JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
224
BIWER ZUR QUALITATIVEN MIKROANALYSE principle and limitations of each method, the reader should be 0 able to decide which one of the alternative methods will be best ANORGANISCHER STOFFE applicable to his needa. Usually substances that interfere are mentioned in the introductory paragraph and then methods for Wilhelm Geilmona, Professor, lohannes-Gutenberg UniversitZt' their removal are described under "sample." The of M ~ zGermany. , Verlag Chemie, GMBH, Weinheim, Germany, method often depends not only on the proper treatment of the 1954. 120 PP. Many illustrations. 16.5 X 23.5 cm. DM anm n l ~t,o t , h ~ WOUICI ,t int,eyfe~e urit,h t,he color -r-. .. remove .... suhst,~nces .-~...~~..-.~.~ ..-. ~ . 20.80, development, but a h on the preparation of a solution with a Bilder means piotures; "guessing German" plus occasional use suitable concentration of the constituent to be determined; hence of a dictionary is enough far effeotivc use of this book, in which the preparation of sample is given in considerable detail. The half the space is given t o 393 uniformly excellent photomicroprecision, accuracy, time required for color development, and graphs. There is no text other than a few lines for each illuswave length are usually stated. The text includes 18 tables of tration, stating the method of carrying out the reaction, sensiuseful data and numerous references to the original literature, tivity, and interferences. The arrangement is by analytical the latter being conveniently listed a t the bottom of the pages. groups rather than by the periodic table, with indexing by ions Author and subject indexes eanelude the baok. Paper, printing, and by reagents that indicates the preferred tests of the neveral and binding are good and no serious typographical errors were ones ~ &en. ~- ~ ~ ~- . noted. No general analytical scheme is included; the work is not pre2, and 3, Presents an sented ss a manual of mieroscopieal analysis, hut as a supplement Volume 4, together nith Volumes extensive and up-to-date treatment of colorimetric methods of to methods, ~t covers a ,idc of 8,Ecific analysis. This set will be useful to anyone who needs to make ~ ~ ~ t a l - p r e c i p i t a t reactions, ion such as might be used for "yes chemical analyses, espeoially when small quantities, even trace eonfirmatow ksbfor inorganic anions and . . . . amounts, are to be determmed. This book is stronel; recommendedvto analvsts who are alrexdv familiar with m i e r o ~ h p i c squalitative ~ reactions, and to oth& JOHN H. YOE who might want to employ them occasionally. For the latter, the reviewer would urge what all chemical microscopists knowthe value of trying out a test an knows, with some variations of concentrations and admixture of possible associated ions, rather than leaning on pictures alone when tackling unknowns. .4s the author emphasizes, a photograph represente an arbitrary 0 CHEMOTHERAPY OF INFECTIONS selection of what may be typical but cannot be all inclusive. H. 0. 1. Collier, Chief Pharmacdogist, W e n and Hansburys It should serve s s a refresher of the visual memory of one's direct Ltd. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New Yark, 1954. mi 248 pp. observations, in the making of which valuable experience was 58 figs. 21 tables. 14.5 X 19 cm. $4. gained, rather than for the recognition of "total strangers." ~
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INTHIS compaot little volume Dr. Collier has given us an slmost full picture of many aspects of chemotherapy. After setting forth in clear and simple language the fundamental principles of the field, he discusses the importance of selective toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents for the pathogenic microbes and the absorption, distribution, and oxcretion of the drugr. Then follows a chapter on the mechanism of action of the drugs, and one on mierobinl resistance. Thie chapter is among the hrst descriptions ot this complex subject which the reviewer has men. The concept of antibiotics, their history, and methods of discovery are discussed next. Special chapters are devoted to penicillin and streptomycin, and the preparation, unit measurements, mode of action, and uses of these compounds are desoribed well. The other antibiotics are relegated to subordinate places, and more recent ones such as erythromycin are not mentioned. The last six chapters deal with synthetic drugs, from Ehrlich's arsenicals t o the latest useful antimalarials, sntituberculous agents, and drugs for various tropied infections. These chapters are arranged according to the diseases in question and present drugs of all pert,inent structures under these hendings. The descriptions of the biology of the pathogens are especially good, while underlying chemical relations are a t least painted out. There is a subject and author index, and 278 references euide the reader to the most i m ~ o r t a n articles t on chemotherapy. Few authors have the ability to write for the various levels of education and specialization of the readers to whom this hook can he recommended. Dr. Collier starts so simply to break the reader into his subject matter, and raises the niveau of the mat-erial so slowly, that college students, graduate, or medical students, as well as their teachers will find it enjoyable. Physicians and pharmacists will find a wealth of background material for the drugs they use in their practice, and the educated layman will readily understand the development and theories of a subject which has freed this and coming generations from some of the most dreaded scourges of mankind. l L F R E D BURGER OI V L R ~ I N I A UN~VEES~TY CHARLOTTEBYI~.LE. VIRGINIA
C W. MASON
U~rvensmv CORNELL ITHACA. NEWYORR
FLUORESCENCE OF SOLUTIONS
E. I. Bowen, Fellow of University College, University of Odord, and Fronk Wokes, Director of Ovaltine Research Laboratories, England. Longmans, Green & Co., Inc., New York. 1953. vii 91 pp. 34 figs. 11 tables. 14.5 X 22 cm. $4.75.
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TEE combining of the theoretical background of Bonen with the practical experience in fluorescence analysis of the conutho~. has produced an exellent, book. The iuthors state that, they have written to provide an introduction to fluorescence for thp practical worker and the student. This has resulted in a text that is easy to read and is a t the same time thoroughly instructive. A critical condensation of theore~icalmeterial has been presented in such n manner as to stimulate interest in theory as d l as to allow an understanding of the more practical aspects of fluoremence. The book is wellreferenced, but it is not the review type that requires too much discrimination for the beginner in the field. The suhjeat matter progresses from a consideration of thewetieal funditmenta.1~~touching on wave mechanics, to instrumental factors affecting fluoreeeence and the theory and kinetics of quenching. Chapters on detecting devices, fluorimeters, t,he mcmurement of fluorescenoe, and fluorimetric assays make up the seoond half of the book. The treatment of these teehnologioal aspects of fluorescence is quite thorough and includes a discussion of the instruments and methods currently in use. The reader is made aware of the many pitfalls awaiting the inexperienred worker and is shown how to avoid them. With the aid of this baok, one totally new to the field should be able to approach fluorimetrie analyticd procedures with n degree of confidence. CHARLES E. WHITE A N D DONALD C. FREEMAN. JR. U ~ r v r n s m ror M A n r ~ * x o C O L L E ~PARE. E MAAILAND
