MAINLY FOR I'HOTOGRAPHERS

The Reproduction of Colour R. W . G. Hunt (London, Fountain Press, 1967, 500 pp., 1051-)

This edition of Dr. Hunt's book has the extended title ". . . in Photography, Printing and Television", showing the reason and the need for a second edition. The principles of colour reproduction have not changed in the ten years since the original edition, but their applications have.

In particular, colour pliotographs are now commonly produced in evidence in Court and it has been said that coloured photographs of, for example, seriously injured persons, may produce prejudicial emotional reactions in those unused to such sights. I t is well that those who use coloured photographs should know how accurately, in an objective sense, the pliotographs can be made to reproduce the scene photographed. They will find the answer in the fullest technical detail in part two, comprising some 160 pages, of this excellent book.

D. Patterson.

ON THE POT

Aspects of Drug Addiction Martin Silberman (London, Royal London Prisoners' Aitl Society, 1967, 112 p?., 716)

Presented as an easily readable accumulation of many experts' opinions, the book reveals an author of considerable experience in social studies. Attention is drawn to tlie general problem of drug dependence whilst recognising that dependence on alcohol remains a major problem. Silberman mentions addicts' preference for marihuana over alcohol in several countries and especially now among university, college and scliool pupils, enipliasising the insidious escalation of the drug habit. The book contains within the text innumerable quotations from, and references to, experts and prolific writers.

A well-balanced book with a good sense of proportion in the dissection of the many aspects discussed. I t is worthwhile reading and allows the reader to assess and compare the views and opinions of many people working in the field.

John A. G. Clarke.

AN ANALYST'S TOUCHSTONIS

"AnalaR" Standards for Laboratory Chemicals (AnalaR Standards Ltd., 54 Gracechurch Strcet, I,ondon, E.C.3, 033 pp., 6th

edition, 1967)

This is the Sixth Edition of a well-known manual, new Editions of wliicli l~avc been appearing a t almost yearly intervals since 1949. The term "AnalaR" is a registered trade mark, but the letters AR denote the standard of purity for reagents used in chemical analysis. Both the trade mark and the copyright of tlie book belong to AnalaR Standards Ltd., wlio have granted rights to Hop- kin & Williams Ltd., and The British Drug Houses Ltd., and their respective associate Companies. To the above extent therefore, tlie present volume is a trade publication. However, although the designation AR no longer has an official standing so far as individual standards for separate chemicals are con- cerned, it is accepted as signifying a chemical which is suitable for use in chemical analysis. Because of this, the standards and testing methods described in this book may be regarded as self-imposed standards on the part of the two manu- facturers concerned.

I t should, therefore, be made clear that although this volume emanates as a trade publication referring to the standards adopted by the firms associated

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with the publishers, it is a publication and text-book of the highest standing from the point of view of the analyst. Indeed most analysts are already familiar with it from its early editions, and from the individual leaflets sent out from time to time by the manufacturers.

In general it gives the name of the reagent, a description, a brief specification, usually in terms of essential physical properties, and a list of maximum limits of impurities; then follow methods of test. Particular features of the new edition are a more reproducible and more specific test for sulphates; and a comparatively new technique for precipitation from homogeneous solutions, for use in the analysis of copper and its salts. Also, many individual tests have been improved or replaced; some of those tests decribed are original contri- butions, though many are adaptations of literature methods. Appendices deal with the reagents used in testing the cliemicals listed, indicator and standard solutions, and short notes on several special tests.

The reviewer has found previous editions of this book useful not only for checking the purity of reagents, but also as a source of information on specialised testing methods which are not otherwise readily available in the literature.

Judged purely as a publication, its value for money in terms of pages and contents can hardly be beaten. I t is rather a pity, however, that in a book dated September, 1967, the atomic weights used should be those of 1961.

Julius Grant

WATCHING DRUGS ADVANCI.: Advances in Drug Research, Volume 4 N. J. Harper & Alma B. Simmonds (London & New Y o r k , Academic Press, 1967, 274 pp. , 70 shillir~gs)

This latest volume in a now established series sets a difficult problem for the reviewer for to a large extent it is presumptuous for a general worker to attempt to criticise a series of papers written by experts in their own particular, highly specialised, field. When these contributions have been selected and edited by editors of repute the task becomes doubly difficult. Faced with this problem the reviewer must fall back on generalities but perhaps this is not entirely a bad thing. I t is not too difficult to write for other specialists with similar interests, but to make a complex subject comprehensible to a worker who is interested, but outside the particular area of study, is immeasurably harder.

In this respect the editors of the series have been fortunate in their choice of contributors; previous volumes have set a high standard and it is pleasing to find that the latest edition is no exception. The first paper is a comprehensive account of the chemistry, pharmacology and general properties of the group of antibiotics, the Cephalosporins. I t includes a fascinating description of the elucidation of the structure and subsequent synthesis of Cephalosporin C. The second chapter reflects the continuing interest in adrenaline and nor-adrenaline biosynthesis with a survey of the biochemistry and pharmacology of methyldopa. This includes a short discussion of some of the epimers of this substance.

These are followed by "The biological properties of C;ilicon Compounds" which includes some information on the effects of siliceous dusts and the pro- duction of silicosis. The mechanism of the production of the silicon pneu- moconioses is treated in some detail.

The fourth paper deals with the biochemistry of Guanethidine and in addition to the general pharmacology of this adrenergic blocking agent the interaction of guanethidine with other drugs, sympathomimetics, the antidepressants, M.A.O. inhibitors and the hypotensive agents bretylium and reserpine, is examined.

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