578 
Reviews. 
[  Ati.  Jour.  Pharm. 
\  November,  1898. 
without  proper  illustrations  and  plans,  particularly  so  when  the  subject  matter 
is  condensed  into  the  smallest  possible  space. 
In  the  introductory  chapter  on  Chemical  Theory  many  explanations  lack 
illustration  in  the  way  of  formulae  and  equations.  For  example,  under  the  defi- 
nitions of  the  terms  ' '  hypo, " "  per, "  "  ous, "  "  ic  "  salts,  examples  of  well  known 
compounds  might  have  been  cited  under  each  ;  again  in  explaining  the  nomen- 
clature of  the  different  compounds  of  chlorin  and  oxygen,  were  the  several 
formulae  appended,  the  student  would  more  readily  grasp  their  meaning  and 
relationship.    The  subject  of  acid  anhydrides  is  missed. 
In  the  explanation  of  the  rules  of  nomenclature  of  the  acids  and  salts,  com- 
parative tables  would  materially  assist  in  systematizing  the  subject.  The  sub- 
ject of  "Chemical  Reactions  and  Equations  "  has  suffered  much  from  conden- 
sation, more  space  should  be  devoted  to  giving  the  beginner  a  clear  understand- 
ing of  the  conditions  governing  chemical  reactions,  the  influence  of  heat,  light 
and  electricity  on  chemical  combination  and  decomposition,  rules  of  solubility, 
etc.  One  page  is  scarcely  sufficient  to  clear  up  the  subject  of  stochiometry  in 
the  mind  of  the  average  student,  owing  to  the  many  different  ways  in  which 
the  subject  may  be  presented.  It  might  have  been  well  to  have  added  questions 
with  solution  wherever  possible  under  the  "practical  exercises." 
In  the  writer's  opinion  it  would  be  far  better,  if  space  is  the  primary  consid- 
eration, to  cut  down  descriptive  matter  elsewhere,  but  under  no  circumstances 
should  the  introductory  chapter  embracing  the  fundamental  principles  of 
chemical  theory  be  abridged. 
The  arrangement  and  classification  of  the  subject  matter  of  the  chapters  on 
Inorganic  and  Organic  Chemistry  is  very  systematic  and,  therefore,  a  great  aid 
to  the  student  in  classifying  his  knowledge.  Argon  and  Helium  have  found 
place  in  the  revised  text. 
The  older  distinctions  between  a  luminous  and  non-luminous  flame  based  on 
the  presence  of  solid  incandescent  particles  might  stand  revision  in  accordance 
with  the  results  of  more  recent  investigations  upon  this  subject. 
Since  the  appearance  of  the  first  edition  in  1895,  a  number  of  synthetic 
medicinal  products  have  come  into  general  use,  these  present  exceedingly 
interesting  material  from  a  chemical  standpoint.  For  example,  the  organic  and 
colloidal  preparations  of  silver,  the  orgauo-therapeutic  agents,  iodoform  substi- 
tutes, local  anaesthetics,  etc.,  none  of  these  have  received  any  attention. 
We  miss  among  the  proximate  plant  principles,  allusions  to  the  important 
investigations  of  Kiliani,  which  have  accomplished  so  much  to  clear  up  our 
knowledge  of  digitalis  ;  the  same  might  be  said  of  the  solanaceous  alkaloids. 
A  systematic  table  of  color  reactions  for  the  identification  of  plant  principles 
would  be  acceptable. 
To  the  student,  the  index  of  his  text  or  reference  book  is  a  very  important 
feature,  for,  owing  to  his  inexperience,  he  will  seek  his  references  in  a  very 
unsystematic  manner,  hence  in  view  of  this,  the  matter  of  synonyms  and  cross 
references  should  be  well  provided  for.  In  this  respect  the  index  of  the  above 
work  is  deficient. 
V.  CoblenTz. 
A  Short  Manual  of  Analytical  Chemistry,  qualitative  and  quantitative, 
inorganic  and  organic.  Following  the  course  of  instruction  given  in  the  labo- 
ratories of  the  South  Loudon  School  of  Pharmacy.    By  John  Muter,  Ph.D., 
