RECENT ROOKS O ~ c m r cREAGENTS IN INORGANIC ANALYSIS.P Q won ~ Stein. Director of Analytical Developments, Cadmium Residue and Pigment Department, Harshaw Chemical Company, Elyria. Ohio. Chemical Publishing Co., Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y., 1942. viii 242 pp. 13.5 X 21.5cm. $4.50. This book is a compendium of organic compounds which yield indicative reactions with inorganic substances. Pertinent facts are given for each determination, as well asreference to theoriginal articles from which the material has been taken. The elementsdealt with are eiven in alohahetical xauence. each com" poring a chapter (17 in all , rhwh i i subdivided into paragraphs with the organic rcagcnt under cclnsidcrarion ay the whri~lr. l'hr proredures for the more iml,ormnt mcthods are Rwrn in f!lll as regards the care and technic required; methods of less importance are mentioned only briefly. The preparation of reagent solutions and a partial summary of reagents and their interferences in detecting metals are given in the Appendix. The book is well indexed. No attempt was made to include or describe the chemical reactions, affinities, and formulas of the organic reagents. The book will be a useful adjunct t o every analyst; those interested in the theoretical aspects of the subject of metalla-organic analytical methods will need to consult the treatises and original articles, many of which have appeared within the past ten or fifteen years. JOHN H. YOE
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U N l V B l S l T Y 0. VIRGINIA
CAARLOTTHSYILLB. V I ~ ~ N I *
MINERALS I N NUTRITION.Zolton 7'. Wirlschafter, M.D. Chician in Charge, Clinic for Diabetes, Mount Sinai Hospital, Cleveland; Visiting Physician, Cleveland City Hospital; Clinical Instructor in Medicine, Western Reserve University. Reinhold Publishing Company, New York, 1942. 175 pp. 4 figs. 12 X 18.5 cm. $1.75. This hook on mineral metabolism is intended for the lay public, and is therefore written with non-technical terminology, in a clear, simple style. After introductory chapters on the functions of minerals including water, separate chapters are devoted to each of the major mineral elements found in the body. Consideration of the mineral needs of pregnancy and lactation and a summary chapter complete the hook. Interesting X-ray photographs showing demineralization of the skeleton, rachitic bones. and lack of development of banes in Cretinism illustrate the chapters on calcium, phosphorus, and iodine. The fact that each mineral is considered separately means that there is considerable repetition in the different chapters. Most of the material is well selected. However, some inconsistencies have unfortunatelv, creot in. For exsmole. . . on Dare . - 26.. it is stated that calcium comprkrs XI per cent of the weight of bone ash, whilr on pagc R I . Rti per cent i, rhr figure used. The bibliugraphies on calcium and potassium are transposed. I t seems unfortunate that, while tables are given of the mineral contents of foods, the standards of intake as compiled hy the National Research Council in 1941 are not mentioned. Greater attention is paid to the pathological deficiencies than to ways in wbich the minerals function in positive nutrition, while the increased needs of the minerals for erowth are scarcelv mentioned. I n spite of the;^ drawbark,, thi.; i. a readahlc little hook from which the layman u.ill gain an irwight into the mineral mrtaboliwn of the body pleasantly and easily. MARGARET L. FINCKE
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PNNTINOMATERIALS. A Short Encyclopedia. Rutherford 3. Gcttens, Chemist, Department of Conservation, and Fellow for Technical Research, Fogg Museum of Art; and George L. Stout, Lecturer on Fine Arts and Head of the Department of Conservation, Fogg Museum of Art. D. Van Nastrsnd Com333 pp. 37 figs. pany, Inc.. New York, N. Y.. 1942. vii 17 X 24 cm. 8 . 2 5 . The authors have attempted to compile the significant information an the materials and processes of painting, including information resulting from recent studies in the fields of chemistry, microscopy, and physics. The work is arranged as an encyclopedia, in five sections-Mediums. Adhesives, and Film Substances; Pigments and Inert Materials; Solvents, Diluents. and Detergents; Supports; Tools and Equipment-is adequately cross referenced, and includes lengthy bibliographies for each section. The data were gathered, according t o the authors, . for all who do work in the art-painters, teachen of painting, students, museum curators and conservators, paint chemists and analysts. There is much that will concern the museum worker and the paint analyst more than othe-distinctions among chemical and physical properties, prohlems of conservation, and history of materials."
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CHEMICAL DICTIONARY.Compiled by F. H. Campbell, D.Sc.. F.A.C.I. Chemical Publishing Co., Inc., New York, N. Y., 1942. 85pp. 13 X 21 cm. $2.50. "Chemists find it necessary t o refresh their memories of meanings of terms not in constant,use and t o keep abreast of new terms constantly being introduced. This condensed book contains the more frequently used terms which will meet the needs of those who wish to make their written expression as precise as laboratory results." The author has included those terms which chemists use, even though not strictly chemical, and has attempted to eliminate all terms for which potential users of the book already know the meaning. Included is a useful four-page summary of inorganic and organic nomenclature.
HANDBOOK oa COLLEGEENTRANCER~UIREMENTS.William W. Hincklqy. Bulletin 1941, No. 13. Federal Security Agency, U.S. Officeof Education. United States Government Printing Office,Washington, 1941. 79 pp. 14 X 23 cm. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, 15 cents. LABORA=ORV
MANUAL TO ELEMENTARY GENERALCHEMISTRY.
John C. H o g , M.A., M.C., Chairman, Science Department, The Philips Exeter Academy, and Charles L. Bickel, Ph.D., Instructor in Chemistrv. D. ~-~~ * . The Philios Exeter Academv. Van Nontrand Company, Inc., New York, 1942. x +283 pp. 51 figs. 17.7 X 24.3 cm. Looseleaf. $1.60. Part I contains 32 excellently presented experiments. 44 per cent quantitative, dealing with the staples of elementary chemistry. These are graduated from explicit directions a t the start t o mere suggestions in Part I1 which contains 15 more advanced experiments, 85 per cent quantitative. Designed to accompany "Elementary general chemistry" by the same authors, the experiments omit reference to colloids, organic compounds, and practical applications of chemistry. Even the classic experiment of soap-making is omitted. Emphasis is placed on good technics, the use of small quantities of materials, and accuracy. The directions are clear, concise, and amply illustrated. Prospective users should check the time available for laboratory work with the time required to perform the relatively large proportion of quantitative experiments. The emphasis placed upon the fundamentals of a sound training in unadorned chemistry is a welcome feature. ELBERTC. WEAVER ~
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B ~ K P L EHIOA Y SCAOOL
HAsrsnao. C o w N ~ c r r c a r
