A Practical Handbook of Midwifery and Gynæcology

Haultain, O.B.E., M.C., B.A., M.B., F.R.C.P.Edin., F.R.C.S.Edin., F.R.C.O.G., and Clifford Kennedy, M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.S.Edin., F.R.C.O.G. Fifth Edition. (Pp. x + 410; figs. 48. 30s.) Edinburgh and Londcon: E. & S. Lixingstonc, 1957. TH is textbook by two well-known Scottish obstetricians nolW entcrs its fifth cdition. The fonnat remains the samc, but Professor Henderson's chapter on the infant considerably enhances the value of the whole work. In essence it remains a revision handbook for the final-year student, and in the opinion of the reviewer, a Scottish student at that. For others. there are sufficient divergencies of opinion and practice to reducc its value and make it essential that it be used in conjunction with systematic lecture notes. It is doubtful if it has much to offer not found in many smaller books. If it seems churlish to criticise, even slightly, a work by such eminent authors now in its fifth edition, perhaps the reviewer may plead a bias against all books listing "causes" and "treatments" in sequence, with little or no explanation. Many of the illustrations, especially in the section on gynxcology, add little to the valuc of the text and would probably have gained much by being reduced to simple line drawings. Within these limitations the book still remains a ready source of information in fully condensed form. G. B-L.