Standard Methods of Clinical Chemistry, Vol. II

This book belongs on the reference shelves of clinical chemical laboratories, but would not be as valuable to strictly research laboratories. It is worth its price to obtain certain invaluable chapters: Sodium and Potassium by Flame Photometry by Hald, an authority on this subject, Nitrogen by the Kjeldahl Method by Archibald, an experienced investigator, and Free and Conjugated 17-Hydroxycorticosteroids in Plasma by the expert chemist Bongiovanni. Twenty-one chemical anlyses are described clearly and precisely. These techniques cover a wide range of subjects, some of which have already been mentioned. Other chapters extend from chlorides to porphyrins in urine, alkaline and acid phosphatase, pancreatic lipase, total fatty acids in stool, gamma globulin in serum. In specific diagnostic problems some of the 21 techniques may be needed suddenly. For such emergencies this book has distinct merit since definite directions can be followed without reference to numerous journals for improvements published at odd intervals. Except for two chapters, the methods, as described in detail, have been submitted to referees in independent laboratories who verified their accuracy by following completely specific directions for reagents and techniques. This checking by referees increases the step-by-step lucidity of each manipulation. The tests, as described, have increased diagnostic value because most of the chapters contain comments on normal values or interpretation of results. On the other hand, the investigative clinical chemist must choose what technique best suits his conditions and the brevity of the book limits each chapter to description of a single technique. Bibliographies with inclusion of titles of articles are limited in most instances to between 4 and 20 references. Selection of one technique of course opens the door to criticisms of which the following examples are cited. The chapter on Calcium (Compleximetric) describes a method unknown to directors of some hospital chemical laboratories. Zilversmit, a lipid expert, describes trichloroacetic acid precipitation of phosphatides from serum without inclusion of remarks about the completeness of precipitation of phosphatides from grossly lactescent sera. Possible modifications of isolation of phosphatides by lipid solvents are described without mention of the comparative accuracy of these modifications for lactescent sera. The chapter on Protein-Bound Iodine recommends omission of any medication containing inorganic iodine for 24 to 48 hours prior to the test, but does not refer to the prolonged spurious elevation of PBI from ingestion of inorganic iodine observed by Danowski and others. The book is in clear type and excellently edited with uniformity. To describe methods for 21 clinical tests in an arduous task, especially in a field in which instrumental improvements subject techniques to continual change. However, this volume belongs with technical manuals rather than with outstanding clinical classics. EVELYN B. MAN