88
treats the theoretical principles applied for the design of extended-release dosage forms. The classification of drug-release prolongation according to dissolution-rate modification or diffusion-rate modification is interesting, although not really new. In any case, the organization of this chapter is one of the more original propositions of the book. Chapter 6, treating the technological principles of oral extended release dosage forms, presents an original way to prepare forms. Chapter 5 treats the principles of parenteral extendedrelease dosage forms. Chapter 7 addresses, rather hastily, the other administration routes. Finally, Chapter 8 constitutes a source of information on polymers and other excipients used in extended-release dosage forms. In conclusion, the contribution of this book to the field of drug controlled release is average. The book seems more appropriate for students than for researchers. PAOLO COLOMBO University
of Parma
A. Kaplan, L.L. Szabo, and K.E. Opheim, Clinical Chemistry: Interpretation and Techniques, 3rd. edn., Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia, PA, 1988,400 pages. This book is intended to serve as a teaching manual for students in clinical chemistry. De-
spite the multiple authorship, the style and completeness of each chapter is consistent. This is a collection of test methods used in clinical chemistry laboratories. The first three chapters provide the information and knowledge that every clinical technologist should be well aware of. The chapters cover basic principles of laboratory equipment and instruments as well as elementary physiological chemistry. The rest of the book describes various laboratory tests, grouped according to the function or organ system being tested. Each test method is presented with necessary information: (1) chemical principles of key reactions, (2) reference values in normal states, (3) changed values in diseased states, (4) preparation of reagents, (5 ) stability of solutions, (6) detailed procedure which is easy to follow, and (7) related diseased states. Thus, this book helps readers understand the physiologic and biochemical implications of the test results. The strong points of this book are its readability and the completeness of the presentation of the testing methodology including recent developments of commercial test kits. This book will function as an introduction and reference for a wide multidisciplinary readership. It will be especially informative for those who are involved in the biomedical area with little background in physiology and biochemistry. KINAM PARK Purdue
University