550 
Book  Reviews. 
/Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
\  November,  1909. 
BOOK  REVIEWS. 
A  Manual  of  Volumetric  Analysis.  By  Virgil  Coblentz, 
Ph.D.,  Phar.M.,  F.C.S.  Second  edition,  revised  by  Anton  Vorisek, 
Phar.D.  Thirty-seven  illustrations,  234  pages.  P.  Blakiston's  Son 
&  Co.    $1.75  net. 
This  edition  has  been  enlarged  and  revised  with  the  view  of 
making  it  more  adaptable  to  the  laboratory  and  classroom. 
The  work  is  divided  into  five  chapters  as  follows:  Chapter  I, 
Introductory,  Volumetric  Solutions  (general),  Titration,  Apparatus, 
Manipulation,  etc.  Chapter  II,  Determinations  by  Neutralization. 
The  properties  and  uses  of  the  principal  indicators  are  very  clearly 
explained.  The  determination  of  alkaloids  is  outlined,  including 
the  methods  of  Lloyd,  Gordin,  and  Dragendorff's  potassium  bis- 
muth iodide  reagent.  Chapter  III,  Determinations  by  Oxidation 
and  Reduction.  Chapter  IV,  Determination  by  Precipitation,  in- 
cluding sugars,  diastatic  value  of  malt,  etc.  Chapter  V,  Determina- 
tions by  comparison  of  colors. 
Each  chapter  is  introduced  by  remarks  as  to  the  principles  of 
the  determinations,  reactions,  indicators,  and  volumetric  solutions 
used.  The  reactions  involved  are  explained  by  chemical  formulae, 
enabling  the  student  to  readily  comprehend  the  principles  of  the 
analysis  and  to  work  out  for  himself  the  factors  required.  Many 
valuable  notes  appear  as  to  the  precautions  that  should  be  observed. 
The  usual  factor  tables  are  given  along  with  a  list  of  the  chem- 
ical elements  and  compounds  of  importance  in  volumetric  analysis 
together  with  their  molecular  weights. 
The  work  will  be  a  very  valuable  aid  to  the  student,  and  although 
its  scope  is  limited  it  will  make  a  valuable  addition  to  the  laboratory 
library.  John  R.  Rippetoe. 
The  Fixing  Power  of  Alkaloids  on  Volatile  Acids  and 
Its  Application  to  the  Estimation  of  Alkaloids  with  the 
Aid  of  Phenolphthalein  or  by  the  Volhard  Method.  By 
Elias  Elvove,  Bull.  No.  54,  Hygienic  Laboratory,  U.  S.  Public 
Health  and  Marine-Hospital  Service,  Washington. 
Although  it  is  known  that  the  salts  of  most  of  the  vegetable 
alkaloids  can  be  estimated  by  means  of  phenolphthalein  as  indicator, 
no  application  of  this  fact  to  the  estimation  of  the  purity  of  the 
uncombined  alkaloids  as  found  in  commerce  or  as  obtained  in  the 
course  of  the  various  pharmacopceial  assays  is  used.    The  author 
