Quantitative Chemical Techniques of Histo- and Cytochemistry

Containing Apatites." The general arrangement of the articles is similar to the format of a journal of dental research, but lacks editorial comment or discussion. Each paper is printed in the author's native language (English, German, or French) prefaced by very brief, inadequate abstracts in all three languages. Less than one-fifth of the studies pertains to fluorine and its cumulative effect upon the teeth and the body systems. This is disappointing for fluoridation of public drinking water is the most controversial topic confronting public health officials today. These few reports more or less confirmed the findings of previous investigators. The major sections of the book present, for the most part, detailed investigations relating to the calcification process in the biological systems as well as the molecular biology of the dental enamel. Sognnaes, in his remarks on calcification of body tissues is of the opinion that the key problems one must contend with in order to fully appreciate the significance of calcification, decalcification, and recalcification are closely aligned to the problems encountered in early changes of dental caries. Weidman reviews the "crystal seeding" theory of initial calcification, supported by an excellent report of Frank and Nalbandian who, by employing the electron microscope and by electron diffraction, observed similar seeding mechanisms in the calcification of mandibular bone, dentin, and enamel found in human foetal tissue. With the exception of two reports of dental caries incidence, the remaining studies present detailed findings relative to tooth development emphasizing the formation of dental enamel. These are of such a highly technical nature that only one interested in the molecular growth and remodelling of dental structures would find them worthy of review. This volume has limited appeal to an individual reader and considerably less to one not a linguist. The editors omit a much needed index which, in addition to other deficiencies, results in an ineffectively organized publication. In the second of a two-volume series, Dr. Glick has again demonstrated his ability to gather and present in compact form an abundance of technical information on micro-chemical analyses. During the last 20 years, rapid advancements have been made in this field, a field which bridges the gap between the quantitative biochemical studies of homogenates and cell fractions on one hand and the more qualitative histochemistry at the light and electron microscopic levels on the other. A concise but utilizable resume of applicable procedures and techniques has been …