BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
Principles of Organic and Physiological Chemistry. By Carl
Lowig, M. D.; Ph. D., Ordinary Professor of Chemistry at
the University of Zurich, &c. Translated by Daniel Breed,
M. D., of the U. S. Patent Office. Philada. A. Hart: 1853.
pp. 481, octavo.
We confess to a feeling of satisfaction in looking over this
book, arising chiefly from gratification from having so rich a vein
of German chemical literature opened to our free access, yet not
a little, also, from the American origin of the translation. Dr.
Breed, whilst a student with Lowig, conceived the idea of trans-
lating this work of his preceptor, and executed a large portion of it
whilst enjoying personal intercourse with the author. The ex-
ceeding fullness of the terminology and the peculiar views of the
author, as exhibited in his endeavor to substitute rational for
empirical formulae, has rendered the task one of great difficulty;
yet we believe it has been executed in a manner to do justice to
Dr. Lowig, and great credit to the translator. Further, the book
itself is well “gotten up ” by the publisher, and is quite as free
from errors of the press as such complex typography is usually
found to be. Let us now look at the volume as Dr. Breed has
unfolded it to us, and see if within the space allowed to this no-
tice we can convey an idea of its character.
Dr. Lowig is the author of “ Chemie der Organischen Verbin-
dungen,” (an octavo of 3000 pages,) which is now passing
through its third edition. The present work may be looked upon
as an introduction to that great work, and is intended to explain
more fully the principles adopted in it, especially those which,
originated with the author. Foi' this reason many of the details
common in works on organic chemistry, as the names of disco-
verers, manufacturing processes, etc., are omitted. The “ Princi-
ples ” is in twro parts ; the first is devoted to explaining the con-
stitution and formation of organic compounds in general, and
the constitution of organic radicals in particular, and is an essay
on the philosophy of organic chemistry, of the highest order.
The immense accumulation of observations on organic substances
and products renders it absolutely necessary to adopt wider and
more simple generalizations than have yet been offered, by which
the phenomena of organic combinations maybe classed in a more
harmonious relation, and the laws which govern and control
their intricate affinities developed, so as to impress the beautiful
simplicity of a natural arrangement on the vast heterogeneous
mass, and marshal it into order. The work of our author is an
attempt in this direction. He is a thorough advocate of the
Theory of Radicals; not as originally broached by Berzelius, but
much modified, so as to harmonize many facts that are prominent
in the views of Dumas, Laurent, and Gerhardt, as exhibited in
the doctrine of Substitution, and the Theories of Types and Nu-
clei. There are two ways of viewing the formula or symbolical
representation of the composition of an organic compound. In
the first, the number of atoms of each element is simply indi-
cated ; thus C8 H8 O4 represents the elementary constituents of
acetic ether, and is its empirical formula, or just what would be
obtained by an analysis, supposing it presented to a chemist for
the first time, and before any attempt at discovering its nature
was made. In the second, the atoms are grouped so as to exhibit
the proximate constitution of the substance, thus: — C4 H5 O-pC4
II3 O3 indicates that the substance is a compound of ether and
acetic acid; whilst C4 II5, O-|-C4 H3, O3 explains further that
ether is the oxide of the radical ethyl, and that acetic acid is
the oxide of the radical acetyl, and is its rational formula.
A radical is that part of a compound which preserves its iden-
tity when the other part or parts are removed and replaced by
other elements or substances : For instance, nitrogen, in the
five compounds which it forms with 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 equivalents
of oxygen, is a simple radical, whilst the substance C4 H5 in ether
is called a compound (or organic) radical, because the atom of
oxygen, which by union constitutes it ether, may be replaced by
chlorine, bromine or sulphur, without destroying the essential
affinity of its atoms. Such radicals our author calls primary
organic radicals. Now, a second series of radicals are obtained
from these by the substitution, partially or wholly, of other ele-
ments for the hydrogen. Thus—acetyl= C4 II3 is under favor-
able circumstances acted on by chlorine, which displaces its hy-
drogen, forming three equivalents of hydro-chloric acid, and re-
places the hydrogen with equivalent atoms of chlorine, so as to
produce C4 Cl3= chloracetyl. Now, in this reaction the specific
atomic affinity of the acetyl remains undisturbed, whilst the
matter itself has been changed, and the resulting chloracetyl acts
the part of a radical, forming chlor-acetic acid with oxygen, and
a. chloride with chlorine, just as acetyl does, yet possessing dif-
ferent properties. It is therefore called by our author a derived
radical. In the instance mentioned the substitution has been
complete; in other cases it is only partial, as where valeryl —
Clo H9 becomes by partial displacement of hydrogen atoms
Hr	H5
C10 Cl2 and further, C10 Cl4. Owing to this law of substitution the
derivative compounds are exceedingly numerous, yet such a mu-
tual relation exists among the substances traceable to a common
primary radical, that, as an entire group, they constitute a natu-
ral family, just as the botanical affinities of plants constitute a
family in the natural system of Jussieu.
Radicals may be considered as the elements in inorganic com-
pounds, and may be called compound atoms acting as a whole.
It frequently happens that two or even more of these compound
atoms unite to form a radical, in which case the combining ca-
pacity of the compound is generally determined by but one of
them. Such are called paired radicals and the indifferent body
the pairling. Thus, C6 H3=(C4 II2)^C2H, in which C4 H2 is
the passive molecule and C2H the active one, the former being
enclosed in brackets and connected with the other by a hyphen.
If, as occasionally happens, two active radicals unite, a double
radical results, as in succinic acid, wherein C8 H4 O6 = (C6 II3)
O3"~'(C2II) O3 the resulting acid being bi-basic and is a true
double acid.
Radicals are sometimes isomeric, that is, have the same ele-
mentary composition, yet, in combining with the same substances,
yield compounds varying in properties. Thus, C14 H5 represents
the composition of the radicals of benzoic and salicylous acids,
yet, while in the first the formula represents a simple radical,
the second is a paired radical consisting of (C4 H2)^CI0 H3.
Other radicals are polymeric when their relative proportion of
atoms is the same, but their absolute proportion different, as in
the hydro-carbon volatile oils; and in yet other compounds,
though the absolute and relative number of the atoms is the
Same, they have a different proximate arrangement and are
called metameric. ■ Thus, hydrated acetic acid and formate of
methyl are both composed of C4 II4 O4, yet the formula of the
former is HO, (C4 H3) O3, whilst that of the latter is (C2 II3) 0,
(C2H) o3.
The Chapter of Dr. Lbwig on the formation of organic com-
pounds is replete with original observations and possessed of un-
usual interest. It is the highest aim of the Organic Chemist to
unfold the ultimate constitution of bodies, a'nd then trace back
their constituents to their simplest forms. The various affinities,
each in its sphere of action among definite atoms or groups of
atoms, which are the uniting influence that impresses proximate
character on the endless variety of chemical products, constitute
a study of the deepest interest. The primitive affinities are the
strongest and most permanent, and give rise to organic sub-
stances with but few atoms, whilst under the various degrees of
secondary affinity the more complex and less permanent com-
pounds result. The formation of organic compounds results,
1st, From the decomposition of inorganic substances, gene-
rally under the influence of the vitality of plants with the co-
operation of light, but in some instances by artificial means ; and,
2d, By the decomposition of other organic compounds by
means of manifold influences.
The formation of organic compounds in the vegetable organism
from carbonic acid and ammonia is the part of vegetable physi-
ology most interesting to the chemist. The cases where organic
bodies are derived from inorganic materials by strictly chemical
processes, are few, and not well marked. The chief source of
these products are from the decomposition of other organic
bodies under the influence of electricity, of heat, of fermentation
and putrefaction, of the vital functions in the animal organism
on the one hand, and by the influence of other chemical bodies
on the other. Our space does not admit, else we would gladly
give our readers the whole of this chapter.
The third chapter, on the Constitution of Organic Radicals,
embraces many of the author’s peculiar views. The following
extract will show how he explains the constitution of the hydro-
carbon radicals :
“ By far the greater number of organic compounds are to be
traced back to radicals -which consist of carbon and hydrogen,
and were called above Ilydro-carbyls. By an accurate observa-
tion and comparison of these in every aspect which they present,
it is found that they belong to different groups, and that those
of each group mostly form an ascending series, in which each
successive member contains the same number of cirbon and hy-
drogen atoms as the preceding. But whilst the radicals of one
group, in their combining proportions, are allied to hydrogen and
the positive metals, those of another agree in this relation with
the negative.
In all the radicals of the hydro-carbyls may be distinguished,
1. The Active Element or Molecule; and 2. The Ascending
Passive Component, by which individual members of a group are
formed. Tn all Organic Radicals which have a positive charac-
ter, the active part is II; in the Negative Cftl. The ascending
passive member of the Component is always C2 II2. All radicals
which appear as simple combinations of the components C2 II2,
with the active II, or C2II, form the class of the Hydroisocarbyls,
but if between the ascending C2 II2 and the active II or C2II an-
other molecule of carbon enters=C2, C4, C6, C8, which may be
considered as a Nucleus, we thus obtain the class of Hydropoly-
carbyls.”
Hydroisocarbyls are first treated of in the special part of the
work, the first group being the Methyl group Component C2 II,
and active element II. The known members of this group are
1st membei- Methyl C2 II2, H =C0 II3
2d	«	Ethyl 2 C2 H2, II=C“ II5
4th	“	Valyl 4 C2 H2, IT= C8 IIQ
5th	“	Amyl 5 C2 II2, H= C)0 Hn
16th	Cethyl 16 C2 II2, H= C32 H33
24th	“	Cerossyl 24 C2 II2, II =C48 Il49
27th	«	Cerotyl 27 C2 II2, H= C54II55
30th	“	Melissyl 30 C2 II2, 11= C60 H61
The radicals of this group all behave towards chlorine, bro-
mine, iodine, sulphur, selenium, etc., as hydrogen does.
The second is the formyl group, the Component being C2 II2;
the active molecule formyl—C2II. This is the most numerous
at present known. The following members have been discovered:
Member 1 Acetyl	C2 H2, C2TT—C4 H3
«	2	Propionyl	2 C2	H2, C2H=C6 II5
“	3	Butyryl	3 C2	H2, C2H=C8 H7
“	4 Valeryl	4 C2	H2, CJT=C10 H9
“	5	Capronyl	5 C2	H2j C2H=C]2 Hn
“	6	Oenanthyl	6 C2	II2, C2H=C14 Hn
“	7	Capryl	7 C2	H2, C2H= C16 H15
“	8	Pelargonyl	8 C2	H2, C2H=C18 H17
“	9 Caprylyl	9 C2 H3, C2H=C20 H19
“ 10 Cocyl	10 C2 H2, C2H=C22 H2l
“	11 Laurosteryl	11 C2	H2, C2H=C24 H23
“	13 Myristicyl	13 C2	II2, C2H=C28 H
“	14 Benyl	14 C2	II2, C2H=C30 H29
“	15 Palmityl	15 C2	H2, C2H=C32 H3l
“	16	Margaryl	16 C2	II2, C2PI=C34 II33
“	17	Stearophanyl 17 C2	PL, C2H=Co« H35
“	21	Behanyl	21 C2	H2, C2H=C44 H43
“	23	Cerossyl	23 C2	II2, C2H=C48 II47
“	26 Cerotyl	26 C2	Ha, C2H= C54II53
“	29 Melissinyl	29 C2	II2, C2II=CG0 H59
The radicals of this group all possess the capability of form-
ing acids with 3 atoms of oxygen.
These examples will suffice to explain Dr. Lbwig’s views of the
radicals of the first division. The Hydropolycarbyls are an ex-
tremely numerous class, and are divided into five groups. Four
of these are based on the proportion of the carbon nucleus, and
the fifth includes volatile oils, camphors and resins.
The second division, or Carbyls, includes every radical which
consists of two or more atoms of carbon, of which oxatyl= C2, the
radical of oxalic acid, is a type, and embrace nearly all the or-
dinary vegetable acids, like the oxalic, citric, malic, etc.
The third division, or Azocarbyls, includes Cyanogen and its
compounds, Paraban, Fulminan and Mellan.
The fourth division, IIydroazocarbyls, includes the wren
compounds and the organic alkalids, of which Glycocoll and
Kreatin are members.
The fifth division, or Hydrils, embraces the organic salt bases
or alkaloids, including the nitrogen bases, the paired nitrogen
bases, and those containing the metals, as ICakodyl, Stibmethyl,
Bismsethyl, etc.
The sixth division includes “organic combinations of a higher
order.”
1st. Non-nitrogenous compounds, as the tannic and lichen
acids, coloring matters, bitter principles, common vegetable and
animal matters, as celulose, starch, gum, sugar and pectin.
2d. Nitrogenous compounds, as the protein substances, animal
tissues and coloring matters.
And lastly, the general products of decomposition, as ulmin,
humin, etc.
Such is a hasty bird’s-eye sketch of the “Principles” of Dr.
Lbwig,—too slight indeed,—yet sufficient to show how deeply he
is penetrated with the importance of the Theory of Radicals,
and how far he is disposed to carry it in attempting to harmo-
nize it with the nucleus theory and other hypotheses. That many
of his views of proximate constitution will melt away before the
light of scientific progress there can hardly be a doubt, whilst
others—and important ones too—will be confirmed and regis-
tered among demonstrable realities. The grasp of mind neces-
sary to embrace the rapidly increasing catalogue of organic pro-
ducts, so as to generalize successfully, belongs to the highest
order of intellect; yet in the repeated attempts that have been
made to discover the laws of a natural system, theory after theory
has been erected, .like the scaffolding around St. Peter’s,
to decay away, and be renewed by each generation, until, in
the progress of time, the true laws of organic combination shall
have been so far established as to need them no longer.
As a book for the advanced student, the work of Dr. Lbwig
will prove extremely useful from its clearness and comprehen-
siveness, and whilst he may be disinclined to admit, or at least
pause to consider many of the ultra-theoretical views of the
author, as not sufficiently supported by observation and experi-
ment, he cannot but derive the greatest interest from his clear
reasoning in numerous others.
A Clinical Phrase -Boole ; in English and German. Containing
the usual questions and answers employed in examining and
prescribing for patients ; questions in asking for and buying
medicines, etc. etc. By Montgomery Johns, M. D. Philada.
Lindsay & Blakiston ; 1853.
This unpretending little volume supplies a want often felt by
those who, unacquainted with the German language, are un-
avoidably brought into contact with the people in Hospitals and
Dispensaries, and more rarely in private practice.
The questions are arranged in the order commonly followed in
examining a patient, according to the model of Recamier, given
in Stilld’s Elements of General Pathology ; while the answers
present that latitude which will suffice to elicit the sort of in-
formation necessary to correct diagnosis.
To facilitate its use, there is attached to the volume, an Eng-
lish-German and German-English pronouncing lexicon, contain-
ing all the words occurring in the phrases, with the chief tech-
nical terms of medical writers and apothecaries. The convenient
size of the book enables it to be readily carried in the pocket,
and we feel sure that no one who knows its usefulness, as we do,
will fail to possess it. Our warmest thanks are due to the au-
thor for the admirable and satisfactory mannei’ in which he has
executed his task.