400
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
I n the hands of a teacher as able as either of the authors this book can safely be used as a test for undergraduates. The average good student will understand that directions (page 108) to obtain grains per gallon by multiplying "diagrams" by 2 refen t o milligrams. He may be pleased or puzzled by being offered a choice between potassium "dichromate" on page 95 and "bichromate" in the footnote an page 97; also between "potassium thiocyanate" on page 111 and "potassium sulphocyanide" on page 175. I t will probably he desirable for a teacher to give the students some advice on the relative usefulness of the different methods for estimating some of the constituents for which methods are given in four different places. The occasional student who has some curiosity as to when certain things were done may have an interesting time completing the footnote references, which are largely incomplete either as regards dates or page numbers, and in the case of books, the names of publishers. The astonishingly incomplete and inaccurate index refers to R. H. Phelps as cited on page 1011: This probably means the reference to the fact that the orthotolidine test for residual chlorine was first proposed by Earle B. Phelps in 1909. The commonly used "B & B" soap solution described by Boutron and Boudet in 1855is credited on page 109 to Boutron and Boudet. The footnote gives the date as 1844. "Boutron" appears twice in the index. The 17 pages on the bacteriological examination of water have been revised to correspond with the current Standard Methods published by the American Public Health Association. I t is understood that the publishers have issued a correction sheet for six minor errors in the first printing. If they will correct ten or twelve more, of which some are noted above, will have the footnotes put into some standard form, perhaps have a little editing for uniformity of usage, and have an index prepared that will be moderately correct and complete, the booL can be recommended for use by
FEBRUARY, 1932
teachers of only average special experience in water analysis. W. D. COLLINS
Quantitative analytische Mihomethoden der organisehen Chemie in vergleichender Darstellung. C. WEVGAND,University of Leipzig. Akademische V& lagsgesellschaft M. B. H., Leipzig. 279 pp. 79 Figs. 15.5 X 1931. xi 23 cm. M. 18.
+
Professor Weygand's book is a comparative presentation of the various quantitative analytical micro-methods of organic chemistry critically discussed in the light of the author's eight years of experience in teaching micro-methods. Consequently, the book is not a duplication of Pregl's well-known "Quantitative Organic Microanalysis" [for a review see J. C ~ M . Eouc., 7, 2755 (Nov.. 1930)I, hut a work which will serve to supplement the Pregl tent. The plan of the book is as follows: The method recommended by Pregl for earnin2 out a given determination is first described, and then follow various modified micro-pr-dures for accomplishing the same result. Finally the similar semi-micro-methodis described. Throughout the book a critical tone is maintained, and the advantages and disadvantages of the various procedures are discussed. Many determinations not mentioned in Pregl's work are included. Among these are the Zerewittinoff method for determining hydroxyl groups, the determination of primary aliphatic amines according e . the Barger method of to ~ k ~ l y k and determining molecular weights as modified by Rast. The text is copiously provided with references; work which-has appeared as late as 1931 is quoted. Illustrations are frequent; there are to be found not only line drawings of apparatus, hut photographs of several important manipulations. Those phatographs which illustrate the cleaning of
VOL. Y, NO. 2
RECENTBOOKS
the micro-balance are well chosen and very helpful. The author is t o be commended on the excellent sections on the use, care, and cleaninx of the micro-balance. This sub)cct mattcr hns hceo handkd with partictl. lar skill, and is :t n ~ l t r s ~ , r t fratmr ~ls of t ~ , ; text. professor weygand>$ book should microanalysis is being . available taught or carried out, and i t is to be hoped that the work will be translated into English a t an early date so that it will be available to an even larger group.
Forensic Chemistry and Scientific Criminal Investigation. A. L u c ~ s London: , formerly director of the chemical department of the Egyptian Government. Second edition, Longmans, Green & Co., New York City, 1931. 324 pp. 14 X 22 cm. $6.00. The first edition was entitled "Forensic Chemistry" and a smaller book by the author in 1920 was entitled "Legal Chemistry and Scientific Criminal Investigation." There is no apt and concise title for this body of knowledge which should of circumstaninclude the investi~ations . tial evidences by means of chemistry and physics and the functioning of the chemist as an expert witness. Historically this science has developed from legal medicine, forensic medicine, or medical jurisprudence. Even today the physician and the pharmacist engage in the application of chemistry to court cases t h o u ~ hmanifestly such work is p w d v chemical. Indeed, specialization within chemistry itself is now necessary to secure competency in this very valuable contribution t o the administration of justice. This book on forensic chemistry divorces itself from forensic medicine-though neither title is strictly precise since courts do not permit forensics by the expert witness. This book, based on the existing litera~
401
t w e and on voluminous court experiences, contains sixteen chapters with bibliocaphieson theseveralsubjects. Though dealing largely with criminal cases, it includes some chemistry in the service of law a ~ p p l i c dtu civil caws. This latter ~liriiionis becoming increasingly more important in connection with suits for damages, breach of contract on specifications of materials, infringements of patents, etc., and be treated more in books Of legal The chapters of this book are suggestive rather than comolete. .No illustrations and few tables are given. The longest chapter is on documents; poisons are treated in sixty pages: finger prints, fires, stains, explosions, tobacco, etc., are discussed in three t o eleven pages, variously. Books on legal chemistry should not only include information on chemical and physical methods, on interpretation of evidence with illustrative court cases, on preparation for court of demonstration experiments, written reports and the literature, but also should supply knowledge of legal evidence and procedure so that the r expert witness can testify successfully and can combat the subtleties of cross-exminations. Many civil and criminal cases have been lost because of the confusion of the "star" expert witness. All these subjects are touched upon in this book-their complete discussion must be included in many volumes. The beginner in chemical investigations of crime will find this book very illuminating; the experienced legal chemist will find many helpful suggestions in the chapters an blood, firearms, application of newer optical methods, etc. Even the amateur chemist and the layman will find much of interest in these methods of scientific detection of crime. The book is dearly and entertainingly written, and i t is hoped that subsequent editions will develop larger
