Wheeler and Jack's Handbook of Medicine

The sixth section, Standardisation of Diagnostic Techniques, deals more specifically with epidemiological method, although these papers are each illustrated by reference to research carried out by their authors. Professor G. M. Carstairs' paper on "Standardisation of psychiatric judgements," regrettably the only contribution in the book that is concerned with the growing field of psychiatric epidemiology, is presented here. This paper is a particularly useful demonstration of the problems of observer variation and diagnostic reliability in psychiatric research. The final two sections deal with the application of epidemiological methods to the technical problems of organisation of medical services, and with developments in the teaching of social medicine to medical students. This is a useful book. It is well laid out, clearly illustrated and is moderately priced. Its chief merit lies in the clarity with which epidemiological techniques are presented, with scrupulous attention to research method. This will be of interest not only to physicians engaged in public health and in social medicine, but also to those concerned with the disciplines of postgraduate research in other areas of medical study. c. K. THOSE who are familiar with this old classic and have carried it in a white coat pocket by the bedside will welcome this twelfth edition and will hasten to recommend it to students today. In this new edition Dr., Coope has enlisted the help of Dr. C. A. Clarke, and throughout there has been a most thorough revision of the text, bringing it fully up to date whilst preserving the very clear illustrations so much a feature of the earlier editions. Much of the text has been rewritten and a new section on the electrocardiogram has been incorporated and will help to make the student more at ease with this subject. In spite of the small size due regard is paid to basic science in the systematic description of disease processes and mental factors in disease are considered. Detail of treatment is good and in balance with the size of the book. In all the, text has been increased by seventy-four pages but the thickness of this edition is less than formerly due to a thinner paper and binding. Those familiar with previous editions will miss the rounded corners which made for easier handling. THIS latest addition to the "Aids" series has twelve chapters covering a wide range of clinical conditions for which laboratory tests are valuable, both in diagnosis …