BOOK REVIEWS Z•xRZTLICHE KOSMETIK, Edited by In a review paper on contact Prof. Dr. H. Th. Schreus. Dr. dermatitis from cosmetics, H. C. Alfred Htithig Verlag, Heidelberg. Friederich emphasizes, among other 1957. 169 pages. Price DM 26. things, the fallacy of the "post hoc This is the fourth volume of the ergopropter hoc" principle in dealing series "•rztliche Kosmetik." with this problem. With respect It contains the papers (with dis- to therapy he cautions against cussions) delivered at the 1956 hazards of cross-sensitizationby congress of the Deutsche Gesell- medicaments exhibiting a primary schaft flit die Aesthetische Medizin amino-group in the para-position und ibre Grenzgebiete (German (e.g., novocain, procain-penicill Society of Esthetic Medicine and p-aminosulfonamide) where an ex- Its Border Areas) in Berlin. Like acerbation has been produced by its predecessors, this volume lists a superimposed bacterial infection, several papers of interest to the the employment of suitable anti- cosmetic chemist, the others dealing biotics (e.g., a combination of mostly with problems of derma- neomycin and bacitracin) is recom- tology and plastic surgery. mended as being free of any A paper by H. Ippen discusses risk of sensitizing the individual the damaging action upon the skin against antibiotics which may have of sunlight, and reviews the means to be administered parenterally at of its prevention. Certain in- a later date. A sensitive skin gredients of cosmetics may be in- should be cleansed with due regard volved •n producing photosensi- for the preservation of its normal tization, also a variety of more or physiological condition cleansing less serious sequelae. Reference is agents from the class of protein- made to the following: melano- fatty acid condensates are effective derma caused by incompletely re- as well as harmless. fined grades of petrolatum (and In a brief paper, J. Zinzius due to their tarry impurities) recommends the continuous and photodermatitis bullosa striata, due regular use of a placental prepara- to the furocumarin content of nu- tion ("Placentubex") for the treat- merous plants Berloque-dermatitis ment of the wrinkled "senile hand." caused by oil of bergamot, a widely --EMXL G. KLARMANN, Lehn & used component of colognes and Fink Products Corp. perfumes and others of lesser significance. As to the protection against skin damage by sunlight, INTERNATIONAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF the author tested and evaluated COSMETIC MATERIALTRADENAMES, some three dozen finished prep- by Maison G. deNavarre. Moore arations available on the German Publishing Company, Inc., New market, but without finding "the York 18, N.Y. 1957. 369 pages. ideal protective agent." Price $7.50. 407

408 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS This reference book, which is correctly called an encyclopedia, lists cosmetic material trade names together with a brief description of each one, a classification according to usage, and a directory of the manufacturers. Over 3000 ma- terials are listed alphabetically and are also cross-indexed by types and uses. In many instances the ma- terials lack the desired qualitative description. This circumstance is to some degree understandable, partic. ularly in instances where the •tem •s a mixture, a by-product or its identity is intended to be kept secret by the producer. Those who have had the frustrating ex- perience of trying to locate a trade name material with only a vague notion of what it is or where it may be purchased can recognize the enormous task performed in com- piling this encyclopedia. Not only will the book save time in locating trade name materials but its use might very well avoid the possibility of a chemist overlooking a specific type material needed. Time and business march on and as the number of trade name ma- terials are introduced, old ones withdraw from sale and manufac- turers' addresses are changed, it is quite possible that the author will publish a yearly supplement or bring out a new edition every other year. This encyclopedia is definitely a must for every cosmetic labora- tory.--WALTER A. TAYLOR. SCHIMMEL BRIEFS, Volume II, Years 1951-1956. Schimmel and Com- pany, Inc., New York 1, N.Y. 1957. Price $10.00. The acceptance of Volume I by the cosmetic industry and other interested readers promises success for the present volume. The pages are not numbered but the "Briefs" follow in their numeri- cal sequence starting with Number 190, January, 1951, through Num- ber 261, December, 1956. These "Briefs" cover practically every cosmetic item, effect or result, such as astringency, hair lacquer aerosols and heat stability of poly- oxyeth.• lene emulsifiers. Current literature is digested along with pertinent patents. Some Briefs are a careful discussion of a group of relevant patents on a given subject, for example "Progress in Permanent Waving." While the Briefs are mailed monthly to a world wide audience, printed on one side for cutting up and filing, having them in bound form now makes them available as a ready library reference. The editor (who is unnamed) and the publisher are to be complimented for this effort. A complete index and cross index appears at the end of the book, making for easy location of topical material. A must for any cosmetic library.-- M. G. DENAVARRE. AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE CHEM- ICAL PROCESS I•I•USXRIES, by Jef- frey R. Stewart. Chemical Pub- lishing Co., Inc., New York 10, N.Y. 1956. 820 pages, 9 X 6 inches. Price $12. Everything from raw materials, processes, equipment and finished products of the chemical process industries is included, according to the book jacket. Most materials mentioned show a source of supply but some do not. The definitions of substances, processes or equipment are usually adequate although some are un- necessarily long and complicated, as fatty acids. A valuable inclusion is a series