Immunological Methods

IMMUNOLOGICAL METHODS. Edited by J. F. Ackroyd. Oxford, Blackwell Scientific Publ. Co. (in U.S.A., distributed by F. A. Davis Co., Philadelphia), 1964. xvi, 628 pp. $16.00. This volume records the proceedings of a symposium organized by the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS). Although no details of time or place are given, I have been told that the meeting was held in France in the spring of 1961 with about 30 distinguished immunologists present. The book became available in the United States in July 1964 (and perhaps 2 or 3 months earlier in England). As one might expect, there is nothing new or exciting to be found in the book. Most of the information had been published before the symposium was held, and the few unpublished items have probably been published since. The polite discussion following each paper often adds clarity to the subject. There are very few differences of opinion in the recorded discussions. One wonders whether there is such unanimity of opinion among the experts. This collection of papers is a sound contribution to the immunological literature and will serve as a major source of review articles on technique. Instead of searching the cumulative indices, investigators may begin with this volume. They will usually find that most chapters give a well balanced account of a particular technique and its applications. There are 12 appendices with detailed notes on methodology which are probably the most useful part of the book. The quality of the various chapters tends to range from very good to mediocre. The best and longest chapter is by the Editor, J. F. Ackroyd, entitled, "The Diagnosis of Disorders of the Blood Due to Drug Hypersensitivity Caused by an Immune Mechanism." He systematically reviews and evaluates the relevant world literature and recommends the techniques that he believes will prove to be most generally useful. While the value of a particular chapter will be judged subjectively by each reader in terms of his or her own interests, the chapters on virus antibodies and the use of tissue cultures are among the best. The critical reports of Dausset on leukocyte and platelet agglutinins and antibodies are to be commended. The author indicates that this area holds great promise, but he does not minimize the many complex unsolved technical problems. Discussions of immunoelectrophoresis, gel-diffusion, complement, conglutinating complement, passive cutaneous anaphylaxis, fluorescence, immune-adherence, hemagglutination, and the use of inert particles or insoluble supports are succinct and informative. Most Americans will be happy to find that all the contributions are in the Queen's English although Grabar, Seligmann, and Dausset presented their papers in French. A major criticism of this volume is that it is already somewhat out-ofdate. One would suppose that in an era when we can photograph the moon and have some of the pictures widely distributed to the public in less than 24 hours, we could publish the proceedings of a tape-recorded symposium in a few months rather than years. In fairness to the editor, it should be noted that he did not receive the assistance he had anticipated, and it takes time to translate, check and recheck scientific papers. However, as a general rule, more and more of the world's literature is being published