The Life of Hugh Owen Thomas

Waugh, M.A., M.Chir., F.R.C.S.(Eng.). Fourth Edition. (Pp. viii + 296. 12s. 6d.) London: Bailli6re, Tindall & Cox, 1956. TIlE whole field of orthopadics and fractures is attempted in the two hundred and eighty-six pages of this addition to the Aids Series. It illustrates many of the advantages and not a few of the disadvantages of such "cramming." It is small enough to slip into the jacket pocket, and there is a good index. The layout of the subjects suffers, with little variation of print size, which is smallish, and with a tendency for important subjects to be less obviously indicated than expected. The print is unrelieved by a single illustration or drawing. Such drawbacks are inevitable if the volume is to be kept small and at the same time be reasonably comprehensive. Regarding the subject matter, dogmatism appears fromii time to time, as it must in any abbreviated discourse. The author has given a balanced opinion on most subjects and he does not ride any "hobbyhorses." A few obvious points of criticism in the orthopaedic section must be made. There is an unexpected conservatism in the treatment of tuberculosis. In capsulitis of the shoulder, short-wave diathermy is said to be helpful in the acute phases-the reverse is more often true. In treating fractures, it is surprising to read that blood transfusion during Blade plate operations for femoral fractures is "often necessary." It will not be accepted by many surgeons that bumper fractures of the tibia should be immobilised in plaster for ten weeks, nor that compression arthrodesis is the method of choice for the ankle joint. The book is designed for the student, and it wvill be of great assistance especially for quick reference. R. I. W.