440 
Book  Reviews. 
( Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
(   September,  1907. 
haemoglobin  and  of  Osborne  on  proteids  is  also  included.  The 
illustrations  are  numerous  and  will  be  found  helpful. 
The  Principles  of  Qualitative  Analysis  from  the  standpoint 
of  the  theory  of  electrolytic  dissociation  and  the  law  of  mass  action. 
By  Wilhelm  Bbttger.  Translated  with  the  author's  sanction  and 
revised  with  his  co-operation  by  William  G.  Smeaton.  With  ten 
illustrations.    Philadelphia :  P.  Blakiston's  Son  &  Co.    $2  net. 
Dr.  Bbttger's  work  on  qualitative  analysis  is  the  outcome  of  a 
need  "  for  a  text-book  which  introduces  modern  conceptions  into  the 
teaching  of  qualitative  analysis."  The  work  opens  with  a  discus- 
sion of  the  laws  governing  chemical  reactions,  the  theory  of  electro- 
lytic dissociation  and  the  law  of  mass  action.  It  is  divided  into  four 
parts:  (i)  testing  a  solution  for  metals;  (2)  testing  a  solution  for 
anions;  (3)  the  complete  analysis  of  a  given  unknown;  (4)  the  rare 
elements.  There  are  a  number  of  excellent  analytical  tables  and 
numerous  references  to  the  literature.  The  book  is  largely  based 
on  Ostwald's  "  Principles  of  Inorganic  Chemistry,"  from  which  some 
of  the  illustrations  have  been  taken. 
In  the  translation  Dr.  Smeaton  has  incorporated  two  new  sections, 
one  on  bromates  and  one  on  iodates,  and  added  some  tests  and 
references  in  Parts  I  and  II.  The  work  illuminates  the  whole  sub- 
ject of  qualitative  analysis  and  is  an  important  addition  to  the  list 
of  laboratory  books. 
Merck's  1907  Index.  An  encyclopedia  for  the  chemist,  phar- 
macist and  physician.  Third  edition.  New  York:  Merck  &  Co., 
15  University  Place. 
Merck's  Index  gives  the  names  and  synonyms ;  source  or  origin ; 
chemical  nature  and  formulas ;  physical  form,  appearance  and  prop- 
erties; melting  and  boiling  points;  solubilities;  specific  gravities 
and  methods  of  testing ;  physiological  effects ;  therapeutic  uses  ; 
modes  of  administration  and  application ;  ordinary  and  maximum 
doses ;  incompatibilities  ;  antidotes ;  special  cautions ;  hints  on  keep- 
ing and  handling,  etc.,  of  the  chemicals  and  drugs  used  in  chemistry, 
medicine  and  the  arts. 
Probably  no  work  is  more  often  consulted  in  the  laboratory  than 
Merck's  Index,  as  it  contains  much  of  the  information  that  one 
wants  quickly. 
