BRITISH SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS 135 conjunction with 24 different preservatives. The activity of many well known and commonly used preservatives is reduced in the presence of nonionic surface active agents and it is concluded that all products con- taining these agents require specially selected preservatives depending upon the type and amount of nonionics present. Most of the observations carried out related to bacteria rather than to fungi because the activity of bacteria can be assessed by a numerical count. Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were studied. Spoilage by bacterial growth is no less important than spoilage by fungold growth and is much more important with regard to safety in use. Bac- terial growth may induce changes such as liquefaction, separation and grouping together of solid particles which may be wrongly assumed to be due to faulty formulation of the product before odour reveals the origin of the trouble. Apart from the inactivation produced by nonionic surface active agents other factors governing the selection of a suitable preservative are: the pH of the product, the type of emulsion or system to be preserved, the nature of the pack or container in which the product is to be sold and the stability, toxicity and cost of the preservative. FORTHCOMING MEETING Third Scientific Meeting of the Session was held at the Royal Society of Arts, John Adam Street, W. C. 2 at 7: 30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 18th, when Dr. R. H. Marriott, F.R.I.C., presented the subject "The Pene- tration of Skin--Dead and Alive."

GESELLSCHAFT DEUTSCHER KOSMETIK-CHEMIKER Tx•E German Society of Cosmetic Chemists held a meeting in Berlin to form definite statutes for the Society. Left to Right: Dr. H. Neugebauer, Dr. Everts, Dr. F. Keil, Dr. Schmitt. Seated: Dr. L. W. Masch. In November, 1957, two months after its formation, the membership numbered about forty. The following officers were elected for the 1957- 1958 term: President, Dr. L. W. Masch Secretary, Dr. H. Neugebv. uer and Treasurer, Dr. F. Keil. 136