Medicine and the reign of technology

literature, but also on a detailed survey of the objects on which the literature was based, by a practised histologist familiar with the longer-lasting techniques. The result is an attractively-produced book containing a wealth of illustrations from a wide range of sources, including pictures of old preparations made through the microscope as well as microtomes in use. Over a thousand literature references are included, making the book a goldmine for all interested in microscopical history. A full survey of microtechnique before 1830 is given, and the development of the slide from the slider is followed. The technique of mounting in canada balsam was introduced then, providing an enormous potential for the preservation of specimens and their inspection in a cleared state offering enormously enhanced detail. Works on microtechnique published between 1830 and 1910 are next considered, followed by a long chapter on substances used in the same period. In this chapter the development of infiltration methods is dealt with in detail, including hitherto unreported papers giving much more light on this important process. The author deals not only with the first use of a particular stain or fixing agent, but also with the usage which was to establish the agent's popularity: this treatment extends to the use of particular mixtures and procedures. Instruments used between 1830 and 1910 are also treated fully. In addition to the microtome itself (for which a thorough, evaluated, survey is provided) slides, covers, and a host of small apparatus are dealt with, giving information on much that has hitherto been quite ignored. A chapter on commercial mounters from 1800 to 1910 includes much that will interest the collector as well as those having museum collections of preparations in their charge. Specimen preparations are well illustrated so that details of labels can be checked. The development of histology during the nineteenth century is outlined, and there are two detailed indexes. If a criticism might be made of the book it would be that the final chapter on the interrelationships of microscopy, microtomy, histology, and medicine is too short: it whets the appetite for more. To have dealt thoroughly with this aspect would have made the book very long, and the whole point of the volume is that it provides the basis from which others will be able to work for a long time to come. The history of technology as it relates to medicine languishes in …