Reports on the progress of applied chemistry. Vol. 38. Society of Chemical Industry. Interscience Publishers, Inc., New York, 1953. 989 pp. 14 × 22 cm. Price $6.50

Book Notices The Kinetic Basis of Molecular Biology. By FRANKings which are practically self-explanatory. The H. JOHNSON,HENRY EYRING, and MILTONJ. almost complete neglect of the nowGerman literaPOLISSAR. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York ture in the voluminous bibliography (over 400 items) was a matter of very considerable surprise to us. (Chapman & Hall, Ltd., London), 1954. 874 pp. 16 x 24 cm. Price $15. This is the first book in which modern reaction Somnzinistrazione dei Farnzaci per Via Rettale: Tecnicu rate theory, developed since 1935, is extensively and de Preparaeione delle Forme Farmaceuliche. By systematically applied to the interpretation of G. GIACOMINIand E. MASCITELLI.Gitti Edibiological reactions. The authors have used mathetore, Milan, 1954. 341 pp. 24 x 17 cm. Price matics as needed to present the material in accordL 3500. ance with the basic laws governing the behavior of This book, which discusses the administration of atoms, molecules, and ions. They review the essentials of themodynamics, and of classical, pharmaceuticals by the rectal route or, in other quantum and statistical mechanics; and the cal- words, suppositories, fills a definite gap in pharmaculation of a four-atom reaction from first principles ceutical literature. No comprehensive modern treatise on this subject seems t o be available in the is illustrated. The text includes many illustrations. and an extensive bibliography and author index and English or American literature. The first part of the work is given over t o the anatomical background, a subject index are appended. This will undoubtedly be a valuable reference for those interested in this the problem of absorption and the therapeutic indications arranged according t o organs concerned. phase of biology. The second part takes up excipients in general. animal experimentation, gelatine, glycerin, preservaReports on the Progress of Applicd Chemistry. Vol. tives, and, in great detail, the techniques used in the 38. SOCIETY OF CHEMICAL INDUSTRY. Interscience preparation of suppositories. Especially valuable is Publishers, Inc., New York. 1953. 989 pp. a long chapter (over 50 pages) on preparatioii of uncommon medicines for rectal administration. 14 x 22 cm. Price $6.50. As indicated by the title, this book outlines thc The bibliography contains references up to, and progress of applied chemistry during 19.53. I t is including, 1953. Highly recommended. divided into seven principal divisions under the following titles: Fuel and Fuel Products; Organic EditorChemistry; Inorganic Chemistry; Biological Prod- Organic Reactions. Vol. 8. ROGERADAMS. in-Chief. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, ucts; Textiles, Plastics, Adhesives and Paints; Food 1954. viii 437 pp. 15.5 x 23.5 cm. Prirc and Agriculture; and Chemical Engineering and $12. Water. Each main division is divided into several This is the eighth volume of a series on organic chapters, each contributed by authorities in the fields covered. The sections of principal pharma- reactions, the first of which appeared in 1932. The ceutical interest are those devoted to fine chemicals aim of the series has been to provide a compilation of all important synthetic chemical reactions, and and medicinal substances; cosmetics and toilet preparations; fats, fatty oils and detergents; plas- this purpose has been fully accomplished. In the tics; essential oils; general microbiological proc- current volume, as in the earlier ones, each chapter esses; and enzymes. References to the original has been written by chemists who have had special literature upon which the various reports are based experience with the particular reaction discussed. In each chapter of the entire series a comprehenappear a t the end of each chapter. Thus, the book sive survey of each reaction covered is presented, serves as a useful reference in the compilation of including a general discussion of method, modificabibliographies on the subjects covered. tions, examples of applicability, special precautions, a detailed description of the procedure, expected Einfuhrung in die Biologische Registriertechnik. By yields, and other pertinent data. Compounds which Dr. Med. HERBERT KLENSCH.Georg Thieme have been prepared, or subjected to the reaction Verlag, Stuttgart. 1954 (Intercontinental Medical under discussion, are tabulated in each chapter. Book Corporation, New York 16, N. Y ). x -IThe reactions covered in this volume are indicated 222 pp. 24.75 x 17.75cm. Price $4.85. by the chapter headings: A Catalytic HydrogenaThis book is intended t o be an introduction t o the tion of Esters t o Alcohols; The Synthesis of Ketones field of biological registration. As it owes its exist- from Acid Halides and Organometallic Compounds of Magnesium, Zinc, and Cadmium; The Acylation of ence t o courses given by the author, it is arranged Ketones to Form B-Diketones or 8-Keto Aldehydes; progressively in accordance with the complexity of the apparatus and the difficulty of operation. Dr. The Sommelet Reaction; The Synthesis of Aldehydes Klensch’s small volume does not propose to compete from Carboxylic Acids; The Metalation Reaction with the large standard works in the field like with Organolithium Compounds; B-Lactones; and Abderhalden or Bethe-Bergmann, but has the advan- The Reaction of Diazomethane and its Derivatives tage, due t o its small format, of being reasonably up with Aldehydes. Adequate references t o the original literature are cited and the book is provided with t o date. The presentation is clear, uncomplicated by mathematical formulations, and illustratcd by draw- an excellent subject index.

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