3 chapters across the catalog
Book Reviews, The Merck Index and Self-Publishing
The hosts review "The Merck Index," a massive chemistry reference book sent as a gift, and discuss the safety of various chemical compounds. They also mention Sir Andrew Lemesony's self-published book, "The End of Marvelous," encouraging listeners to pursue independent publishing.
The hosts attempt to look up Methylene Dioxy Pyrovalerone (MDPV) in the Merck Index while discussing its origins as a "legal high" in the United Kingdom. A former cocaine user claims the substance is ten times more powerful than cocaine, leading to calls for its prohibition.
Propylene Glycol, Merck Index Chemical Reference
A discussion on the safety of propylene glycol in electronic cigarettes leads John C. Dvorak to request a copy of the Merck Index. He describes the book as an essential chemical reference used by chemists to identify reagents and lethal poisons. The hosts search for an online version of the index but find the hotel's internet proxy makes the process difficult.
