THE BRITISH SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS THE SIXTH scientific meeting was held at the Royal Society of Arts on March 1. Dr. T. R. E. Kressman lectured on "Ion Exchange Resins." The nature and properties of the ion exchange resins were first described, followed by the application of the resins. The principles of ion exchange chromatography were briefly mentioned. Somewhat specialized applica- tions are the use of the resins in the form of fine powders suspended in oil-in- water emulsions as deodorants, antiperspirants and as carriers for medica- ments. Dr. H. W. Hibbott introduced a discussion on the blocking effect of large molecules on the grains of resin and Dr. W. Mitchell referred to the inacti- vating effect of bacteria. Dr. Kressman replied to the points raised mention- ing the use of non-ionized sterilizing agents such as formaldehyde to deal with bacteria when necessary. Dr. A. W. Middleton referred to the appli- cation of the resins as esterifying catalysts and in reply Dr. Kressman said that for this purpose the resins should not be completely .dried. The ad- vantages of the resins in this connection were that they could easily be sep- arated from the reaction mixture they caused no charting and did not give rise to polymerization where easily polymerized compounds were being .esterified. On April 5 Mr. P. A. Lincoln spoke on "Cationic Surface Active Agents." The term "cationic surface active agent" was briefly defined. In the cos- roetic field only the quaternary ammonium salts (Q.A.C.'s) are of practical interest. The various syntheses available for the manufacture of Q.A.C.'s were reviewed and specific examples given to demonstrate how the impuri- ties in the reaction product varied with the synthetic route employed. Finally the principles of formulation of a product containing a Q.A.C. were delineated. The Annual General Meeting was held at the Bonnington Hotel, May 17. The following officers and members of the council were elected for 1957- 1958: President, J. Pickthall, F.R.I.C. Vice President, A. W. Middleton, B.Sc., PhD., F.R.I.C. Hon. Secretary, R. Riley Hon. Treasurer, R. E. Spate Members of Council, G. A. Pitt, M.Sc., A.R.I.C., P. G. Gugenheim, M.A., A.R.I.C., and E. Polan. Serving for a further year as members of the council are Drs. H. W. Hibbott, W. Mitchell and W. W. Myddleton. 335

336 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS At the close of the business meeting the retiring president, Mr. R. T. Dobson, gave an address on "Marketing Trends." Beginning with a •eview of the cosmetic industry in the United States, Mr. Dobson gave an encouraging preview of things to come in the industry in Western Europe. The varied climatic and geographical conditions and the diverse racial types in the United States gave rise to variations in com- plexion, the texture and dryness or oiliness of the skin, thus creating de- mands for special cosmetic preparations. Mr. Dobson gave interesting statistics on the amount of money spent on personal care and health in different countries during the past twenty years, showing rapid increases in all. There is a prevailing tendency in Western Europe toward a higher standard of living and this, coupled with an expected increase in population of 18 million during the next fifteen years, points to a very active future for the cosmetic industry. Members of the U.S. Society "landed in" London on August 6 to attend the three-day International Conference on "The Biology of the Hair Follicle and Growth of Hair" at the Royal Academy of Surgeons. A joint dinner meeting of both U.S. and British societies was held on the evening of arrival as a final highlight of the European Tour of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (U.S.). NOTICE Members of the Society may borrow books from the library of the Society at the New York Academy of Sciences, 2 East 63rd Street, New York 21, N.Y.