Organic Chemistry. By J. P. Wibaut. Elsevier Publishing Company, Houston, Texas, 1951. xiv + 660 pp. 18 × 26 cm. Price $9

Organic Chemistry. By J. P. Wibaut. Elsevier Publishing Company, Houston, Texas, 1951. xiv + 660 pp. 18 × 26 cm. Price $9

January, 1952 .r. Organic Chemistry. By P. M(‘IBAUT. Elsevier Publishing Company, Ilouston, Texas, 1951. xiv 660 pp. 18x 26 cm. Price $9. During the...

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January, 1952

.r.

Organic Chemistry. By P. M(‘IBAUT. Elsevier Publishing Company, Ilouston, Texas, 1951. xiv 660 pp. 18x 26 cm. Price $9. During the first three decades of this century, the English translation by A. J. Walker and 0. E. Mott, of the Textbook of Organic Chrmistry, by A. F. Holleman, was widely used in colleges in the United States. The ncw edition retains much of thc original character of the work, and the subject continues to be treated both from an organic and from a physiochemical standpoint. The great advances in the science of organic chemistry, however, are reflected throughout the new edition. As might be expected, aliphatic, aromatic, and heterocyclic compounds are arranged and discussed in a logical manner so that by use of the book students may gain a clearer knowledge of the problems of organic chemistry and its historical development. Of special interest to pharmaceutical, medical, and biochemic readers will be the unusually adequate treatment of important groups of natural products such as carbohydrates, proteins, tcrpenes, carotenes, sterols, alkaloids, vitamins, and hormones. Infornration relating to many of thc antibiotics of importance in mcdicine is also presented. The penicillins, for cxaniple, are described as derivativcs of thiazolc. The gcneral make-up of the book is excellent, and like its precursors, it is admirably suited for use as a textbook and reference by students in the aedical sciences as well as those specializing in organic chemistry.

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bibliography. This is helpful in the search for additioiial information. The changes in this field occur so rapidly that even the dictionary is confusing a t times. Under polymyxins we are told that polymyxin A was formerly designated as aerosporin. That also informs us that this is no Ionger so. But it does not inform us that a polymyxin B sulfate preparation is now designated by the trade name Aerosporin. This dictionary will be a very useful and valuable addition to any scientific library, and every worker in the field of antiobiosis will want to have a ropy of this book available.

Six-Membered Heterocyclic Nitrogen Compounds with Four Condensed Rings. By C. F. H. ALLEN. Interscience Publishers, Inc., New York, 1951. xiii 345 pp. 16 x 23.8 cm. Price $10. This is the second volume of a series of monographs presenting a comprehensive treatment of heterocyclic chemistry. The first volume, devoted to the heterocyclic derivatives of phosphorus, arsenic, antimony. bismuth, and silicon, was puhlished in 1950 and previously reviewed [THISJOURNAL, 39,482( 1950)]. The group of heterocyclic compounds discussed in the second volume is of interest to the drug and dye industries and also to organic ‘chemists hecause of its practical, theoretical, and historical importance, All of the important heterocyclic nitrogen analogs of the seven different ring systems established by fusion of four benzene rings are discussed in the folA Dictionary of Anlibiosis. Compiled by LEOSARD lowing sequence: naphthacene, henz [alanthraccne, SPEKCER ROACH. Colum- benzo [cIphenanthrene, chrysene, triphenylene, benzKARELand ELIZABETH bia University Press, New York, 1951. 373 pp. anthrenes, and pyrenc. The similarities and sig16 x 24.3 cm Price $8.50. nificant differences shown by the various members This book provides a comprehensive rcfcrcncc for of the system arc emphasized. The “a” systcm of nomenclature is used throughworkers and readers in the medical and biological fields of anlihiosis. Among the alphabetically ar- out the text with the addition of the Ring Index niimher and the Chemical Abstracts name, both of ranged entries are listings of plants of all forms from which antihiotic substances have been derived, which serve admirably as an aid to the reader. The microscopic forms used as test organisms, and the book is well documcnted and the literature through many familiar and strange spccific antibiotic sub1950 is covered. The value of the book is enhanced stances. Where the information has been obtain- by an excellent indcx. able for the individual antibiotic substance, the source of the substance, its method of extraction, Outline of Fundamentid Pharnzacology. By DAVID chemical and physical properties, its antibacterial FIELDING MARSH. Charles C Thomas, Publisher, spectrum in vitro and in oiuo, structural formulas, 219 pp. 16 x 23.5 Springfield, Ill., 1951. xxxi and toxicological, pharmacological, and clinical em. Price $6. data are given. The tcrm antibiotic is defined as a substance deThis book has been designed to explain the aims rivable from living organisms and capable of ad- and purposes of the pharmacologist. It can be versely modifying the vital functions of specific especially useful to research workers in medicinal microorganisms. Under the name of each of the chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, and related test organisms given is listed, wherever applicable, fields in which a knowledge of the basic principles of the species tested against it for antibiosis, and the pharmacology is useful in understanding the steps named antibiotics that have been tested against it. through which a product must progress before it can Where very long lists of substances have been tested be subjected to clinical trial. Among the subjects against a given microorganism and the tests are discussed are dose-effect rclationship, IocaIizatioti of reported in one paper, only the bibliographic refer- site of action, absorption and distribution, fate of ence is given. Strain designations are not routinely drugs. mechanism of action, and chemical constituincluded. Ethyl alcohol arid quiniue, mentioned tion and biological action. The book is generously as two of the older antibiotics, have been omitted. documented with general references and a limited The rapid growth of the field of antibiosis and the number of specific references arc cited a t the end of need for a book like this dictionary is indicated by each chapter. The book is written in a clear, easily the 316 pages of condensed information, in addition understandable style, and should be of espc.cial value to the 55 pages of alphabetically arranged bibliog- to workers in borderline fields as well as to profesraphy. Complete titles of papers are given in the sional pharmacologists.

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