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REFEREXCES (1) ARGVE,G. H., AND >l.4.4ss, 0.: Can. J . Research 13B, 156 (1038).
(2) EBERT,L.: Angew. Cheni. 47, 305 (1931). (3) ERRERA, J., ASD SACK, H. S.: Ind. Eng. Chem. 36, 112 (1943). (4) FRICKE, H., BND CuRus, H. J . : J . Phys. Chem. 41, 729 (1937). (5) FRICKE, H., A N D JACOBSEN, L . E . : J. Phys. Chem. 43, 78 (1030). (6) FRICKE, H., A N D P A R K E R , E . : J. Phys. Chem. 44, 716 (19.10). (7)MAKOWER, B.,. ~ K DDEHORITY, G . I,.: Ind. Eng. Chem. 36, 193 (1943). (8) OSCLEY,J . L . : J. Am. Chem. Soc. 60, 1115 (1038). (9) SHAW,T. bl.: J. Chem. Phys. 10, 609 (1942). (10) SMITH-ROSE, R. L.: Proc. Roy. SOC. (London) A140, 359 (1933). (11) T a v s z , J . , ASD Rvxai, H . : Kolloid-Beihefte 39, 58 (1933). (12) VAN STEEKBERGES, A . B.:Het Gas 66, 137-9 (1935).
S E W BOOKS Fundamentals of Immunology. By WILLIAMC. BOYD. 446 pp. Xew York: Interscience Publishers, Inc., 1943. Price: $5.50. This book covers the fundamental principles involved in immunological reactions, together with a brief discussion of practical applications. A chapter of the book is devoted t o laboratory techniques commonly used in serological laboratories. The author states t h a t the purpose of the book is t o serve as a n introduction t o immunology for medical students, chemists, biologists, and others interested in a n understanding of the basic principles of the science. The introductory chapter of the book serves t o introduce the reader t o the science of immunity and immunology. In this chapter the author discusses the various kinds of immunity, the methods of measurement, and the mechanisms involved. Chapter two is a somewhat detailed description of antibodies and their specificity. The subject matter in this chapter is approached from the point of view of the chemist. The author wishes t o make the student familiar with the fundamental principles involved before introducing him t o the theories and nomenclature inherent in older immunological literature. From the point of view of the chemist, he discusses the nature of the antibodies. the chemical behavior, methods of measurement, and purification. Chapters three and four deal with antigens. A distinction is made between cell antigens and others, the former being taken up separately in chapter three. Here, again, the subject matter is treated from the point of view of the chemist. The author discusses in some detail the nature of the chemical groupings which are responsible for antigenic specificity. Chapter five takes up the question of human blood groupings. This chapter is rather brief, and therefore the subject matter is not taken up in as much detail as are some of the other topics included in the book. The author discusses the basis for the four classical blood groups and treats briefly the question of other antigenic principles, in addition t o the ones involved in the four basic groups. Chapter six deals with antibody-antigen reactions. I n this chapter the author has followed somevhat the scheme used by Marrack, in treating the antibody-antigen reaction as a two-stage reaction. The first stage concerns the combination of antibody with antigen, and the second stage involves those changes which make the reaction apparent t o the observer, such as precipitation, agglutination, neutralization of toxin, complement fixation, etc. The author’s presentation of the various theories that have been advanced concerning antibody-antigen reactions is excellent. The subject material in this chapter is developed almost entirely from the point of view of the chemist.
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Chapter seven is devoted to the discussion of complement and complement fixation. The part the complement plays in antibody-antigen reactions is a t best obscure, but in this chapter the author has handled the subject matter in an excellent manner. Chapters eight and nine deal with anaphylaxis, allergy, and related phenomena. The last of these two chapters is devoted almost entirely to the question of relationship between allergy and immunity. * Chapter ten is a brief discussion of the practical applications of artificial immunity, and chapter eleven is a discussion of laboratory a n d clinical techniques t h a t are commonly used in serological laboratories. This chapter is sufficiently detailed so t h a t it can well be used as a guide for most laboratory work. The author is t o be commended for the excellent way in which he has presented the fundamental principles underlying immunology The presentation is clear and concise. From a study of this book, a reader who is not familiar with the field will gain a good understanding of the science involved. S a t u r a l l y , someone who is already familiar with the subject matter will gain more by reading the book than one who is exposed t o the field for the first time. The book may be criticized, perhaps, i n not making the reader more familiar x i t h the nomenclature used in older immunological literature One who gains his knowledge by reading this book alone may find some older literature confusing, owing t o the difference in terminologies used. Many references are given throughout the book, and after each chapter there is an excellent bibliography of the more important literature. I n order t o conserve space, the author has treated some subjects rather briefly, and in some cases perhaps too briefly; for example, in the last chapter he has devoted some space t o the discussion of statistical principles involved in serological studies Although the statistical principles are presented fairly clearly and briefly, I question whether a reader TT-ho is not already familiar n i t h this subject could learn enough from this discussion t o inake proper use of the statistical principles. On the other hand. readers who are familiar with the field of statistics would find this discussion too brief to be of much value t o them. The author has succeeded very well in the object for which the book was intended. I t is an excellent reference book for medical students, chemists, and biologists who are interested in the science of immunology. I t should also be of great help to persons who are interested in research in this field. H . 0. Halvorson,
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Surjace Tenszon and the Spreadang of Laquads. By R . S. BUR DO^ x 85 pp. London. Cambridge University Press (iiew York The 3lacmillan Company), 1940. Price. $1 .T5 This small volume, published in the series of Cambridge Physical Tracts, reviews briefly and in a readable manner the subject matter indicated in its title. The booklet Tvill appeal primarily t o readers not familiar with the subject matter who are interested in a short, well-balanced review. The author emphasizes some points of timely interest, but he refrains from presenting an exhausting review or a critical survey of the newer literature This, of course, limits the value of the book for a reader familiar with the field. KARLSOLLXER. Atomic Energy f o r Military Purposes. By H E N R YD. SJIYTH 264 pp. Princeton, S e w Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1945. Price: 82.00 cloth bound; $1.25 paper bound. This volume contains the full text of the official report on the development of the atomic bomb under the auspices of the United States Government during the years 1940-45. Writt e n a t the request of General L . R. Groves. it was first issued in mimeograph form. The book edition has been supplemented by including subject and name indices, photographic and line drawing illustrations, a description of the Yew Mexico test, and some minor changes. I n his foreword General Groves, who was in charge for the Army, warns t h a t : “All pertinent scientific information which can be released to the public a t this time without violating the needs of national security is contained in this volume. KOrequests for additional
