Rheumatism

IT is natural that a (lisease of the social and econiomic importance of rheumatism should ocCIpy a considerable place in medical literature. Nevertheless, until the last few nears, little of importanice has been adide(d to ourikniowle(dge of this crippling group of dliseases. Significant advances in treatmenit, a closer stu(dy of the composition of synovial fluii(d and(l of the factors wvhich influtiellce the permeability of svnovial membranies, offer at last a measure of hope to many suifferers. It is therefore with partictilar pleasure we welcome Dr. Erinest Fletcher's niew book-"Me(lical Disordlers of the Locomotor System." It is' to be hope(d that the ratlher cumbersomiie title will not (leter the general physician anid the general practitioner from readinlg this admirable book. Except for interesting chapters on sciatica and( brachial neuralgia it is not concerned with neurology, and(i the cerebro-spinal system is left severely alonie. It is one of the most readable works in medical literature andl is indee(d a credit to British me(licinie. Thlie authlor wisely deci(led not to tie himself to an) rigid classification anid takes as a general definitioni of rheumatic disorders: "painful locomotor (iisor(lers of unknown 3etiology." rhe clinical examination of the rheumatic patient is given in great detail and is illustrated with many photographs. The section on rheumatoid arthritis is of outstanding importance and never has there been such a complete study of the treatment of this disease. Dr. Fletcher is perfectly frank in stating that his experience of a particular method is limited or that he has not succeeded in alleviating symptoms by another. Treatment by injections into joints is described in detail, including the recent work by Waugh on Lactic Acid injections. Contributions on special subjects are by well-known authorities. For example, there is an excellent chapter on Fibrositis by WV. S. C. Copeman, and Medical Diseases of Bone are in the capable hands of Donald Hunter. The illustrations, paper, and binding show little signs of the age of austerity in which we live and we welcome a work of great medical value. r. A. K.