Spot Diagnosis

figs. 102. 7s. 6d.) London: Harvey & Blythe, 1954. IN this little book the editors of "Medicine Illustrated"lhave collected clinical photograplhs of over one;hundred cases that lhave appeared in that journal. Each is presented as a problem in diagnosis, with the answer and a short description of the condition and its treatment on the following page. IThe majority of cases illustrated are common surgical and dermatological conditions, but the scope extends as far as air encephalography and the histology of uterine scrapings. At the end of the book there are useful notes on modern theraipeutics in such conditions as peptic ulcer, thyrotoxicosis rheumatoid arthritis and tuberculosis. Thlle book is clearly intended primarily as an aid to revision for the final year student, and should prove useful and refr-eslhing for this purpose. It slhould also be of interest, and value to postgraduates and general practitioners. Nearly all the reproductions are of a very highi (quality, though a few of the X-rays are indifferent. It wvill be interesting to see how the student reacts to this educational exper-imtnent, but it is to be hoped that he wvill not attempt to use it as a substitute for live clinical cases. It is not possible, for your reviewver at least, to diagnose such conditions as sebaceous cyst and cold abscess without using the sense of touclh. In spite of its limitations, this book is strongly recommended to the student, particularly in his final year. 1. K.