The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics

THIS short book consists of nine lectures given at a recent symposium in the University of Edinburgh. The topics cover a wide range of interest from nutrition in the fetus to nutrition in the elderly. Most of the chapters are well written and give an overview of the subject. The general conclusion from reading the book is that there is little evidence that malnutrition in general or deficiences of particular nutrients is an important cause of ill health in this country. Malnutrition, particularly in the elderly, is most often a consequence of disease or disability rather than its cause. Two interesting chapters cover topics outside the usual experience of doctors-Nutrition and Dental Health (by Professor D.J. Stewart of Belfast) and the Effect of Cessation of Free School Milk (the effect seems to be minimal). It is appropriate that the symposium closes with a chapter on myths about nutrition by Dr. Magnus Pyke. It appears that nutrition is a subject which has attracted more myths than most. This book is easy to read and is a useful summary of current knowledge of nutrition. R.W.S.