BOOK REVIEWS 543 ologist is not too deeply concerned with the discussions in the chapters titled "The Selection, Improvement and Preservation of Micro-orga- nisms," "The Microbial Production of Amino Acids" and "The Bio- Chemistry of Vitamin B• Fermenta- tion." The first article mentioned above concerns itself with selecting new organisms for producing anti- biotics, their genetics, breeding tech- nics and strain improvement. The second and third articles are self- descriptive and, while the end-prod- ucts may--some time or other--be useful in the cosmetic industry, the bacteriological manufacturing proce- dures are not. Aside from the physical, chemical and antimicrobial activity of Baci- tracin, there is little of value to the cosmetic chemist in the chapter, "Bacitracin, Its Manufacture and Uses." In this respect, however, the information given under "clinical applications" and "miscellaneous uses" may give some cosmetic chemists ideas for new products. The chapter, "Preparation of Alka- loids by Saprophytic Culture of Ergot Fungi," while interesting from a scientific standpoint, has no prac- tical use for the cosmetic chemist. However, the chapters, "Modern Trends in Steam Sterilization" and "Microbiological Aspects of Radia- tion Sterilization," are of considerable interest to both the cosmetic chemist and the bacteriologist. The former chapter discusses all facets of steam sterilization, even to the design of various types of autoclaves, testing autoclaves, cooling autoclave con- tents after sterilization, automatic operation of sterilizers, faults of autoclave operation and overseas practice in sterilization. Most faulty autoclave operations have been traced to faulty installation, lack of adequate and correct maintenance and faulty instructions to the operators. The field of radiation sterilization is relatively new and foreign to most chemists and bacteriologists. The chapter on this subject will help to overcome this situation as it is an excellent dissertation on theory and practical implications. Applications include the sterilization of vaccines, antisera, biological tissues, pharma- ceuticals, plastic items, rubber gloves, sutures, etc. Each chapter in this book is fol- lowed by pages of references ex- tremely useful to those who wish to pursue these topics more fully.. J^•Es H. B^KER--Gar-Baker Labo- ratories, Inc.

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