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Colloid chemistry, 2nd. Edit.
BOOK REVIEWS Colloid Chemistry, 2nd. Edit. By ROBERT J. HARTMAN,Director, Industrial Division, The Arco Company, formerly Associate Professor of Chemistry, Indiana University. 572 pp. Houghton Mifflin Co. Price $6.50. This is a textbook in which "the author has attempted to present the fundamentals of colloidal phenomena in such a manner that they can be understood not only by students of advanced chemistry, but also by students in allied sciences . . . . " "Sufficient reference material has been included to afford at least a starting point for a comprehensive review of pertinent scientific papers" for those who expect to pursue research in this field. "The aim of this book is to present all the important phases of colloid chemistry without overemphasizing one narrow aspect of the subject at the expense of others which are, to the average student and reader, just as important." "In this second edition, a serious effort has been made to preserve the scheme of presentation and organization of the first edition, which emphasized the principles upon which the more recent advances have been based." The table of contents indicates that the author has succeeded in one of the above objectives; namely, by including most of the important phases of colloid chemistry. However, in a text of this size, there should be at least a brief treatment of conductance of colloidal electrolytes aud solubilizati0n as developed by McBain, Tartar, Harkins and their respective collaborators. This is not mentioned. The reviewer's chief objection centers, not so m u c h upon omissions, as upon the loose and inaccurate presentations of many of the topics. For example: Gamma, in the equation for the solubility of small particles (p~ 14), is defined both as surface tension or energy. Furthermore, Gibbs did not give this equation in the form attributed to him. The Tyndall phenomenon is developed in some detail and the disturbing influence of a nonuniform particle size in nephelometry is quite properly emphasized. However, the author's understanding of the theory of light scattering is not clear (p. 191). " T h u s the scattered light from particles of a n~gmtude approximating the order of light waves will show a preponderence of blue light." This impression is given repeatedly (p. 192), but on p. 291 we find "when the light scattering particles are of large size (italics mine), i.e., in excess of 1/20 of the wave length of light, the angular distribution is not symmetrical." This is a correct statement, but then the particles are not ordinarily called large. The author also labors under the all too common, but erroneous, impression that the Mie Theory is applicable only for conducting (i.e., colloidal gold) particles, whereas, he should point out that it is valid for dielectric particles (sulphur) as has been demonstrated in a series of articles in this Journal. The statement (p. 214) ,'the color of dielectric particles is more or less the same, regardless of the extent of subdivision" is not true in the light of results on sulphur sols, oil aerosols and the author's table (p. 317) on water aerosols in a Wilson Cloud Chamber. Part I (pp. 1-131) is devoted to the fundamental theories and applications of surface chemistry and is based upon the classical Polanyi theromodynamic and the Langmuir kinetic approaches to adsorption and catalysis. This part is modernS, ely satisfactory, although the colloidal bearing upon catalysis is nebulous. The preparation, physicM, optical, electrical, and filtration properties of lyophobic colloids, and their applications are stressed in Part II (pp. 132-360), followed by Chapters on aerosols a n d foams. 69
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BOOK REVIEWS
In Part III (pp. 361-452) on lyophilic colloids, the emphasis is on the electrokinetic behavior of proteins and the structure and property of gels. The works of Donnan and of Loeb are presented in good perspective, but the methods of measurement and the interpretation of viscosity are dismissed all too casually, with a drawing of an Ostwald viseometer. One looks, in vain, for any mention of the important results obtained during the past decade associated with the names of Debye, Eyring and Simha. Although the book is not up-to-date in many respects, it does contain a number of photographs and diagrammatic sketches which will be informative to the student. In Part IV (pp. 453-564), the author really goes to town on biocolloids. Here, almost every conceivable subject is treated, ranging from the cycloid structure of proteins, saccro-colloids, tipides, cookery, the brewing of beer, biocatalysts, cell membranes, ossification (the latest reference in this active field is 1919), kidney stones, to Bancroft's famous peptization-coagulation theory of anasthesia, insanity and death. After four pages "~ la Jules Verne," we are relieved to read that "his (Bancroft's) theory and the claims about sodium rhodanate have not been regarded with favor by medical men." The reviewer would add "and also the overwhelming majority of chemists." The last chapter of the textbook treats colloidal medicines, powder, creams and ointments. Here we learn (13. 552) from the "Rockefeller Centre Weekly, 1935" that "a dead orchid was brought back to life" merely by the addition of a few drops of a colloidal suspension of copper to the water to which "the dead flower" was dipped. "The experiment was so con~ncing that further research of a similar character is being subsidized, it is said, to the extent of $2,000,000 per year." Such are the wonders and uncontrolled possibilities of colloid chemistry. But the reader of the 1947 edition would like to know what has been accomplished with this vast sum of money during the twelve intervening years. VICTOR K. LABelER, New York, N. Y.
Qualitative Analysis by Spot Tests. Inorganic and Organic Application,s. By FRITZ FEIGL. 3rd, completely rev., Eng. Ed., tr. by RALPI-I.E. OESPER. Elsevier Pub. Co., Inc., New York-Amsterdam, 1946. xvi ~- 574 pp.; 37 tables, 45 figures. Price $8.00. Dr. Feigl's standard text on spot reactions requires no further recommendation. I t appears here thoroughly revised, including the newer material which has become available in recent years, with tested details of the procedures and applications. In contrast to the previous editions, this issue also presents a detailed account of the manipulations involved in spot test analysis, namely, the chapter: "Working Methods and Special Aids" from the author's "Laboratory Manual of Spot Tests." Together with the theoretical part of the original German editions, which appeared in English as "Specific and Special Reactions for Use in Qualitative Analysis," the present issue provides the best information available on the theory and practice of spot reactions. An additional chapter on the detection of free elements, and a bibliography on application of spot reactions for special scientific and technical purposeS, are included. This bibliography contains about 140 entries, in addition to those given in the 63 page chapter "Application of Spot Reactions in Tests of Purity, Examination of Technical Materials, and Studies of Minerals." A tabular summary of the limits of identification attained by the spot tests, with page references and a subject index, totaling 55 pages, complete this practical book. The binding and printing are attractive. The paper could have been better, especially for a book which is going to be used extensively as a laboratory reference. OLAV Foss, New York, N. Y.
70
BOOK REVIEWS
In Part III (pp. 361-452) on lyophilic colloids, the emphasis is on the electrokinetic behavior of proteins and the structure and property of gels. The works of Donnan and of Loeb are presented in good perspective, but the methods of measurement and the interpretation of viscosity are dismissed all too casually, with a drawing of an Ostwald viseometer. One looks, in vain, for any mention of the important results obtained during the past decade associated with the names of Debye, Eyring and Simha. Although the book is not up-to-date in many respects, it does contain a number of photographs and diagrammatic sketches which will be informative to the student. In Part IV (pp. 453-564), the author really goes to town on biocolloids. Here, almost every conceivable subject is treated, ranging from the cycloid structure of proteins, saccro-colloids, tipides, cookery, the brewing of beer, biocatalysts, cell membranes, ossification (the latest reference in this active field is 1919), kidney stones, to Bancroft's famous peptization-coagulation theory of anasthesia, insanity and death. After four pages "~ la Jules Verne," we are relieved to read that "his (Bancroft's) theory and the claims about sodium rhodanate have not been regarded with favor by medical men." The reviewer would add "and also the overwhelming majority of chemists." The last chapter of the textbook treats colloidal medicines, powder, creams and ointments. Here we learn (13. 552) from the "Rockefeller Centre Weekly, 1935" that "a dead orchid was brought back to life" merely by the addition of a few drops of a colloidal suspension of copper to the water to which "the dead flower" was dipped. "The experiment was so con~ncing that further research of a similar character is being subsidized, it is said, to the extent of $2,000,000 per year." Such are the wonders and uncontrolled possibilities of colloid chemistry. But the reader of the 1947 edition would like to know what has been accomplished with this vast sum of money during the twelve intervening years. VICTOR K. LABelER, New York, N. Y.
Qualitative Analysis by Spot Tests. Inorganic and Organic Application,s. By FRITZ FEIGL. 3rd, completely rev., Eng. Ed., tr. by RALPI-I.E. OESPER. Elsevier Pub. Co., Inc., New York-Amsterdam, 1946. xvi ~- 574 pp.; 37 tables, 45 figures. Price $8.00. Dr. Feigl's standard text on spot reactions requires no further recommendation. I t appears here thoroughly revised, including the newer material which has become available in recent years, with tested details of the procedures and applications. In contrast to the previous editions, this issue also presents a detailed account of the manipulations involved in spot test analysis, namely, the chapter: "Working Methods and Special Aids" from the author's "Laboratory Manual of Spot Tests." Together with the theoretical part of the original German editions, which appeared in English as "Specific and Special Reactions for Use in Qualitative Analysis," the present issue provides the best information available on the theory and practice of spot reactions. An additional chapter on the detection of free elements, and a bibliography on application of spot reactions for special scientific and technical purposeS, are included. This bibliography contains about 140 entries, in addition to those given in the 63 page chapter "Application of Spot Reactions in Tests of Purity, Examination of Technical Materials, and Studies of Minerals." A tabular summary of the limits of identification attained by the spot tests, with page references and a subject index, totaling 55 pages, complete this practical book. The binding and printing are attractive. The paper could have been better, especially for a book which is going to be used extensively as a laboratory reference. OLAV Foss, New York, N. Y.