Book review PREDICTIVE TOXICOMETRICS. Eldon M. Boyd. Scientechnica (Publishers) Ltd, (1973). oe10.00. Professor Boyd is one of toxicology's most prolific writers, his numerous papers span several decades of research. Now he has written what is basically a single volume digest of his data spiced with a limited num- ber of references to other publications. In the preface to his book Boyd states that to cover the subject matter thoroughly would require a work of ten to twenty volumes, it is not surprising that the main criticisms of this book are the omissions rather than the con- tents. Particularly disappointing are the sections relating to routes of exposure other than the alimentary tract. Even those relating to the alimentary tract are not always complete, for example, the author stresses aspiration in relation to bulk-volume but ofi•rs no informa- tion on the aspiration characteristics of volatile versus low viscosity solvents. Skin and eyes are only considered as 'foci of irritation and not as routes of absorption and then only in the most cursory way. Inhalation toxicity fares but little better. The general format of the book is satis- factory and the publishers have produced an unpretentious text-book with remarkably few errors (e.g. module appears in place of model, p. 150). The index is adequate and each chapter ends with a section: 'Conclusions re ß . .', although these latter could better be called: 'Summary and Conclusions' since several items are only chapter contents and not conclusions. A useful Glossary is provided but could have been expanded to include some of those oft quoted 'Legislative Toxi- cometrics' (e.g. No Effect Level Acceptable Daily Intake, etc.). This book can be recommended to students of toxicology and even the experience:l pro- fessional toxicologist will find some parts fascinating. Other biologists and chemists wanting a readable book to fill in background knowledge will find this book informative. At the price charged most students will be hard-pressed to justify purchasing their own copy, which is a pity as the book deserves that readership, Professor Boyd's ability as a teacher shows at its best in his book. V. K. BROWN 537

J. Soc. Cosmet. Chem. 24 539 (1973) ¸ 1973 Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Great Britain Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Great Britain 973 Medal Lecture The 1973 Silver Medal lecture, entitled 'The Skin--the Mirror of Disease' was given by Sir Ronald Bodley Scott, KVCO, DM, FRCP. Sir Ronald Bodley Scott began by emphasizing the living nature of the skin and the importance and complexity of the functions it serves. He then went on to show the audience, with the aid of slides, the sort of changes of the skin which often give the physician clues as to the malfunction of the various internal organs and systems of the human body. He also discussed the role of the Cosmetic Chemist in alleviating some of the psychological problems of patients suffering from these conditions. The lecture closed with a vote of thanks to the lecturer proposed by Mr G. A. C. Pitt, Vice-President of the Society and the presentation of the Society's Silver Medal by the Society's President, Mrs Hilda Butler. Presentation of the Society's Silver Medal to Sir Ronald Bodley Scott, KVCO, DM, FRCP by the President, Mrs. Hilda Butler.