Histology

HISTOLOGY. Roy 0. Greep, Ed. New York, Blakiston, 1954. 953 pp., 648 figs., $15.00. This massive textbook of histology marks a new departure from the usual text. It began as a sixth edition of the text by Bremer and Weatherford and ended as a completely new book, both as to text and as to most of the illustrations. In addition, the chapters have been written by thirteen different contributors, all of them associated in one way or another with the Department of Anatomy at Harvard Medical School. The decision to rewrite the old text entirely as well as to enlist the aid of experts in the various branches of histology has proved to be a wise one, for this is certainly one of the best of the newer texts on the subject. This book is written in an easy, simple manner, progressing from basic considerations of cytological structure through the tissues to the more complex organs and organ systems. Each chapter builds upon the information and concepts presented in the previous one in a manner which reveals the excellent judgment of the editor. The tone of the book is set by the early chapters which emphasize recent developments in histochemistry and electron microscopy. New information is integrated with classic concepts smoothly and clearly throughout the book. Correlation of structure with function is repeatedly emphasized. A welcome addition to the subjects included in histology is the chapter on placentation by G. B. Wislocki. Other embryological considerations are integrated into the chapters dealing with specific organs and tissues. The task of welding all of these contributions into a coherent text has resulted in some needless repetition which may be removed in succeeding editions. There are also some distracting errors which should be readily recognized and corrected even by the student-reader. Others may be rather confusing, such as the statement on page 164 that the ciliary muscle of the eye is striated, but not under voluntary control. Some errors are merely amusing, such as the statement on page 209 that Nissl was a Dutch histologist, which will be surprising news to neurologists who are aware of Nissl's strong German patriotism. Throughout the text are small errors in English, like the use of media as a singular noun (p. 914). But these are relatively small slips in a text of such general excellence. It is deplorable that a text for first-year medical students should be priced at fifteen dollars. Undoubtedly, the large number of excellent illustrations contributes to the high cost, but the publishers should be able to find ways to reduce the price at least to that of the nearest competitor. The publisher has recognized his responsibility in this respect by offering to sell this text together with two others used by first-year medical students at a reduced price if bought together. Unfortunately, such tactics do not give this fledgling a fair opportunity to demonstrate its appeal.