Epilepsy

348

Prevention of Neurotoxic Illness in Working Populations, b y

B.L. Johnson (Ed.), John

W i l e y & S o n s , C h i c h e s t e r , 1987, I S B N 4 7 1 9 1 6 2 5 0 Many neurotoxic chemicals are used in industry. This book prepared by a group of experts on behalf of World Health Organization has as main objective to facilitate the transfer ofexisting information regarding the neurotoxic effects of industrial chemicals in order to increase awareness amongst health professionals, employees and workers in both developed and developing countries and to progress towards effective prevention strategies. The first section (literature review) resumes the neurotoxicity of various groups of industrial chemicals mainly 1) organic solvents, 2) metals (e.g. arsenic, lead, manganese, mercury), 3) pesticides (e.g. organochlorine, organophosphorus and organotin compounds), 4) gases (e.g. anesthetics, carbon monoxide), 5) various chemicals introduced in the workplace (e.g. plastic monomers). The chemical epidemiological and experimental (studies on volunteers) evidence for these effects are presented separately. The second section describes the methods to be used in the early detection and prevention of neurotoxic disorders. It starts with a brief review of the characteristics of the various epidemiological approaches and the principles of data analysis. In view of the objective of this book, this section is not very pertinent. These general comments will not help the occupational physicians to set up health surveillance programmes and to recommend preventive measures. The chapter on diagnosis and treatment methods is very concise; it includes a tabular review of the toxic peripheral and central nervous system conditions which should have been included in the first section. A large chapter (40 pages) is devoted to the description of neurobehavioral and neurophysiologlcal test methods. It is very instructive for those not familiar with these techniques. The third section addresses the issue of strategies to prevent neurotoxic illness in working population. It is concisely written and well structured. But these principles are not specific to neurotoxic risks and can be found in any textbook of occupational medicine and hygiene. Despite these few shortcomings, I think that this book reaches its main objective, i.e. to increase awareness amongst occupational physicians on neurotoxic risk in industry. But except for the review section on the neurotoxicity of various groups of industrial chemicals, the other sections are probably of limited interest to specialists in neurological sciences. R. LAUWERYS

Epilepsy,

by Anthony

Hopkins

(Ed.),

Chapman

and

Hall

Ltd.,

London,

1987,

585 p a g e s , p r i c e n o t s t a t e d . This book, which includes the contributions of many authors, most of whom are experts in their respective fields, takes the reader from epidemiology through biophysical principles to various clinical aspects. Topics dealt with are the classification of seizure types and syndromes, seizure threshold and propensity, the first fit, electroencephalography including long-term monitoring, imaging techniques, drug treatment, the management of intractable epilepsy including surgery, prognosis, women and epilepsy, epilepsy and head injury and intracranial surgery, status epilepticus, febrile convulsions, childhood epilepsy, social aspects, psychiatric aspects, epilepsy and the law, and epilepsy and driving. Almost every one of the authors has a long-standing experience based on personal research. Although some have given similar accounts elsewhere it may be a convenience to have this material collected in a single source. Each chapter is followed by a list of references but there is no cumulative literature reference list. There is an extensive index. This book is written for house officers in neurology and for those who have qualified as specialists in this field. Nevertheless, this book is well worth reading for anyone in the field of epileptology. J. OVERWEG