some of the earlv vicissitudes of the Acadkmie des Sciences. It -~ contains appendices and hiblingrnphics The author concludes that his bwk "isan caploration rather than a chart of aeventrenthcentury France" the net result of which is "that we have found in seventeenth-century France the characteristics of other nations of Europe of that time,-Bacon's devotion to the laborious collection of facts and methods of research, Leibniz' faith in the progressive building of civilization under the protection of the state, Huygens' resignation of the powers of the individual reason t o the realities of the natural world. At least we have had a glimpse of the France of Mersenne, Pascal, and Justel, not the France of court historians, learned ladies, and princely generals, but a nation whose erudition was the envy of Europe, whose architecture and gardens set the fashion for a hundred years, whose philosophers brought us from the middle ages, in short the France which perhaps best merits the admiration of the modem world." The book is written in a narrative style. The reader, if he is not confused by multiplicity of detail, by the documentation and the apparatus of scholarship, will improve his knowledge of the hackground against which the history of science has manifested itself. But he will not learn much of the history of science. And the student of the history of chemistry will find in the book very little which seems necessary or desirable for him to remember. TENNEYL. DAVIS ~
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M A S S I C W S ~ SI N S T I TOF ~B TBC~NOLDOY C*~~BRIDW, M*ss.
VOLUMETRIC ANALYSIS.H. P. Starck, M.A. The Technical College, Kingston-on-Thames. Wm. Wood & Co., Baltimore, 1934. viii 228 31 pp. 11 Figs. 13 X 20 cm. $3.00.
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This bwk is stated to be "a complete manual of volumetric analysis for pharmaceutical, medical, and other students of chemistry." Section I contains a brief introductory chapter on volumetric methods and apparatus. followed by an elementary discussion of neutralization indicators. Sections 11, 111, and IV are devoted respectively to neutralization, oxidation-reduction, and precipitation methods of analysis, directions being given for the preparation of the commonly used standard solutions and for their use in typical analyses. Section V presents the application of volumetric methods for the determination of the canstituents in a number of binary mixtures. The appendix includes, in addition to certain tables and information about indicators. some thirty pages devoted to general inorganic qualitative analysis and the detection of the elements commonly found in organic compounds. Directions are given for more than two hundred separate determinations. Some of these represent essentially a repetition; seven, for example, being devoted to the estimation of acetic acid in different preparations. About one hundred problems illustrate typical volumetric calculations. Equations for the chemical reactions are given for most of the determinations, and also the hydrogen equivalent of the constituent to be determined. Little, of the theory underlying volumetric processes is given. The brief discussions and the directions for the procedures are concisely written, the latter approaching in this respect "cookbook" or nharmaconoeial stvle. The nrintinn.. is e w d and typogrnphical errors are scarce. The pharmaceutical names are given for many cumpounrl.;. A graphical method is suggested for calculntiug the t w o constituents in each of several Linary mixtures. Users of some of the better American texts on quantitative analysis would question a number of points, examples of which may be noted. Gravimetric and volumetric procedures are said to be the two methqds available for estimating substances. No mention is made of the molar system for standard solutions, and attention is not directed to the fact that the normality of a solution may depend upon the chemical reaction involved. Except in one figure the abbreviation C.C.is used to designate onethousandth of the metric unit of capacity, the liter. It is stated to be "sufficiently accurate if all weighing, calculations, etc., be
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using atomic conducted to the nearest third decimal place, weights which approximate to the nearer half or whole number." Some of the sample calculations are carried only to two significant figures and buret readings are given to one decimal place. The standard solution specified is frequently 1 N.; however, large samples are used. The equivalent weights of various compounds, such as potassium permanganate, are calculated from their "available" oxygen atoms. One is led to the conclusion that, when the standard solutions do not have an exact normality, time is saved by using a normality factor rather than by calmlating a t once the equivalence (titer) of the solution in terms of the desired constituent. Sodium carbonate, sodium oaalate, and potassium acid phthalate are not mentioned as primary standards. Litmus and cochineal are recommended as indicators. To the reviewer the hook seems of value c h i d y for the variety of determinations sueeested. Instructors in nharmaceutical work may find it valu%le. Some students wilifeel more contented if they determine calcium in calcii carbonas rather than in calcium carbonate.
ENGLISH FOR ENGINEERS. S. A . Harbarger, Assistant Professor of English, The Ohio State University. Third edition. McGraw-Hill Bwk Co., Inc.. New York City, 1934. xvi 314 pp. 13 X 20 cm. 8.00.
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I n the first edition of "English for Engineers." which appeared in 1923, Professor Harbarger stated these purposes: "to make the study of English definite for the engineering student; to stimulate his interest in a brief m e y of the uses to which English may be put by the engineer; and to acquaint him with the sources of English study both for professional and cultural needs and interests." The present edition has followed these general lines, hut has been revised in the light of changing conditions, and the collateral reading is largely restricted to material appearing within the past five years. This bwk presupposes the fundamental training in English which is given in high school and the limited amount usually available in college to students of the applied sciences. It is intended primarily for the senior and the recent graduate, but it may be read with profit by those of more maturity and experience. The lamer " .Dart of the book is devoted to verv nractical tonics. ~ - Aftw outlining thc relationship between professional prrstige and Fnrlish, surveying the resources of reading and convcrration, emphasizing the need for careful preliminary umlysis, and stating the familiar essentials of clearness, conciseness, and emphasis, the author discusses in some detail letters of application, telegrams, order, inquiry, instruction, and sales letters, dictation, explanations, abstracts, summaries, book reviews, editorials, technical articles, reports, and professional society papers. Emphasis is laid on the "you" attitude, which means that the writer must put himself in the place of the reader. While most of this material is plain common sense, it contains much that is often overlooked in everyday writing. The chapter on "English for Non-Technical Uses" lifts the engineer from the plane of the immediate and practical t o that of a broad cultural development. This chapter is not only a strong and sensible plea for good reading, but is also a most excellent euide to what is best in literature. While thiq book was written primarily for mginrers, it can be used with great value by all scirntific worker,, particulxly those who have to do with modem industry. W. T. REAU
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R U T O ~USN I V & ~ I T Y
Nsw Bauwswrcx. N. J.
THE CHEMISTRY OF THE HORDIONES. Benjamin Harrow, Ph.D., Associate Prof. of Chemistry, The City College of The College of the City of New York, and Carl P. Sherwin. D.Sc., M.D., Dr.P.H., St. Vincent's Hospital and French Hospital. New York City. The Williams & Wilkius Co., Baltimore, 1934. vii 227 pp. 23 X 15cm. $2.50.
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In writing this b w k the authors have made an attempt to gather together the information concerning the chemical natures of the physiological substances which we know as hormones. We are told in the preface that their purpose has been " . to book of use to the laboratory put together a practical bookworker who wishes t o prepare active hormone fractions or to isolate a chemically pure hormone; and of use to the student who wants a connected account dealing with the chemical characteristics of the hormones, in so far as they are known a t present." In the opinion of the reviewer, the authors have succeeded remarkably well in their purpose, especially so when we bear in mind the rather unsettled state of much of the published work from which the subject matter of the book had to be selected. The procedures given for the extraction and purification of various hormone preparations are well selected, and present the best knowledge we have a t the present time. The criticism might be made that no critical comments are made as to the relative advantages or disadvantages of the various procedures. The authors present the work of a number of investigators in each field, leaving it to the reader or to the worker to select that which seems best suited to hi needs. The book is not comprehensive, the authors stating, "We are only too well aware that matters of importance may have been omitted and that possibly some imvelant matter may have been included. But that is the penalty which has to be paid when dealing with a subject in a state of flux." On the whole, however, the reviewer feels that each topic has been well covered. Chapter I deals with the thyroid hormone, in which the work of Kendall and Harington is given most attention, although the work of many others is also included. The isolation, characterization, and synthesis of thyroxin is given in some detail. Chapter I1 deals with the parathyroid hormone in which Collip's work is given most consideration, but not to the exclusion of others who have contributed to this problem. What is known chemically of insulin is well reviewed in Chapter 111, numerous methods for its extraction and purification being presented. Chapters on the pituitary hormones, the adrenal hormones, the male hormones. and the female hamones follow. The last two chapters deal with senetin and the plant hormones. Each chapter in the book carries quite an extended bibliography. The book is written in a clear, concise style which leaves no doubt as to what the writers wish to convey. It is remarkably free from mistakes, but a few typographical errors will be found. One important omission might he pointed out, and also, in the opinion of the reviewer, an error in arrangement. In the chapter on the female hormones, the second paragraph describes the vaginal smear method of following the wstrus cycle of an animal. However. it is not pointed out that this method was worked out primarily for the cycles of guinea pigs, rats, and mice. and caunot be applied to every laboratory animal. Also this chapter includes Collip's preparation from placentg of an anterior lobel i e hormone. It seems that this could better have been included in the chapter on pituitary hormones since it is a gonadotropic factor and not an ovarian substance. The book will be found useful as a semilaboratory manual for hormone preparations as well as a source of information concerning our present knowledge of hormone chemistry. H m L. FEVOLD
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UNIYBRSITY OF WISEONUII MADISON. WIS.
INTnODUCTrON TO PHVSIOLOGICAL &EXISTRY. Meyer Bodonsky. Ph.D., Director of Laboratories, John Sealy Hospital, Galveston, and Professor of Pathological Chemistry, University of Texas. Third edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York 662 pp. 39 Figs. 62 tables. 14.5 X 23 City, 1934. xi cm. 54.00. The aim of this third edition "has remained essentially the same," namely to he a useful textbook. The present edition is distinctly more than that; it has become a reference hook of recent advances in physiological chemistry. With considerable facility. the author has extended some of the previous sections
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and entirely rewritten others, to include the large additions made to this field of science since the appearance of the second edition. Although no new chapters have been added, the extent of the increase in size is more than one hundred pages. The book will inevitably be much used if for no other reason than that the bibliography is conveniently given in footnotes. The expansion of the chapter on nutrition together with the emphasis an the clinical implications of variations in composition of tissues and body fluids have enlarged somewhat the scope of the book. However, the material is well organized and the sense of coherence is well preserved. The discussion on the gas laws, solutions, and hydrogen ions is in better form than in the previous editions. The chapter on gastric digestion in its present form is an excellent summary of current concepts. The tables describing the compmition of foods are incomplete, always with reference to ash constituents and a t times in other respects. The chapter on blood and the chemistry of respiration has been improved, but throughout, unfortunately, the name of Hasselbalch is misspelled. It would make for clarity if all the tables had titles. In view of the mass of more or less confused material currently available, the section on hormones seems to have been carefully considered and clearly presented. The discussion of the chemistry of carbohydrates, of the metabolism of the sugars, and of their part in the chemistry of contraction of muscle has been thoroughly reviewed and is presented in an understandable manner. This book in its present form is of great usefulness to the teacher and investigator. Does it serve as well as a text for the beginning student? The effort to consider the most recent cantrihutions necessarily involves a type of discussion designed to maintain the open mind in the reader; this ordinarily results in confusion to the student to whom the subject is new. I t seems, therefore, that this tent now definitely needs the guiding hand of the g d teacher to he of the greatest usefulness. This circumstance is an inevitable result of the effort to render the treatment of material both comprehensive and timely. I n no wise does it minimize the general high level of excellence maintained by the author in this third edition.
hmun H. SMITH YAGPUN~VBBSITP NBW HAYEN. CONNBCTZC~
MERCKMANUAL O a THERAPEmIcs
AND
MATERIAMEDICA
George W. Merck, President of Merck & Co. Inc., announces the publication of the sixth edition of the Merck Manual of Therapeutics and Materia Medica. Over two thousand prescriptions with official constituents and metric eouivalents are oresented. alonn - with a descriotion of four hundred seventy-five remedies, including solubility, action, uses, average dose, preparations, contra indication. incompatibilities. Some of the new chapters among the two hundred fifty-seven contained in the section on therapy are: Acidosis, Alkalosis, Backache, Botulism, Caisson Disease, Celiac Disease, Coronary Occlusion, Dyspnea, Encephalitis Lethargica. Food Poisoning, Freezine. -. Hav Fever. Infantile Convulsions. Mvasthenia Gravis. Paroxysmal ~ a c h y c k d i a Polycythemia , ~ u b r ; Tularemia, and Urolithiasis. The Dose Table comprises official remedies, new and nanofficial remedies, rarer medicaments, and newer remedies. There are included remedies in general use as well as same in disuse, preserving a traditional feature of value in the Merck Manual; namely, that there may he found in it desired iuformation on dosage no longer generally available. The sixth edition of the Merck Manual is printed on fine paper and bound in dark blue fabrikoid covers with gold stamping. I t is available only to memhers of the medical profession, pharmacists, chemists, and those in allied professions, a t the nominal price of two dollnrs per copy, representing the actual cost of printing and distribution.
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