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V O L U M E 22, NO. 6, J U N E 1 9 5 0
Metal shadowing as a technique is given a full chapter and is used almost universally on all micrographs. Surface replicas are treated with emphasis on crystals and body tissue such as teeth rather than the metallurgical field. Chapters on particle suspensions, viruses, and macromolecules reflect the extensive experiences of the author in microbiology. A discussion of the structure of macromolecular solids introduces a visual or mechanistic approach to colloid chemistry and provides a common meeting ground between the chemist and the biologist. The author concedes that electron microscopy is in a high state of flux and that the book describes the present status, to point out and arouse interest in the possibilities of this new instrument. Newcomers to the field of electromicroscopy will find the book a pleasant but thorough introduction to the subject. Those engaged in the field will value it for placing much experience and many quick references under one cover. DONALD L. KATZ
The Chemistry of Industrial Toxicology. Hewey B. Elkine. ix 406 pages. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 440 Fourth Ave., New York 16, N. Y.,1950. Price, $5.50.
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This useful book, by a well recognized industrial hygienist, will be of greater value t o the individual with limited knowledge of the problems of industrial evironmental control than to the experienced hygienist. I n the largest subject division, more than 300 elements, inorganic compounds, and organic compounds are briefly discussed with respect to their industrial hygiene significance, and many of them are qualitatively related, as to hazard, to the more common industrial operations and processes. I n this, the author has incorporated much useful experience of the Division of Occupational Hygiene of the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Industries. In developing the subject of “maximum allowable concentrations,” and including a further modified list of values, the author’s statement “values based on inadequate data are enclosed in parentheses” may imply to the less experienced in this field a reliability for the values not so qualified which many do not have. The sections on air-sampling devices and analytical methods and procedures are well organized. The abridged experience with respect to such items as the use of activated silica gel and carbon and of absorption in nonreacting liquids will be useful to the newcomer t o this field. For the majority of the approximately 100 substances listed, only one analytical method is given. These are usually the generally accepted procedures and are well selected as to adaptability by a good analytical laboratory. I n general, the descriptions are sufficiently complete so that a reasonably good analyst could carry out the procedure without having to refer to the original literature. JAMES H. STERNER Precis d’halyse Qualitative. Robert Flatt. 237 pages. Libraire de l’Universit6 F. Rouge e t Cie., SA, Lausanne, Switxerland, 1949. Price, $6.50 (28 Swiss francs). The first part of this excellently organized and well written book summarizes in concise, easily understandable form those basic principles of physical chemistry which a student must grasp and apply if qualitative analysis is to be more to him than cookbook procedure. The basic techniques of laboratory experimentation and observation are separately summarized and taught by a special group of experiments. A systematic concise description of the reactions of the commonly encountered ions provides the basis for presenting the scheme of analysis in the form of a series of tables. Methoda for fluxing insoluble substances, short cuts for rapid orientation, and possible sources of interference and difficulty are given full, yet concise consideration. ?‘he book is so well balanced and well written throughout that it is impossible to select any one section as better than the others. J. W. PERRY Electron Microscope-Technique and Applications. Ralph W . G. Wyckoff. vii 248 pages. Interscience Publishers, Inc., 215 Fourth Ave., New York 3, N.Y., 1949. Price, $5.
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The subtitle is very appropriate, for less than 20% of the book is devoted to microscopes, their construction and adjustment; the remaining 80% covers the preparation of specimens for examination, typical electron micrographs, and an interpretation of their significance. The book is primarily an account of the author’s experiences; about 175 micrographs out of the 202 illustrations were made in his laboratories. The reproductions are of high quality, their purpose is explained, and the author’s interpretation is clearly stated. A complete bibliography by topics is given a t the end of the chapters.
Modern Industrial Spectrography A two-week intensive course in modern industrial spectrography is to be given by Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Boston, Mass., from July 24 to August 4, 1950, particularly designed for chemists and physicists from industries in the process of installing spectrographic equipment. Applications should be sent to James J. Devlin, Physics Department, Boston College, Chestnut Hill 67, Mass.
International Congress on Analytical Chemistry Plans for holding an International Congress on Analytical Chemistry in Britain in 1952 are progressing. The Council of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry has granted its patronage. The proposal waa thought t o be in accord with one of the major decisions taken at the September meeting of the International Union, when six autonomous sections were formed, one of them concerned with analytical chemistry. A meeting of the Section on Analytical Chemistry is expected to be arranged to coincide with the 1952 International Congress on Analytical Chemistry. The Executive Committee, under the chairmanship of the president of the Society of Public Analysts and Other Analytical Chemists, G. Taylor, has under consideration the location of the congress, publication of papers, and the scope of subjects to be discussed. Sir Wallace Akers has been made chairman of the Finance Committee and Sir Robert Robinson, president of the Royal Society, is acting as chairman of the General Committee. The honorary secretary of the congress is R. C. Chirnside, Research Laboratories, General Electric Co., Ltd., Wembley, England. International Microchemical Congress. Graz, Austria, July 2 to6 Electron Microscope Society of America. Hotel Statler, Detroit, Mich., September 14 to 16. Eighth annual meeting Instrument Conference and Exhibit. Instrument Society of America, Buffalo, N. Y., September 18 to 22 Fourth Symposium on Analytical Chemistry. Louisiana Stata University, Baton Rouge, La., January 29 to February 1, 1951 I
