BOOK REVIEWS 115 In some cases the values shown For yields and operating conditions do not reflect modern practice. For example, in Section I, Chapter I, page 7, the "practical yield" of glycerol from some of the more widely used fats calculates to be only about 70-75 per cent. Few modern plants would tolerate such a low yield. Similarly, in the sec- tion on distillation, Section II, Chapter VII, page 35, an older reference is quoted saying that the loss during the distillation of crude glycerol runs from 15 to 40 per cent again very doubtful in modern practice. Similarly, in Section II, Chapter I, page 3, the statement is made that "usually 5% of glycerol is lost by decomposition, etc." On the same page the vacuum em- ployed during distillation is shown as "Usually 25 inches." In Section II, Chapter V on the bleaching of glycerol, the text describes the use of bone black and animal charcoal, but does not em- phasize that these have been super- seded very largely by activated carbons which are more effective. Where monetary values are shown for material or operating costs, these are carried over exactly as they were in the first edition. In the copy provided for review, the illustration facing page 6 in Section II was upside down. The book as a whole is an ex- cellent review of the development of the industry from early times, but suffers by the retention of too much that has become obsolete, and the lack of much that is new. Good features of the book include the new chapter on synthetic glyc- erol, the description (somewhat brief) of the ion exchange process, the inclusion of new specifications, some of the newer analytical meth- ods and newer references. In general, this volume is a useful addition to the library of those who wish to have the whole story on glycerol manufacture as it has developed through the years, but it has a limited value For those who wish to study the newest equipment and processes in use today.--W. A. PETERSON, Colgate- Palmolive Co. INTRODUCTION TO CHEMICAL PHAR- MACOLOO¾, by R. B. Barlow. Me- thuen and Co., Ltd., London and John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York 16, N.Y. 1955. 343 pages, 51/2 X 81/2 inches, illustrated and indexed. Price • 6.25. This book is intended to bridge chemistry and pharmacology. For while most chemists look at phar- macology as a distant and mysterious science, the solution to the problem of drug action is a chemical problem. Yet without a fundamental background in some of the related sciences, the chemist will find himself in a physiological and pharmacological morass. Real- izing this, the author has included a useful appendix to cover just this contingency. Perhaps the chemis- try student should know this first, for by doing so he can understand the balance of the book. The division of the material is satisfactory and easy to Follow. The use of many structural formu- las is definitely a chemist's approach. If you do not have a book on pharmacology in your library, you will want to add this one it lS fairly priced. M. G. DENA- VARRE. CHEMICAL BUSINESS HANDBOOK, by John H. Perry, Editor-in-Chief. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York 36, N.Y. 1942 pages, 71/4 X 97/8 inches, illustrated and in- dexed. Price • 17.

116 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS This book covers practically every facet of the chemical business from financing through accounting, chem- ical development, research in all its phases, purchasing, production, sales, advertising, credit, business and patent law, business mathe- matics, reports, toxicology and in- surance to name some of the main divisions of the book. A drawback is the small size of the type in many portions of the text. In addition to the author, a host of collaborators or contribu- tors have prepared many sections. Their names look like a who's who of the chemical industries. This is not a mere handbook but an encyclopedia of information on every aspect of the chemical business. Many of the data are applicable to other businesses. The book will not run out of date. The material is basic.--M. G. NAVARRE.