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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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
A232 A232 A232 A235 A235
Malcolm M. Renfrew
Volume 66
Number 9
September 1991
A231
REVIEWS and research associates the later development of chemical and biochemical sciences, university education, and academic and industrial research. These research groups o p erated at universities or institutes and were composed mostly of predoctoral students, past-doctoral associates, junior faculty members, and technical assistants. The groups provided an avenue for intellectual and social interaction and, for junior members of the group, an opportunity to acquire laboratory skills, practical and theoretical knowledge and perhaps a testing ground for new idem and theories, generated on the basis of experimental results, discussions with fellow workers or inspired intuition, before they were proposed to the scientific community a t Large. After the first chapter whicb describes the scope of the book, research groups of Liebig, HoppeSeyler, Kiihne, Bseyer, E. Fischer and Hofmeister are examined. The b w k traces their scientific careers, the type of research conducted a t each stage, the arrival and association with (later to be) wellknown eo-workers or students, and excerpts from personal memoirs, memorial lectures or from letters of research asaociates. Information about the composition of each research group, in narrative and tabular form, the subsequent activities of some of the members as they rose through their profession is given, and the effect these members had an the later development of organic and biochemical sciences is discussed. The symbiotic relationship between these groups and the burgeoning chemical industry in Germany is also noted. The last chapter looks a t some modem research groups in the biochemical sciences. An interesting observation made by Fmton is tbat because of the rising impact of biochemical sciences, large groups led by senior scientists became prominent features of biochemical research in the United States resembling the situation in organic-chemical institutes of pre-World War I Germany. Fruton believes that although the closely directed groups, perhaps, ruled less autocratically than before, have remained dominant in research the training of future scientists is more effective when the group leader shows greater interest in encouraging junior associates to explore lines of research other than his own. The book reflects a careful and extensive research and providesvaluahleand interesting detail from primary sources. I t contains seven appendices with information about members of the various research groups, the degree they received, topic of their research in the group, name of the immediate supervisor, period of stay in the group and information about Later professional career. There is also a bibliography and an index of personal names. There is no subject index. Persons interested in the dynamics of research groups, the role of the scientist-leader, his attitude and treatment of co-workers and junior assoeiates, his knack of marshalling physical and intellectual resources, and his role in the training of future scientists
A232
Journal of Chemical Education
would find this book useful and a valuable resource for further research. Ram K. Sharma DBparhlM of Physical Sciences Easlsrn New Mwxco University Pornleg NM 88130
B a s k Chemlcal Thermodynamics, Fourlh Edltlon E. Brian Smith. Oxford University Pless: New York. NY, 1990. xvi 166 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $45.00 HBI
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$22.95 PB.
This is an excellent introductory thermadynamics text. If - one abandons classical texts and eoes to collectionsof monographs written by people who are comfortable with selected subject materiels, then this hwk ir erceptionally suited for use in a freshman chemistry class for advanced students who can integrate and differentiate and no more. The treatment is nonrigorous and yet complete enough to guarantee that the "it can he shown that" syndrome is avoided. As the level of complaints about junior level Physical Chemistry instruction rise, specifically, the annoyance with classical thermadynamin without molecularity, the idea of placing this material, at the level of Smith's booklet, in younger hands, and then startine chemistn, with molecular - ~hvsieal .. physics becomes extraordikily appealing. Since the hod" of is- ever . ~ - ~ ~knowledee ~ w~ ~ ~ , exonnding, and since the time spent in school is limited for social reasons, it becomes incumbent on us to compress the learning material so that i t fits into the lives of students. Smith's hook gives just enough thermadynamies that one can understand its usefulness without giving "rigorous" proofs of such tonics as the entroov . increase of isolated univeraea. For those who have had mtroductory calculur in high srhool, (with amne hope one can say more and more) this serve3 up derivations which enhance understending. Since freshmen do not yet hunger for "explanations," by which I mean reductions to molecular individuslitv. there is reason to expect that this book can serve them, starting them on a road whicb their abilities at that age can handle. Especially noteworthy in this little bookis the care taken with the omnipresent
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In P which is unintelligible from the point of view of units. On the other hand, the maximum work arguments for the introduction of free energies remains unconvinrinl: and quite difficult In general, the derivntimts work well, and cut to the heart uf the rhase, filling in the gaps that the standard freshman "plug and chug" course leave. Carl W. David The University of Connecticut Stons. CT 06269
Hazardous Laboratory Chemlcals: Dlsposal Gulde M. A. Armour. CRC Press: Boca Raton. FL, 1991.17 464 pp. 19 X 26.5 cm. $89.95 (ring-bound paperback).
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Here is a "user friendly" update and expansion of the chemical disposal guides earlier published by the University of Alberta. Laboratory tested procedures for converting over 200 hazardous substances and groups of substances to more readily disposable materials are offered. Where possible the products have been identified and equations for the reactions given. For suspect carcinogens the reaction mixtures have been submitted to the Ames test for mutagenieitv. The disposal procedures are restricted to relatively small quantities. Experience has proved them safe on thia scale. The methods should not he used for larger quantities unless a qualified chemist has tested larger batches successfully. The author warns that the disposal of any hazardous material must be in accord with governmental regulations and that disposal on-sire may requlre licensing a8 a treatment center unless the pwcedure can be considered as part of reactions being performed at the bench. The text includes an "incompatibility table" to mide the safe storaee of chemicals in a stockmom. Hazard ratings for the substances are numerically ranked for health, fire, and reactivitylstability hazards. Physiological reactions to toxins are described and procedures for handling spills. In summary, the book provides helpful information for hench workers in disposing of small quantities of wastes safely and with substantial reduction in costs, a vital consideration for schools and colleges in these days of frugal funding. The book, like Bretherick's Handbook of Reaetiue Chemical Hazards, 4th ed. (Butterwarths, 1990), should be made easily available to faculty and students in all chemistry departments. Malcolm M. Renfraw University 01 ldsho ~~~
MOSCOW. ID 83843
NIOSH Pocket Gulde to Chemlcal Hazards US. Depattment of Health and Human Services-National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati. OH, June 1990. (For a l e by Government Prlnting Office. Superintendent of Documents. Washington, DC 20402 a s DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 90-117.) vl 245 pp. 12 X 23 cm. Ring-bound paperback. $7.00.
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Here is a compact printing of tabulated information about 398 chemicals or substance groupings tbat are subject to existing OSHA regulations. The substances are (Continued on page A237)
