THE ANALYST. 279 REVIEWS. STUDIES ON IMMUNITY. By Professor PAUL EHRLICH and his Collaborators. (New York : John Wiley and Sons. Ehrlich’s studies on immunity have acquired a world-wide reputation, and all investigators in this important field of study will welcome an English translation of the work of himself and his collaborators. I n his preface the author points out that Behring’s great discovery of antitoxin opens new paths for research, first in the direction of the production of individual curative sera, and, secondly, in seeking a deeper insight into the nature of immunity phenomena. Ehrlich’s theories are developed on the basis of chemical conceptions, and he shows that the significance of morphological structure is far less than that of the chemistry involved. By a comparison with the mechanical conditions and suitable apparatus that aid, but are not absolutely necessary to a chemical process that depends essentially on the constituents involved, so in biology the morphological arrangement of the organs and cells is not the essential feature.This is rather to be sought for in chemical differences of the constituents. The products of bacteria, as well as the artificially-produced bacteriolysins and most of the ferments, according to the author, produce their effects by the presence of two active groups in the molecule, one of these uniting with the substance to be acted upon, whilst the other produces the characteristic effect. This theory is bound to affect the study of vital phenomena, especially intracellular metabolism and other physiological problems, such as those of secretion, heredity, etc.The book comprises forty-one chapters by various investigators on the subject of immunity, including many by Ehrlich himself. One of these is of special interest from the chemical standpoint, consisting as it does of a discussion of the relations existing between chemical constitution, distribu- tion, and pharmacological action. The author here ahows that at the present time the chemical aspect constitutes the axis about which the most important views in medicine turn, and that the two poles are the synthetic construction of new therst- peutic agents on the one hand, and the discovery of specific therapeutic products of living cells on the other. He also enumerates the conclusions that can be drawn from the study of the large number of medicaments of therapeutic importance. I n this synopsis the fact is emphasized that the antipyretic power of antipyretics is destroyed by the intro- duction of salt-forming acid radicals, such as S03H and COOH, and cites as an illustration of this acetanilido-acetic acid (C,H5N(COCH,)CH2COOH), and acetanilin sulphonic acid (C6H,NH.C0.CIE12.S03H), which are inert in this respect. Ehrlich also mentions that the presence of the ethyl group in certain disulphons -for example, sulphonal [(CH,),C(S02C2H,),] and trional [CH,C,H,C (SO 2C2H,),], as shown by Baumann-gives to these substances their hypnotic property, and that the latter increases with the number of these groups. Another interesting chapter is that by Dr.Preston Kyes and Dr. Hans Sachs on the substances which activate cobra venom. Translated by Dr. CHARLES BOLDUAN. London : Chapman and Hall, 1906. Pp. 586. Price 25s. 64. net.)280 THE ANALYST. The book is well arranged, and should prove of great interest and value to all students and workers in the important subjects of immunity and vital phenomena. OFFICIAL CHEMICAL APPOINTMENTS. By R. B. PILCHER. (London : Institute of Whilst the clerical, legal, and medical professions have been long since well supplied with copious directories, giving, amongst other things, lists of appointments held by members of each respective profession, no approach to such convenient works of reference has been hitherto compiled for the chemical profession. I n order to fill up this void, Mr.R. B. Pilcher, the able Registrar of the Institute of Chemistry, has, under the direction of the Council of that body and under the supervision of its Pro- ceedings Committee, undertaken the compilation of such a work. The list of official appointments is in two divisions, the former embracing the holders of appointments in Great Britain and Ireland, the latter of those in our colonies ; that of appointments held by Public Analysts, which was published some months since, has also been incorporated with the work. I n order to be as comprehensive as possible, appoint- ments in connection with agriculture, metallurgy, assaying, and other branches of work where chemical knowledge is required are mentioned. I n many instances particulars are given as to the Acts under which appointments are made, as well as the regulations and conditions of such appointments.The work also contains a large quantity of useful miscellaneous information on many subjects. Mr. Pilcher is to be congratulated on the excellent manner in which he has per- formed his arduous task ; he has succeeded in producing a very useful and highly interesting book for members of the profession to whom it relates, as well as to many outside that profession. * + l 3 4 + @ * Chemistry. Price 2s. net ; post free, 2s. 3d.) W. J. S. INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTRY OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. PASS LIST OF THE JULY EXAMINATIONS. OF fourteen candidates who entered for the Intermediate Examination, the following nine passed: L. C. W. Bonacina, W. R. S. Ladell, D. J. Law, W. M. Seaber, B.Sc. (Lond.), P. Stutfield, J. M. Weir, MA., B.Sc. (St. Andrews), W. A. Whatmough, J. MI. Wilkie, B.Sc. (Lond.), and C. H. Wright, B.A. (Cantab.). I n the Final Examination for the Associateship (A.I.C.), of three examined in the branch of Mineral Chemistry, two passed : J. W. Agnew and I. M. Heilbron. Of three in the branch of Organic Chemistry, two passed: R. Le Rossignol, B.Sc. (Lond.), and G. W. Monier-Williams, M.A. (Oxon.), Ph.D. (Freiburg). And of eight who entered in the branch of the Analysis of Food and Drugs and of Water, including an Examination in Therapeutics, Pharmacology, and Microscopy, the following six passed: J. G Annan, B.Sc. (Lond.), C. T. Bennett, B.Sc. (Lond.), G. W. Glen, F. W. Harris, E. H. Merritt, B.Sc. (Load.), and F. Tattersfield. The Examiners in Chemistry were Mr. W. W. Fisher, M.A. (Oxon.), F.I.C., and Dr. G. G. Hender- son, M.A. (Glasgow), F.I.C. The Examination in Therapeutics, Pharmacology, and Microscopy was conducted by Dr. F. Gowland Hopkins, M.A. (Cantab.), F.R.S., F.I.C.