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Surface-active agents—their chemistry and technology. By anthony M. Schwartz and James W. Perry. Interscience Publishers, New York, 1949. xi + 579 pp. 15 × 23 cm. Price $ 10
SCIENTIFIC EDITION Its structural similarity to nicotine is emphasized despite the fact that the compound has been renamed niacinamide in order to de-emphasize this structural similarity. There are a number of groups-nurses, veterinarians, pharmacists and dentists, to name a few-who are interested in pharmacology from a different viewpoint than that of the physician. It is to be hoped that some day the “ideal” book will be available for these groups.
Surf ace-A ctive Agents- Their Chemistry and Technology. By ANTnoNY M. SCHWARTZ and JAMES W. PERRY.Interscience Publishers, New York, 1949. xi 579 pp. 15 x 23 cni. Price $10. During the past decade there has been a greatly increased interest in surface-active agents and surface chemistry. Although there have been many hooks written in this field, most of them have been written from the “practical” viewpoint and have been incomplete in background information. This book by Schwartz and Perry combines the theoretical and the practical in a most effective manner. In an introductory chapter the authors summarize general information concerning surface chemistry very briefly. This is followed by a section on processes for synthesizing and manufacturing surfaceactive agents. In this section the surface-active agents are divided into chemical types and each type is discussed from the viewpoint of the laboratory synthesis and commercial production. This section, as is the entire book, is well documented. Especially helpful are the many references t o the patent literature. The second division of the book concerns the physical chemistry of surface-active agents. Here one finds discussions on surface and interfacial relationships of pure liquids, surface properties of solutions, the bulk properties of surface-active solutions, the gross effects and technical evaluation of such agents, and the relationship of surface activity t o chemical constitution discussed in an admirable manner. Although the facts and theories are concisely expressed, nothing of importance has been omitted. The last portion of the book is given over t o the practical aspects of surface chemistry. Of particular interest to pharmacists are chapters on “cosmetics and personal use” and “pharmaceutical, germicidal, fungicidal, and disinfectant uses.” A full author and subject index complete the book. This is the book on surface-active agents that pharmaceutical chemists have been looking for. The only thing that it lacks is a list of the characteristics of trade-named products and their manufacturers.
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Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. Volume I . Edited by FRANK A. PATTY.Interscience Publishers, Inc., New York, 1948. xxvii -I531 pp. 16 x 25 cm. Price $10. Industrial hygiene, having awakened widespread interest since the 1920’s, is a relatively new field in the United States. In Europe, it dates back farther, having interested Paracelsus, among others. Despite
415
its youth, it has made rapid strides, however, both in the assembling of large masses of data and in broadening its scope. It is fitting that this excellent reference, by many authorities, should become available at this time. Much of the earlier work in the field of industrial hygiene revolved around toxic gases and fumes, industrial dusts, and machinery guards t o prevent maiming. Modern industrial hygiene has gone far beyond this treatment phase into prophylaxis. The industrial hygienist now seeks t o inculcate positive health into the worker so as t o promote efficiency and well-being. For this reason it is not surprising t o find the chapters by Josef Brozek and W. N. Witheridge on the effects of personal factors and environmental factors on competence and fatigue. Frank A. Patty, the editor, has written the introductory chapter on “retrospect and prospect,” as well as a chapter on the survey and personnel and chapters on the mode of entry and action of toxic materials, sampling and analysis of atmospheric contaminants, and respirators and respiratory protective devices. Pharmacists will be particularly attracted t o the chapter by Dr. Louis Schwarz on occupational dermatosis, for in this section will be found a discussion on the use of protective ointments. Pharmacists in industrial areas frequently can cooperate with the industrial hygienists in the development of such ointments and creams. Other important chapters found in the f i s t volume of this two-volume reference deal with the physiological effects of abnormal atmospheric pressure, radiant energy and radium, ventilation, the visible marks of occupation and occupational diseases, fire and explosion hazards of combustible gases and vapors and combustible dusts, and the role of dust in the causation of occupational disease. To those with the responsibility of the health of relatively large numbers of people, this book will be of interest. It is helpful, not only for the factual information, but for the investigative approach consistently maintained. We are looking forward t o Volume 11.
Newer Synthetic Analgesics. Consulting Editor, M. L. TAINTER. New York Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. New York, 1948. 174 pp. 15 x 24 cm. Price $2.75. The New York Academy of Sciences is famous for the high quality and practicality of its symposia. During 1948 one of the outstanding symposia was that on newer synthetic analgesics, the subject of this issue of the Annals. This symposium was particularly timely because several outstanding drugs have appeared in this field recently and new developments in testing have also come upon the scene. The symposium opened with an excellent historical review on pain by Dr. M. L. Tainter. The chemistry of natural and synthetic analgesics was then reviewed by Dr. Lyndon F. Small. Dr. Carl C. Pfeiffer and co-workers next reviewed experimental methods for studying analgesia. Dr. Lloyd C. Miller gave a critique of analgetic testing methods. The more general papers on chemistry and pharmacology were followed by papers dealing with
Surf ace-A ctive Agents- Their Chemistry and Technology. By ANTnoNY M. SCHWARTZ and JAMES W. PERRY.Interscience Publishers, New York, 1949. xi 579 pp. 15 x 23 cni. Price $10. During the past decade there has been a greatly increased interest in surface-active agents and surface chemistry. Although there have been many hooks written in this field, most of them have been written from the “practical” viewpoint and have been incomplete in background information. This book by Schwartz and Perry combines the theoretical and the practical in a most effective manner. In an introductory chapter the authors summarize general information concerning surface chemistry very briefly. This is followed by a section on processes for synthesizing and manufacturing surfaceactive agents. In this section the surface-active agents are divided into chemical types and each type is discussed from the viewpoint of the laboratory synthesis and commercial production. This section, as is the entire book, is well documented. Especially helpful are the many references t o the patent literature. The second division of the book concerns the physical chemistry of surface-active agents. Here one finds discussions on surface and interfacial relationships of pure liquids, surface properties of solutions, the bulk properties of surface-active solutions, the gross effects and technical evaluation of such agents, and the relationship of surface activity t o chemical constitution discussed in an admirable manner. Although the facts and theories are concisely expressed, nothing of importance has been omitted. The last portion of the book is given over t o the practical aspects of surface chemistry. Of particular interest to pharmacists are chapters on “cosmetics and personal use” and “pharmaceutical, germicidal, fungicidal, and disinfectant uses.” A full author and subject index complete the book. This is the book on surface-active agents that pharmaceutical chemists have been looking for. The only thing that it lacks is a list of the characteristics of trade-named products and their manufacturers.
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Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. Volume I . Edited by FRANK A. PATTY.Interscience Publishers, Inc., New York, 1948. xxvii -I531 pp. 16 x 25 cm. Price $10. Industrial hygiene, having awakened widespread interest since the 1920’s, is a relatively new field in the United States. In Europe, it dates back farther, having interested Paracelsus, among others. Despite
415
its youth, it has made rapid strides, however, both in the assembling of large masses of data and in broadening its scope. It is fitting that this excellent reference, by many authorities, should become available at this time. Much of the earlier work in the field of industrial hygiene revolved around toxic gases and fumes, industrial dusts, and machinery guards t o prevent maiming. Modern industrial hygiene has gone far beyond this treatment phase into prophylaxis. The industrial hygienist now seeks t o inculcate positive health into the worker so as t o promote efficiency and well-being. For this reason it is not surprising t o find the chapters by Josef Brozek and W. N. Witheridge on the effects of personal factors and environmental factors on competence and fatigue. Frank A. Patty, the editor, has written the introductory chapter on “retrospect and prospect,” as well as a chapter on the survey and personnel and chapters on the mode of entry and action of toxic materials, sampling and analysis of atmospheric contaminants, and respirators and respiratory protective devices. Pharmacists will be particularly attracted t o the chapter by Dr. Louis Schwarz on occupational dermatosis, for in this section will be found a discussion on the use of protective ointments. Pharmacists in industrial areas frequently can cooperate with the industrial hygienists in the development of such ointments and creams. Other important chapters found in the f i s t volume of this two-volume reference deal with the physiological effects of abnormal atmospheric pressure, radiant energy and radium, ventilation, the visible marks of occupation and occupational diseases, fire and explosion hazards of combustible gases and vapors and combustible dusts, and the role of dust in the causation of occupational disease. To those with the responsibility of the health of relatively large numbers of people, this book will be of interest. It is helpful, not only for the factual information, but for the investigative approach consistently maintained. We are looking forward t o Volume 11.
Newer Synthetic Analgesics. Consulting Editor, M. L. TAINTER. New York Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. New York, 1948. 174 pp. 15 x 24 cm. Price $2.75. The New York Academy of Sciences is famous for the high quality and practicality of its symposia. During 1948 one of the outstanding symposia was that on newer synthetic analgesics, the subject of this issue of the Annals. This symposium was particularly timely because several outstanding drugs have appeared in this field recently and new developments in testing have also come upon the scene. The symposium opened with an excellent historical review on pain by Dr. M. L. Tainter. The chemistry of natural and synthetic analgesics was then reviewed by Dr. Lyndon F. Small. Dr. Carl C. Pfeiffer and co-workers next reviewed experimental methods for studying analgesia. Dr. Lloyd C. Miller gave a critique of analgetic testing methods. The more general papers on chemistry and pharmacology were followed by papers dealing with