The British Encyclopædia of Medical Practice: Medical Progress, 1951

THIS little book contains a miscellany of useful information on a great variety of subjects, all of which are of immediate interest to the practical clinical pathologist. It includes in its 382 pages, besides chapters on the major branches of clinical pathology (post-mortem technique and the preparation of histological sections, bacteriology, serology, haematology and biochemistry) sections on cytology and parasitology. So clearly are the methods laid out in thlis book that it could be used as a useful laboratory manual. Although no book which attempts such a wide field in such a small compass can be without some blemish I think that this book has succeeded in its aim most admirably. I particularly liked the general points on p. 376 viz.:-"If a test is worth carrying out, it is worth recording and reporting in writing. Never keep the results of-laboratory tests as a dark secret between yourself and your incubator; share your pleasure in a result with the clinician in charge of the case. "Do not expect approbation from some clinicians, many of whom desire only acquiescence with and confirmation of their views." loItis book consists of three parts. The first covers 139 pages and in its 14 chapters leading specialists presenit the imlajoIr advances in meidicine, surgery and midwifery in the last few years. Irogress in medicine. All these articles present up-to-date information and are supplemented by adequate references. In part 2 the late Professor Dilling has contributed a brief, but valuable , survey of advances in pharmiiacology and therapeutics recorded up to the middle of 1950. Part III consists of abstracts arranged under headings similar to those in the encyclop2dia and with cross references to the encyclopldia and to its cumulative supplement. Muclh informnation is preseilted anid the abstracting is com,-petently done, but the lack of critical comment and the mediocre quality of imiany of the papers thus presented limits the value of this portion of the book for the busy practitioner-, wvho requires authoritative information similar to that presented in the encyclopedia itself. i'HOUGH the title of this monograph is indigestible its contents are extremely appetizing especially to those wvorking in an orthopaedic service, be they surgeons, after-care sisters or workshop technicians. The author concerns himself with the relief of pain in nmany conditions of the foot by the use of appliances made from latex, leather, rubber, cork compound and metal. He stresses the necessity of individual …