Some Principles of Energetics in Biochemical Reactions

unsuitable as colloidal infusion solutions, for which reason they are depolymerized by acid hydrolysis to products of suitable molecular size (average molecular weight 7500). This book constitutes a review of the history of the development of dextran to its present place, and a review of most of the literature available on the subject. The author, Anders Gr6nwall, is Professor of Clinical Chemistry at the University of Uppsala, Sweden, and is one of the members of the original Swedish dextran team, whose efforts are largely responsible for the successful establishment of dextran as a clinical tool. In the book, Dr. Gr6nwall devotes considerable attention to the complex problems of preparation of a dextran with suitable physical properties, and he devotes particular attention to the problem of the relationship between molecular dimensions and desired therapeutic effect. He covers well the available literature on the fate of intravenously administered dextran, and the reports available regarding undesirable side-effects. In all, some 175 references are included in the bibliography. There is little doubt as to the value of a book summarizing this vast literature upon a somewhat controversial subject. One reaches the conclusion that dextran is a well-tried product with a definite place in the medical armamentarium, providing it is used with knowledge of its limitations.