Recent Books I The Theory and Technique of Quantitaorder of precipitation of barium sulfate. tive Analysis. MARIE FARNSWORTH, The chapter on Precision of MeasurePh.D., Instructor in Chemistry, Wash- ments should be enlarged in order to cover ington Square College, New York Uni- the field. The terms accuracy and preversity. First edition. John Wiley & cision should he defined and then used :orrectly throughout the book. In addiSons, Inc., New York City. 1928. vii '.ions and subtractions one must pay at154 pp. 15 X 23 cm. $2.50. tention to the number of decimal places The object of the book is to emphasize and not to significant figures (p. 27). the theory and technic of Quantitative A rule for rejection of superRuous figures Analysis and may be summarized in a should be given. statement of the foreword: "The true Normal and molar solutions are deanalyst must analyze his method before fined on p. 97, but the terms are used he can analyze his sample." I n the main in earlier chapters. Equations, such as the foregoing object has been fulfilled. E = ro - 0.0591/5 log [ M n O r l [Hi]8/ Acknowledgment is made to "the exlMnt+] tensive use of material originally used by are confusing and should be written Dean Gerald Wendt of the Pennsylvania State College in his courses a t the Univer0.0591 [MnOl-I [Ht]8 E = to - -- log sity of Chicago and Pennsylvania State [Mnt+] College." The foreword is written by Dr. Wendt in a brilliant manner. The products of reduction of permanThe following chapters make the con- ganate ion in varying concentrations of tents of the book: The Balance, Pre- hydrogen ion (p. 114) should be corrected. cision of Measurements, Laboratory Ware, The impression made by the equations Reagents and Their Purification, Prepar- on the bottom of p. 119 and on the top ing the Sample for Analysis, Precipitation: of p. 120 is erroneous. Sodium and Facton Bearing on the Purity of the Pre- sulfate ions are not discharged on eleccipitate, Filtration, Water of Crystalliza- trolysis of sodium chloride and sodium tion. Drying and Drying Agents, Volu- sulfate solutions, respectively. The chapmetric Analysi?, Acidimetry and Alkalim- ter on neutralization should precede the etry, Preparation of Standard Acid and chapter on precipitation. An atomic Alkali Solution.: Precipitimetry, Oxida- weight table should be given. tion and Redudi n, Electrolytic Processes, Due credit should be given t o Goodc and Eleutrometrl Titrations. for his valuable contributions t o continuous and automatic electrometric apStrange as it mxy seem, the names of neither Dr. Farnsworth nor Dr. Wendt paratus. Indicators like methyl orange appear in the index. This may be due or phenolphthalein (p. 90) cannot be used in precise work without due corrections t o modesty. I t is very necessary on p. 49 to give in titrations involving strong acids and experimental data to support the conelu- strong bases. There are no problems sion arrived at. A statement that the and detailed laboratory procedures are not given. author is "riding on the band wagon" The hook is clearly written. There are is not always convincing, especially when the experimental facts favor the reverse only a few typographical errors such as:
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tion between chemistry and medicine. . . . . Chemistry is the fundamental science of the transformation of matter, and our life, from our inception to our return t o dust, in every breath we draw and in every moment we live, is indissolubly connected Chemistry in Medicine. A co6pperative with most complex transformations of treatise intended to give examples of matter. These take place in our blood, progress made in medicine with the aid in our tissues and our organs. Admittedly of chemistry. Edited by JULIUS the life sciences still know far too little STIEGLITZ, Professor of Chemistry, about these complex hut fundamental University of Chicago, and the following chemical phenomena to make possible that advisory editors: Anton J. Carlson, clear insight into and positive control of Professor of Physiology, University of factors of life and health, which must be Chicago; Reid Hunt, Professor of the basis of a science of medicine. . . . .In Harvard Medical the chapters that follow, the story will be Pharmacology, School; Frank R. Lillie. Professor told of some of the most important sucof Zo6logy, University of Chicago; cesses, already assured, in the combating Lafayette B. Mendel, Professor of of disease and alleviation of suffering Physiological Chemistry, Yale Univer- through this alliance of sciences. . . . . sity; H. Gideon Wells, Professor of Pa- The authors include eminent physicians, thology, University of Chicago. The pathologists, pharmacologists, physioloChemical Foundation, Inc., 85 Beaver gists, and bacteriologists as well as chemSt., New York City. 25 illustrations. ists. . . . .Each story will he told by a 757 pp. 13 X 17 cm. $2.00. xxi specialist in his field and as far as possible in non-technical language that any layman The impetus which led t o the preparacan follow." tion of this hook had its origin some years Here indeed is a rare treat for every inago in the tragic loss of a beloved child, telligent person. Think of what it means Patricia, by Mr. and Mrs. Francis P. Garvan of New York City and the frontis- t o be able t o read such articles as the folpiece is a reproduction of a painting of lowing merely picked a t random from the Patricia. No one can look at the picture hook: "The Significance of Chemistry of this charming little lady without sym- and of Its Methods of Attack on Fundaand mental Problems" by Julius Stieglitz; pathizing with Mr. and Mrs. understanding why they wish t o do some- "The Story of the Discovery of the Vitamins" by E. V. McCollnm and Nina thing in her memory. The title page of Simonds: "The Advance Against Pelthe hook hears this inscription: "This book is dedicated t o the welfare of your lagra" by the late Joseph Goldberger; children and your children's children by its "The Hormones of the Suprarenal Glands" by John J . Ahel and E. M. K. Geiling; authors and publishers." "The Story of Thyroxine" by Edward C. One needs only t o read the names of the editor, the advisory editors, and the Kendall; "Insulin t o the Rescue of the Diabetic" by J. J. R. MacLeod; "Safeauthors t o he assured of the outstanding value of this book. The following quota- Guarding the Water We Drink" by John tions taken from the Foreword tell us F. Norton; "General Anesthesia" by something of what the Chemical Founda- Arno B. Luckhardt; "Chemistrv and High Blood Pressure" by Ralph H. Major; tion had in mind inits publication. "This hook is intended t o present t o the public as "The Germ Theory of Disease" by Sdwin well as t o the practitioners of medicine the 0 . Jordan; "The Hope of the ~ e p e r "by for advance in medical Roger Adams; "Iodine in the Prevention meat ~ossihilities . science through further intensive coepera- and Treatmrnt of Goiter" by David Ma-
IHC1
'OH-' 1H21
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=
K (p. 76), Bas09 (p. 47).
