~
--
The Foundations of Nutrition. MARY ican Chemical Society Monograph Swhnlz Ross, Ph.D., Professor of SeriesChemical Catalog Company, Nutrition, Teachers College, Columbia Iuc., New York. 1927: 334 pp. 15 X University. The Macmillan Company, 23 cm. $7.00 net. 501 pp. New York City, 1927. xi The writer has rendered a valuable 86 figures and photographs. 12.5 X 19 service in bringing together in one place cm. $2.75. the laws and principles on which statistical "This hook is written for those who mechanics is based and in giving them a presentation. But the wish to live more intelligently," is the dear and logical succinct statement of the author in her work is far more than one of reproduction preface. She adds that "an effort has and compilation. Besides a number of been made to present within a small new contributions of importance, the space some of the fundamental principles writer's originality of viewpoint and of human nutrition in terms which call critical treatment are in evidence throughfor no highly specialized training in those out. The book is divided into the following natural sciences upon which the science of P a N b Classical Statistical Mechanics, nutrition rests." The book is excellently and interestingly Introduction of the Quantum Theory, written, well arranged, and profusely Application to Molecular Processes, Rate illustrated. Several features are worthy of Phvsical-Chemical Chance - and a Conof special mention. The free use of elusion dealing principally with the relahistorical material in the introduction and tion of Thumodmamics to Statistical Mechanics. throughout the book adds neatly .to both Perhaps of most direct interest to the its interest and its value. This is particularly true of the two splendid chapters physical chemist is the section on Rate of on "The Vitamins." The material is "Physical-Chemical" Change, consisting carefully selected and embodies the of five chapters on: Velocity of Physicalmost recent advances in this rapidly Chemical Processes-Boltzmann's H-Thechanging field. Book referencesare given orem: Rates of Some Physical Processesa t the end of each chapter and many refer- Transport Problems; Rate of Chemical ences to the literature appear as footnotes Reaction; Temperature Coefficient of throughout the book. In addition to Reaction Rate; Photochemical Reactions. Under the term "Phvsical-Chemical many photographs, the author presents a Change" are included the various physical wealth of valuable material in the form of tables, charts, and model menus, and there processes involved in the chemical change. The entire treatment of reaction velocity is an appendix of 9 tables. The book is not only excellently adapted is illustrative rather than exhaustive, and far use as a text or hook of reference for deals with questions where general agreebeginner's courses, but may be read with ment is still lackimg. The reviewer cappleasure and profit by all whose desire it not subscribe to the applicability of the is to "order their lives more successfully general equation (No. 634, p. 290) for and have a better understanding of the photochemical action, f i s t advanced by d NA part which nutrition plays in health in Tolman in 1923: = R.u.(NA)S the world a t large." at A. P. BLACK (A's)'. Mass action can have but a secondary r61e in photochemical action, if Statistical Mechanics with Applications to any; absorption does not follow such a Physics and Chemistry. R I C ~ A RC. D law and since activation is not caused by TOLWAN, Professor of Physical Chemis- collision, it is difficult to understand the try and Mathematical Physics, Cali- applicability of the mass law. fornia Institute of Technology--AmerAfter the extended application of the
+
--
