1079
tempered G.P.s at war with each other and with senior nursing staff, administrators, and everyone else outside their immediate partnership. His anecdotes end thus: "He dearly wished he was back in his own premises"; "Soon after it was opened, this health centre burned down"; "The caretaker was fond of
Reviews of Books
And How to Make Them Better. GERALD BEALES, University of Manchester. Tunbridge Wells: Pitman Medical. 1978. Pp. 147.
5.
publications about health centres and the primaryhave been worthy and serious, but dreadfully dry and heavy-going. At first glance, this book makes one’s heart sink-partly because the author had worked in a university organisational analysis unit, which makes one expect another heavy diet of jargon, and partly because the list of contents gives evidence of arch, chatty jokes. But the book turns out to be very good. It is totally free of management jargon, witty, and, most of all, very perceptive. The author is a splendid MOST
care team
raconteur and knows what goes on in health centres down to the last detail. In a devastating series of anecdotes he exposes faults in design and management and explains how they can be avoided. For example, there is the story of two practices that moved into a health centre with a shared reception area; the head-receptionist of each practice had a dominant personality. When head-receptionist of practice A showed her muscle on the first day by ticking off the junior receptionists of practice B, the head-receptionist of practice B, recognising a formidable adversary, asked her senior partner to "have a word with" the senior partner of practice A, which he did. War broke out involving everyone simply because, in the name of economy, separate reception areas which foster old and
desperately
important
that some day someone will murder somebody. He find the prospect pleasurable". Most health centres are in fact highly’successful, and do not provide funny stories or "awful warnings". Nevertheless this book is strongly recommended-anyone planning to move into a health centre would be a fool not to buy it and make sure that the architect, and above all the health authority, read it. Those already in a health centre may learn where things have gone wrong and how to improve matters. When the first edition is sold out, please may we have a second edition with a chapter on successful health centres and an analysis of why they are successful that is as perceptive and as amusing as the analysis of the dis-
saying
Sick Health Centres
loyalties
were
not
provided.
Another story on the use of a common-room neatly exposes the fallacy that the provision of a big room for everyone to get together results in one big happy team. Many faults are design faults, others false economies; as the author says, "The task [of the health authorities] is not to provide a health centre as cheaply as possible; it is to provide a health centre that does its job as cheaply as possible". Wit is a powerful weapon, and the author uses it well, but his enjoyment of his undoubted ability as a raconteur has one disadvantage. Unintentionally, perhaps, he gives the false impression that most health centres are places of continual strife dominated by pigheaded, obtuse, bad-
1. Yalow, R. S., Berson, S. A. J. clin. Invest. 1960, 39, 1157. 2. Perley, M. J., Kipnis, D. M. ibid. 1967, 46, 1954. 3. Bagdade, J. A., Bierman, E. L., Porte, D. ibid. 1967, 46, 1549. 4. Reaven, G. M., Miller, R. Diabetes, 1968, 17, 560. 5. Reaven, G. M., Shen, S. W., Silvers, A., Farquhar, J. W. ibid. 1971, 20, 416. 6. Chiles, R., Tzagournis, M. ibid. 1970, 19, 458. 7. Tchobroutsky, G., Kopf, A., Eschwege, E., Assan, R. ibid. 1973, 22, 825. 8. Alford, F. P., Martin, F. I. P., Pearson, M. J. Diabetologia, 1971, 7, 173. 9. Reaven, G. M., Bernstein, R., Davis, B., Olefsky, J. M. Am. J. Med. 1976,
60, 80. 10. Ginsberg, H.,
Kimmerling, G., Olefsky, J. M., Reaven, G. M. J. clin. Invest. 1975, 55, 454. 11. DeFronzo, R. A., Deibert, D., Hendler, R., Felig, P., Soman, V. Diabetes, 1978, 27, 431. 12. Felig, P., Wahren, J., Hendler, R. ibid. 1975, 24, 468. 13. DeFronzo, R., Rerrannini, E., Hendler, R., Wahren, J. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci., U.S.A. 1978, 75. 5173. 14. Lickley, H. L. A., Chisholm, O. J., Rabinovich, A., Wexler, M., Dupre, J.
Metabolism, 1975, 24, 1157. 15. Brown, J. C. Diabetes, 1978, 27, 782. 16. Mortimore, G. E. in Handbook of Physiology, Section 7, Endocrinology, I, Endocrine Pancreas (edited by D. F. Steiner and N. Freinkel); p. 495, Washington, D.C., 1972. 17. Felig, P., Wahren, J., Hendler, R. Diabetes, 1978, 27, 121. 18. Fajans, S. in The Year in Metabolism, 1975-1976 (edited by N. Freinkel); p. 45. New York, 1977. 19. Olefsky, J. M., Reaven, G. M. Am. J. Med. 1976, 60, 89. 20. Gavin, J. R., Roth, J., Neville, D. M., DeMeyts, P., Beull, D. N. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci., U.S.A. 1974, 71, 84.
seems to
’
astrous ones.
Thallium-201 Myocardial Imaging L. RITCHIE and GLEN W. HAMILTON, University of Washington School of Medicine, and FRANS J. TH. WACHERS, Yale University School of Medicine. New York: Raven. 1978. Pp. 154,
JAMES
$18.85. RADIONUCLIDE scanning in cardiology enables the study of the coronary circulation, ventricular function, heart-wall movement, myocardial infarction, and myocardial metabolism. This book, which is a clear and simple introduction to myocardial imaging, describes the manufacture of thallium-201 and its use for scintigraphy of the myocardium, mostly in patients with coronary-artery disease. A brief review of myocardial imaging is followed by a detailed account of the biological properties of 20’Tl and the anatomy of the heart as seen on myocardial scintigrams. There is a clinical report on the different applications of this method in patients with coronary-artery disease and acute myocardial infarction and the chapters on rest-exercise imaging and the use of 20’Tl to assess coronary venous-bypass graft surgery are interesting. Surprisingly, a whole chapter is given to nuclear reactions and cyclotron recipes for producing 20’Tl. A 201Tl scintigram is the result of a complex and variable interaction between perfusion, arterial concentration, and energy-dependent extraction of thallium, and is influenced by potassium metabolism, fractional escape and recirculation of thallium, and tissue mass. The authors have oversimplified this process and interpret the data as referring only to perfusion. The technique is clearly described and the section on normal myocardial images is excellent. Although individual case-reports do not pinpoint where the technique can be crucial, they do show how the scintigraphic data enrich the clinical assessment. The complex geometry between the sites of an acute myocardial infarct, the heart, and the probe makes it unlikely that 201Tl scintigrams will provide a reliable estimate of infarct size. The most interesting and important section is that on rest-exercise imaging in patients with coronary-artery disease, which will identify permanent and reversible disturbances of-regional myocardial ischsemia and be used to assess the efficacy of coronary venous-bypass grafts. This spatial and temporal identification of jeopardised myocardium is an important advance. Imaging in non-coronary heart disease is not convincing and too qualitative. There is an interesting and readable section on the use of computers, but no mention of the use of a conventional gamma-camera in single photon tomography to aid quantitation and to provide the third dimension. Instead of referring to abstracts and papers accepted for publication, which do not help the research worker, the reference list could have included more papers on theoretical and experimental work explaining the measurement of blood-flow by means of extractable cations.
1080
Surgical Pediatric Urology H. B. ECKSTEIN, Queen Mary’s Hospital for Sick Children, Carshalton, Surrey, R. HOHENFELLNER, Urologische Klinik den Johannes-Guttenberg-Universitat, Germany, and D. I. WILLIAMS, Hospital for Sick Children, London. Philadelphia and London: Saunders. Stuttgart: George Thieme. 1977. Pp. 527. 66.25.
advanced treatise on surgical paediatric urology assumes a knowledge of the principles of surgery in urology and paediatrics. Although it must be appreciated that skills of surgery can only be learnt by observation and practice, all the theoretical knowledge that a young surgeon would need to back up his practical experience is provided in this book. The editors, who are very experienced paediatric urological surgeons, have gathered together several authors with specific interest in a particular aspect of this specialty. The section on investigative procedures ends with an excellent review by K. V. Parkkulainen of endoscopic diagnosis and treatment. His illustrations, which are photographs he has taken down the minute cystoscope used in children, are superbly reproduced. There is a welcome tendency to concentrate on the minutiae of various surgical techniques, which makes this book an excellent complementary publication to Clinical Pediatric Urology by Kellalis and King, published two years ago. The present book is very readable and is illustrated by excellent drawings which clearly show the steps of each operation. Unfortunately, some of the drawings of the open abdomen are placed with the cephalic end of the patient towards the top of the page, while others have it at the bottom of the page. It is surprising that there is no mention of the viewing urethrotome in the management of urethral stricture, even if it is only to describe the difficulties of the use of the children’s version of this instrument and its limitations. The only weak section in the book is that on trauma to the urinary tract, which is allotted 22 pages. When trauma to the urinary tract in children is so often the beginning of recurrent visits to hospitals, it is not unreasonable to expect more on the topic. The author of this section shows lack of experience in dealing with the injuries within the first twenty-four hours of the accident. He does not appreciate the reasons for an urgent intravenous urogram. His statement that 20% of renal injuries treated conservatively end with nephrectomy is a statement that belongs to the pre-antibiotic era. He advocates diagnostic catheterisation for bladder and urethral injuries, a policy which was denounced by all speakers at the last International Congress of Urology. Finally, he still uses the Malecot catheter, which is virtually obsolete, and the De Pezzer catheter, which has been obsolete, for several years. Except for this weak link, this book is excellent. The final section is very good; it provides a salutary warning to all paediatric surgeons whatever the specialty, and that is to reflect on the long-term results. Follow-up of these children into adult life is one of the most important features of paediatric urology. THIS
Infertility
cated that their fertilising ability is probably lost within half that time. Obesity is mentioned as a factor acting via the hypothalamus to cause amenorrhoea, but weight loss, a far commoner cause is not included. The number of spelling mistakes exceeds the permissible-among others, there are epidi-
dymus (twice on p. 51); epididymes (p. 135); soley (for solely) and ideopathic (p. 110); reenforced (p. 111); leiomyomati (p. 114); and on p. 158 hypermia for hyperaemia or hyperemia). Finally, although the references given are extensive, they are overwhelmingly American in origin and suggest little familiarity with what other workers have contributed to the study of human infertility.
Clinical Anesthesia Procedures of the Massachusetts General Hospital. Edited
by
P. W. LEBOWITZ. Boston: Little Brown. 1978.
Pp. 437.
$10.95. THIS
pocket-sized
paperback
provides
a
handy
of practical guidance for the trainee-aneesthetist. Dr Lebowitz and his four contributors have provided detailed descriptions of a wide variety of anaesthetic procedures together with advice on the management of difficult situations. The emphasis is on safety, and each chapter comprises a distillation of the important theoretical features of the subject under discussion and practical guidelines for the anaesthetist about to embark on perhaps an unfamiliar clinical procedure. Solutions to problems are suggested in accordance with current practice at the authors’ hospital; and tyro anxsthetists in the U.K. can confidently accept the advice given in this book, for anxsthetic practices in Britain and North America have grown closer in the recent past. The concise and clear presentation of each subject makes this book particularly suitable for revision before examinations. This is very much a book for daily use and it is strongly recommended. source
Physiology for the Anesthesiologist.
Medical
N. G. GOUDSOUZIAN, Harvard School, Boston, and A. KARAMANIAN, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts. Hemel Hempstead:
Prentice-Hall. 1977. Pp. 405. 17.15.
THIS book aims to provide an outline of that physiology which is most relevant for anaesthetists. Each chapter is to the point. Any controversial aspects have not been laboured with references; instead, the reader is referred to review articles whenever this is possible. Broadly, the book is divided into sections on the circulation, the respiratory system, the nervous system, the endocrine system, and the kidney. The information given is generally up to date, but it is occasionally patchy and misleading: for instance, it is surprising to read that "sexual sensations are transmitted only by the spinothalamic tract". The book is attractively printed and bound but the contents do not offer enough for unreserved recommendation.
TAYMOR, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston. New York and London: Grune and Stratton. 1978. Pp. 216.$19.50; 12.65. MELVIN L.
THE appearance of yet another textbook dealing with human infertility and its investigation and treatment, requires some justification. The author’s view is that, although the considerable progress made over the past 15 years in the diagnosis and management of infertility has been recorded in journals and reports of conferences, these publications fail to provide an overall view necessary for proper patient care. Generally speaking, the author, who has had 25 years’ experience in the subject, has succeeded in providing overall view. Readers may disagree with minor points, but the account given is comprehensive and up-to-date, though not better than that in several other textbooks. One or two quibbles need to be brought up. For example, mention is made of the viability of sperms within the uterus and tubes for at least 48 hours; but it is not indi-
New Editions Amniotic Fluid.-2nd ed. Edited by D. V. I. Fairweather and T. K. A. B. Eskes. Amsterdam: Elsevier. 1978. Pp. 455.$78.25; D.fl.1 80. Pathology.-3rd ed. By Frank Nelson Miller, Jr. Boston: Little, Brown. London: Quest. 1978. Pp. 1041.$15.00, /;10.25 (paper);
$22.50, ,(;13.75 (cloth). Relief of Intractable Pain.-2nd ed. Edited by Mark Swerdlow. Amsterdam: Elsevier. 1978. Pp. 338.$61.50; D.fl.138. Handbook of Leprosy.-2nd ed. By W. H. Jopling. London: Heinemann. 1978. Pp. 139. 3.75. Manual of Clinical Problems In Internal Medicine.-2nd ed. By Jerry L. Spivak and H. Verdain Barnes. Boston: Little, Brown. London : Quest. 1978. Pp. 513.$10.95; 7.25.
tempered G.P.s at war with each other and with senior nursing staff, administrators, and everyone else outside their immediate partnership. His anecdotes end thus: "He dearly wished he was back in his own premises"; "Soon after it was opened, this health centre burned down"; "The caretaker was fond of
Reviews of Books
And How to Make Them Better. GERALD BEALES, University of Manchester. Tunbridge Wells: Pitman Medical. 1978. Pp. 147.
5.
publications about health centres and the primaryhave been worthy and serious, but dreadfully dry and heavy-going. At first glance, this book makes one’s heart sink-partly because the author had worked in a university organisational analysis unit, which makes one expect another heavy diet of jargon, and partly because the list of contents gives evidence of arch, chatty jokes. But the book turns out to be very good. It is totally free of management jargon, witty, and, most of all, very perceptive. The author is a splendid MOST
care team
raconteur and knows what goes on in health centres down to the last detail. In a devastating series of anecdotes he exposes faults in design and management and explains how they can be avoided. For example, there is the story of two practices that moved into a health centre with a shared reception area; the head-receptionist of each practice had a dominant personality. When head-receptionist of practice A showed her muscle on the first day by ticking off the junior receptionists of practice B, the head-receptionist of practice B, recognising a formidable adversary, asked her senior partner to "have a word with" the senior partner of practice A, which he did. War broke out involving everyone simply because, in the name of economy, separate reception areas which foster old and
desperately
important
that some day someone will murder somebody. He find the prospect pleasurable". Most health centres are in fact highly’successful, and do not provide funny stories or "awful warnings". Nevertheless this book is strongly recommended-anyone planning to move into a health centre would be a fool not to buy it and make sure that the architect, and above all the health authority, read it. Those already in a health centre may learn where things have gone wrong and how to improve matters. When the first edition is sold out, please may we have a second edition with a chapter on successful health centres and an analysis of why they are successful that is as perceptive and as amusing as the analysis of the dis-
saying
Sick Health Centres
loyalties
were
not
provided.
Another story on the use of a common-room neatly exposes the fallacy that the provision of a big room for everyone to get together results in one big happy team. Many faults are design faults, others false economies; as the author says, "The task [of the health authorities] is not to provide a health centre as cheaply as possible; it is to provide a health centre that does its job as cheaply as possible". Wit is a powerful weapon, and the author uses it well, but his enjoyment of his undoubted ability as a raconteur has one disadvantage. Unintentionally, perhaps, he gives the false impression that most health centres are places of continual strife dominated by pigheaded, obtuse, bad-
1. Yalow, R. S., Berson, S. A. J. clin. Invest. 1960, 39, 1157. 2. Perley, M. J., Kipnis, D. M. ibid. 1967, 46, 1954. 3. Bagdade, J. A., Bierman, E. L., Porte, D. ibid. 1967, 46, 1549. 4. Reaven, G. M., Miller, R. Diabetes, 1968, 17, 560. 5. Reaven, G. M., Shen, S. W., Silvers, A., Farquhar, J. W. ibid. 1971, 20, 416. 6. Chiles, R., Tzagournis, M. ibid. 1970, 19, 458. 7. Tchobroutsky, G., Kopf, A., Eschwege, E., Assan, R. ibid. 1973, 22, 825. 8. Alford, F. P., Martin, F. I. P., Pearson, M. J. Diabetologia, 1971, 7, 173. 9. Reaven, G. M., Bernstein, R., Davis, B., Olefsky, J. M. Am. J. Med. 1976,
60, 80. 10. Ginsberg, H.,
Kimmerling, G., Olefsky, J. M., Reaven, G. M. J. clin. Invest. 1975, 55, 454. 11. DeFronzo, R. A., Deibert, D., Hendler, R., Felig, P., Soman, V. Diabetes, 1978, 27, 431. 12. Felig, P., Wahren, J., Hendler, R. ibid. 1975, 24, 468. 13. DeFronzo, R., Rerrannini, E., Hendler, R., Wahren, J. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci., U.S.A. 1978, 75. 5173. 14. Lickley, H. L. A., Chisholm, O. J., Rabinovich, A., Wexler, M., Dupre, J.
Metabolism, 1975, 24, 1157. 15. Brown, J. C. Diabetes, 1978, 27, 782. 16. Mortimore, G. E. in Handbook of Physiology, Section 7, Endocrinology, I, Endocrine Pancreas (edited by D. F. Steiner and N. Freinkel); p. 495, Washington, D.C., 1972. 17. Felig, P., Wahren, J., Hendler, R. Diabetes, 1978, 27, 121. 18. Fajans, S. in The Year in Metabolism, 1975-1976 (edited by N. Freinkel); p. 45. New York, 1977. 19. Olefsky, J. M., Reaven, G. M. Am. J. Med. 1976, 60, 89. 20. Gavin, J. R., Roth, J., Neville, D. M., DeMeyts, P., Beull, D. N. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci., U.S.A. 1974, 71, 84.
seems to
’
astrous ones.
Thallium-201 Myocardial Imaging L. RITCHIE and GLEN W. HAMILTON, University of Washington School of Medicine, and FRANS J. TH. WACHERS, Yale University School of Medicine. New York: Raven. 1978. Pp. 154,
JAMES
$18.85. RADIONUCLIDE scanning in cardiology enables the study of the coronary circulation, ventricular function, heart-wall movement, myocardial infarction, and myocardial metabolism. This book, which is a clear and simple introduction to myocardial imaging, describes the manufacture of thallium-201 and its use for scintigraphy of the myocardium, mostly in patients with coronary-artery disease. A brief review of myocardial imaging is followed by a detailed account of the biological properties of 20’Tl and the anatomy of the heart as seen on myocardial scintigrams. There is a clinical report on the different applications of this method in patients with coronary-artery disease and acute myocardial infarction and the chapters on rest-exercise imaging and the use of 20’Tl to assess coronary venous-bypass graft surgery are interesting. Surprisingly, a whole chapter is given to nuclear reactions and cyclotron recipes for producing 20’Tl. A 201Tl scintigram is the result of a complex and variable interaction between perfusion, arterial concentration, and energy-dependent extraction of thallium, and is influenced by potassium metabolism, fractional escape and recirculation of thallium, and tissue mass. The authors have oversimplified this process and interpret the data as referring only to perfusion. The technique is clearly described and the section on normal myocardial images is excellent. Although individual case-reports do not pinpoint where the technique can be crucial, they do show how the scintigraphic data enrich the clinical assessment. The complex geometry between the sites of an acute myocardial infarct, the heart, and the probe makes it unlikely that 201Tl scintigrams will provide a reliable estimate of infarct size. The most interesting and important section is that on rest-exercise imaging in patients with coronary-artery disease, which will identify permanent and reversible disturbances of-regional myocardial ischsemia and be used to assess the efficacy of coronary venous-bypass grafts. This spatial and temporal identification of jeopardised myocardium is an important advance. Imaging in non-coronary heart disease is not convincing and too qualitative. There is an interesting and readable section on the use of computers, but no mention of the use of a conventional gamma-camera in single photon tomography to aid quantitation and to provide the third dimension. Instead of referring to abstracts and papers accepted for publication, which do not help the research worker, the reference list could have included more papers on theoretical and experimental work explaining the measurement of blood-flow by means of extractable cations.
1080
Surgical Pediatric Urology H. B. ECKSTEIN, Queen Mary’s Hospital for Sick Children, Carshalton, Surrey, R. HOHENFELLNER, Urologische Klinik den Johannes-Guttenberg-Universitat, Germany, and D. I. WILLIAMS, Hospital for Sick Children, London. Philadelphia and London: Saunders. Stuttgart: George Thieme. 1977. Pp. 527. 66.25.
advanced treatise on surgical paediatric urology assumes a knowledge of the principles of surgery in urology and paediatrics. Although it must be appreciated that skills of surgery can only be learnt by observation and practice, all the theoretical knowledge that a young surgeon would need to back up his practical experience is provided in this book. The editors, who are very experienced paediatric urological surgeons, have gathered together several authors with specific interest in a particular aspect of this specialty. The section on investigative procedures ends with an excellent review by K. V. Parkkulainen of endoscopic diagnosis and treatment. His illustrations, which are photographs he has taken down the minute cystoscope used in children, are superbly reproduced. There is a welcome tendency to concentrate on the minutiae of various surgical techniques, which makes this book an excellent complementary publication to Clinical Pediatric Urology by Kellalis and King, published two years ago. The present book is very readable and is illustrated by excellent drawings which clearly show the steps of each operation. Unfortunately, some of the drawings of the open abdomen are placed with the cephalic end of the patient towards the top of the page, while others have it at the bottom of the page. It is surprising that there is no mention of the viewing urethrotome in the management of urethral stricture, even if it is only to describe the difficulties of the use of the children’s version of this instrument and its limitations. The only weak section in the book is that on trauma to the urinary tract, which is allotted 22 pages. When trauma to the urinary tract in children is so often the beginning of recurrent visits to hospitals, it is not unreasonable to expect more on the topic. The author of this section shows lack of experience in dealing with the injuries within the first twenty-four hours of the accident. He does not appreciate the reasons for an urgent intravenous urogram. His statement that 20% of renal injuries treated conservatively end with nephrectomy is a statement that belongs to the pre-antibiotic era. He advocates diagnostic catheterisation for bladder and urethral injuries, a policy which was denounced by all speakers at the last International Congress of Urology. Finally, he still uses the Malecot catheter, which is virtually obsolete, and the De Pezzer catheter, which has been obsolete, for several years. Except for this weak link, this book is excellent. The final section is very good; it provides a salutary warning to all paediatric surgeons whatever the specialty, and that is to reflect on the long-term results. Follow-up of these children into adult life is one of the most important features of paediatric urology. THIS
Infertility
cated that their fertilising ability is probably lost within half that time. Obesity is mentioned as a factor acting via the hypothalamus to cause amenorrhoea, but weight loss, a far commoner cause is not included. The number of spelling mistakes exceeds the permissible-among others, there are epidi-
dymus (twice on p. 51); epididymes (p. 135); soley (for solely) and ideopathic (p. 110); reenforced (p. 111); leiomyomati (p. 114); and on p. 158 hypermia for hyperaemia or hyperemia). Finally, although the references given are extensive, they are overwhelmingly American in origin and suggest little familiarity with what other workers have contributed to the study of human infertility.
Clinical Anesthesia Procedures of the Massachusetts General Hospital. Edited
by
P. W. LEBOWITZ. Boston: Little Brown. 1978.
Pp. 437.
$10.95. THIS
pocket-sized
paperback
provides
a
handy
of practical guidance for the trainee-aneesthetist. Dr Lebowitz and his four contributors have provided detailed descriptions of a wide variety of anaesthetic procedures together with advice on the management of difficult situations. The emphasis is on safety, and each chapter comprises a distillation of the important theoretical features of the subject under discussion and practical guidelines for the anaesthetist about to embark on perhaps an unfamiliar clinical procedure. Solutions to problems are suggested in accordance with current practice at the authors’ hospital; and tyro anxsthetists in the U.K. can confidently accept the advice given in this book, for anxsthetic practices in Britain and North America have grown closer in the recent past. The concise and clear presentation of each subject makes this book particularly suitable for revision before examinations. This is very much a book for daily use and it is strongly recommended. source
Physiology for the Anesthesiologist.
Medical
N. G. GOUDSOUZIAN, Harvard School, Boston, and A. KARAMANIAN, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts. Hemel Hempstead:
Prentice-Hall. 1977. Pp. 405. 17.15.
THIS book aims to provide an outline of that physiology which is most relevant for anaesthetists. Each chapter is to the point. Any controversial aspects have not been laboured with references; instead, the reader is referred to review articles whenever this is possible. Broadly, the book is divided into sections on the circulation, the respiratory system, the nervous system, the endocrine system, and the kidney. The information given is generally up to date, but it is occasionally patchy and misleading: for instance, it is surprising to read that "sexual sensations are transmitted only by the spinothalamic tract". The book is attractively printed and bound but the contents do not offer enough for unreserved recommendation.
TAYMOR, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston. New York and London: Grune and Stratton. 1978. Pp. 216.$19.50; 12.65. MELVIN L.
THE appearance of yet another textbook dealing with human infertility and its investigation and treatment, requires some justification. The author’s view is that, although the considerable progress made over the past 15 years in the diagnosis and management of infertility has been recorded in journals and reports of conferences, these publications fail to provide an overall view necessary for proper patient care. Generally speaking, the author, who has had 25 years’ experience in the subject, has succeeded in providing overall view. Readers may disagree with minor points, but the account given is comprehensive and up-to-date, though not better than that in several other textbooks. One or two quibbles need to be brought up. For example, mention is made of the viability of sperms within the uterus and tubes for at least 48 hours; but it is not indi-
New Editions Amniotic Fluid.-2nd ed. Edited by D. V. I. Fairweather and T. K. A. B. Eskes. Amsterdam: Elsevier. 1978. Pp. 455.$78.25; D.fl.1 80. Pathology.-3rd ed. By Frank Nelson Miller, Jr. Boston: Little, Brown. London: Quest. 1978. Pp. 1041.$15.00, /;10.25 (paper);
$22.50, ,(;13.75 (cloth). Relief of Intractable Pain.-2nd ed. Edited by Mark Swerdlow. Amsterdam: Elsevier. 1978. Pp. 338.$61.50; D.fl.138. Handbook of Leprosy.-2nd ed. By W. H. Jopling. London: Heinemann. 1978. Pp. 139. 3.75. Manual of Clinical Problems In Internal Medicine.-2nd ed. By Jerry L. Spivak and H. Verdain Barnes. Boston: Little, Brown. London : Quest. 1978. Pp. 513.$10.95; 7.25.
