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by selection of subject matter and with the use of other reference works. In addition it is written with sufficient clarity, in s n almost conversational style, so that it can be used later by the student with little or no outside help, once he has been introduced to the subject. It is therefore a good reference work for the medical student and for the graduate biological student. The author approaches the Use of calculus ins. practical manner. As he states a t length in the appendix, oalculus is necepsary; it is after all just common sense expressed in unfamiliar symbolsnot really difficult--so let's approach it with confidence. I n this connection, the book does not have enough problems to teach the student how to apply mathematics to real problems. This is probably the outstanding weak point of the book. Perhaps future editions will be different. For the inquisitive student many references to review articles and to the original literature are cited immediately after the discussion of the point at hand or in the body of the discussion. General references are listed at the end of the chanters.
and molecular structure has been almost completely rewritten. Other changes of lesser mrtgnitude h w e been made, far example, in the chapters on electrolytes, pH, protein solutions, thermodynamics, redox relations, and colloids. An additional change would have been to include a section on photochemistry; it is unfortunate thrtt no such change was m d e . The printing, binding, and typography are satisfeotory. No significant typographical errors were noted. There were no observed errors of fact or interpretation, provided it is remembered that this is an introductory text for students of medicine. This book does not make physics1 chemistry easy for the premedical or medical student. It does make it evident that an understanding of physical chemistry is necessary for a good grasp of the subject of biology, and secondly it makes this study interesting. More cannot be asked of any text.
MODERN TRENDS IN PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY Edited by E. S. Guzman B a r m , Chemical Division, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago. Academic Press, Inc., New York, 1952. lodi 538 pp. 132 figs. 15 X 24 cm. $8.50.
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THE1950 physiology course of the Woods Hole Marine Labor* tory was intended to be dedicated to Professor Leonor Micbaelis in commemoration of his 75th birthday. Due to his death in September, 1949, this plan could not materialize, but the lectures presented a t the course have been collected in this memorial volume and they represent an eloquent tribute to a. great seientist, whose fundamental contributions are stressed in nearly every one of the 20 chapters. The book contains a good portrait of Michaelis and the introductory chapter is the memorial lecture read by Barron a t Woods Hole. The book is difficult to review briefly. Its scope ranges from pure biochemistry and biophysics to the morphologicd basis of function. The presentation varies from a vividly written, essaylike chapter with four references to strictly technically presented ohapters with up to 177 references. The chapten range in length from 11 to 42 pages, and some contain no figures while 40 figures are found in one. The editor points out that the topics covered can he divided into six groups: cellulrtr physiology (five ohapters by Runnstrom, Mazia, Heilbrunn, Perpart and Ballentine, and Jacobs, dealing, respectively, with physiological aspects of cytoplasm, cellnucleus, and cell division, with molecular anatomy of the red cell membrane and cell permeability); muscle physiology (three chapters by Szent-Gyorgy, Mommserts, Kupfler, who discuss thermodynamic questions, the contractile protein systems, and transmission
processes at nerve-muscle junctions); nerve physiology (five chapters by Steinbach, Grundfest, Nachmmsohn, Tobias, and Knpfler's chapter already mentioned under muscle phyeiology. Discussed are the sodium and potassium balance of nerve and muscle, bioelectrical potentials, chemical mechanisms of nerve activity, ultrastructure and function); enzyme action (five chapters by Barron, Chance, Klotz, Neurath, the former discussing in 2 ohapters the mechanism of enzymatic oxidation-reductions and the oxidative pathways of carbohydrate metabolism, while the other authors present one chapter each anenzyme-substrate compounds, metal oomplexes with proteins, and chymotrypsin); mode of drug action (one chapter by Loewi); snd finally biochemical evolution (one chapter by Wald). The list of authors, each a. recognized authority in his field, is s. sufficient guarantee that everybody interested in any of the above topics will find their contributions well worth reading. I t should nevertheless be pointed out thrtt the title of the book is somewhat too broad. "Some modern trends in physiology and biochemistry" would have characterized the hook better than the chosen title. As already indicated, bibliographies of varying length are attached to each chapter. The book contains an author and a. subject index and is very well printed. THEODORYONBRAND NATIONAL I N B T I T ~OFI S HEALTB Bmnr;so*, MARYLAND
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COPOLYMERIZATION
Turner Alfrey, Jr., Dow Chemical Co., John J. Bohrer, International Resistance Co., and H. Mark, Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. Volume VIII of "High Polymers." Interscience 269 pp. 77 figs. 41 Publishers, Inc., New York, 1952. x tables. 15.5 X 23.5 em. $6.80.
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useful properties superior to those of polymers made from s single monomer. The teohnological importance of copolymers (synthetic rubbers. nlastics. and fibers) has led durine the last deoade to s. large an;&nt o f b o t h expe;imental and theoretical work on the principles of copolymerization and its timely summary will heaf great assistance to those working in this field. The book contains detailed discussions of the kinetics of copolymerization by the free radical mechanism, the factors influencing monomer reactivity, the behavior of divinyl monomers and the wlcauisation of pol.ymers obtained from them, copol.ymerization by ionic mech&ism and the physical properties of copolymers. The treatment is muoh mare oomplete than that of Mayo and Walling's survey (Chemical Revinus, 1950) and it should be easier reading for those who have had little previous experience in this field. The authors are very scrupulous in presenting all views an controversial subjects in a fair and objective manner. The extensive discussion of the estimation of errors in the calculation of monomer reaotivity ratios i8 a useful reminder of the limitations imposed on the interpretation of experimental copolymerization data. A table liating monomer reactivity ratios for 275 monomer pairs is an invaluable referenoe. Different chapters were apparently written hy different authors and this resulted in some repetition. The absence of any effect of the dielectric constant of the solvent medium on monomer reactivity ratios is accepted on page 68 as a valid argument against the derivation of the Alfrey-Price theory, while the argument is refuted on page 114. The hook is a valuable addition to the well-known "High Polvmers" series and is to be recommended whole-heartedlv to "those engaged in industrial research and development df high polymers and those interested in academic studies of polymerization kinetios. HERBERT MORAWETZ
Po~u~monrr~o I N B T I T ~01 B.RROOKLYI. BBOOI'TR, NET YORK
