REVIEWS and research associates the later development of chemical and biochemical sciences, university education, and academic and industrial research. These research groups o p erated at universities or institutes and were composed mostly of predoctoral students, past-doctoral associates, junior faculty members, and technical assistants. The groups provided an avenue for intellectual and social interaction and, for junior members of the group, an opportunity to acquire laboratory skills, practical and theoretical knowledge and perhaps a testing ground for new idem and theories, generated on the basis of experimental results, discussions with fellow workers or inspired intuition, before they were proposed to the scientific community a t Large. After the first chapter whicb describes the scope of the book, research groups of Liebig, HoppeSeyler, Kiihne, Bseyer, E. Fischer and Hofmeister are examined. The b w k traces their scientific careers, the type of research conducted a t each stage, the arrival and association with (later to be) wellknown eo-workers or students, and excerpts from personal memoirs, memorial lectures or from letters of research asaociates. Information about the composition of each research group, in narrative and tabular form, the subsequent activities of some of the members as they rose through their profession is given, and the effect these members had an the later development of organic and biochemical sciences is discussed. The symbiotic relationship between these groups and the burgeoning chemical industry in Germany is also noted. The last chapter looks a t some modem research groups in the biochemical sciences. An interesting observation made by Fmton is tbat because of the rising impact of biochemical sciences, large groups led by senior scientists became prominent features of biochemical research in the United States resembling the situation in organic-chemical institutes of pre-World War I Germany. Fruton believes that although the closely directed groups, perhaps, ruled less autocratically than before, have remained dominant in research the training of future scientists is more effective when the group leader shows greater interest in encouraging junior associates to explore lines of research other than his own. The book reflects a careful and extensive research and providesvaluahleand interesting detail from primary sources. I t contains seven appendices with information about members of the various research groups, the degree they received, topic of their research in the group, name of the immediate supervisor, period of stay in the group and information about Later professional career. There is also a bibliography and an index of personal names. There is no subject index. Persons interested in the dynamics of research groups, the role of the scientist-leader, his attitude and treatment of co-workers and junior assoeiates, his knack of marshalling physical and intellectual resources, and his role in the training of future scientists
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Journal of Chemical Education
would find this book useful and a valuable resource for further research. Ram K. Sharma DBparhlM of Physical Sciences Easlsrn New Mwxco University Pornleg NM 88130
B a s k Chemlcal Thermodynamics, Fourlh Edltlon E. Brian Smith. Oxford University Pless: New York. NY, 1990. xvi 166 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $45.00 HBI
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$22.95 PB.
This is an excellent introductory thermadynamics text. If - one abandons classical texts and eoes to collectionsof monographs written by people who are comfortable with selected subject materiels, then this hwk ir erceptionally suited for use in a freshman chemistry class for advanced students who can integrate and differentiate and no more. The treatment is nonrigorous and yet complete enough to guarantee that the "it can he shown that" syndrome is avoided. As the level of complaints about junior level Physical Chemistry instruction rise, specifically, the annoyance with classical thermadynamin without molecularity, the idea of placing this material, at the level of Smith's booklet, in younger hands, and then startine chemistn, with molecular - ~hvsieal .. physics becomes extraordikily appealing. Since the hod" of is- ever . ~ - ~ ~knowledee ~ w~ ~ ~ , exonnding, and since the time spent in school is limited for social reasons, it becomes incumbent on us to compress the learning material so that i t fits into the lives of students. Smith's hook gives just enough thermadynamies that one can understand its usefulness without giving "rigorous" proofs of such tonics as the entroov . increase of isolated univeraea. For those who have had mtroductory calculur in high srhool, (with amne hope one can say more and more) this serve3 up derivations which enhance understending. Since freshmen do not yet hunger for "explanations," by which I mean reductions to molecular individuslitv. there is reason to expect that this book can serve them, starting them on a road whicb their abilities at that age can handle. Especially noteworthy in this little bookis the care taken with the omnipresent
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In P which is unintelligible from the point of view of units. On the other hand, the maximum work arguments for the introduction of free energies remains unconvinrinl: and quite difficult In general, the derivntimts work well, and cut to the heart uf the rhase, filling in the gaps that the standard freshman "plug and chug" course leave. Carl W. David The University of Connecticut Stons. CT 06269
Hazardous Laboratory Chemlcals: Dlsposal Gulde M. A. Armour. CRC Press: Boca Raton. FL, 1991.17 464 pp. 19 X 26.5 cm. $89.95 (ring-bound paperback).
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Here is a "user friendly" update and expansion of the chemical disposal guides earlier published by the University of Alberta. Laboratory tested procedures for converting over 200 hazardous substances and groups of substances to more readily disposable materials are offered. Where possible the products have been identified and equations for the reactions given. For suspect carcinogens the reaction mixtures have been submitted to the Ames test for mutagenieitv. The disposal procedures are restricted to relatively small quantities. Experience has proved them safe on thia scale. The methods should not he used for larger quantities unless a qualified chemist has tested larger batches successfully. The author warns that the disposal of any hazardous material must be in accord with governmental regulations and that disposal on-sire may requlre licensing a8 a treatment center unless the pwcedure can be considered as part of reactions being performed at the bench. The text includes an "incompatibility table" to mide the safe storaee of chemicals in a stockmom. Hazard ratings for the substances are numerically ranked for health, fire, and reactivitylstability hazards. Physiological reactions to toxins are described and procedures for handling spills. In summary, the book provides helpful information for hench workers in disposing of small quantities of wastes safely and with substantial reduction in costs, a vital consideration for schools and colleges in these days of frugal funding. The book, like Bretherick's Handbook of Reaetiue Chemical Hazards, 4th ed. (Butterwarths, 1990), should be made easily available to faculty and students in all chemistry departments. Malcolm M. Renfraw University 01 ldsho ~~~
MOSCOW. ID 83843
NIOSH Pocket Gulde to Chemlcal Hazards US. Depattment of Health and Human Services-National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati. OH, June 1990. (For a l e by Government Prlnting Office. Superintendent of Documents. Washington, DC 20402 a s DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 90-117.) vl 245 pp. 12 X 23 cm. Ring-bound paperback. $7.00.
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Here is a compact printing of tabulated information about 398 chemicals or substance groupings tbat are subject to existing OSHA regulations. The substances are (Continued on page A237)
