BEYOND THE FLYLEAF
2
mMÊmUÊÊSmÊXÊÊÊÊÊIm :^itesî;i#! A^^giPggaa^^^^ Explosives. John H rod. l.">9 pages. Penguin Books, 41 East 28th St., Ν. Y. City, 1942. Price, 9d. 1 HIS is an entertaining and authoritative introduction to t h e general chemistry and properties of explosives for the lay reader. The perusal is lightened by interesting allusions to the historical development and by whimsical characterizations. Thus Professor Read observes that "Occa- sionally, as these restless chains of carbon atoms twist and twine in snakelike motion, the two atoms at t h e end o f the chain join hands, thereby forming a, ring of atoms, which may be depicted as dancing in ga} r abandon around a molecular mulberry bush:" and that "the instability of metallic fulminates is due partly to the carbon atom being forced to play the un- congenial and uneasy role of a bivalent atom". The historical references and technical examples are well chosen and stimulating. American investigators ixsually prefer a kinetic test such a s the ballistic mortar to the Trauzl lead block test described by the author a s an example of methods for comparing the power of explosives. The reference to the snipping of frozen nitro- glycerin for the making of the Hoosac tunnel may lead to misinterpretation. American historical accounts indicate that Mowbray, the great shipper of frozen nitroglycerin, manufactured his nitro- glycerin at the mouth of this tunnel and that at this North Adams plant over 1,000,000 pounds -were made, a large por- tion going elsewhere. Thus, 100,000 pounds of frozen nitroglycerin were sent without mishap from Massachusetts to Manitoba, Canada, via railroad to Fargo, N. Dak., thence by river steamer. The content of this little book, the im- portance of explosives, and the great popular interest that attaches to them now suggest a much better medium than was chosen. The paper and binding are of very poor quality. WILBERT J. HUFF Organic Chemistry. G. Albert Hill and Louise Kelley. 919 pages. The Blakis- ton Co., Philadelphia, 1943. Price, $4.00. 1 HIS book is not a new edition of the well-known textbook under a similar name which appeared in 1932. It is a new book—a modern treatise on organic chemistry. In the words of the a u t h o r s , the purpose and scope of this new contribution to the literature of organic chemistry have been "to develop a balanced presentation of the theoretical aspects of organic chemistry, of the properties, methods of preparation, and reactions of organic compounds, of the I. U. C. system of nomenclature and its relation to earlier systems, and of the physiological effects and iu>es of organic substances". This reviewer believes that the authors have succeeded in their at- tempt to prepare a very useful and up-to-date contribution. The authors follow closely the orthodox presentation of organic compounds in the aliphatic, carbocyclic, and hetero- cyclic divisions, although they have included considerably more material than can be covered, in a 1-year coarse in organic chemistry. Compared with the ordinary organic textbooks, this book is almost unique i n its completeness and in its usefulness in supplying information in a manner more convenient than often is possible with voluminous reference books on organic chemistry. The authors are to be congratulated on. the splendid and thorough manner in which they have presented the subject. They have like- wise prepared an adequate index. The book appears to have been done with the greatest thought and care, and is remarkably free from errors. I n the hands of a competent instructor, it should prove an excellent textbook for both elementary and. advanced students of organic chemistry. The fundamental chemical theory is developed systemati- cally and logically, yet the development is explicitly practical. The subject matter is presented in a thorough and useful manner which brings together a great deal of previously widely scattered in- formation. Because it offers a new approach to his many problems, this book should prove valuable to any organic chemist. The publishers are t,o be commended for their workmanship in printing and assembling the book, aJl of which makes its handling a distinct pleasure. J. 23. OLEWINE Industrial Inspection Methods. Leno. C. Michelson. 389 pages. Harper & Brothers, 49 East 33rd St., Ν. Υ. City, 1942. Price, $3.50. A HIS book was developed in connection with training courses for junior inspectors for ordnance inspection. While it was therefore written for a particular purpose, it should have considerable value in a much wider field. The purpose of gaging is clearly explained; the terms used and the precision required in various cases are described accurately and in detail. The detail with which the various gages and their use are described is one of the out- standing good features of t h e book. The subject matter includes nonpreci- sion measurements as with ordinary rules and calipers, the micrometers, plug ring and snap gapes, precision gage blocks and their use in setting working gages, dial indicators, precision angle measurement, inspection of screw threads and of gears, the comparator type of gage, optical measuring instruments, layout and tool inspection, methods of sampling, hard- ness testing, destructive testing, and the more specialized x-ray and magnetic test- ing methods. The last chapter deals with the organization of a n inspection depart- ment. Generous use is made of photo- graphs and diagrams of the commercial gages available in this country. The photography is not so good as desirable, and there are a few omissions of available equipment. The book should b e of real value both to the novice in the field and to many in- spectors with practical experience to fill in the gaps in their knowledge. MAX KNOBEL The Application of Absorption Spectra to the Study of Vitamins, Hormones, and Coenzymes. R. A. Morton. 2nd ed. 226 pages. Adam Hilger, Ltd., 98 St. Paneras Way, Camden Rd., London, N. W. 1, England, 1942. Price, $6.50. I HERE has been intense activity in ap- plied spectroscopy since the first edition of this book was prepared, and this is re- flected in the present edition by an ex- tensive revision and a very considerable enlargement. As the title indicates, this is a book for the specialist. Although some space is devoted to the historical and clinical aspects of the avitaminoses, a vast amount of research literature has been re- viewed, and these data are necessarily pre- 446 CHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING NEWS
Transcript of BEYOND THE FLYLEAF
mMÊmUÊÊSmÊXÊÊÊÊÊIm :^itesî;i#!
A ^ ^ g i P g g a a ^ ^ ^ ^
Explosives. John H rod. l.">9 pages. Penguin Books, 41 East 28th St., Ν. Y. Ci ty , 1942. Price, 9d.
1 H I S is an entertaining a n d authori tat ive introduction to t h e general chemistry and properties of explosives for the l a y reader. The perusal is lightened by interest ing allusions to the historical development and by whimsical characterizations. Thus Professor Read observes tha t "Occasionally, as these restless chains of carbon a toms twist and twine in snakelike motion, the t w o atoms at t h e end o f the chain join hands, thereby forming a, ring of atoms, which may be depicted as dancing in ga}r
abandon around a molecular mulberry bush : " a n d t h a t "the instability of metallic fulminates is due partly to the carbon atom being forced t o play the uncongenial a n d uneasy role of a bivalent a t o m " .
The historical references and technical examples a re well chosen a n d stimulating. American investigators ixsually prefer a kinetic test such a s the ballistic mor ta r to the Trauzl lead block t e s t described by the author a s an example of methods for comparing t h e power of explosives. T h e reference to the snipping of frozen ni troglycerin for the making of t h e Hoosac tunnel may lead to misinterpretation. American historical accounts indicate that Mowbray, t h e great shipper of frozen nitroglycerin, manufactured h i s ni t roglycerin at the mouth of this tunnel and that a t t h i s Nor th Adams plant over 1,000,000 pounds -were made , a large portion going elsewhere. Thus, 100,000 pounds of frozen nitroglycerin were sent wi thout mishap from Massachusetts to Manitoba, Canada , via railroad t o Fargo, N . Dak. , thence b y river s teamer .
T h e content of this l i t t le book, the importance of explosives, and t h e great popular interest t h a t attaches to them now suggest a much bet ter medium than was chosen. T h e paper and binding are of very poor quality.
W I L B E R T J. H U F F
Organic Chemistry. G. Albert Hill a n d Louise Kelley. 919 pages. T h e Blakis-ton Co., Philadelphia, 1943. Price, $4.00.
1 HIS book is n o t a new edition of the well-known textbook under a similar name which appeared in 1932. It is a new book—a modern treatise o n organic chemistry.
In the words of the a u t h o r s , the purpose and scope of th i s new contribution t o the literature of organic chemis t ry have been " t o develop a balanced presentation of the theoretical aspects of organic chemistry, of the properties, methods of preparation, and reactions o f organic compounds, of the I. U. C. system of nomenclature and its relation to earlier sys tems , and of the physiological effects a n d iu>es of organic substances". T h i s reviewer believes that the authors have succeeded in their att empt to prepare a very useful and up-to-date contribution.
The authors follow closely t h e orthodox presentation of organic compounds in the aliphatic, carbocyclic, and heterocyclic divisions, although they have included considerably more material than can be covered, in a 1-year coarse in organic chemistry. C o m p a r e d with the ordinary organic textbooks, this book is almost unique i n its completeness a n d in its usefulness in supplying information in a manner more convenient t h a n often is possible with voluminous reference books on organic chemistry. The authors are to be congratulated on. the splendid and thorough manner in which they have presented the subject. They have likewise prepared a n adequate index.
The book appears t o have been done wi th the greatest thought a n d care, and is remarkably free from errors. I n the hands of a competent instructor , it should prove an excellent t ex tbook for both elementary and. advanced s tudents of organic chemistry. T h e fundamental chemical theory is developed systematically and logically, yet the development is explicitly practical. T h e subject ma t t e r is presented in a thorough and useful manner which brings together a great deal of previously widely scat tered information. Because i t offers a new approach to his many problems, this book should prove valuable to a n y organic chemist.
The publishers are t,o be commended for their workmanship in pr int ing and assembling the book, aJ l of which makes its handling a distinct pleasure.
J. 23. OLEWINE
Industr ial Inspection Methods. Leno. C. Michelson. 389 pages. Harper & Brothers, 49 East 33rd St., Ν. Υ. City, 1942. Price, $3.50.
A HIS book was developed in connection with training courses for junior inspectors for ordnance inspection. While it was therefore written for a particular purpose, it should have considerable value in a much wider field. T h e purpose of gaging is clearly explained; the terms used and the precision required in various cases are described accurately and in detail. T h e detail with which t h e various gages and their use are described is one of the outs tanding good features of t h e book.
The subject ma t t e r includes nonpreci-sion measurements as with ordinary rules a n d calipers, the micrometers, plug ring and snap gapes, precision gage blocks and their use in sett ing working gages, dial indicators, precision angle measurement, inspection of screw threads and of gears, t h e comparator t ype of gage, optical measuring instruments , layout and tool inspection, methods of sampling, hardness testing, destruct ive testing, and the more specialized x-ray and magnetic testing methods. The las t chapter deals with t he organization of a n inspection depar t ment. Generous use is made of photographs and diagrams of the commercial gages available in th is country. The photography is not so good as desirable, and there are a few omissions of available equipment.
The book should be of real value both to the novice in the field and to many inspectors with practical experience to fill in the gaps in their knowledge.
M A X K N O B E L
The Application of Absorption Spectra to the Study of Vitamins, Hormones , and Coenzymes. R. A. Morton. 2nd ed. 226 pages. Adam Hilger, Ltd., 98 St . Paneras Way , Camden Rd., London, N . W. 1, England, 1942. Price, $6.50.
I HERE has been intense activity in ap plied spectroscopy since the first edition of this book was prepared, and this is reflected in the present edition by an extensive revision and a very considerable enlargement. As the title indicates, this is a book for the specialist. Although some space is devoted t o the historical and clinical aspects of the avitaminoses, a vas t amount of research l i terature has been reviewed, and these da t a are necessarily pre-
446 C H E M I C A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G N E W S
sented in a highly concentrated form. As a result, some por t ions of t h e b o o k may not be easy reading even for the specialist.
In Chapter I there is a brief discussion of t h e principles underlying absorption spectrophotometry. JMO mention i s made of methods or instrumentat ion, b u t references to s t a n d a r d tex t s are given. A general description of chromopliores a n d their relation t o simple molecules is followed b y the application of these principles to t h e steroids a n d vi tamins D a n d provitamins D. This i s followed b y chapters on provitamins and v i t a m i n A, v i t a m i n Ε and antioxidants, v i tamin K, v i t amins C and P, a n d t h e vitamin Β complex. In two brief chapters pur ines , pyrimidines, proteins, and amino acids are considered. A discussion of enzymes and coenzymes completes the volume. Many details of procedures for separa t ion a n d purification are given i n addition t o the reviews of t h e spec t rographs findings. Th.e technique of spectrophotometry is maintained i n proper perspective throughout , as a, powerful tool which yields evidence that must be supported by o ther procedures.
Minor criticisms might b e made , b u t these are of little importance- Both author a n d publisher should be congra tu lated on producing an excel lent work under wha t m u s t have been diflicult conditions.
H . L. A N D R E W S
Occupational Tumors and Allied D i s e a s e s . W. C. Hueper. 896 pages. Cbarles C . T h o m a s , 220 Monroe S t . , Springfield, 111., 1942. Price, SS.OO.
AHJ2 present vo lume represents by far the largest and most detailed analysis of the subjec t of tumors in relation t o occupation in t h e American language.
T h e general approach consists o f a presentation of t h e occupational a n d accidental tumors of the var ious organ systems of t h e body. The largest por t ion of t h e volume—approximately 70O pages—is d e voted to th is t y p e of presenta t ion; in al l , eight organ systems receiving t b e major consideration. Some of t b e sections a r e very la rge ; for example, t b e discussion of the skin a n d i t s appendages covers some 275 pages. T h i s is ci ted merely t o give t h e reader a definite picture as t o the detailed na ture of this presentat ion. E a c b section is p rov ided w i t h a comple te bibliography representing t b e m o s t important of b o t h the American a n d foreign l i t e r a tu re .
T h e volume closes with a. very interesting discussion of the medicolegal a n d public heal th aspects of occupational a n d t r au mat ic tumors.
I n addition to being a n encyclopedic work in t h i s field, t h e book is no t without great value from a critical v iewpoint . The author h a s demonst ra ted critical ability in the selection of m a t e r i a l and in the weighting of its presentation. In a few places the style appears to b e somewha t involved but this d o e s n o t in a n y
way detract from t h e value of the volume as a first-class reference book on occupational tumors .
There are few detailed reference books in American l i terature on industrial hygiene. In fact, the present edition of Kober and H a y hurst represents the largest compilation of knowledge in this field from the general viewpoint. This serious lack in American l i terature is filled in the tumor field by the present volume and workers in the field of industrial hygiene a r e fortunate in having such a n adequate reference volume in one of the most abstruse areas of industrial disease. LEONARD GREENBDRG
Native Sulfur rT1HE protracted decline in mine sh ip
ments of native sulfur which began in August 1942 apparently reached its low-in December, since the January figures released by the Bureau of Mines, show a 17 per cent increase over t h e previous month. Stocks increased by 33,720 tons or 0.7 per cent, a n d production declined 2 per cent.
I t is evident t h a t t he sulfur producers are maintaining comparatively large production programs, in spi te of increasing stocks, in anticipation of expanding future demand.
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