A Physical Theory of the Living State the association-induction hypothesis

Original 1963 review by Jay Jacobs, MD: A Physical Theory of the Living State: The Association-Induction Hypothesis. By GILBERT Ning LING, B.Sc., PH.D., Director of the Department of Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania Hospital. Cloth, Pp. 680, with illustrations. Blaisdell Publishing Co.,A Division of Random House. Inc., New York, London, 1962. The author has been noted in his field for 15 years. His work is praised by his peers, including Dr. C. N. Yang, a Nobel Laureate in Physics. This book was written to coordinate physical chemistry, biochemistry and physiology, and explain some of the intricacies of living tissue. The contents are on such an advanced level that those familiar with one aspect may be baflled by others. To aid in overcoming this difficulty and to bridge the gap between scientific disciplines there is a glossary of 71 pages. Unfortunately, the mathematical calculations in some portions are too complicated for anyone who has not had specialized training. The range of subjects is broad; behavior of Ions, nonelectrolytes and proteins; cellular potentials and permeabillty; excitatton, contraction and inhibition; the actions or enzymes, hormones, and drugs; growth and neoplasm. The author's "association-induction" hypothesis is drawn upon to explain the phenomena or chemical action in living tissue. This hypothesis states that the associatlon between proteins and interacting particles is critically different in vivo and In vitro, and that the primary function of the polarizable resonating chain of a protein is to provide a vehicle for the transmission of an inductive effect. The book contains many tables, graphs, diagrams and mathematical calculations to support its theses. The bibliography and references are extensive. Every physician should read some portions of this book, to see how far the basic scientists have come in understanding the behavior of living tissue. It is of value principally as a reference book to those whose work is at the basic science level.