Reviews of Books
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1378 Reviews of Books Spinal Cord Injury VLADIMÍR BENES, deputy head, neurosurgical clinic, and lecturer in neurosurgery, Charles University, Prague. London: Bailliere, Tindall & Cassell. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins Co. 1968. Pp. 202. 45s. THE author sets out to argue the case for operative inter- vention in spinal injuries whenever there is doubt whether management should be conservative or not. What emerges is an eminently sensible appraisal, based on extensive experience and a thorough knowledge of international literature and opinion: if occasionally the argument takes a devious turn, the author’s own opinions and experience come through clearly. He under- stands his problem from first-aid to final psychology, and has many wise things to say on the way. The practical advances of recent times-ripple-beds, turning-frames, plastic catheters, the anterior approach to the cervical spine-are here, together with admirable accounts of the mechanism of injury and the problems of rehabilitation. In the end he confesses that he has come to use spinal manometry in assessing operative necessity, just as many others do, and his arguments are really directed against conservative extremists rather than unbigoted pragma- tists. The book will be of use to students, and of value to practising surgeons. Its comprehensive references include many European ones that are seldom available for comparison, and it is not difficult to see why the first edition won the Budin prize awarded by the Czechoslovak Surgical Society. Medical Physiology and Biochemistry DAVID F. HORROBIN, St. Mary’s Hospital, London, fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford. London: Edward Arnold. 1968. Pp. 469. E6 6s.; 65s. (paper). THIS textbook has a slightly different flavour from most others, and that is no mean achievement. The style is lively, and at the end of each section are supplementary pages, entitled " common examination topics ", which will certainly appeal to students, consisting of summaries of the most important aspects of the items in the section. Lists of references also follow each section. The book cannot be termed elementary; but it does omit many of the usual details which can, if desired, be discovered by further reading (how many students will have the enthusiasm to read further?) and presumably from teachers. This may be a good system, for many textbooks are somewhat cluttered. The information is up to date and accurate. Students of medicine should find that this book gives a useful coverage of both physiology and biochemistry. An Inquiry Concerning Growth, Disease and Ageing PHILIP R. J. BURCH, M.A., PH.D., deputy director, Medical Research Council Environmental Radiation Research Unit, honorary reader, department of medical physics, University of Leeds. Edinburgh and London: Oliver & Boyd. 1968. Pp. 213. 63s. THE need to reconcile immunology, cytogenetics, and epi- genetics has been present since Metchnikoff. In this book Dr. Burch attempts to reconcile them. The basis of his argument is that epigenetic controls are of a nature similar to immuno- logical processes, and that they depend upon specific mutations. The consequent theory involves not only epigenetics but growth, carcinogenesis, ageing, dental decay, mental disorders, and, in fact, almost all the known normal and pathological phenomena for which reproducible graphs have come into the author’s hands. This is, in fact, a model of the ingenious all- explaining theory based on mathematical analogy; at least it gives rise to the possibility of experimentation, and, even if the total case proves to be greatly overstated, some aspects of it may equally prove predictively correct. It certainly has the merit of asking a number of questions regarding lymphocytic clones, autoimmunity, " chalones," and the probable effects of induced tolerance which are on the verge of an experimental answer. Synopsis of Surgery RICHARD D. LIECHTY, M.D., associate professor of surgery, department of surgery, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City; ROBERT T. SOPER, M.D., associate professor of sur- gery, department of surgery, University of Iowa College of Medicine. London: Henry Kimpton. St. Louis: C. V. Mosby Co. 1968. Pp. 1091. E5 12s. 6d.;$12.50. AT first sight the squat bulky shape of this book suggests that its contents will all be in the tabular form commonly associated with synopses. In fact, though it does include many lists and tables, the text is profusely illustrated and easily read -perhaps too easily read, in that one type size is used through- out, affording a student no help in discriminating between rare and common conditions. Fortunately the style is also very uniform, and it is not very evident that this volume is actually a collection of forty monographs. All are beautifully written, but those on hand surgery and neurosurgery are particularly unusual in giving an excellent introduction to specialties sometimes neglected in comparable textbooks. Children in Distress Penguin Education Special. SIR ALEC CLEGG and BARBARA MEGSON. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books. 1968. Pp. 175. 4s. THIS passionate book calls attention to the distress which can be observed in schoolchildren by those who have eyes to see. The topics cover a wide range: twilight children, work- shy parents, and failures of the school to help. The adult consequences of the untreated distress are illustrated by the crime and suicide rates, the numbers of illegitimate children, and the numbers of children taken into care. The authors estimate that 12% of schoolchildren desperately need help. A description of problems of this magnitude does not make for neat categorisations, nor are solutions easily identified. It would be a vain hope that Seebohm-type social-service depart- ments could deal with the amount of child distress that the authors reveal, and it will still be left to the school-teacher and welfare services connected with education to add to the balance of provision that will make the lives of some children just tolerable. The emphasis is on the needs of the weak and " the newly despised-those whose minds work slowly ... rejected by society because of an inferiority which they cannot help Herman Boerhaave The Man and his Work. G. A. LINDEBOOM, M.D., professor of internal medicine in the Free Reformed University of Amsterdam. London: Methuen. New York: Barnes & Noble. 1968. Pp. 452. E7 7s. Boerhaave (1668-1738) was the most important medical man in 18th-century Europe. He was physician, botanist, chemist, but above all an inspired teacher whose influence spread throughout the known world. It is surprising therefore that a detailed biography has not already appeared. Professor Lindeboom now fills this hiatus and, with the help of Dr. E. Ashworth Underwood, provides an excellent and detailed account of Boerhaave and his work, with full supporting data. The volume includes a bibliography and extensive indices and has been very well produced. The only criticism relates to the price, which is high. Nevertheless this book can be warmly recommended as the definitive biography of a man who at the beginning of the 18th century was styled " the teacher of all Europe ". New Editions Clinical Aspects of Immunology.-2nd ed. Edited by P. G. H. Gell and R. R. A. Coombs. Oxford and Edinburgh: Blackwell Scientific Publications. 1968. Pp. 1356. E7 lox. Recent Advances in Pharmacology.-4th ed. By J. M. Robson and R. S. Stacey. London: J. & A. Churchill. 1968. Pp. 557. 95s. A Course in Renal Diseases.2nd ed. By Geoffrey M. Berlyne. Oxford and Edinburgh: Blackwell Scientific Publications. 1968. Pp. 418. 40s.
Transcript of Reviews of Books
1378
Reviews of Books
Spinal Cord InjuryVLADIMÍR BENES, deputy head, neurosurgical clinic, and lecturerin neurosurgery, Charles University, Prague. London: Bailliere,Tindall & Cassell. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins Co. 1968.
Pp. 202. 45s.THE author sets out to argue the case for operative inter-
vention in spinal injuries whenever there is doubt whether
management should be conservative or not. What emerges is an
eminently sensible appraisal, based on extensive experience anda thorough knowledge of international literature and opinion:if occasionally the argument takes a devious turn, the author’sown opinions and experience come through clearly. He under-stands his problem from first-aid to final psychology, and hasmany wise things to say on the way. The practical advances ofrecent times-ripple-beds, turning-frames, plastic catheters,the anterior approach to the cervical spine-are here, togetherwith admirable accounts of the mechanism of injury and theproblems of rehabilitation. In the end he confesses that he hascome to use spinal manometry in assessing operative necessity,just as many others do, and his arguments are really directedagainst conservative extremists rather than unbigoted pragma-tists. The book will be of use to students, and of value topractising surgeons. Its comprehensive references include manyEuropean ones that are seldom available for comparison, and it isnot difficult to see why the first edition won the Budin prizeawarded by the Czechoslovak Surgical Society.
Medical Physiology and BiochemistryDAVID F. HORROBIN, St. Mary’s Hospital, London, fellow ofMagdalen College, Oxford. London: Edward Arnold. 1968.
Pp. 469. E6 6s.; 65s. (paper).THIS textbook has a slightly different flavour from most
others, and that is no mean achievement. The style is lively,and at the end of each section are supplementary pages,entitled " common examination topics ", which will certainlyappeal to students, consisting of summaries of the most
important aspects of the items in the section. Lists ofreferences also follow each section. The book cannot betermed elementary; but it does omit many of the usual detailswhich can, if desired, be discovered by further reading (howmany students will have the enthusiasm to read further?)and presumably from teachers. This may be a good system,for many textbooks are somewhat cluttered. The informationis up to date and accurate. Students of medicine should findthat this book gives a useful coverage of both physiology andbiochemistry.
An Inquiry Concerning Growth, Disease and AgeingPHILIP R. J. BURCH, M.A., PH.D., deputy director, MedicalResearch Council Environmental Radiation Research Unit,honorary reader, department of medical physics, University ofLeeds. Edinburgh and London: Oliver & Boyd. 1968. Pp. 213.63s.
THE need to reconcile immunology, cytogenetics, and epi-genetics has been present since Metchnikoff. In this book Dr.Burch attempts to reconcile them. The basis of his argumentis that epigenetic controls are of a nature similar to immuno-logical processes, and that they depend upon specific mutations.The consequent theory involves not only epigenetics but
growth, carcinogenesis, ageing, dental decay, mental disorders,and, in fact, almost all the known normal and pathologicalphenomena for which reproducible graphs have come into theauthor’s hands. This is, in fact, a model of the ingenious all-explaining theory based on mathematical analogy; at least it
gives rise to the possibility of experimentation, and, even if thetotal case proves to be greatly overstated, some aspects of itmay equally prove predictively correct. It certainly has themerit of asking a number of questions regarding lymphocyticclones, autoimmunity, " chalones," and the probable effects ofinduced tolerance which are on the verge of an experimentalanswer.
Synopsis of SurgeryRICHARD D. LIECHTY, M.D., associate professor of surgery,department of surgery, University of Iowa College of Medicine,Iowa City; ROBERT T. SOPER, M.D., associate professor of sur-gery, department of surgery, University of Iowa College ofMedicine. London: Henry Kimpton. St. Louis: C. V. MosbyCo. 1968. Pp. 1091. E5 12s. 6d.;$12.50.
AT first sight the squat bulky shape of this book suggeststhat its contents will all be in the tabular form commonlyassociated with synopses. In fact, though it does include manylists and tables, the text is profusely illustrated and easily read-perhaps too easily read, in that one type size is used through-out, affording a student no help in discriminating betweenrare and common conditions. Fortunately the style is also
very uniform, and it is not very evident that this volume is
actually a collection of forty monographs. All are beautifullywritten, but those on hand surgery and neurosurgery are
particularly unusual in giving an excellent introduction to
specialties sometimes neglected in comparable textbooks.
Children in Distress
Penguin Education Special. SIR ALEC CLEGG and BARBARAMEGSON. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books. 1968. Pp. 175. 4s.
THIS passionate book calls attention to the distress whichcan be observed in schoolchildren by those who have eyes tosee. The topics cover a wide range: twilight children, work-shy parents, and failures of the school to help. The adult
consequences of the untreated distress are illustrated by thecrime and suicide rates, the numbers of illegitimate children,and the numbers of children taken into care. The authorsestimate that 12% of schoolchildren desperately need help.A description of problems of this magnitude does not make forneat categorisations, nor are solutions easily identified. Itwould be a vain hope that Seebohm-type social-service depart-ments could deal with the amount of child distress that theauthors reveal, and it will still be left to the school-teacher andwelfare services connected with education to add to thebalance of provision that will make the lives of some childrenjust tolerable. The emphasis is on the needs of the weak and" the newly despised-those whose minds work slowly ...rejected by society because of an inferiority which they cannothelp
Herman BoerhaaveThe Man and his Work. G. A. LINDEBOOM, M.D., professor ofinternal medicine in the Free Reformed University of Amsterdam.London: Methuen. New York: Barnes & Noble. 1968. Pp. 452.E7 7s.
Boerhaave (1668-1738) was the most important medicalman in 18th-century Europe. He was physician, botanist,chemist, but above all an inspired teacher whose influencespread throughout the known world. It is surprising thereforethat a detailed biography has not already appeared. ProfessorLindeboom now fills this hiatus and, with the help of Dr. E.Ashworth Underwood, provides an excellent and detailedaccount of Boerhaave and his work, with full supporting data.The volume includes a bibliography and extensive indicesand has been very well produced. The only criticism relates tothe price, which is high. Nevertheless this book can bewarmly recommended as the definitive biography of a manwho at the beginning of the 18th century was styled " theteacher of all Europe ".
New Editions
Clinical Aspects of Immunology.-2nd ed. Edited by P. G. H. Gelland R. R. A. Coombs. Oxford and Edinburgh: Blackwell ScientificPublications. 1968. Pp. 1356. E7 lox.
Recent Advances in Pharmacology.-4th ed. By J. M. Robson andR. S. Stacey. London: J. & A. Churchill. 1968. Pp. 557. 95s.
A Course in Renal Diseases.2nd ed. By Geoffrey M. Berlyne.Oxford and Edinburgh: Blackwell Scientific Publications. 1968.
Pp. 418. 40s.
