PROSPECTS OF PREVENTION: A SYMPOSIUM (No. 51)

AT a time when the profession is coming under increasing criticism for its failure to influence significantly the ravages of our modern plagues while maintaining and increasing our interest in the newer and more sophisticated medical technologies, which in themselves play a relatively small part in the total promotion of health, this publication provides a most helpful and useful corrective to our thinking. It is the record of a symposium held in the Royal College of Physicians in December 1978 concerned with the prospects and application of methods for prevention of disease. There are twelve chapters by a distinguished group of experts in their special field. The introduction on 'lessons from past achievements' by Sir John Brotherson is of a high standard and sets the tone for the chapters which follow. These concern a variety of topics such as 'problems in prevention of renal disease', 'health education', two chapters on 'ischaemic heart disease-is diet important' to the concluding chapter on the 'prevention of iatrogenic disease' (The Lilly Lecture) by Sir Eric Scowen. There is much to ponder on in this excellent and timely publication and all the contributions are of a commendable standard and interest. It is highly recommended for all interested in the promotion of health in the community. D.A.D.M.