The Respiratory Function of the Blood.

Fifteen years ago the first edition of "The Respiratory Function of the Blood" was published. Although the reaction of oxygen with hemoglobin and the factors modifying this reaction comprised the major portion of the book, the physiologic consequences of high altitudes and factors concerned with the passage of oxygen to and from the blood also were discussed. Since the material presented fell logically into three parts, and since knowledge in each major division has increased greatly in the interim, Barcroft has wisely divided the second edition into three separate monographs. The first volume, "Lessons from High Altitudes," appeared in 1925 and dealt with the physiologic consequences of living at high altitudes. The present volume attempts to bring down to date the chemical, physicochemical and physiologic knowledge concerning "the second most interesting substance in the world," together with those of its near and distant relatives. The anticipation that this volume might