Recent Books What Price Progress? HUGHF ~ L L G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York. 1926. viii 323 pp., 13.25 X 19.5 cm. $1.00.
.college students preparing to teach high-school chemistry is evidenced the country over by instructors who have charge of such courses, and it is with considerable disappointment, therefore, "What Price Progress?" is a financial that one reads in the introduction of editor's brief for research. this book that the author claims for it The author analyzes several basic only "a collection of notes and suggestions industries with reference t o their financial on the betterment of the teaching of progress during the past years. As a chemistry,'' and that "its main contriresult he shows how fundamental rebution is intended t o be the literature search yields substantial returns t o those which i t recommends t o the teacher." concerns, the directors of which have The subject-matter of the book is been sufficiently foresighted t o inaugurate largely in outline form with copious a basic program of research and haw the notes and some discussion. Some parts lack of new knowledge or its application apparently are complete; others show brings serious financial difficulties to need of revision in order to condense the concerns whose officers see no need for a material and to rid it of repetitions and real research staff. conflicting statements. The book is reasonably free from inA challenge t o science is extended armrate technical statements. It movides fascinating reading far the layman, through the pages of the first chapter teacher, and student. Its style is simple in which attention is called t o presentand direct. The dollar value of science day social conditions and t o the exigencies of our wavering civilization. This is is dearly pictured. followed by a brief history of chemistry C. E. K. MEES in the early high schools, ane-half the space being given to the criticism of Teaching First-Year Chemistry. J. 0. college domination of the high schools. FRANK, A.M., P r o f w r of Chemistry The content of the chapters dealing in the Wisconsin State Teachers' with methods of teaching chemistry College. Third edition, revised and is very similar t o that found in mast enlarged. J. 0.Frank, Oshkosh, Wistexts on the teaching of science, and consin. 1926. 121 pp. 15.2 X 22.2 includes pages devoted t o measurements cm. $1.50 postpaid. of results by teaching tests and intelliThe author states the purpose of the gence tests, with bibliography. Many book to be that of supplying material problems of the high-school chemistry which will be of immediate aid t o those teacher are listed. Some are discussed who are teaching first-year chemistry in detail; some that seem more involved and t o offer interpretation of available are discussed not a t all and leave the evidence pertaining t o unsettled questions beginning teacher without further aid of chemical instruction; and, further, t o than the simple knowledge that such include suggestions on the teaching of problems may be met in his experience. qualitative analysis as a high-school A course for teachers of high-school subject. chemistry given by the author in the A dearth of text-books suitable for Wisconsin State Teachers' College is
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described, several pages being devoted to the daily routine of its dass-mm and laboratory management. Qualitative analysis is the theme of the final chapter in which some advice is given as to the installation of such a course, the preparation of reagents, the use of the author's manual, the dispensing of unknowns, and an apparatus list. The reviewer is skeptical of the wisdom of establishing such a course in the first year of high-school chemistry. References to literature include twohundred and fifty citations which refer for the most part to articles in recent journals. A list of reference books that may be purchased for approximately one hundred dollars might well be in the hands of every high-school librarian. The hook is a worthwhile addition to the literature on the training of chemistry teachers and deserves a place on the reference shelves of instructors of such courses. R. M. PARR Modem Edited W. W. 1926. $2.50.
Science and People's Health. by Benjamin C. Gruenberg. Norton & Co., Inc., New York, vi 250 pp. 14 X 21.5 cm.
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I n an effort to make the public, in general, appreciate the value of science to the health of humanity, Dr. Gruenberg has collected a chapter each from half a dozen authorities in which each one shows how the development of his speciality has reacted to the gaod of mankind. Professor Charles R. Stockard of Cornell University Medical College demonstrates the impartance of heredity and environment in the development of the individual. Professor Hugh S. Taylor of Princeton explains how important body substances, like insulin, have been made in the laboratory. Professor Walter H. Eddy of Columbia shows how the deficiency diseases can be corrected by the right proportions and kind of food. Dr. William A. White of St. Elizabeth's Hospital in
Washington tells of the effects of our complex and trying conditions of modem life on the delicately adjusted nervous mechanism of the human body. Dr. C. E. A. Window of Yale gives a comprehensive resum6 of what preventive medicine has accomplished. Dr. Haven Emerson, a former public-health official, sums up the experimental work outlined above and shows how the knowledge so acquired works out in application to human problems. It would be hard to beat these names in any book on the subject and Dr. Gruenberg's long experience in teaching and public health work has shown him what most needs to be known in this field. His introductory essay on "Science in a Democracy" shows the danger and damage done by credulity and illustrates the idea by numerous cases of popular fallacies such as the recent craze for Ahrams' "electronic treatment." E. E. S ~ o s s o ~ Casein, Its Preparation, Chemistry and Technical Utilization. E. L. TAG-, Ph.D., Assmiate Professor of Chemistry, Kansas State Agricultural College. D. Van Nostrand Co., New 218 pp. York City. 1926. v 13 X 20 an. 8.00 net.
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In the preface the author states: "It is the purpose of this book to explain the them& and industrial us& of casein in the light of present day practice." and the chapters are as follows:
1. General Cansiderations and Preparation of Pure Casein. 2. Chemistry of Casein. 3. Compounds of Casein with Alkalies and Alkaline Earths. 4. Compounds of Casein with Heavy Metals, etc. 5. Decomposition Products of Casein. 6. Paracasein. 7. Technical Preparation of Casein. 8. Technical Uses of Casein. Patents. Bibliography. Index. The author has accumulated a large
