DECEMBER 18, 1913] 
449 
and these are necessary for the medical expert in 
those investigations which are essential if the 
practising physician is to be enabled to base his 
prescription of climate upon knowledge rather 
than hearsay and hypothesis. Dr. Gordon gave 
a new impetus to such research by his inquiry into 
the effect of rain-bearing winds upon the preval- | 
ence of phthisis, and in these lectures he empha- 
sises the need for further detailed investigations 
of this character; he instances in particular cancer 
and rheumatic fever as suitable subjects owing to 
the considerable local variations which he has 
observed in the distribution of these diseases. 
The information to be derived from such re- 
searches would be useful to the physician in diag- 
nosis and prognosis, as well as in its more obvious 
applications. 
The main thesis of the lectures is the explana- 
tion of the origin of the theory that altitude, 
per se, affected the prevalence of phthisis, and the 
elucidation of the real factor. If the crude death- 
rate from phthisis is considered, it appears usually 
that up to about 5000 feet the disease becomes 
continuously less prevalent as the height in- 
creases, even if only an agricultural population is 
considered. Dr. Gordon has re-examined the 
statistics in detail, and has arrived at the conclu- 
sion that the decrease is mainly due to the more 
sheltered situations sought by the mountain- 
dweller for his habitation. He finds that for places 
exposed to rain-bearing winds the death-rate may 
even increase with altitude. The differences in the 
death-rate between places with different exposures 
are remarkable; in the Grisons the rate is three 
to four times as great in places exposed. to 
W. winds as in sheltered places, and two to 
three times as great as in places exposed only to 
E. winds. Such results are of the first import- 
ance, and Dr. Gordon is to be congratulated on 
the success of an arduous piece of research. 
E. G. 
The “ Wellcome” Photographic Exposure Record 
and Diary, 1914. (London: Burroughs Weli- 
come and Co., 1913.) Price 1s. 
Tuis neat, handy, and useful little pocket-book 
contains the concentrated essence of photographic 
practice, and anyone who has used it once will 
no doubt, like the writer, continue to secure it 
annually. The issue for 1914 does not materially 
differ from that published last year, except that 
everything is brought up to date. The great 
success of the tabloid form of developers, &c., 
is acknowledged by its most general use, and this 
issue gives, among others, one illustration of Mr. 
H. G. Ponting using the ‘‘Rytol” developer in 
the hut at the winter quarters, and another by 
him of the Terra Nova off Cape Evans. The 
special device attached to the cover, which tells 
the correct exposure at one turn of the disc and 
the light tables for each month, and factors for 
plates, films, &c., are special and valuable 
features of the publication. Ample space is pro- 
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exposed, and the usual diary portion obviates 
the necessity of having to carry any other pocket- 
NO. 2303, VOL. 92] 
NATURE 
book for other memoranda, engagements, &c., 
Three editions are published, one for the North- 
ern hemisphere, another for the Southern, and a 
third for the United States. The price of one 
shilling brings it within the reach of everyone, 
and the book is well worth the money. 
Chemical Technology and Analysis of Oils, Fats, 
and Waxes. By Dr. J. Lewkowitsch. Fifth 
edition, entirely re-written and _ enlarged. 
Vol. i. Pp. xxiii+668. (London: Macmillan 
and Co., Ltd.) 
Tue well-known work of the late Dr. Lewkowitsch 
was reviewed at some length in these columns 
on the appearance of the fourth edition some 
four years ago (NaTuRE, August 19, 1gog). In 
view of the stage of transition through which 
the subject of fat analysis is now passing, the 
author would have preferred to wait a little 
longer before bringing out the present edition, 
but the exhaustion of the previous issue precluded 
further delay. 
The arrangement of the subject-matter remains 
much as before, but its bulk has increased con- 
siderably, in spite of every endeavour to compress 
it and eliminate what has become antiquated. 
Due note has been made of recent progress in 
the chemistry and technology of fats and oils, so 
far as the scope of the present volume allows. 
Attention may be directed, for instance, to the 
discussions upon the causes of rancidity, the 
limitations of colour reactions in the examina- 
tion of oils, the synthesis of glycerides, the 
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catalysts, and the production of ‘‘hardened” or 
“hydrogenised ”’ fats by the reduction of various 
oils. In short, there is evidence that the volume 
has undergone a thorough revision in bringing 
it up to date. 
It is to be hoped that the lamented decease of 
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worthy memorial of his industry and knowledge. 
Price 25s. net. 
The British Empire Universities Modern English 
Illustrated Dictionary. Revised under the chief 
editorship of Edward D. Price and Dr. H. 
Thurston Peck. Pp. Ixxx+1o08. (London: 
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Tue illustrations form a noteworthy character- 
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