JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS 743 raphy for perfumes and fragrances is cov- ered in great detail. Various spec- trometers including UV, IR and mass spectrometer are included along with methods which will utilize a computer hookup. The use of the "nose" as an analytical instrument is not forgotten and its use is indicated. The final chapters include a discussion of quality control (Chapter XIII), product safety and regulations (Chapter XIV), and a description of various associations re- lated to essential oils and the perfume and fragrance industry (Chapter XV). It is interesting to note that our own SCC is included along with a description of our activities. Chapter XVI reviews the many journals, magazines and books concerned with this industry and is entitled, "We Share Our Knowledge." It is only fitting that one of the final chapters be concerned with "People" and the im- portant role they play in the industry. The training necessary to develop suitable skills to function properly in the industry is covered. The authors also include job descriptions for people in the industry along with suitable qualification. The final chapter is devoted to some statistics of the industry. This reviewer has had a great difficulty in putting this book aside rather than reading it from "cover to cover" in one sitting. The authors are to be congratu- lated on this accomplishment since this book represents a "must" for anyone concerned with any aspect of the develop- ment of cosmetic products and any other product containing a fragrance or flavor. It should be required reading for all newcomers to the industry. Not only is this book an "encyclopedia of fact," but it makes reading enjoyable while one is learning. I recommend that it be on the literature shelf of every laboratory or office.--JOHN J. SCIARRA--Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. SYNTHETIC DETERGENTS, 6th Edition, A. Davidsohn and B. M. Milwidsky, Halsted Press, New York 1978 VIII q- 265 pages. Price $25.00. In the preface, the authors state that "this is a work by practical men for practical men" and, in general, they have accomplished this objective quite well. This book is intended primarily for the manufacturing chemist in the detergent field and it should be very useful for that purpose. However, for cosmetic chemists and others working with surfactants, it could be of inestimable value to know how these detergents are prepared, what methods are used in their quality control, and their applications. A knowledge of all phases of production of raw materials one uses in cosmetic and pharmaceutical development can be very useful in tracing down troublesome problems in stability, component interation and packaging in- tegrity. The first chapter deals with the development of the detergent industry and is brief but comprehensive. Next the authors deal with principle groups of synthetic detergents--anionics, cationics, and non-ionics and their constituent subgroups. Again brevity is the rule, but not at the expense of accuracy and comprehension. Such things as basic structural formulas, common methods of preparation, and salient characteristics of each group are catalogued. This chapter is followed by one dealing with inorganic components of detergents, builders and other additives covering such groups as phosphates, silicates, carbonates, oxygen- releasing materials and sundry inorganic builders. A whole chapter is devoted to sundry organic builders such as anti-rede- position agents, thickening agents, optical brighteners, chelating agents, hydrotropes, enzymes, bacteriostats, amines and solvents. Chapters five and six deal with the synthesis and manufacture

744 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS of detergents and this is handled in a suc- cinct and informative way. These chapters are followed by one on application and formulation of detergents where various helpful starting formulas for various types of finished products are presented. Most of these deal with straightforward de- tergent applications however, there is a section on toilet preparations such as shampoos, bubble baths and household and cosmetic soaps. The final chapter, which deals with a brief exposition of analytical methods used in the detergent field, is most noteworthy for a schematic procedure for the analysis of detergents. In summary, this is an excellent book dealing with the practical aspects of the preparation, use and characterization of synthetic detergents and is intended pri- marily for technologists in this field. Its use would be limited for most cosmetic chemists except for the reasons cited pre- viously.--ROBERT MARCHISOTTO--Bio- services Information Service, Philadelphia, Pa.