Since that time the algebraic manipulations of regression analysis have been a p plied to all sorts of problems in whioh the effect of one or more independent variables on a dependent variable was sought. In no field of statistical analysis, however, is it more true that the characteristics of the data and the use to wbioh the results are to be put determine the particulars of the analysis. "Regression by E . J. Williams is a carefully drawn collection of problems and their solutions taken from the author's consulting experience. Linear, multiple, polynomial, and exponential regression are illustrated and the oonoepts are extended to include covariance analysis and discriminant functions. In each of the some two dosen examples (mostly from forestry) care is taken to examine the nature of the data and the objectives of the experimental work. This boak is 'Laddressedto experimenters rather than to mathematicians," but experimenters will need a background of elementary statistics to make full use of what is provided. No theoretical ddevelopment is given and little emphasis is placed on computational procedures. It is not infrequent that functional reIstionships are of interest and the classical techniques of regression analysis are spplicable here only when the independent variables are free of error. Workers in the physical sciences will wish for more discussion of this topic than the author provides in a brief final chapter. I t would seem that this book will find its greatest usefulness its a short but i~utharativecollection of such special topics as simultaneous regression equations (e.g., simultaneous estimation of glucose and galactose in solution), the fitting of certain non-linear relationships by iteration, estimation of coefficients subject to linear restrictions, and the treatment of heterogeneous data. No statistical tables are included. LLOYD S. NELSON
General Elect& Lamp Division Cleveland, Ohio
Organic Chemistry: lems a n d Answers
An Outline, Prob-
C'OTWZ'~ Hanseh, Pomons. College, Pomona, California, and George Helmkamp, University of California, a t Riverside. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inr., New York, 1959. vi 258 pp. 21.5 X 27.5 em. $2.95.
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The primary purpose of this book is to make available to students of organic chemistry s. large number of drill problems and answers by means of which the student may achieve s. working knowledge of the reactions and synthe.ses of organic compounds. The thirty chapters included in the book cover the essential classes of organic compounds normally treated in thorough organic texts. Each chapter deals speoificdly with class nomenclature, a review outline of preparations and reactions, qualitative tests, mechanisms and theory of particular interest, and finally, a. csrefully illustrated
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Journol o f Chemicol Educofion
discussion of the problems involved in organic syntheses. Synthesis is not only stressed but is presented as a well integrated and continuous process, increasing in scope and difficulty from chapter to chapter. The drill problems are selected to illustrate basic ohemistry. They are thoughtprovoking rather than "tricky" or "unusual." Answers are provided for about half of the problems. The answer section is clearly enumerated by reference to chapter numbers. Included in each seleetion of problems are some to challenge the best minds. There is also rt nice balance between "just plain drill," practiosl theory, and the analytical approach (such as oom. bustion analysis, Rast molecular weights, Zerewitinoff active hydrogen, and other analyticalpmceduresreadily carried out in the laboratory). This book is recommended as an excellent teaching aid for elementary organic students and as a sound review of fundamentals for more advanced students.
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine in Man (both normal and schizophrenia patients), 8) Acetylcholine and Behavior (studies with animals snd man and the effect of various drugs). Because of the controver6al nature of the proposed theories and concepts associated with the above topics, a considerable portion of discussion following each paper is devoted to the presentation of the findings, conclusions and concepts of other investigators. The material presented is a good summary of the available information from leading investigators in this field. In Part 2 the clinical experiences and information on the pediatric epileptic disorder, hypsarhythmia, are discussed by s. group of eminent pediatricians, neurologists and experts on ACTH. Although the disease was clearly identified about 10 years ago by its characteristic electroencephalographic pattern, it was only recently that Dr. Sore1has shown that in a high percentage of cases of bypsaHERBERTS. RHINESMIT~ rhythmia ACTH is effective. This new treatment with ACTH i8 discussed in Allegheny College three of the eight papers, while in Meadville, Pennsylvania a fourth paper is a discussion of the action of ACTH in various disorders. The other four papers are concerned with the neurologic and neuropathologic findings of patients Molecules a n d Mental Health with hypsarhythmis and a comparison of this syndrome with cerebral degeneraEdited by Frederick A. Gibbs, Univertive disorders and r i t h chronic viral sity of Illinois College of Medicine, encephalitis. For an up-to-date review Chioago. Published for the Brain Reof the clinical status and therapeutic treatsearch Foundation by J. B. Lippincott ment of this serious childhood disorder by Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, experts in the field, this section of tho 1959. xii 189 pp. Figs. and tables. present volume is strongly recommended. 16 X 24 cm. $4.75.
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The proceedings of the First Scientific Conference of the Brain Research Foundation hcld in Chicago, January 12, 1957, were published under the title, "Blood Tests in Mental Illness." Two conferences were held in 1958: the first in New York on January 25, 1958, under the title, "Amines in Relation to Brain Functim and Behavior," and the second in Chicago on March 31, under the title, "ACTH Treatment of Hypsarhythmia." The proceedings of bath 1958 conferences are oontained in this volume. Although the concept of a chemical etiology of schizophrenia is not new, only recently have efforts been made to CTrelate biochemical changes with psychotic behavior. In Part I of the present volume the contributions of many of the leading investigators in this field are pre~ented under the following titles: 1) Current Work on Ceruloplitsmin in Mental Illness, 2) The Effect of Ceruloplasmin in a Case of Schizophrenia (film), 3) Mode of Action of Taraxein, 4) Mode of Action of Ergot Hallucinogens (chiefly the similarity hetween fiehiaophrenia and clinical manifestations following the use of LSD-25 and the role that adrenochrome in the brain plays in t h e ~ econditions), 5 ) Tryptoohan Metabolism in Schiao~hrenicsand in Controls (a comparison of t,he exorebion of xanthurenic and 6hydroxyindole acetic acids after an oral tryptophan load), 6) A New Class of Psychotogenic Substances (a comparison and description of the psychotogenic potencies of some piperdyl henrilates and their congeners in human snbjreta), 7) Excretion and Metabolism of
HARRYGREEN
Smith Kline & Frelzeh Laboratmies Philadelphia, Pmmylvania Advancer in Mars Spectrometry Edited by J . D. Waldran, MetropolitanVickers Electrical Ca. LM., Manchester. Proceedings of a joint conference held in the University of London, September 1958. Pereamon Press. Inc..,New York. 1959. xiv'i- 704 pp. fig^. and tables: 16 X 23 cm. $18.
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This boak contains forty-one papers presented a t a conference held in London in Septemher, 1958. Most of the experts in the field of mass spectrometry and its applications a-ere there; the papers are of the highest quality, providing a psnoramio yet deep review of the ntate of this rapidlygrowingfield. The book concludes with a hibliographp of mass spectrometry from 1938 to 1957. Six papers concern high resolution mass spectrometry. The ratio M/AM for the nmallent difference in mass AM that can be resolved is called the resolving power ot the instrument. Resolving powers of 20,000 were readily achieved by double focusing instruments in routine operation. Such machines will be increasingly useful for the auditative identifiration of oreanir compounds by precise determinsti& of their molecular weights and detection of their functional group?. Extremely high renolut,ion is not necessary for precise
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