book reviews lntroductlon to Medical Chemlotry
D. MaeLean D. Euons, University Hospital of Wales and John Rowen Jones, Laughborough College of Education. Harper & Row, Publishers, New York, 1976. xii 276 pp. Figs. and tables. 19 X 24 cm. $11.95.
+
This text presents an attempt to provide an insight into the complex biochemical processes found in living systems through arudimentary understanding of chemistry. The level of the book is such that previous knowledge of chemistry is not essential. Although the authors have not stated in the preface for what course the teat is designed, it can be assumed that it is meant to provide an introduction to chemistry for students in biomedical or paramedical fields of study. Each of the 32 chapters representsa topic in which volumes of knowledge could be described. As is commonly found in texts with a broad scope, this book covers a multitude of topics a t the expense of depth and detail. The approach tends t o be descriptive in nature and clear statements of the concepts that the student should retain are not presented. There are no study questions or exercises a t the end of ehaoters to aid the student in gnmng nn unrlrrdandinl: of rhe rlmrrprpresmted nnd n rriermrcp ur sug~rstsd readings are given to promote further study. The first nine chapters (54 pages) give a short summary of basic chemical principles wine a classical amroach. These c h a ~ t e r s
,
A46 1 Journal of Chemical Education
describe the structure of atoms and molecules, electrical attractions and repulsions, chemical equations, electrochemistry, combustion, and respiration. The biological significance of the concepts is rarely directly established although there are frequent referrals to later chapters. Next is a description of the biologically important elements and the roles they play in living systems. The chapters on carbon chemistry and shapes of organic molecules serve to introduce a 50page overview of biochemistry. Chapters 29 and 30 deal withchemical information of diagnostic importance which is derived from the analvsis of bod" fluids. The coneludine chapters (15 pages) give an introduction to radioactivity and some medical uses of radioisotopes. Overall the text is well written and is e a s y to read. There are copious margins and areas surrounding figures which give the text an uncrowded feeling. These spaces may be useful places for the reader to jot down additional thouehts. ouestions. and informnsome of the anatomy figures while the rather sensational half-page photos of the atomic bomb survivor and the victim of overexpaawe to X-rays are better left in black and white. In my opinion, this text is best suited for a general information-type course far high school students interested in the health seiences or for an adult education class for those considering changing their career to a health related field. Patrick S . Gallery university of Mryima Eaitimore. 21201
Principles of Mdssbauer Spectroscopy. Studies in Chemical Physics
T. C. Gibb, University of Leeds. John Wiley & Sans, h e . , New York, 1976. 254 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 24 em. $27.50. In 1971, Greenwood and Gibb published
volume is mare s&ed as a textbook. isnot, however, simply an abstract of the previous work. as demonstrated bv the recent refer-
requiring a moderately comprehensive but basically non-mathematical introduction," and seems to accomplish its purpose quite successfully. It would be suitable either far an advanced-level special topics course or for individual studv on the eraduate level. The
technique, this approach gives the reader a good feel for the ehemieal problems to which the technique has been applied. The book is divided into 11chapters. The first twomesent a eeneral summarv of theorv and method. Basic equations are presented and their significance discussed, but the mathematics is kept to a minimum in general. Surprisingly, however, although the exact formula for maximum intensity, (in terms of a Bessel function) is given on p. 12, the simple
(Continued on page A48)
