Practical clinical biochemistry. Second edition

Practical clinical biochemistry. Second edition

BOOK 220 REVIEWS In general the book uses conventional techniques. There are only seven line drawings in the book and no halftones. Since t,he book...

129KB Sizes 4 Downloads 399 Views

BOOK

220

REVIEWS

In general the book uses conventional techniques. There are only seven line drawings in the book and no halftones. Since t,he book is on an elementary level aimed at the technician who performs the test, more illustrative material might have been used. Amounts of serum ranging from 2.0 ml. for calcium to 0.2 ml. for chloride are used. Generally the amounts range from l-2 ml. These are not microtechniques or semimicrotechniques as these terms are used in this country. The style of writing is clear and the procedures are described in a clear and unambiguous manner. Samuel Natelson Roosevelt Hospital, New York, New York

Soap Bubbles. Their Colours and the Forces Which Mould Them. C. V. BOYS. Dover, New York, 1959. xiv + 193 pp. $0.95. Thisbook was composed over forty years ago as a series of lectures designed t,o interest young people in science. Although the language is archaic in spots, The chapter headings are a good it still admirably serves its original purpose. indication of the scope: The Elastic Skin of Liquids, Capillary Attraction, Capillarity of Different Liquids, Pouring Oil on Troubled Water, Liquid Drops, Soapfilms-Their Tension and Curvature, Liquid Cylinders and Jets, A Water Telephone, Soap-films on Frames, Soap-bubbles and Ether, Experiments wit#h Soapbubbles, The Soap-bubble, Bubbles Other Than Soap-bubbles, Composite Bubbles, Out-of-Door Bubbles, The Colour and Thickness of Bubbles. Although the book is interesting and entertaining, it is, of necessity, elementary and will be useful primarily to teachers or others working with young people. David B. Sabine U. S. Vitamin & Pharwmce&cal Yonkers, h’ew York

Practical Clinical Biochemistry. Interscience,New

York,

1958.

Second

Edition.

HAROLD

viii +

635 pp.

$6.50.

Corp.

VARLET.

For those who are familiar with the First Edition of this book, the Second Edition contains new sections on hydroxyindoles, transaminases, and mucoproteins; the chapter on hormones has been practically re-written, and extensive alterations made to the chapter on proteins. For those who do not know the First Edition, bhis book is highly recommended as a comprehensive course in clinical biochemistry. The first chapter is introductory, describing, in detail, general techniques as well as precautions to be observed and pitfalls to be avoided. The following chapter titles are indicative of the cbmpleteness of the coverage: Blood Sugar

MICROCHEMICAL

JOURNAL, VOL. IV,ISSUE 2

BOOK

REVIEWS

and its Determination; Glucose Tolerance Tests; Tests for Glucose and Other Reducing Substances in Urine; Diabetes Mellitus, Ketosis, Diabetic Coma; Proteins in Urine, Albuminuria; Urinary Deposits; Blood and Urine Urea; Chemical Tests in Kidney Disease; Non-Protein Nitrogen, Transaminases; The Plasma. Proteins; Lipids; Tests of Gastric Function, Occult Blood; Tests in Liver and Biliary Tract Disease; Tests of Pancreatic Function, Steatorrhoea; Calcium, Phosphorus, and Phosphatases; Iodine, Iron and Copper, Sulphur, Magnesium; Chloride, Sodium, and Potassium; Acid-Base Balance; Basal Metabolism, Oxygen Capacity; Haemoglobin and Related Compounds; Vitamins; Hormones; Chemical Examination of Cerebrospinal Fluid; Milk; Stones; Urine and Faccal Pigments; Drugs and Poisons. In each chapter the underlying reasons for the tests are given, the particular techniques adequately described, and the This book will be a vahlable addition t,o the interpretation of results discussed. library of any biochemist be he research worker, hospital. technician, or rlinicnl pat,hologist. David B. Sabine U. 8. Vitamin & Pharmaceutical Yonkers, New York

Corp.

Photomicrography. Second Edition. ROY M. ALLEN. Van Kmtrand, New York, 1958. 441 pp. $9.00 The second edition of Dr. Allen’s Photomicrography is an encyclopedia of knowledge about taking pictures through the microscope. Included are theory, description, and operation of cameras, microscopes, lenses, photographic films, light& and filters stated in nontechnical language. Dr. Allen’s introduction points out that photomicrographs may range in magPhotographs at nification from about 25 times to over 1000 times magnification. These powers below 25 times are often used to show larger regions of interest. are taken with a single magnifying lens having an iris diaphragm (photomicroMicrophotographs, on the other hand, are merely tiny pictures which graphs). must be viewed through a magnifier or microscope (for example, micro film copies of documents). The theory of lenses is presented, then discussions of individual types and makes of lenses and how to get the best performance. Sharpness of detail, best lighting methods, and best use of light filters are discussed. One good feature is the frequent discussion of the right and wrong methods for each piece of equipment. Photos showing bad results are included to bring the points home. This reviewer learned, for example, that apochromatic lenses require Homal eyepieces for photo work, their compensating eyepieces being designed for visual use. He also found that good illumination can be secured at low powers by inserting an extra condenser lens between light and microscope. A chapter is devoted to photomicrographic outfits sold by optical companies. The older ones had separate cameras, light and microscope, whereas many newer