A Study of Home Accidents in Aberdeen

TEXTBOOK OF PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY. By G. H. Bell, J. N. Davidson, and H. Scarborough. Fifth Edition. (Pp. xi + 1117; illustrated. 70s.) Edinburgh and London: E. & S. Livingstone, 1961. A YEAR which sees new editions of Samson Wright and B. D. S. (and also of Best and Taylor, which has not been submitted for review) is a vintage year indeed. Samson Wright is a verv old friend, having been published first in 1926, and many of us have leaned heavily on him for the second M.B., the final M.B., the Primary F.R.CS., and the M.R.C.P. The book now has a completely new look, with pages measuring 11 x 81 inches printed in double columns, and an attractive bright red cover. It is only 14inches thick and is much easier to handle than the stocky 1952 edition. The new authors have revised the text extensively for the tenth edition and have brought most of it (but not the account of digestion) up to date. They have made good a defect of previous editions by providing an account of the special senses. The book remains what it has always been-a concise account of human physiology, based on the experimental evidence (much of it shown in diagrammatic form) and related to clinical problems. The presentation is clear, orderly, and rather dogmatic. It will undoubtedly retain its popularity as a text for undergraduate and post-graduate students and as a work of reference for those in practice. B. D. S. is a comparative newcomer, but has reached its fifth edition after only eleven years. It covers much the same ground as Samson Wright, but deals with biochemistry in much greater detail and employs a more continuous form of writing. The combination of a physiologist, a biochemist, and a clinician provides a superbly integrated account of physiology and biochemistry and of their clinical implications. The text is a pleasure to read and is profusely illustrated with clear and helpful diagrams, X-rays, and photographs. I was interested to see two of my own colour photographs in Fig. 10, 14. B. D. S. can be recommended warmly to students and practitioners at all stages of their careers. It will be appreciated particularly by those who like to be taught, and to have their minds stimulated by, good prose. R. B. W.