Laboratory Manual of Biological Chemistry

This new edition of Folin's Manual follows the same general plan of topics treated as that which characterized the earlier editions. The first chapter treats of such fundamental topics as acidimetry, alkalimetry, calibration of apparatus, and nitrogen determination. Some commentators might be disposed to criticize this on the ground that such matters should be considered prerequisite for entrance to a course in biological chemistry. In defense the reviewer suggests that details of entrance requirements cannot always be decided by one instructor, but depend on numerous factors beyond his control, and the first edition of this manual which sets the pattern of the present book, was the result of actual experience in Professor Folin's laboratory over a period of years. Furthermore, in developing the subject of biological chemistry in accordance with the viewpoint of Folin, which conceives as the ideal the treatment of both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the subject without definite separation, it is logical to begin as he has done. Incidentally, it may be added, this first chapter is as condensed and clear a presentation of these fundamental essentials as may be found anywhere, if it is not indeed the best. The importance of acidimetry is emphasized to the student and related in a practical way by titrations of the gastric contents, a presentation which reveals the deep pedagogical insight of the author. This edition differs from the previous ones largely in that it describes newer quantitative methods applicable to blood analysis. The supplement, which is devoted to quantitative methods useful with blood and urine, covers 163 pages as compared with 201 pages for the previous part of the book and constitutes a valuable compendium of the methods developed and in use in the Harvard laboratories. The style of presentation of the material in the first chapter is quite different from that of the later chapters which read more like conventional laboratory manual notes. In the reviewer's opinion, the later sections would be improved by inclusion of informative comments and descriptive matter similar to that presented in the first chapter. However, it might be argued, against this view, that such material belongs more properly to a textbook ; also, that this additional material should be given by the instructor. One of the useful features of the earlier editions has been retained, namely, the use of blank left-hand pages as a place for the student to record important data. …