[Computers in medicine].

Fluorescent Protein Tracing 3rd ed. Edited by R. C. Nairn. (Pp. 503. 60s.) Edinburgh and London: E. & S. Livingstone Ltd. 1969. Immunofluorescence has come a long way since the last edition of Professor Nairn's book appeared in 1964. Even then a short acquaintance with the method was still arousing in some of its practitioners suspicions about reliability and reproducibility that all too often reflected the poor quality or unsuitability of fluorochromes, conjugates, and microscopical equipment commercially supplied. Naim's book has always given clear guidance on methods, and this edition no less than its predecessors is a comprehensive manual not only for those who still prefer to make and test their own reagents, but for those who want to grasp the principles underlying immunofluorescence and fluorescence microscopy. In the meantime manufacturers have begun to pay a lot more attention to the needs of users, especially in routine diagnostic work, and there has been a marked improvement in the quality and specificity of immunofluorescent reagents, and a good deal of progress towards their standardization. As a result there has been an enormous expansion of the use of immunofluorescence in virology, bacteriology, protozoology, and immunopathology, and one of the most useful features of this new edition is its extensive coverage of progress in all these different fields of application. The text throughout has been revised and a useful and up-to-date chapter on tracing viruses and rickettsiae by Professor K. B. Fraser has been added. It is becoming increasingly difficult for diagnostic laboratories to provide an adequate service without using immunofluorescence; this edition of Nairn is a new encouragement for the most hesitant to practise a fascinating and informative technique.