- Email: [email protected]
Diagnostic Picture Tests in Orthopaedics
Caring at Home, by Nancy Kohner. The National Extension College, 18 Brooklands Avenue, Cambridge CB2 2HN. 1988 (ISBN 1 8 5 3 5 6 004 9). 125 pages. €2.50, bulk prices on request. The author of this book has already won a Plain English Award, and was commissioned by the King's Fund Informal Caring Support Unit, w i t h financial assistance from the DHSS and the Health Education Authority; with this pedigree one expects a quality product - which this is. It is a handbook for carers, and anybody caring for someone at home, whether child or adult, frail or ill, physically or mentally handicapped. It is arranged in logical sequence, so that it can be dipped into as required, to obtain information on the subject of particular interest. It has sections on the services available, helpful organisations, useful publications, and other help and support available to carers, with guidance on how t o contact such sources. The author comments helpfully on considerations such as t h e feelings, relationships, and problems of the carers themselves. There is a good index, and the very readable text throughout is well crossreferenced. From t h e large list of acknowledgments listed by the author, i t is obvious that much practical experience has gone into the preparation and the result is a very comprehensive and usable book which should be available to all carers, patients, and professional staff concerned with the well-being of patients at home and in the community. The opinion of a multiply-handicapped nursing officer found the book excellent, and was in full accord with its contents and sentiments, having read it from cover to cover. This book should be standard equipment in rehabilitation departments, surgeries, health centres, social service offices, and public libraries, so that those t o whom it is directed may have the opportunity t o read it. It is hoped that all professionals will promote this most useful publication, and that the publishers will find ways of contacting carers too. DIANAH ROGERS MCSP Chiropractic: A Patient's Guide, by Dr Michael B H o w i t t Wilson. Thorsons, Wellingborough, 1987 (ISBN 0 7 2 2 5 1201 5). Illus. 9 6 pages. €2.50. It was disappointing to read in Dr Wilson's introduction 'the largest group of spinal manipulators is chiropractors. . . 40,000 worldwide', w h e n there are 2 2 , 0 0 0 Chartered physiotherapists in this country alone. Otherwise the information is up to date, broadminded and relatively unbiased. Dr Wilson is a physician w h o trained as a chiropractor, which is possibly why he advocates more co-operation and communication among all disciplines. He delves into the history of chiropractic and the philosophy behind it and points out their differences from other disciplines. Basic definitions and techniques are clearly presented. However, in discussing length and frequency of sessions, he includes the treatment of asymptomatic patients, a controversial issue. He does not mention self-help as a preventive or curative measure. As this book is intended for the lay public, I sometimes felt it too complex w i t h occasional lapses into technical jargon.
physiotherapy, August 1988, vol 74, no 8
Figures are too detailed w i t h no references t o them in the text. One drawing seemed misleading by not showing the normal d i r e c t i o n of disc prolapse. For t h e enthusiastic inember of the public or therapist w h o wants a brief overview of chiropractic, I would recommend it. A reservation would be the author's apparent lack of knowledge about the level of physiotherapists' spinal manipulative skills. SUE GAASTRA MCSP Coping with Rheumatoid Arthritis, by Heather Unsworth DipCOT SROT FETC. Chambers, Edinburgh, 1986 (ISBN 0 5 5 0 20150 1). 111 pages. €2.95. Rheumatoid arthritis may be explained medically in many different publications. This book aims to deal w i t h some of the real problems of sufferers, clearly, factually and with humour. It attempts t o answer many
Diagnostic Picture Tests in Orthopaedics, by Lipmann Kessel MBE(Mlty) M C FRCS and Uta F Boundy. Wolfe Medical Publications. London, i 9 8 8 (ISBN 0 7 2 3 4 0 9 0 0 51 Illus. 128 pages. €6.50. All grades of physiotherapists w i t h an interest in the management of musculoskeletal problems will find this fact-packed pocket-sized book absorbing. The late Professor Kessel and Uta Boundy use a question and answer format, presenting nearly 2 0 0 clinical examples, each with accompanying photographs or radiographs. Up t o four questions are posed about each subject and the answers are found at the end of the book. A wide range of conditions are presented which are of interest to physiotherapists w o r k i n g i n several fields related t o orthopaedics. Its simple, but stimulating, presentation is such that new facts can be learned in a very few minutes by the individual, or a group of physiotherapists can be kept entertained by testing each other's knowledge. I would recommend any physiotherapist or student, as well as department, to purchase this relatively inexpensive goldmine of information. JILL MOORE MCSP
Books Received The Kids Work Out Guide for Parents, by Dr John Pearce. Thorsons, Wellingborough, 1987 (ISBN 0 7 2 2 5 1560 XI. Illus. 2 0 8 pages. €4.99.
better 'rock' forward using your leg muscles
It is far
1
Getting out of a chair - advice from 'Coping with Rheumatoid Arthritis' questions and thoughts of patients at all stages of the disease process. Divided into 14 chapters, each is then sub-divided under question headings. The author's sensitive and clear approach t o answering these questions is outstanding and a great morale booster t o sufferers. The chapter on medication is particularly helpful, stating clearly and concisely the different types of drugs available and their possible side effects. Exercises are so important in the treatment of RA, and the simple programme illustrated is excellent. Patients would find the instructions easy t o follow which would encourage them t o do the exercises regularly. Tips on joint protection, dressing, self-care and footwear are helpful, together w i t h the chapter on splints. The author does not forget the psychological problems of chronic diseases and the book gives advice on coping w i t h young families and personal relationships, ending w i t h addresses and helpful literature. The text, illustrations and cartoons made the book very readable and enjoyable and my patients have found it most enlightening. ANNE SPAIGHT MCSP
'Kids Work Out' was the title of a Thames Television series when a story and exercises were provided for children while their parents discussed the problems of rearing them. This book omits the story and exercises, which makes retention of the original title rather misleading. It deals w i t h the subjects raised by the parents in the programme and some others and covers, for example, sleep, food, discipline, tempers, becoming independent and health. Although problem-oriented it is reassuring and practical and gives the overall impression that it is possible to be a fairly successful parent. Health from God's Garden, by Maria Treben. Thorsons, Wellingborough, 1987 (ISBN 0 7 2 2 5 1476 XI. Illus. 128 pages. €5.99. A n authority on medicinal plants in Germany and her native Austria, Maria Treben has sold five million books on the subject. This text, translated by Timothy Green, starts w i t h a full-colour illustrated catalogue of plants. The next section recommends various herbal teas as a preventive measure. This is followed by an alphabetical directory of complaints and the herbs which may help them. A final short section gives recipes for standard herbal recipes for such potions as bedstraw wash and horsetail sit2 bath. Attractively produced and economically priced, this book provides easy-to-follow advice. Its efficacy can only be assessed by experience, but if a large proportion of teutonic cystitis sufferers have found relief. for example, by squatting over a bowl of steaming horsetail vapour, or swallowing a tablespoonful of maize tassel tea every t w o hours, it seems worth a try, however difficult for British city dwellers to implement.
409
physiotherapy, August 1988, vol 74, no 8
Figures are too detailed w i t h no references t o them in the text. One drawing seemed misleading by not showing the normal d i r e c t i o n of disc prolapse. For t h e enthusiastic inember of the public or therapist w h o wants a brief overview of chiropractic, I would recommend it. A reservation would be the author's apparent lack of knowledge about the level of physiotherapists' spinal manipulative skills. SUE GAASTRA MCSP Coping with Rheumatoid Arthritis, by Heather Unsworth DipCOT SROT FETC. Chambers, Edinburgh, 1986 (ISBN 0 5 5 0 20150 1). 111 pages. €2.95. Rheumatoid arthritis may be explained medically in many different publications. This book aims to deal w i t h some of the real problems of sufferers, clearly, factually and with humour. It attempts t o answer many
Diagnostic Picture Tests in Orthopaedics, by Lipmann Kessel MBE(Mlty) M C FRCS and Uta F Boundy. Wolfe Medical Publications. London, i 9 8 8 (ISBN 0 7 2 3 4 0 9 0 0 51 Illus. 128 pages. €6.50. All grades of physiotherapists w i t h an interest in the management of musculoskeletal problems will find this fact-packed pocket-sized book absorbing. The late Professor Kessel and Uta Boundy use a question and answer format, presenting nearly 2 0 0 clinical examples, each with accompanying photographs or radiographs. Up t o four questions are posed about each subject and the answers are found at the end of the book. A wide range of conditions are presented which are of interest to physiotherapists w o r k i n g i n several fields related t o orthopaedics. Its simple, but stimulating, presentation is such that new facts can be learned in a very few minutes by the individual, or a group of physiotherapists can be kept entertained by testing each other's knowledge. I would recommend any physiotherapist or student, as well as department, to purchase this relatively inexpensive goldmine of information. JILL MOORE MCSP
Books Received The Kids Work Out Guide for Parents, by Dr John Pearce. Thorsons, Wellingborough, 1987 (ISBN 0 7 2 2 5 1560 XI. Illus. 2 0 8 pages. €4.99.
better 'rock' forward using your leg muscles
It is far
1
Getting out of a chair - advice from 'Coping with Rheumatoid Arthritis' questions and thoughts of patients at all stages of the disease process. Divided into 14 chapters, each is then sub-divided under question headings. The author's sensitive and clear approach t o answering these questions is outstanding and a great morale booster t o sufferers. The chapter on medication is particularly helpful, stating clearly and concisely the different types of drugs available and their possible side effects. Exercises are so important in the treatment of RA, and the simple programme illustrated is excellent. Patients would find the instructions easy t o follow which would encourage them t o do the exercises regularly. Tips on joint protection, dressing, self-care and footwear are helpful, together w i t h the chapter on splints. The author does not forget the psychological problems of chronic diseases and the book gives advice on coping w i t h young families and personal relationships, ending w i t h addresses and helpful literature. The text, illustrations and cartoons made the book very readable and enjoyable and my patients have found it most enlightening. ANNE SPAIGHT MCSP
'Kids Work Out' was the title of a Thames Television series when a story and exercises were provided for children while their parents discussed the problems of rearing them. This book omits the story and exercises, which makes retention of the original title rather misleading. It deals w i t h the subjects raised by the parents in the programme and some others and covers, for example, sleep, food, discipline, tempers, becoming independent and health. Although problem-oriented it is reassuring and practical and gives the overall impression that it is possible to be a fairly successful parent. Health from God's Garden, by Maria Treben. Thorsons, Wellingborough, 1987 (ISBN 0 7 2 2 5 1476 XI. Illus. 128 pages. €5.99. A n authority on medicinal plants in Germany and her native Austria, Maria Treben has sold five million books on the subject. This text, translated by Timothy Green, starts w i t h a full-colour illustrated catalogue of plants. The next section recommends various herbal teas as a preventive measure. This is followed by an alphabetical directory of complaints and the herbs which may help them. A final short section gives recipes for standard herbal recipes for such potions as bedstraw wash and horsetail sit2 bath. Attractively produced and economically priced, this book provides easy-to-follow advice. Its efficacy can only be assessed by experience, but if a large proportion of teutonic cystitis sufferers have found relief. for example, by squatting over a bowl of steaming horsetail vapour, or swallowing a tablespoonful of maize tassel tea every t w o hours, it seems worth a try, however difficult for British city dwellers to implement.
409