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Book Reviews E. TROSTDORF, H. STENDER (ed.): Wirbelsaule und Nervensystem. Thieme, Stuttgart 1970. VIII + 208 pp., 127 fig., 21 tab. DM 49.-. This is a comprehensive monograph on degenerative, traumatic and inflammatory diseases of the vertebral column. Morphological and physiological aspects, biomechanical problems, X-rays, myelography, spinal scintigraphy, malformations, lumbar and cervical disc protrusions are given short, but competent reviews. In contrast, the neurological aspects of diseases of the spinal column are given less attention. The neurological complications of Bechterew's disease are mentioned in one vague phrase; we missed the indications for the surgical treatment of lumbar and cervical disc protrusions; the natural course of the whiplash injury is considered in an unusually optimistic way; the chapter on disturbances of hearing and equilibrium of cervical origin ought to be better substantiated; and spinal cord compression in severe scoliosis and chondrodystrophy are not mentioned. In spite of these few shortcomings the book, edited by TROSTDORF and STENDER, is very useful with its concise chapters, good illustrations and its careful list of references. H. E. KAESER, Basel E. STOICA: Cercetari in patogenia infarctului si hemoragiei cerebrale Pathogenic study on cerebral infarct and cerebral hemorrhage. RSR Academy Publishing House, Bucharest 1969. 238 pp., 44 fig., 58 tab.; lei 13.50. In most of the papers and monographs in which the pathogenesis of cerebrovascular accidents is dealt with, the neural mechanisms involved in the onset of strokes receive little attention; the factors considered are especially the hemodynamic and metabolic ones. In this connection the importance of the present work lies particularly in the fact that it provides information on the state of the central homeostatic mechanisms involved in the regulation of vasomotility and of humoral processes in patients with cerebrovascular accidents. The work has four sections. In the first section the data concerning the reactivity of the fibrinolytic system in patients with cerebrovascular accidents are presented. The second one deals with the humoral and vasomotor reactivity to the emotional stress, the third with the reactivity to cold stress and the fourth with the reactivity to hypoglycemic stress. Using multiple methods the author succeeded in demonstrating discrepancies in humoral and vasomotor reactivity between patients with cerebral infarct and those with cerebral hemorrhage. Humoral reactivity in cerebral infarct patients showed: (1) an inert clotting mechanism (sustained hypercoagulability after applying various stress stimuli); (2) a poor mobilization of the fibrinolytic system; (3) a long-lasting increase in slow serum lipoproteins; (4) a delayed recovery from insulinand tolbutamide-induced hypoglycemia. In cerebral hemorrhage patients the author noted: (1) a high response of the fibrinolytic system; (2) a reactive clotting mechanism; (3) slight variations in serum lipoproteins. Generally the changes were similar to those noted in controls. 198