JOURNAL O F CHEMICAL EDUCATION
668 intensive study of the actual work of. . .the past. . .the methods then employed (may) stand out clearly. . .(By such) an introduction. .the inquiring citizen ought t,o be in a position t o continue his scientific education throughout his life." This booklet, after proper emphasis on the antiquity of the rttomie concept, devotes its first section to Dslton's "deceptively simple proposals" which justify calling D i t l t o ~"the effective architect of the. . .theory as we know it today." Sections two to five present the theory's critical reception by chemists of that time, Gay-Lussac's empirical whole-number volume law of reacting gases (whioh Dalton rejected principally because it did not correlate well with results from his "rule of greatest simplicity"), and Avogrtdro's hypothesis, whioh was also rejected by Dalton for the same reason. In an epilogue, section six, Davy's success in the electrolysis of alkali salts and Berzelius' theory of electrical force as the binder of elements into compounds (so-called dualistic theory) are credited with having held off for 40 years the effective use of the law of rescting gaees land Avogadro?~hypothesis in solving Dalton's problem of consistent atomic weights. This problem was finally solved convincingly hy Cannizzara in 1858, and this accomplishment was the closing act of this hit of scientific history. There is neither a table of contents nor an index. In the preface suggestions are made with reference t o the booklet's use with classes in "general education courses in physical science." The reviewer found the book a very helpful supplement to hi? own knowledge of this theory's evolution and anticipates that teachers of physical science in general will welcome its assembly of these source materials. He found the treatment a hit tedious and involved in a. number of places and frequently was uncertain whether certain passages were direct quotations from the sources or were simply the author's exposition. He wonders if students will find this account correctly described as "exciting events in scientific history." Would an "inquiring citizen" h m the persistence to read it through? Should not this "case" more correctly be offered t o the physical rcience major after he has had his sequence of scientificcourses?
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B. CLIFFORD HENDRICKS U ~ r v ~ n s r . ror r NEBR*~KA LINCOLN. NEBRASP*
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LES M ~ ~ O D ED'ANALYSE S DES R&XCTIONS EN SOLUTION
G. Charlot and R. Gauquin, Rofesseur and Sous-chef de Travaux respectively, I'Ecole Supbrieure de Physique et de Chimie . industrielles. Masson et Cie, Paris, 1951. viii 328 pp. 242 figs. 1 table. 17 X 25.5 cm. 2200 fr.
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T m authors believe that a knowledge of the nature of the chemical weoies existine in a solution. and of their reactions. is
thors' summary of methods whirh have been used in studying many different kinds of liquid solutions for such purposes. Chapter I lays the foundation for general reactions, such as oxidation-reduction and complexation (including protonation). Electrons, ions, and polar molecules are the reactants. This is followed in Chapter I1 by mathematical treatments of various types of possible reactions, including the methods of calculating equilibrium constants. The appendix contains 27 pages of such constants. This general material is completed in Chapter 111, which deals with the graphical presentation of data obtainable when reactions proceed in solution. Different kinds of titrations and Job's method of continuous varitstione me examples.
Chapter IV considers possibilities of applying mare than 25 different instrumental methods. The general principle of each is stated, followed by specific exsmples of recent applications, including original references. More detailed spplioations follow, Chapter V covering various rrdax and complex systems, snd Chapter VI dealing with reactions involving a preoipitation. The next four chapters deal mostly with the use of different solvent systems and added indicator compounds. Chapter XI covers information deducible from measurements of the heat of reaction of solutions, and Chapter XI1 closes with a consideration of irreversible reactions, especially types involving oxidatiou-reduction or change of ion oompasition. In addition to the extensive table of equilibrium constants, the appendix summarizes the significance of activity of solution components and lints a glossary of termsused. Unfortunately, the paper binding will not withstand much near, and there is no index. This is one case where both author and subject indexes might well have been added. To the reviewer this book seems the best summary available covering our knowledge of the means and methods for studying the nature and action of the entities which can exist in a solution. He has long needed suoh a work. The extensive references to the literature should be of value. M. G . MELLON P U R D "U~N l V E R s l r r L*P*IETTE.INDI*N*
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY. VOLUME VII: FURNACES TO IOLITE
Edited by Raymond E. Kirk and Donald F. Othmer. Professors and Heads, Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, respectively, at the Polytechnic Institute of Brwklyn. Assistant Editors: J a n e t D. Scott and Anthony Standen. The Inter982 pp. science Encyclopedia, Inc., New York, 1951. rvi 19 X 27 cm. Subscription price, $25.
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ELEMENTB appear to lead the parade in volume seven, namely: gallium, germanium, gold, hafnium, helium-group, hydrogen, indium. iodine. and the comoounds and derivatives of these elements. e he inornanic chemist will also sooreciate some of the I h p r < P L . I ~ W 0~1S1 iyntlwtiv p(.nu, gl~as,l~!clruzinr, hydron m l hjdrogvn prroid*. dlloriv ,l~,id. . section 171 psgrr, Jcvotcd 'l'hv Im,rl,e~nista l l 1 find t h ~longrrt to hormones, though there me nine subsections. Other topics of interest to him will be gelatin, glycosides, histamine, and antihistamine agents, as well as those sections of interest to the reorganic chemist. These will be nlvcerol, ~ I ~ e o l Grianard s. scrim, halogenation, heterocyci&, hydr&rbons, hTdrolysia, imides. indieaid dves. indole. and insulin. The analvtical chemist
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humidity, and instrumentation. General industrial topics treated in greater detail are furnaces, furs, gas fuels, gas warfare agents, glue, gums and mucilage, hydvaulic systems, hydrogenation, ioe cream, industrial hygiene, ink, insecticides, and insulation. Manv subieet titles now refer to nreviaus volumes and fever become a necessity. KENNETH h. KOBE
