Textbook of Genito-urinary Surgery

and M. A. MacConaill. (Pp. xi + 304; figs. 60. 50s.) London: Longmans, 1961. "DEDICATED TO THOMAS WALMSLEY." This statement alone will make many generations of medical men from Belfast consider that this book must be a model of original thought lucidly expressed. The principles are indeed set out with a clarity and in a logical sequence that fully justify the dedication. Nevertheless, it is not an "easy" book in the generally accepted sense of the term, for it is never easy to convey to others an original point of view. k hardly warrants part of the claim on the cover-leaf that, as well as appealing to the orthopzdic surgeon and the rheumatologist, "it will serve the student or newly qualified doctor wishing to amplify his knowledge of a subject commonly neglected in the medical course." On the other hand, its scope extends far beyond the subject of synovial joints. The book will be of interest and practical help to many research workers who are trying to elucidate the problems in connection with the physical properties of the various organic co(mpounds that are concentrated in different parts of the body. The ground substances of cartilage and ligaments are ably described and a gallant attempt is made to enquire into the possible functions of the various muco-polysaccharides as lubricators ensuring the tremendously low friction between joint surfaces. Many important points about the physics of joints have been brought out and explained with "Walmslian" thoroughness. It is pointed out that "the frequent use of analogy has obviated the need for a mathematical treatment of the subject." The analogies are very aptly chosen, and, like the rest of the book, delightfully illustrated, and it is to be hoped that the book will give a lead to those who consider that the chemists are still ahead of the physicists in certain compartments of biology and that the help of the physicists and the applied mathematicians is urgently needed in medicine in all its aspects. s. A. V.