Short-Wave Diathermy

A good estimate of the value and interest of this book would be for one to attempt to review the large volume of literature on the subject of the development and uses of shortwave diathermy, which the author has studiously done. He has gleaned the rapidly accumulating published work of the past decade, previous to which little or nothing was written on the subject. An extensive bibliography is appended. The author provides a stimulating introduction for the development of his subject with a brief but fascinating history of the evolution of shortwave diathermy. A therapeutic agent which appears destined to stimulate further extensive investigation and which may unearth additional therapeutic advantages must be understood thoroughly. The author has provided opportunity for the grasp of this subject by elaborating the fundamentals clearly, supplementing the descriptive explanations with adequate diagrams. Not the least important of the fundamentals is the explanation of the significance between diathermy and shortwave diathermy; nor should the section of the text dealing with the experimentation with shortwave diathermy be passed over lightly. It is true that some of the experimental work, especially in the earlier efforts, appears rather sketchy and the results, at times, unconvincing, but the whole subject, being in its developmental stage, offers added incentive for further investigation. The impression gathered from this book that there are potential possibilities of remedial benefits from the use of this medium, as evidenced by even the most modest and conservative estimates of some of the investigators, cannot fail to arouse enthusiasm. The author points out with just emphasis the dangers of inexpert and careless use of this therapeutic agent and adds convincing precautions to obviate the condemnation that a critical medical profession may apply to loose and. inadequately controlled work. A proper curb to varying results is suggested in recommending great care in choosing apparatus, which as yet is not sufficiently standardized. The large number of clinical uses of shortwave diathermy as outlined by the author invites the suspicion of over-enthusiasm, were it not for the fact that the results as reported in the literature should be accepted critically but only in the light that the subject is still in the experimental stage. The author might have attempted to overcome some of the skepticism which may greet the reports of results from such a great variety of uses of this modality with additional critical interpretations.