Handbook of Communicable Diseases

Students of the nutritional anemia problem, who are members of the so-called Wisconsin school, will doubtless criticize the book on the ground that it does not appropriately recognize the significance of copper in the body's use of iron. Against such an attitude this reviewer would like to point out that many of these apparent shortcomings of the book really involve comparisons of the results of animal experiments with those of clinical trial, and any volume being written by a clinician should present these topics as appears proper to him in the light of clinical experience. The whole question of the significance in medicine of the results of experiments with animals must, in the last analysis, depend upon tests made on human patients. Also, many of these apparent shortcomings really involve topics concerning which various clinical authorities disagree. Because of these considerations, this reviewer is of the opinion that the author has handled the various controversial matters very well. The book is singularly free from typographical errors. One was noted on page 101, where the exact chemical name for vitamin B2 is misspelled. The type is large and easy to read. Enough chemical formulae are given to emphasize the point that the chemistry of the factor in question is now well known. Everything considered, this volume should be a valuable addition to the library of the busy clinician who finds that he must deal with nutritional deficiencies in his practice, and who therefore desires a condensed but accurate discussion of the various practical matters involved. This book should prove most serviceable to nurses and students of medicine , and may be useful also to practitioners other than specialists. The first hundred pages give an introduction to immunology, both general and in relation to specific diseases. Two chapters on the management and nursing of patients with communicable disease in the home and in the hospital contain much practical information. Then follows a conventional textbook description of the common infectious diseases, the classification of which on the basis of a common chief portal of entry is unusual but logical. Relevant references follow each chapter. The material is presented concisely and with commendable clarity. Dogma is averted by mentioning all sides in controversial matters and by citing references to key articles. Discussions are up to date in diseases marked by significant recent progress, as in influenza, poliomyelitis, syphilis, and malaria; and chemotherapy is carried …