604
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
The Development of Physiological Chemistry in the United States. American Chemical Sofiety Monograph, No. 54. RUSSELLH. CAITTBNDEN. Professor of Physiological Chemistry in the SheEeld Scientific School of Yale University, 1882-1922. The Chemical Catalog Co.. Inc., New York City. 1930. xiv 427 pp. 15 X 23.5 cm. $6.00.
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This hook is unique. The author has combined the readability of a modern history with a fund of information worthy of an encyclopedia. The first chapter gives an account of the author's experiences in Kuehne's lahoratory a t Heidelherg and tells of the beginnings of physiological chemistry in Germany and France and of its importation into this country in 1874. Subsequent chapters take up the work in the United States from that date on. The plan of development is as near the chronological as can be attained with such a many-branched subject as physiological chemistry. The work of individuals and groups is rewrded and t o this is added interesting personal facts about the workers, the times and places a t which the work was done, the reasons far undertaking the projects, and their effects on physiological chemistry a t large. At no time d w s the author become involved in deeply specialized chemistry or physiology. To one only casually interested in physiological chemistry the b w k presents an admirable bird's-eye view of the work done in the United States and enough of that done outside of it t o complete the picture. To the biochemist it gives a concise record of men and their work which could be secured only by long digging a t the periodical literature. The developments of the past two years are only partly covered. For instance the w e n t revolution in carbohydrate chemistry and Kamm's work on alpha and beta hypophamines are not mentioned. G. H. WOOUETI U m m ~ on m MISS IS SIP^
UNIV&RS-. MISSISSIPPI
MAFXH. 1931
Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry. H m v F. LEWIS, Professor of Organic Chemistrv. Institute of Paper Chemistry; f a n e r l y Professor of Chemistry, Ohio Wesleyan University. First edition, McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, 1930. viii 390 pp. 28 illustrations. 13.5 X 20.25 wn. 8.75.
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The hook is designed as a text that will serve as both: (1) a survey course for students in a liberal arts college who are not majoring in chemistry; (2) a first course for students maiorina . . in chemistry. The basis for the tent is "Atomic Linkage Theory." The material is developed with particular reference t o the number of atoms in a compound, their nature, the nature of the linkage between these atoms, and the arrangements of the atoms in space. The author keeps constantly before the student the linkage involved in the wmpounds under wnsideration. The reviewer is somewhat disappointed, however, after having the atomic linkage stressed as the foundation of the text. to 6nd very little use of the electron theory after the sewnd chanter. Cansiderahle emphasis has been placed upon recent industrial developments in organic chemistry. This undoubtedly aids in holding the student's attention and interest as well as pointing out some of the ewnomic contributions of chemical research. The illustrations used in this connection have been well chosen. The hook is well equipped with references and review questions and has the sddedfeatureof suggestionsas tothepreparation of w e s , data, and the reference materials studied. I n this respect the text is excellent and furnishes a good hackmound for the presentation of the subject. 1t appears, ha&er, that the text is much more suitable as a survey wurse than as a text for chemistry majors. For the latter type of student i t would seem that the text would he more useful if it wntained same additional material. Even if briefly stated, one might expect some consideration of subjects such as the Beckmann re-
VOL.8, No. 3
RECENTBOOKS
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of Bsses and Salts, Electromotive S e r k . Laboratory Equipment, and Reagents. The reviewer questions, on pp. 4-7,the use of analytical balances, weighing heyond the second decimal figure with the finding of the zero point, for first-year general chemistry students, especially from the viewpoint of time and significance. Where s i l w foil is available, in the quantity needed, the experiment illustrating the law of constant proportions is well planned. On p. 15, the interesting experiment on the drying of paint is one not commonly found in general chemistry laboratory manuals. The ten pages devoted to oxygen and ozone appear, to the reviewer, to be too long for four or even six EMORY UNIYBRSITY hours of laboratory time. Oxygen, bowEWOQY UNIYBRSITY. GBOROUL ever, is especially adapted for much stuLaboratory Manual of General Chemistry. dent laboratory experimentation. The devoted to hydrogen, because of HARRYN. HOLMES,Professor of Chem- five -pages the amount of quantitative work, is also a istry in Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio. Third edition. The Macmillan Com- heavy assignment for one or two labora163 tory periods. The use of gelatin capsules pany, New York City. 1930. x for handing milligram-atomic-weight pieces pp. 34 figs. 14 X 22 cm. 51.60. of sodium in the experiments on valence is This laboratory manual is of the inter- commendable although i t imposes conleaved type. The subject material for ex- siderable extra work on thestoreroom staff. perimental work is arranged in accord with Several experiments have been taken, with the usual standardized & h o d , which long acknowledment, from the l0URN.U OF . experience has demonstrated as yielding CHEMIW EDUCATION.Some experithe best results with the average general ments are marked with an asterisk, such as chemistry student in the United States. No. 17 on p. 22 (Fluorescein Test for The thirtv-two chapters, based ~ r o h - Ozone in Air) and Equivalent Weight of ably on thirty-two weeks of dass work, in- Copper in Terms of Silver on p. 32. These clude the usual Preliminary Exercises. are intended for unusually able students. Physical and Chemical Changes. and chap- Some experiments such as No. 44. on p. 41. ters on Son-\letallic Ekments and Com- on Carbon Monoxide, are marked oppounds Thereof, Equivalent Weights and tional. The chapter on determination of Valence, Molecular Weights and For- Molecular Weights and Formulas is a demulas, Acids, Bases and Salts, Neutrali- sirable one in general, although the asterzation, Atomic Structure, Equilibrium, isked experiment on the Molecular Weight and Hydracarbons and Their Derivatives. of Water seems to the reviewer rather These topics are followed by the Metallic costly in student time, materials, and Elements in appropriate groups, also one equipment, for the value the student ohchapter on Electrochunistry (two pages) t a b . It is interesting to note the presand another on Qualitative Analysis a c e of an asterisked experiment illustrat(eight pages). The Appendix comprises ing the Law of DuLong and Petit, a topic seven pages of the common appendix ma- of considerable importance hut one not terial. Vapm Tension of Water, Solubility frequently found in our leading general
arrangement, triphenylmethyl, pinacol reduction and rearrangement, the 1-4 or conjugated systems, or Baeyer's strain theory with Thorpe's modification. For the beginning student a somewhat more extended index would be helpful. While mentioned in the text, ketones and mimes, for example, do not appear in the index. The text is well written and the subject matter included is presented in an entirely understandable manner. It earies a decidedly more technical flavor than the average beginning text in organic chemistry. This should prove interesting to the practical-minded student. J. SAMUEL GW 0. R. QWAYLE
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