The Histology of the Body Tissues

(Pp. viii + 479; figs. 121. 30s.) Edinburgh and London: E. & S. Livingstone, 1962. THE author originally hoped to provide a background of biological knowledge and at thd same time to interest the student in applications of botany to his life work, but claims only the first objective for this book. As far as medicine is concemed it is doubtful if botany has now any application except in so far as it teaches some basic principles in biology. The author has had to devote much space to elementary physical and biological chemistry and he gives a presentation of genetics inadequate for general biology. Nowadays medical schools are integrating their teaching in pathology, medicine, surgery and obstetrics so that students are introduced to different aspects of their work at the same time and much repetition, misunderstanding and apparent contradiction in common subjects is avoided. Admittedly textbooks reflecting this have not yet been written. Some such "combined course" in general biology would obviate much separate discussion of common subjects. With the present curriculum the value of this book to the student will depend on the individual foibles of teachers and examiners who usually have little or no real understanding of their specialised subject in the broad field of human biology constituting modem medicine. J. E. M.