76 



SCIENCE. 



[Vol. VI., No. 12ft. 



The author's style is entertaining, often 

 witty, and, in his own words, " the intelligent 

 householder who has no time, probably no in- 

 clination, for systematic studies, may read 

 herein as he runs, and find hints that will save 

 himself and his loved ones from unspeakable 

 pain and sorrow." 



In view of recent results of investigation 

 concerning the comparative value of disinfect- 

 ants, the author's statement as to the use of 

 vinegar for such purposes, and also as to the 

 value of ' little pinches of sulphur ' burned 

 every hour throughout a house in which are 

 patients ill with infectious disease, is mislead- 

 ing. Such a procedure would only prove nox- 

 ious to the inmates, without accomplishing 

 even the slightest good. It would be far bet- 

 ter to wait until convalescence is established, 

 and then vacate the apartments, and proceed 

 with thorough disinfection. 



In the words of one of the best authorities 

 on the subject, " There can be no partial dis- 

 infection of infectious material. Its infecting 

 power is either destro3^ed or it is not." The 

 same authority. Dr. Sternberg, also recom- 

 mends the emplo3^ment of three pounds of 

 sulphur to every thousand cubic feet of air 

 space, as requisite for thorough disinfection. 



The chapters on small-pox, cholera, and 

 other infectious diseases, are valuable, and set 

 forth clearty, and in a salient manner, the im- 

 portance of preventive measures. 



REM SEN'S ORGANIC CHEMISTRY. 



In the preparation of this work, Professor 

 Remsen has performed valuable service for the 

 advancement of chemical science in this coun- 

 tr}^, since it will place within the reach of those 

 who are deprived of access to the best sources 

 of information a systematic exposition of the 

 principles of modern organic chemistr}^ There 

 has long been felt the need of a text-book in 

 English on organic chemistry that would pre- 

 sent in a concise form its fundamental princi- 

 ples according to the most recent knowledge 

 of the subject, without entering so far upon de- 

 tails as to render the book too comprehensive 

 for ordinary use. To those who are familiar 

 with the voluminous literature of this subject, 

 the difficulties to be encountered in the prepa- 

 ration of such a text-book are apparent, and 

 they will doubtless appreciate the judicious se- 



An introduction to the study of the compounds of carbon ; 

 or, Organic chemistry. By Ira Remsen. BoBton, Ginn, Heath, 

 <fc Co., 1885. 10+364 p., illustr. 8°. 



lection of material and its systematic arrange- 

 ment in this volume. The thoroughness with 

 which structural relations of organic com- 

 pounds are treated will be very serviceable to 

 the student, especially the constitution of the 

 aromatic hydrocarbons, including naphthalene 

 and anthracene, and the methods employed 

 in demonstrating the structure of their deriva- 

 tives. 



Certain peculiarities in the nomenclature 

 adopted, and in the form of some of the struc- 

 tural symbols, will probably not find acceptance 

 with all chemists. Yet, concerning the nomen- 

 clature of organic chemistry in general, it can- 

 not be denied that usage is far from uniform^ 

 and there is even greater confusion in the terms 

 employed than with inorganic compounds. 

 Chemists do not seem inclined to accept fully 

 the rules proposed by the late Dr. Watts, 

 although it must be admitted in their favor 

 that they possess at least the advantages of a 

 sj^stem. In the structural symbols of the un- 

 saturated compounds, including the aromatic 

 series, it is difficult to see what is gained by 

 departing from the usual custom of represent- 

 ing fully the valence of the carbon atoms by 

 bonds. There would be little danger of mis- 

 conception as regards their true significance 

 after the careful explanations given on pp. 

 213, 225, and 239 ; and unquestionably a stu- 

 dent gains clearer ideas of the chemical changes 

 in passing from one homologous series to an- 

 other, by writing the structure formulae in full, 

 with the valence of the atoms concerned. 



Numerous errors are noticed, few of which, 

 however, interfere with the scientific accuracy 

 of the work. The assertion that citric acid 

 has not been made artificially is hardly in 

 accordance with fact ; and it is no.t strictly 

 accurate to state, that, in the manufacture of 

 acetic acid from wood, the crude distillate is 

 neutralized with soda-ash, since, in this coun- 

 try at least, the acid is usually converted into 

 the calcium salt. In the artificial preparation 

 of alizarine, it is generally understood that this 

 dye-stuflTcan be made only from anthrachinone- 

 sulphonic aCid, anthrachinone-disulphonic acid 

 giving isopurpurine or allied products. 



Another important feature of this work is 

 the introduction of occasional experiments de- 

 signed to familiarize the student with com- 

 pounds described in the text. This plan could 

 doubtless be extended to excellent advantage ; 

 and there would probably be a large demand 

 for another volume of equal size, devoted ex- 

 clusively to laboratory appointments, manipu- 

 lation, and experimental work in organic 

 chemistry. 



