Textbook of Human Genetics

AMERICAN MEDICINE AND THiE PUBLIC INTEREST. By Rosemary Stevens. New Haven, Connecticut, Yale University Press, 1971. xiii, 572 pp. $18.50. In this second volume of a planned trilogy, Rosemary Stevens presents a sclholarly analysis of the evolution of specialization in American Medicine. In pointing out the transformation of the average doctor in a slhort span of time from relative scientific incompetence to today's highly competent technological physician, the author views coordination of effort as imperative. Continued specialization without integration of skills can only lead to chaos. In measured tones, MIrs. Stevens btuilds up her case in meticulous fashion-a telling indictment of self-interest where the public interest is at stake. The development of the need for planning and control of specialization in any iiational healtlh insurance program is logical, clear, and concise. That suclh a program should pay attention to the past as well as projecting the future is evident to M\Irs. Stevens, but is not consistent with our U.S. pattern of assuming that "the past does not exist, or is irrelevant. In lhealth services there is a fashionable pursuit of newness." The prose is neat and clean. The mass of hiistorical detail is tremendous. Every student, every teacher, every medical school dean, every administrator and, above all, every legislator will want this book at hiis elbow for reference.