hut fundamental University of Chicago, and the following chemical phenomena to make possible that advisory editors: Anton J. Carlson, clear insight into and positive control of Professor of Physiology, University of factors of life and health, which must be Chicago; Reid Hunt, Professor of the basis of a science of medicine. . . . .In Harvard Medical the chapters that follow, the story will be Pharmacology, School; Frank R. Lillie. Professor told of some of the most important sucof Zo6logy, University of Chicago; cesses, already assured, in the combating Lafayette B. Mendel, Professor of of disease and alleviation of suffering Physiological Chemistry, Yale Univer- through this alliance of sciences. . . . . sity; H. Gideon Wells, Professor of Pa- The authors include eminent physicians, thology, University of Chicago. The pathologists, pharmacologists, physioloChemical Foundation, Inc., 85 Beaver gists, and bacteriologists as well as chemSt., New York City. 25 illustrations. ists. . . . .Each story will he told by a 757 pp. 13 X 17 cm. $2.00. xxi specialist in his field and as far as possible in non-technical language that any layman The impetus which led t o the preparacan follow." tion of this hook had its origin some years Here indeed is a rare treat for every inago in the tragic loss of a beloved child, telligent person. Think of what it means Patricia, by Mr. and Mrs. Francis P. Garvan of New York City and the frontis- t o be able t o read such articles as the folpiece is a reproduction of a painting of lowing merely picked a t random from the Patricia. No one can look at the picture hook: "The Significance of Chemistry of this charming little lady without sym- and of Its Methods of Attack on Fundaand mental Problems" by Julius Stieglitz; pathizing with Mr. and Mrs. understanding why they wish t o do some- "The Story of the Discovery of the Vitamins" by E. V. McCollnm and Nina thing in her memory. The title page of Simonds: "The Advance Against Pelthe hook hears this inscription: "This book is dedicated t o the welfare of your lagra" by the late Joseph Goldberger; children and your children's children by its "The Hormones of the Suprarenal Glands" by John J . Ahel and E. M. K. Geiling; authors and publishers." "The Story of Thyroxine" by Edward C. One needs only t o read the names of the editor, the advisory editors, and the Kendall; "Insulin t o the Rescue of the Diabetic" by J. J. R. MacLeod; "Safeauthors t o he assured of the outstanding value of this book. The following quota- Guarding the Water We Drink" by John tions taken from the Foreword tell us F. Norton; "General Anesthesia" by something of what the Chemical Founda- Arno B. Luckhardt; "Chemistrv and High Blood Pressure" by Ralph H. Major; tion had in mind inits publication. "This hook is intended t o present t o the public as "The Germ Theory of Disease" by Sdwin well as t o the practitioners of medicine the 0 . Jordan; "The Hope of the ~ e p e r "by for advance in medical Roger Adams; "Iodine in the Prevention meat ~ossihilities . science through further intensive coepera- and Treatmrnt of Goiter" by David Ma-

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rine; "The Battle against Tuberculosis" by Esmond R. Long. The book contains altogether thirty-nine of dry or articles and there is not a page ~. unimportant reading in all of them. The reader derives special satisfaction from the fact that the story is told in each case by an authority upon the subject. So much is printed nowadays upon such a subject as, for example, "insulin," that one often wonders if what he reads really represents the facts as they are known today; hut in this book one can read with perfect assurance on this point. The reviewer would like t o quote from many of the articles but this is not possible and he can only assure ang one who has not read the hook that a treat is in store for him. Mechanically, the book is a fine specimen of hook-making with flexible back and thin paper. I t must be added that all of the editors as well as all of the authors of the chapters in the hook contributed their services gratuitously. Moreover, the price a t which the book is sold is not more than sufficient t o pay the cost of publication. WILLIAMMCPHERSON

The arrangement of the material under each exercise heading is attractive. The purpose and general character of each experiment is clearly stated in the beginning. Drawings are given in sufficient number and detail to be very helpful. We are glad t o note that working directions are not too frequently interrupted by questions. By numbering the questions that do appear, the correction of student notebooks is simplified. The reviewer noticed no misprints, but may suggest that Exercise 20 is rather an illustration than a proof of the law of multiple proportions. An appendix listing equipment and chemicals, with directions for first aid, should prove very useful. H. G. DEMING A ~ T H UD. R UTTLS. INC. C A M B U o c B . Mnss.

The Collected Works of J. Willard Gibbs. Longmans, Green and Co., New York 438 pp. City, 1928. Vol. J. xxviii 207 pp.: vi 284 pp. Vol. 11. xviii 23 X 15 cm. $6.00 set.

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This first comolete edition of the works of Willard Gihbs will he warmly welcomed TH& OHIOSTATBUNIVERSITY by chemists and physicistSboth as a fitting COLUMBUS, OWLO memorial t o the author and as a most Laboratory Manual, arranged to accom- helpful addition t o current scientific literapany the third edition of "A Course in ture. I t is obviously proper that there General Chemistry." WM. MCPHER- should be a complete edition of the works HENDERSON, AND SON, WM. EDWARD of the man that few would hesitate t o call WM.LLOYD EVANS,Professors of Chem- America's greatest scientist; but it is istry, Ohio State University. Ginnand startling to remark that the practical useCompany, Boston, Mass.. 1928. vii fulness of wch a collection of his papers is 165 pp. 79 figs. 81.20. greater a t present than it has ever been This excellent manual-one of the most before. Today the increasing use of staattractive and carefully prepared of those tistical methods in theoretical chemktry, now available in elementary general chem- and of thermodynamics in applied chemistry is turning chemical thought more than istry-is theresult of many years of experience with large classes a t the Ohio ever before toward those fields that were State University. The 95 exercises cover so clearly mapped in the course of their the usual elementary principles, with ex- first exploration by Gihhs. Those who periments upon the non-metallic and are carrying on his work cannot find any metallic elements. Some new quantita- more inspirational or practical guide than papen. tive experiments are introduced, which his original ~Gibbs' treatise an statistical mechanics. have apparently been very carefully worked out, such as that on the molecular and the first collectionofhis works which included everything except this treatise, formula of steam.

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