SCIENTIFIC EDITION reason the treatment of specific cases has been deemphasized in favor of generalization with additional information available in table form t o permit ready application to the situation at hand. It must be kept in mind that, while the prescription of tomorrow will, in all likelihood, not contain many of the items of our materia medica of today, the future medicinal compounds, nevertheless, will still obey chemical and physical laws.” It may be stated that this principle of relative permanency, guaranteed by general rules and theories of proved validity, has been observed likewise in the chapters devoted to the phases of compounding and dispensing of a primarily technical, economical, or ethical professional nature as Accuracy in Dispensing, Prescription Pricing, Prescription Packages and Labels and Interprofessional Relations. All in all, this volume is, t o a great extent, not only a new book but a new venture. Its authors and editors hope that it will “help pharmacy keep its place in a period of change.” Chapter 3. Accuracy in Dispensing, appears particularly appropriate at this time when the subject of prescription accuracy and tolerances is under SCNtiny. Like the others, this chapter is well written. Its many suggestions of proper procedures are very welcome. However, some will differ with the general statement that a n accuracy of * 5 per cent, “can be achieved with the equipment ordinarily available in a retail pharmacy. . .,” especially since recent studies, such as those of Goldstein, have indicated that such small tolerances are difficult t o achieve in the compounding of small quantities. Chapters 7. 8, and 9, dealing with solubility and incompatibilities, present a fundamental departure from the traditional approach t o these subjects in that specific examples are minimized and the treatment is t o a considerable extent on the basisof physicochemical laws. The more traditionally minded teachers will undoubtedly find some difficulty in adapting themselves and their teaching techniques to this different approach. In general, this reviewer believes that this is a good book, excellent for reference, but requiring considerable supplementation in most courses of compounding and dispensing.-ELMON L. CATALINE.
A Manual of the Pcnicillia. BYKENNETHB. RAPER AND CHARLESTHOM.Williams and W k i n s , Baltimore, 1949. ix 875 pp. Illustrated. 15 x 23.5 cm. Price $12. Frequently in the past, molds have been considered largely as destructive pests t o be eradicated, or as organisms of academic interest only, that serve for the delectation of idiosyncratic research workers. The recent advent of the modern era of antibiotic therapy, however, has elevated molds and other microorganisms to a more desirable position in the public eye. Moreover, all fungi capable of biosynthesizing antibiotics have become of great interest and practical importance in terms of public health and so indirectly for the pharmacist. Probably no mycologists are better qualified by experience and accessibility t o culture collections than Drs. Raper and Thom t o treat exhaustively the complex group comprising the Penicillia. This they have done in a scholarly manner while clarifying many points that have long been doubtful t o students of the fungi.
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The book is arranged in three parts. The &st part, dealing in generalities, treats successively: Historical Aspects, Generic Diagnosis and Synonomy, Cultivation and Preservation of the Penicillia, and Penicillin. Part 11, consisting of the manual proper, is largely descriptive and taxonomic. It contains more than taxonomic keys and descriptions, however. The authors have cultured thousands of strains of molds under different conditions in their effort t o detect past synonomy in the naming of these organisms and in order t o be able t o describe the appearance of the different fungi in various circumstances. This is a very important aspect of their book. The t h e and effort spent by the authors in this task should immeasurably help those who use the book. The generous use of line drawings and especially of photographs throughout Parts I and I1 is t o be commended. Part I11 is devoted t o reference material and contains two extensive bibliographies, one general, the other arranged according t o topics which include a wide range of subjects. Allergies, deterioration and spoilage, antibiotics, industrial by-products, cheese manufacture, vitamins, culturing of fungi, enzymes, fat production, and dermatomycoses are among the sixty categories covered. Space prohibits listing all subjects, but the above is sufficient t o show that research workers and technicians in any field related t o the Penicillia will find useful references. The check list of organisms in Part I11 is most complete and should prove valuable, especially since the authors have taken great care t o indicate probable synonomy of names. The authors state a twofold purpose in preparation of the manual: First, “to facilitate the identification of Penicillia”; second, “to introduce the user t o whatever information has accumulated regarding the physiology, biochemistry, pathogenicity, or other characteristics of individual species and groups.” These objectives they have achieved with consummate skill and in an interesting manner. This book should be a classic for mycologists for many years t o COme.-ROBERTSON PUTT.
Microbiology. BY FLORENE C. KELLY AND K. EILEENHITE. Appleton-Century-Crofts, Inc., 592 pp. Illustrated. New York, 1949. xv 15 x 24 crn. Price $6.50. This book is designed as a textbook for an introductory bacteriology wherein more comprehensive treatment in bacteriology is intended than is usually given in a beginning course, particularly in the field of pathogenic microbiology. There is included in the early portion of the book a short historical treatment, along with the typical general introduction to the protozoa, algae, fungi, and bacteria. A chapter very useful for the student on the use of the microscope is included, as well as a chapter on sterilizing and cleaning laboratory equipment and cultivation methods. There is a satisfactory treatment of bacterial physiology and of nitrogen and carbon cycles. The section on inheritance and variation and the development of bacterial populations is, in the opinion of the reviewer, unusually well presented in a form that will be readily understood by the student. Approximately two hundred pages is devoted t o pathogenic microbiology wherein the disease-produr-
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AMERICAN PHmMMmTIcu A ~ ~ ~ C I A T I O N
ing organisms are described, along with some of their general characteristics and some information as to the relative importance of the disease. and this in probably as detailed as in desirable for a general course. There is a short chapter on chemotherapy dealing primarily with s u l f d d e s . penicillin, streptomycin, and tyrothricin. This section is w brief that it is of doubtful value, except as general information. It is believed that this book will serve very suitably for introductory microbiology t o pharmacy students and is quite worthy of consideration by the teacher.
Fundamcnbl Principle8 and Praccrscs of Pharmacy. HsmY M. B v n u c s , EDITOR. McGruw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1849. xiv 651 pp. Illustrated. 14 x 21 cm. Price S6. Since its original publication in 1944 this volume has found considerable recognition and use PB a text for intmductary courses in pharmacy. In this second edition the type has been completely reset in a more readable fashion and improvements in text material have been made throughout the volume. For thme who may not be familiar with the text, the following brief outline is supplied. The early chapters deal with orientation materia-the historical devdopment of the profession, ethical principles, the phipnaceutical curriculum, brauchen and opportunities in phaxmacy, and the pharmaceutical literature, With the exception of a chapter dealing with the natural products uscd in pharmacy, the re-
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minder of the tut pages are in complete accord with the title. since they M devoted t o a complete and thorough discussion of t h e principles and proassea which are utilized in pharmaceutical operations, with no attempt to bring in extensive commentaries on the official compendia. Each chapter concludes with a list of collateral readings and study questions which are of great assistance to the student and teacher. Thin feature has been expanded in the present revision. The appendix contains a list of booka for the pharmacist’s library, a statement of minimumatandard equipment for a pharmacy, and a compilation of visual Pida. An unusual feature of the book, particulprlg useful to the b8eginninastudent, is its pronouncing index. While the discussions of fundamental principles and processes are more thorough than any others with which the reviewer is familiar, some instructora m a y feel that they arc too advanced for the beginning student. For example, the chapter on physical properties of matter contains utenaive discussionsof specific m v i t y , viscosity, refractmetry, optical rotation, colorimetry, und surface tcnsion--all of which are customnrily included in other courses such M physics, analytical chuniatry, drug analysis, and others. On the other hand, some will undoubtedly feel that the extensive treatment of the physical aspects of pharmacy is in keepin# with the present trend in pharmarrutical education. Frequent illustrutiona and drnwinp add to the interest and ease of intapretation of the tat.JOBEPH
B.SPROWLB.
BOOKS RECEIVED Intraiucimy Botany. BY ALExarmrrn NELSON. The Chronica Botanica Co., Waltham, Mas.. 1948. viii 479 pp. Illustrated. 14 x 22 cm. Price 8.75. Revim of Pharmacy. 0th ed. BY GEORGEW. RKRO.John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1949. 121 pp. 16x23cm. Price$3. Malaria-The Biografihy of a Kilbr. BY LEON J. W m m w . Rinehart and Company, New York, 1949. viii 4- 348 pp. 14 x 22 cm. Piice $3.75. BuUetin m Narcotics. No. 1. A United Nations Department of Social Affaaira publication. Columbia University Press, Morningside Heights, N. Y.. 1849. 61 pp. Illustrated. 21.5x28cm. Price W.W. Antibiotics. BY ROBSETSON Mrr AND JEAN DUPRENOY.J. B. Lippinmtt Company, Philadelphia, 1849. xi 266pp. Illuatrated. 15.6. 23.5cm. Price S5. Science owl C i d k l i o n . EDITEDBY ROBERTC. STAUPPRR. University of Wisronsin Press, Madison, 1949. xiii 212 pp. 14 x 21.6 cm. Price
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TIMAnalyticat Chemistry of Zdsstrial Poisorrr. Haxards and Soh&. 2nd ed. Chemical Analysis series, Vol. I. BY Monnxs B. JACOBS. Inter-
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science P u b U u a , Inc., New York, 1948. xviii 788 pp. Illustrated. 16 x 24 cm. Price 112. Ths lhaJial Oih. V o bZZZ. ~ ( Z n d i d d E r s ~ n -. t i d Oils of lhs Plant Famil& Rnkucae and Labicrh e ) . BY EEN~ST G W ~ S E .D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc., New York, 194Q. xvi 777 pp. Illustrated. 15 x 23.6 cm. Rice 110. Chymio: Annmd Studies in the Hislory of Chemistry. Y DAVIS, EDSTUB-INVolume ZZ. T E ~ L. C m a . University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, 1949. x 143 pp. Illustrated. 16 x 24cm. Price84. Pharmoccuticol S d i ~ g . “Debding,” and Saks Training. 1st ed. BY Aurnun F. P m s n s o N . McGraw-Hill Book Company, New Ymk, 1949. xviii 374 pp. Illuatrated. 16 x 23.5 cm. Price S4.W. The Rat in Labarabry Znmesligatirm. 2nd ed. EDITED BY EDMOND J. FAXRISAND JORN Q. 1.50. G R I F F ~ J. . B. Lippincott, Philadelphia, 1949. Labmatmy Fractional Distiuah’m. BY TaoYlrs P. xvi 642 pp. Illustrated. 16 x 23.6 an. C ~ N E Y T. h e Macmillan Company, New York, Price S16. 1848. vii 4-259 pp. Illustrated. 15.5x 24 cm. Vegcbblc Gum and Resins. BY P. N. Howas. Price 86.75. Waltham, Mass.: The Chmnica Botanica Co.; Labmalory Manual for Pharmacaposy. BY EDNew York City: Stcchert-Hdner, Inc.. 1848. WAPD P. CLAUS. John E. Richer. Publisher, xx 4- 188 pp. Illustratcd. 17.5 x 26.5 cm. Pittnburgh. 1848. 109 pp. 21.6 x 28 cm. Price S6.
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