Reviews and notices of books

Diseases of the Ear Stuart R . Mawson, London. Third edition. 225 x 150 mtn. Pp. 584-t- cii, with 286 illustrations. 1974. London: Edward Arnold. fl8.50. I N this country all otologists are practising otorhinolaryngo- logisls, although gradually there has been a tendency for a few particularly talented individuals to concentrate almost exclusively on this single facet of an increasingly expansive speciality. The author, as a member of this select fraternity, is therefore uniquely placed to write what has now become a standard textbook on the ear. The two previous editions were excellent and this, the third, is superb! It is obvious that the 7 years which have elapsed between editions has been spent by Mawson in an intensive reappraisal of his text together with a searching analysis of the new published material. These Years have seen a dramatic change of emphasis in otology. The idol of technical expertise has been partially replaced by an awareness of the need for greater scientific understanding of the ear as a functioning unit. Unfortunately, owing to lack of financial support and interest, little of this work has emanated from this country. However, everything of practical importance is included in the third edition, making it not only ideal for the examination candidate but essential for all thoughtful otologists. The book remains compact both in page size and bulk-evidence of vigorous pruning and an understanding publisher. Since the text is all-embracing with nothing of importance left out, there is little purpose in reproducing a list of contents. The number of informative yet simple tables has been greatly increased and once again this is witness to the fact that the author is an experienced practical otologist with more than a passing interest in teaching. The section on operative surgery, which cannot offer adequate instruction to those who are really in need, may inadvertently make an intricate procedure appear deceptively simple!

The linc drawings, as in previous editions, are the work of yet another otologist, and contribute more than is usual to thc text. Even the clinical photographs, unfortunately in black and white, suffer less than is expected by the necessity for a drastic reduction in size for publication. There is little to criticize and much to admire. Whatever the price this book is worth the money, for, if nothing else, it indicates that with the right person. subject and publishers this country can still produce an outstanding medical book. D. F. N. HARRISON

Surgical Treatment of Head and Neck Tumours Edited Jorge Fairbanks Barbosa, Sdo Paulo, Brazil. 280 x 215 mm. Pp. 3 i N x i i i . Illustrated. 1974. New York: Grune & Stratton. f16. This book is written by the senior staff of the head and neck service of the cancer centre of Slo Paulo, Brazil. The editor is a major contributor. One chapter on cancer of the middle ear is contributed by Professor Conley of New York, who also wrote the Foreword.

The contents constitute a testament of the current practice of the authors in the cancer centre in which they work. The work is not an attempt at an encyclopaedic statement of all surgical techniques available to the surgeon engaged in this field. The possible disadvantages of omission which this format entails are more than compensated by the authenticity of the writing by all the contributors. It is at once apparent to the redder that he is being given information clearly and in detail about methods in day-to-day use to meet varying clinical situations and which have been found to work. No omnipotence is claimed or implied, which is refreshing; one feels that one can disagree about detail here and there without offending.

The subject is very fully covered and the translation has been so well made that the spontaneity of the text has not been lost. The book is profusely illustrated with drawings of masterly clarity which greatly enhance its value to students of all levels of experience. The basic principles of radical excision and of reconstruction to meet functional and aesthetic requirements are repeatedly stated, together with sound common sense of the many needs, other than surgical, of patients so severely afflicted. Human understanding and surgical expertise are well blended.

The editor, in his preface, states that the naming of tech- niques after individual surgeons has been deliberately avoided for fear that an injustice might be done, but many names are mentioned in the text and it is a serious omission that no references are given at the end of any chapter. The index could also be enlarged for ease of reference by the reader, or more detail could be given beneath the chapter headings in the list of contents. The book is well produced, and it is a pity that an error in the binding of the reviewer’s copy resulted in omission of half the index. I t is possible that a list of refer- ences at the end of the book was also omitted by this error.

DAVID MATTHEWS

Current Pediatric Diagnosis and Treatment Henry Kempe, Henry K . Siluer, Donough O’Brien and associate authors. Third edition. 260 x 185 mm. Pp. 1020. Illustrated. 1974. Los Altos, California: Lange Medical Publications. $12. THIS is the third edition of a well-known textbook. It aims to deal with principles of diagnosis and treatment in a way which will satisfy the requirements of the medical student and the pediatrician in the early stages of his training. It also tries to detail clinical methods and procedures in an implied attempt to be encyclopaedic. This is possibly the reason why, in spite of the immense amount of information which this book provides, one is left with rather a breathless feeling, but this may be unfair and unduly critical. It must be said that at a price of $12 a thousand pages seems good value, and the 51 authors cover a vast number of subjects. The opening chapters on history and physical examination are more a comprehensive catalogue than a discussion of how to go about obtaining a history and examining a baby, and perhaps this is right and a modern way to do it, but a bit more of fatherly advice might serve the student better.

A surgeon might be forgiven for feeling disappointed at the short shift given to both osteomyelitis and pyelonephritis in the newly born and even more so at the repetition of the advice to instil opaque medium into the upper pouch of the oesophagus to make the diagnosis of oesophageal atresia. In later sections the various causes of neonatal intestinal obstruc- tion are described, but more cross references would be helpful, especially with the chapter on the neonate. Meconium plug obstruction is much more likely to be cleared by a Gastro- grafin than a barium enema. There are some diagrams and many tables some of which are very useful but more illustra- tions would be of value. A. W. WlLKlNSON

Tumors of the Esophagus and Stomach S-Chun Ming, Pennsylvania. 260 x 203 mm. Pp. 279. Illustrated. 1973. Washington: Armed Forces Inrtitute of Pathology. No price gioen. THIS book is a section of the Atlas of Tumor Pathology under the general editorship of Harlan I. Firminger and assisted by a very distinguished editorial advisory committee.

Every conceivable tumour of the oesophagus and stomach is described in great detail and the text is profusely illustrated; a number of the illustrations are in colour. For purposes of reference this book is invaluable and every care has been taken to give a proper sense of proportion to the rare condi- tions which are included. Perusal of the book, however, shows that this is much more than a book of reference. For example, the section on epidemiology and geographic incidence of cancer of the oesophagus gives a short but well-balanced account of the current views held on this aspect of the disease. Similarly, the controversial opinions regarding the relation- ship between chronic gastric ulcer and gastric carcinoma are summed up in a masterly way. The account of the conditions associated with cancer of the oesophagus is short but clear.

The contemporary bibliography is excellent but the interest of the reader could have been increased by the inclusion of the accounts of some of the earlier writers. This book should be read by all surgeons with a serious interest in tumours of the oesophagus and stomach and the author is to be congratu- lated on having made a major contribution to the subject.

R. H. FRANKLIN

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