SADTLER Research Laboratories, Inc

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REPORT FOR ANALYTICAL CHEMISTS

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SPECTRA identify 4,000 compounds Selective spectra from the more than 19,000 samples in the Sadtler col­ lection enable fast, positive identifi­ cation of unknowns in Ultra Violet spectrophotometry according to chemical analysis demands. Each spectrum identifies: Name of Compound Molecular Weight Cell Thickness Structural Formula Literature References Name ά Type of Instrument Used Instrument Slit Opening at the Wavelength at Maximum Absorption Molecular Formula Melting or Boiling Point Concentration Wavelength at Maximum Absorption Method of Sample Preparation Alphabetical and numerical indices are supplied with spectra. Additional indices available, as required. Write today for free descriptive brochure including sample spectra. Forward Data on UV Spectra to: NAME ADDRESS CITY

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SADTLER R e s e a r c h Laboratories, Inc. 1517 VINE STREET, PHILADELPHIA 2, PA.

Agents in principal countries of the world.

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ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY

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Figure l Growth of clinical chemistry in a 1250-bed general-care hospital. In 1951, the laboratory was staffed until 5 P.M., Monday through Friday. Two years later it was necessary to insti­ tute 24-hour service, 7 days a week. Data are from the District of Columbia General Hospital. Similar increases have occurred in practically all gen­ eral care hospitals.

findings. Verification by chemical measurement of epinephrine, nore­ pinephrine or metabolites in urine clinches the diagnosis, and surgical removal of the tumor leads to com­ plete cure. Accurate diagnosis be­ fore surgery is essential, however, since a major operation is required. The Field

Clinical chemistry makes sub­ stantial contributions in at least five distinct areas of medicine: diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, in­ vestigation, and education. Classically, clinical chemistry is considered primarily applicable to diagnosis—i.e., in the detection and identification of disease. Most clinical chemistry examinations are still performed for this purpose. Equally important, however, are the other four categories. In many diseases, both acute and chronic, serial chemical determina­ tions provide information which is essential for the physician's assess­ ment of his patient's condition and for prediction of the probable out­ come of the illness. The determina­ tion of transaminases in blood serum of patients with suspected, or proved, myocardial infarction ("heart attack") is a familiar example. In many situations, quantitative

determinations of the blood con­ centrations of drugs are vital to ef­ fective treatment. These deter­ minations permit the physician to maintain an effective blood con­ centration of the drug without risk­ ing the dangers of toxic effects that sometimes result from overdosage. Clinical chemistry finds exten­ sive and important, applications in investigations of the nature of dis­ eases, and in development of more effective measures for diagnosis and treatment. Chemical characteriza­ tion of body constituents—for ex­ ample blood proteins, which are subject to change in certain abnor­ mal states—helps to classify and identify related disorders. Newer analytical techniques in immunochemistry, chromatography, and ultracentrifugation, among others, are helping to establish the nature of many disorders which formerly were obscure. Particularly notable is the progress in understanding in­ born errors of metabolism and chronic metabolic disorders. Finally, clinical chemistry plays a major role in medical education, both during the undergraduate training of medical students and in the postgraduate programs of prac­ ticing physicians. Van Slyke's Contributions

In many respects, Dr. Van Slyke's most important contribu­ tion to clinical chemistry has been his clear demonstration that chem­ ists working in this field are indeed in a position to make unique con­ tributions to medicine. His career has been a model of the cooperative relationships that ideally exist be­ tween laboratory investigators and those working directly in clinical medicine. In general, chemists have been reluctant to enter fields closely associated with clinical medicine. Van Slyke was no exception, and his feelings of uneasiness upon be­ ing thrust into a clinical atmosphere at the Hospital of the Rockefeller Institute were recalled nearly 30 years later, in 1942, when he ac­ cepted the Kober Medal. This