Condorcet. From natural philosophy to social mathematics

the donor, the recipient, and the doctors involved, the definitions of death, the uncertainty of recently evolved experimental techniques, and the problem of availability of organs and dialysis machines. Of a more fundamental nature are the scientific, social and religious repercussions and interactions which the authors suggest may lead to basic changes in attitudes to health and disease, life and death. Their book, which is very well written and fully documented, with a useful bibliography, is an important contribution and introduction to an area of medicine which is increasing in dimensions, dilemmas, complexities and social repercussions. It will be read widely by all those concerned with transplantation and dialysis, but the historian of medicine, who should preserve his contact with the modern medicine, must also know of its existence.