Drugs in the Treatment of Disease

THIS book is a report of the symposium on thrombosis and related problems arranged by Prof. P. A. Owren, Prof. R. B. Hunter, and Dr. W. Walker in the University of St. Andrews, Dundee, Scotland. A team of international experts were gathered together for this symposium and the proceedings were conducted in English. The book contains all the papers which were given together with the discussions which followed each communication. The opening chapter is a thoughtful presentation on thrombosis, blood coagulation, and atheroma, and gives a useful separation of what is established fact from views based on inspired or plain conjecture. The value of anti-coagulant drugs in various clinical situations is described and an attempt made to assess their value. The choice of the types of patient most likely to benefit from life-long anti-coagulant treatment is stressed. The use of long continued anti-coagulant therapy raises the question of anti-coagulant control which is well presented. There was general agreement among the participants that the 'Thrombotest' is at the moment the most generally useful method of controlling treatment. The introduction of apparatus to produce an extra-corporeal circulation for cardiac surgery has introduced new problems in the coagulation field and these are helpfully discussed. The possibility of new oral anti-coagulant drugs was raised. This book contains much valuable information. It represents the present views of a number of workers who have extensive practical experience and a wide knowledge in the field of blood coagulation and allied problems. It achieves its aim, which is to provide the best practical method of treatment and of control, together with the more useful lines for further investigation. The inclusion of the discussions which followed the papers helps to amplify the text and add greatly to its usefulness. The book has only one drawback-a somewhat drab and unattractive format and cover, but then 'one should not judge a book by its cover.' M. G. N.