At first glance the functions of minerals in the human body are obscure. They yield no energy and may undergo no change in chemical combination. It would appear then, that minerals are needed only in growth, but such is not the case. The adult requires them as much as the infant. Probably every function of cellular activity is dependent upon the mineral elements. This revelation is a comparatively recent one. Various other findings on the composition and requirements of the body have emphasized the importance of minerals and there resulted a great mass of conflicting data, more or less bearing on mineral metabolism. The author of this monograph states that it is an attempt to bring order out of apparent chaos with the hope that it will make available to the non-specialist the trends in the field.
After a brief introductory chapter the book opens with a summary of the composition of the body as a whole, of the organs, and of the body fluids, in regard to water and minerals. It includes a description of both the qualitative and quantitative interrelationships of the electropositive and electronegative elements and radicals. A detail of secretions is then given, showing their collective effect on the body fluid. At this point a summary is made of the activities of the individual elements, total base, the alkaline minerals sodium and potassium in relation to each other and to chloride, and ammonium and bicarbonate.
For the subject matter in the book, the author has chosen an arrangement, in the main, of covering the several elements under each of the many physiological functions although there is a correlation of functions from the point of view of minerals. The construction of the book therefore is such that it recognizes both methods of presentation. The latter chapters cover calcium and magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, iron, iodine, traces, water metabolism, anion-cation relationships, and mineral intakes, balances and requirements.
The book is an explanation of the relations of the minerals to life processes. Each of the minerals is shown to have specific and varied functions. It gives the relation of minerals to the kinds and amounts of food usually eaten and the adequacy of the average consumption is evaluated. It is a remarkable exposition of admirable ability in the assimilation of a great mass of data, the abstraction and arrangement of this data, and the effective presentation of it in a logical and readable manner. The book is a contribution to the literature which will be of much assistance to the search for more knowledge.
R. H. OPPERMANN. STATISTICAL METHOD FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF QUALITY CONTROL, by Walter A. Shewhart. 155 pages, illustrations, 17 >( 25 cms. Washington, The Graduate School, Department of Agriculture, I939.
The application of statistical methods in mass production makes possible the most efficient use of raw materials and manufacturing processes, effects economies in production, and makes possible the highest economic standards of quality for the 8~6