340 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS full-length articles on the produc- tion, uses, and applications of all perfumery materials, and other re- lated subjects. It is difficult to appraise this production until we have seen at least a half-dozen issues. In a recent article Dr. Naves expressed his dissatisfaction with existing periodicals in the perfumery field stating that "It would be highly desirable to witness the birth of an international scien- tific periodical devoted to essential oils.... strictly rejecting everything that is not original and authentic" (38). The former German journal, Deutsche Parfumerie Zeitung, resumed publication in 1950 under the new title Parfumerie und Kos- metik. It now contains a high per- centage of technical papers written by qualified scientists. Other regu- lar features are a documentation section and report of recent patents. IMPORTANCE OF PATENTS A great source of latest technical information which comes from all parts of the scientific world are patents. In the industrial world they are the best literature for industry disseminates the results of its research efforts through this medium rather, than through the technical journals. Patents may therefore, be regarded as the text- books of modern industrial chem- istry, and they are well worth read- ing for their technological contents. Mr. Albert Davis, Resident Attor- ney of the Research Corporation, New York City, describes patent literature as a "scientific omnibus" (39). He urges the scientific worker to read patents routinely as scien- tific references, for the function of the patent is to teach, and he says: "Their very inaccuracies, and to an even greater extent their commer- cial non-utility, is an excellent point of departure for intelligent speculation." SOCIETIES AND TRADE ASSOCIATIONS To indicate the many ways in which societies and trade associa- tions have provided helpful tech- nical and scientific knowledge and advisory services to our industry, perhaps there is no better way of showing these than to outline some of the services and facilities which these organized bodies afford. THE SOCIETY or COSMETIC CHEM- ISTS was organized in May, 1945. This professional body includes among its activities the presentation of the results of research through the medium of papers presented by qualified scientists at semiannual meetings. These papers are pub- lished in the SOCIETY'S JOURNAL. As a service to the technical people of the cosmetic industry, the SOCIETY is building a central li- brary of books, periodicals, and general information relating to cos- metics and perfumery. It is under the able direction of Edward Sag- arin, Chairman of the Library Committee. One very active organization is the Toilet Goods Association whose accomplishments and continuing services are of considerable im-

SOURCES OF INFORMATION FOR THE COSMETIC 1NDUSTRY 341 portance to the industry. The Board of Standards of the T.G.A. has formulated specifications for cosmetic raw materials, and these standards are printed and fur- nished to all who may be interested. Publication started in 1940 and to date 35 have been issued. The Scientific Section arranges semi- annual meetings and invites prom- inent scientists to present papers. Commencing in 1944, these papers have been published in the Pro- ceedings of the Scientific Section of the Toilet Goods •4ssociation, Inc. This journal has become widely known here and abroad, and has received official recognition from Chemical/lbstracts. Another important activity of the T.G.A. is the Bulletin Service. Bulletins are sent out frequently furnishing information on legal de- cisions affecting the industry, tax- ation, laws and regulations, raw materials and packaging. Many bulletins have been devoted to a bibliography of pertinent literature references. In response to an intense inter- est in the subject of the dermatolog- ical action of cosmetic materials, the T.G.A. has sponsored a critical review of the literature with respect to irritation, allergy, and sensitiv- ity induced by some 1200 raw materials used in the manufacture of cosmetics. The work is being done at the laboratory of Applied Physiology of Yale University headed by Dr. Howard Haggard. These data will be included in a monograph to be published perhaps in the summer of 1951, and will consist of chapters on these three phenomena: irritation, allergy, and sensitivity. There will also be a chapter on the histology and physi- ology of the skin followed by an appraisal of the irritating effects of raw materials. Publications already released by the T.G.A. are "1947 Trade Mark Registry" (40), "A History of Cosmetics in America" by Gilbert Vail (41), and "Digest of Cosmetic Cases" (42). We are all familiar with the re- search activities of the Glycerine Producers Association. This organ- ization disseminates information about glycerin through its regular publication Glycerine Facts as well as booklets which discuss the prop- erties and applications of this material. Last year the Associa- tion made a significant contribution when it published separately a trans- lation of the section on glycerin and its derivatives from Beilstein's "Handbook of Organic Chemistry" (43). Formulation of standards for aromatic chemicals and essential oils for the benefit of manufac- turers of soap and cosmetic indus- tries were developed by the Essential Oil Association. This program was begun by the Scientific Section in 1946, is continuing, and additions are made yearly. The standards are widely used for reference by industry abroad and government agencies have also utilized the compilation.