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DECEMBER, 1951 text is written. The methods of determining atomic weights is a in point. However, there is sufficient use of mathematics and its methods t o give the students an appreciation of its importance in chemistry and practice in its use. The review questions a t the end of each chapter contain some problems. Incidentally, the practical nature of these questions should appeal t o the instructor. A list of "New Terms" which accompanies these questions should be valuable to both teacher and student. The relatively hrief organic chemistry section ia sufficient to introduce the student t o the more important biochemistry division. The chpmistry of the major compounds of foods (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats) and their fate in digestion, metaholism, and excretion is well and concisely covered. The textile portion discusses various kinds of fibers and presents a brief treatment of dyeing, laundering, and cleaning textiles. This material should interest all students in this day of synthetio as well as natural fabrics. In conclusion, the author has done a splendid piece of work which should meet with wide approval from the group for which the book has been writtm. The conciseness and clarity of its style alone should win it favor. Its applications are e~cellent. ease
HELEN I. M I N E S
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RADIOISOTOPES: INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS
G. H. Guest, Senior Scientific Officer, Health Radiation Section, Industrial Health Division, Dept. of National Health and Welfare, Ottawa. Canada. Pitman Publishing Corp., Toronto and New York, 1951. xv 185 pp. 6 5 figs. 9 tables. 15 X 22.5 cm. $4.50.
of contention were noted: (1) the reviewer does not feel that painted concrete floors are adequate far a radioisotope laboratory as is suggested on page 142; (2) on,pa- 33, the author neglecta to mention consideration of the tvne .. of radiation (a. . . 8.. or r )in deciding whether an isotope would he of use in a metallurgical problem. The reviewer commends the use of the term "autoradiography" rather than the "radioautography" that is used in this country. In general the book is a useful one and is recommended. LOUIS G. STANG. JR.
BROOIHAYEN NATIONAL LABORATORI UPTON.1.010 ISSAND,NEW Yon.
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QUANTITATIVE ORGANIC MICROANALYSIS
Based on the methods of Fritz Pregl. Fifth English edition. Revised and edited by Julius Grout. The Blakiston Co., Philadelphia, 1951. ix 342 pp. 183figs. 15.5 X 24 cm. $5.50.
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THE fifth English edition of this clsasic work is appreciably enlarged hut similar in scope to the fourth edition (reviewed in J. CHEM.EDUC.,23,468 (1946)). I t incorporates advances in the subject made in cerLain European countries during the war years and more recently released as well as the most recent literature. Several detenninationa are cited here for the first time, notably the direct determination of oxygen by its conversion to carbon monoxide which reacts with iodine pentoride to free iodine. Esoeciallv to he noted is the inclusion of the full reoort of the
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"Wmn the development of the cyclotron and the construction of atomic piles, scientists have created nearly six hundred new isotopes of the ninety-two naturally occurring elements. . These radioactive atoms have provided a new tool, millions of times more aen~itivethan conventional chemical and spectroscopic methods, with which scientists, engineers, and teohnioians may follow reactions and investigate phenomena revealing new facts and important applications. I n this book, Dr. Guest has given in simple language the hasic ideas involved in the use of these new isotopes, indicating typical examples of their application in in dustry. . ." Thus writes Dr. D. A. Keys, Vioe-President of the National Research Council of Canada, and Director of the Atomic Energy Project, Chalk River, Ontario. As the author himself puts it, "industrial applications of radioisotopes are already varied and widespread and the purpose of this hook is t o stimulate further interest in uses of pile-produced isotopes in industry.'' Written in langusge which an intelligent layman can comprehend, the hook is slanted toward the industrialist looking far possible applications of the radioisotope technique. The book is equally well suited t o the professor giving a course in radiochemistry; many experiments are suggested which, in addition to supplying valuahle information both of a fundamental and applied nature, would serve also to illustrate the use of tracer techniques. The book not only provides a fairly complete summiwy of experiments already suggested or tried but the author goes on to suggest many which could be tried. As a general survey of the field, the book is excellent. It is not meant to be a comprehensive text discussing in detail counting techniques, etc.; neither does the author go into detail about the results of the experiments which he describes, but rather uses them only as illustrations of the tracer method. In the opinion of the reviewer it would have been desirable to go into a bit more detail on the last two chapters entitled "Laboratories." and "Precautions in the industrial uses of radioisotopes." The format is good. The clear type together with a lavish use of well chosen figures combine t o make a very readable book. Numerous references are given a t the end of each chapter and in the appendix. Although the index is somewhat weak, it is offset by a very complete table of contents. Only s few minor points
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brief, the reviewer feels that in another ediiion the section oh absorption spectrs. should he revised there is inaccuracy of statement in the discussion of the Beer-Lamhert law. The text is primarily a treatment of mieraanelysis from the viewpoint of organic chemistry and as such plays an important role in the development of thissubject. LUCY W. PlCKETT Mourn horror^ C o m ~ o e
S o n m HADLEI. MABBACHUBETTB
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THE POWER AND LIMITS OF SCIENCE
E. F. Coldin, Lecturer in Chemistry in the University of Leeds. Chapman and Hall Ltd., London, 1949. ix 196 pp. 14 X 22 cm. 12s. 6d.
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THIS book, subtitled "A Philosophied Study," is timely, well written, and stimulating. Probably few scientists would agree with all of the author's premises, arguments, and conclusions but few could fail to profit from a oritiod and careful reading of the book. Its values are of two distinct types: the ideas discussed and the clarity of the writing itself. The ideas should help to tim mulate and orystallise thought8 of the reader, although he will not always agree with the author. The writing itself could he studied by many as a model. Some of the flavor of the book can perhaps be comnmnicatedalthough only imperiectly-by quoting excerpts such as the following, from a chapter entitled "The inductive method.'' "The view that we are developing is that scientifio generalisiltions are neither certainly false nor certainly true, hut more or less reliable or likely, according to the evidence supporting them; that a scientific law claims s. qualified belief, and the likelihood of its being true can he improved or worsened by fresh evidence. All such likelihood depends, too, not only on the bare data of science, hut upon the legitimacy of assuming s principle which
