Chemotherapy and Serum Therapy of Pneumonia

Perhaps the most pertinent comment to be made in connection with the publication of this text is the fact that it need be published at all; that knowledge of a disease of such long history should within such a short time expand to the point where biennial publication of a text on its treatment can be justified. With but slight changes in title, but changes which in themselves are significant, this is the third volume to appear since 1936. Much material of the two earlier editions appears here also, as is essential, but tabulations have been extended by incorporation of new data, prior conclusions have been accorded further supporting evidence, and the newer findings based on chemotherapy have been added. It is doubtless the presentation of the current views on this last subject that gives the text its greatest value. A portion of a single sentence may be quoted as indicative of the conservative attitude of the authors as well as of their conclusions, ". . . sulfapyridine appears to be not only a most useful remedy but also one which is on the whole more efficacious than serum." Lest the views of the authors be misinterpreted let me add that the italics are mine, and the authors do not suggest that the use of serum be abandoned. GEO. H. SMITH.