Oral and Dental Diseases

Reference Book for Dental anid Medical Practitioners). By Hubert H. Stones, M.D., M.D.S., F.D.S.R.C.S.(Eng.). Third edition. (Pp. xiv + 1,019; figs. 959. lOOs.) Edinburgh: E. & S. Livingstone, 1954. IIIAT three editions of this book have been published in six years is a testimony to its popularity wvith the dental professionl; its claim to be a r-eferenice book to the medical practitioner needs justification. Tlhe miiouth not only exhibits the ravages of dental and parodontal diseases but also acts as a mirror of general health. Many systemic illnesses have marked oral manifestations; sometimes these lesions are the first indication of illness. In this volume the physician will find clear, concise, and profusely illustrated descriptions of such lesions-for example, those associated with the osteodystrophies and the hypovitaminoses, the anwmias, purpura and the leukwmias, the various exanthemata, tuberculosis, and syphilis. A number of rarer conditions like vanadium poisoning and Sjdgren's syndrome, to mention but tvo, ai-e also dealt with. In addition, there are sections on tumours of the oral cavity, and on focal infection of dental origin. Even the chapters that appear to be of mainly dental interest can be dipped into wvith profit for a knowledge of the etiology of caries or the possibilities of treatment of simple parodontal disease may help to reduce misunderst,anding between doctor and dentist. The whlole text of the second edition has been revised and many recent references added. 13y pruning anything that has become obsolescent muclh newv material has been incorporated with the addition of only a fewv pages; in fact, the newv volume is somewvhat slimmer and weighs 4 lb. less than its predecessor-a matter of som1ie importance to the peripatetic student if not to the practitioner. Once again the publishers halve l)roduced a handsome volume wvith clear type and close on one thousand illustrations. P. F. S.