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Sanitary Law and Practice (Robertson and Porter)
1936.
PUBLIC
HEALTH.
271
T h e L i t e r a t u r e of P r e v e n t i v e Medicine. Injury
and In0apaclty. By H. ERNEST GRIFFITHS, M.S. (LOND.), F.R.C.S., Surgeon, Albert Dock Hospital, etc.; Hunterian Professor in Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons. London : Baillibre, Tindall & Cox, 193,5. pp. 270. Price 12s. 6d. net. The aim of this book is to try to establish a basis for estimating the probable period of incapacity for any given injury, in any particular patient, having regard to his present employment and his ability to earn in any other employment. The book is based partly on the author's personal experience, and partly on an exhaustive analysis of 50,000 consecutive cases of accidents that were reported to an insurance company which deals mainly with claims arising o u t of the Workmen's Compensation Acts. Having regard to the vastness of the amount of material analysed it cannot be doubted that the book must have great value, especially for those for whom primarily it is intended--medical practitioners and others concerned with industrial insurance. Lactobaeillus Acldophilus and Its Therapeutic Application. By LEO. F. RETTGER, PH.D., LL.D., Professor of Bacteriology , Yale University; MAURICE N. LEVY, M.D., Practising Physician, Bridgeport, Connecticut; and L o u i s ~,VEINSTEIN, PH.D., and JAM~:S E. WEiss, PH.D., Research Fellows, Yale University. London : H u m p h r e y Milford, Oxford University Press, 1935. pp. 203. Price l l s . 6d. net. In this volume Dr. Rettger and his coauthors, who have made a clinical and bacteriological study of iactobacillus acidophilus, set out the conclusions reached as to the3possibility of applying knowledge, gained as a result of research carried out, in the Yale laboratories particularly, with regard to the organism, in the treatment of intestinal disorders and ailments directly associated with such disorders. In a general way the opinion arrived at is that the administration of acidophilus milk of high viability and in massive quantities over relatively long periods of time, especially when interspersed with periods in which no acidophilus milk is taken, will in a large majority of the cases treated be beneficial in relieving patients suffering from
simple constipation, constipation accompanied by biliary symptoms, so-called " mucous colitis " or " irritable colon," and idiopathic (chronic) ulcerative colitis. There is every evidence that great care was exercised in carrying out the investigations and the book is a contribution of value to the knowledge on the subject.
Sanitary Law and Practice (Robertson and Porter). A Handbook on Public Health. By W. ROBERTSON, M.D. (GLAS.), D.P.H., F.R.C.P. (EDIN.); CHARLES PORTER, M.D., B.SC., M.R.C.P. (EDIN.), of the Middle Temple, Barrister-at-Law ; a n d JAMES FENTON, M.D., M.R.C.P., D.P.H. Eighth edition. London : The Sanitary Publishing Co., Ltd., 1935. pp. 968. Price 25s. net. There are no friends like the old friends. Robertson and Porter's " Sanitary Law and Practice " is an old friend which, in the thirtytwo years of its existence, has established itself securely in the regard and affection of students of public health. Other treatises have come and gone but " Robertson and Porter " remains; age has only meant enrichment and the acquisition of a certain austere venerability which adds to its value. The appearance of the eighth edition will be hailed with pleasure, if not by students who see in every new edition merely added work and worry in mastering its contents, certainly by those of us to whom " Robertson and Porter " has become an institution and an indispensable book of reference. The new book is very much like its predecessors both in size and format. Actually it contains 84 more pages of reading matter than the previous edition. It is unfortunate, though I suppose inevitable, that text-books on public health should wax and not wane in size. What they will be like when finality is reached--if ever--I shudder to contemplate. In the book now before me the authors have evidently had the question of size in mind and have made a genuine effort to keep it as far as possible within reasonable compass. For me to attempt a criticism of a book held in such veneration by the older school of sanitarians would be presumptuous, bordering almost on impertinence, but without sacrificing any of my regard for an old friend, I may be permitted to comment briefly on one or two features which I think might be improved.
°72
PUBLIC HEALTH.
In the first place, the book tends to enter into too much detail, and the student, unless to some extent already familiar with the facts and able to separate the gold from the dross, may lose his way and become befogged. With such a wide field to cover, the student of to-day must have his information served up to him in as concise and succinct a form as possible. A little lightening of the book would therefore not be amiss. Secondly, there is a marked dearth of illustrations. " Robertson and Porter " has never been strong on the pictorial side. When the book was first published that was perhaps not a serious disadvantage, but to-day it definitely is. The eye is such a help to the mind in grasping the detail of, say, the one-pipe system or a disinfestation station that without an illustration it is difficult, almost impossible, to comprehend fully the description, no matter how clearly expressed. A good photograph and key are worth pages of printed matter. There is, however, one feature of the book which I think is most commendable, and that is the due importance it gives to the environmental as contrasted with the personal aspect of the subject. The fashion to-day is to force the purely personal into the foreground and to neglect the environmental as if it did not matter. Infant welfare, school medical work and the care of mothers are all very important but not more so than housing and ventilation. When one considers the far,reaching effects on health of dampness in a dwelling or the breathing of impure air, one is a little sceptical of the wisdom of devoting the amount of space some writers do to the care of the skin and teeth of an infant. A book on hygiene is no less valuable because it deals as fully with the soil as with the seed. A knowledge of both is necessary. " Robertson and Porter " has a great tradition which is worthily upheld in the new edition. The advent of a third collaborator, Dr. James Fenton, though indicative of the inevitability of anno domini, is an added assurance, if such is necessary, that every endeavour is being made to keep the book up to date and in the forefront of the literature on the subject. The success of the eighth edition is assured without any commendation from me, but if there be any student who has not yet made its acquaintance, or any public health officer who has forgotten or has only a first edition to remind him of its existence, let me strongly advise him to make good the omission without delay. J.J.J.
APRIL, 1936.
Correspondence. The Editor does not accept responsibilityfor the opinions of correspondents. THE BATHING POOL AND DEAFNESS.
To the Editor of PUBLIC HEALTH. SIR,--I was very glad to see Mr. Tumarkin discussing, in the March issue of PUBLIC HEALTH (pp. 220-223) inflammations of the ear from the national aspect. With much that he writes I am in agreement. Some of his suggestions are, as he admits, experimental ; others, in my opinion (e.g., notification) inadvisable; while some are debatable, e.g., " unhealthy adenoids," " hypovitaminosis " and paranasal sinusitis. But what has compelled me to write to you is to join issue with him in his demand to stop children swimming. I believe that the harm done to children's ears by bathing has been grossly exaggerated by a small number of otologists, and that their views have been put forward without considering the good that swimming and bathing may do to the damaged ear, or taking into account the general beneficial effect of the exercise and the sport upon the child's mind and body that outweigh the taking of some risk with the ear, even if one admits that to be present. The whole subject is ripe for discussion in open debate, which should be conducted not only by otologists and medical officers of schools but also by laymen who see the child whole, such as school masters and mistresses or persons dealing with the welfare of adolescents immediately after their entry into industry. In preparation for such a debate I shall take an early opportunity of reading Mr. Tumarkin's article on " The Bathing Pool and Deafness," for missing which, on its publication, I must apologise to him. Yours faithfully, T. B. LAYTON. Guy's Hospital, S.E.1. March 14th, 1936. THE infant mortality rate in England and W a l e s of 57 per 1,000 for 1935 is the lowest so f a r recorded. The only other years with rates approaching that of last year were 1930 (60) and 1934 (59). Births during 1935 numbered 599,167, and deaths 477,371, giving a natural increase of population of 121,796.
PUBLIC
HEALTH.
271
T h e L i t e r a t u r e of P r e v e n t i v e Medicine. Injury
and In0apaclty. By H. ERNEST GRIFFITHS, M.S. (LOND.), F.R.C.S., Surgeon, Albert Dock Hospital, etc.; Hunterian Professor in Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons. London : Baillibre, Tindall & Cox, 193,5. pp. 270. Price 12s. 6d. net. The aim of this book is to try to establish a basis for estimating the probable period of incapacity for any given injury, in any particular patient, having regard to his present employment and his ability to earn in any other employment. The book is based partly on the author's personal experience, and partly on an exhaustive analysis of 50,000 consecutive cases of accidents that were reported to an insurance company which deals mainly with claims arising o u t of the Workmen's Compensation Acts. Having regard to the vastness of the amount of material analysed it cannot be doubted that the book must have great value, especially for those for whom primarily it is intended--medical practitioners and others concerned with industrial insurance. Lactobaeillus Acldophilus and Its Therapeutic Application. By LEO. F. RETTGER, PH.D., LL.D., Professor of Bacteriology , Yale University; MAURICE N. LEVY, M.D., Practising Physician, Bridgeport, Connecticut; and L o u i s ~,VEINSTEIN, PH.D., and JAM~:S E. WEiss, PH.D., Research Fellows, Yale University. London : H u m p h r e y Milford, Oxford University Press, 1935. pp. 203. Price l l s . 6d. net. In this volume Dr. Rettger and his coauthors, who have made a clinical and bacteriological study of iactobacillus acidophilus, set out the conclusions reached as to the3possibility of applying knowledge, gained as a result of research carried out, in the Yale laboratories particularly, with regard to the organism, in the treatment of intestinal disorders and ailments directly associated with such disorders. In a general way the opinion arrived at is that the administration of acidophilus milk of high viability and in massive quantities over relatively long periods of time, especially when interspersed with periods in which no acidophilus milk is taken, will in a large majority of the cases treated be beneficial in relieving patients suffering from
simple constipation, constipation accompanied by biliary symptoms, so-called " mucous colitis " or " irritable colon," and idiopathic (chronic) ulcerative colitis. There is every evidence that great care was exercised in carrying out the investigations and the book is a contribution of value to the knowledge on the subject.
Sanitary Law and Practice (Robertson and Porter). A Handbook on Public Health. By W. ROBERTSON, M.D. (GLAS.), D.P.H., F.R.C.P. (EDIN.); CHARLES PORTER, M.D., B.SC., M.R.C.P. (EDIN.), of the Middle Temple, Barrister-at-Law ; a n d JAMES FENTON, M.D., M.R.C.P., D.P.H. Eighth edition. London : The Sanitary Publishing Co., Ltd., 1935. pp. 968. Price 25s. net. There are no friends like the old friends. Robertson and Porter's " Sanitary Law and Practice " is an old friend which, in the thirtytwo years of its existence, has established itself securely in the regard and affection of students of public health. Other treatises have come and gone but " Robertson and Porter " remains; age has only meant enrichment and the acquisition of a certain austere venerability which adds to its value. The appearance of the eighth edition will be hailed with pleasure, if not by students who see in every new edition merely added work and worry in mastering its contents, certainly by those of us to whom " Robertson and Porter " has become an institution and an indispensable book of reference. The new book is very much like its predecessors both in size and format. Actually it contains 84 more pages of reading matter than the previous edition. It is unfortunate, though I suppose inevitable, that text-books on public health should wax and not wane in size. What they will be like when finality is reached--if ever--I shudder to contemplate. In the book now before me the authors have evidently had the question of size in mind and have made a genuine effort to keep it as far as possible within reasonable compass. For me to attempt a criticism of a book held in such veneration by the older school of sanitarians would be presumptuous, bordering almost on impertinence, but without sacrificing any of my regard for an old friend, I may be permitted to comment briefly on one or two features which I think might be improved.
°72
PUBLIC HEALTH.
In the first place, the book tends to enter into too much detail, and the student, unless to some extent already familiar with the facts and able to separate the gold from the dross, may lose his way and become befogged. With such a wide field to cover, the student of to-day must have his information served up to him in as concise and succinct a form as possible. A little lightening of the book would therefore not be amiss. Secondly, there is a marked dearth of illustrations. " Robertson and Porter " has never been strong on the pictorial side. When the book was first published that was perhaps not a serious disadvantage, but to-day it definitely is. The eye is such a help to the mind in grasping the detail of, say, the one-pipe system or a disinfestation station that without an illustration it is difficult, almost impossible, to comprehend fully the description, no matter how clearly expressed. A good photograph and key are worth pages of printed matter. There is, however, one feature of the book which I think is most commendable, and that is the due importance it gives to the environmental as contrasted with the personal aspect of the subject. The fashion to-day is to force the purely personal into the foreground and to neglect the environmental as if it did not matter. Infant welfare, school medical work and the care of mothers are all very important but not more so than housing and ventilation. When one considers the far,reaching effects on health of dampness in a dwelling or the breathing of impure air, one is a little sceptical of the wisdom of devoting the amount of space some writers do to the care of the skin and teeth of an infant. A book on hygiene is no less valuable because it deals as fully with the soil as with the seed. A knowledge of both is necessary. " Robertson and Porter " has a great tradition which is worthily upheld in the new edition. The advent of a third collaborator, Dr. James Fenton, though indicative of the inevitability of anno domini, is an added assurance, if such is necessary, that every endeavour is being made to keep the book up to date and in the forefront of the literature on the subject. The success of the eighth edition is assured without any commendation from me, but if there be any student who has not yet made its acquaintance, or any public health officer who has forgotten or has only a first edition to remind him of its existence, let me strongly advise him to make good the omission without delay. J.J.J.
APRIL, 1936.
Correspondence. The Editor does not accept responsibilityfor the opinions of correspondents. THE BATHING POOL AND DEAFNESS.
To the Editor of PUBLIC HEALTH. SIR,--I was very glad to see Mr. Tumarkin discussing, in the March issue of PUBLIC HEALTH (pp. 220-223) inflammations of the ear from the national aspect. With much that he writes I am in agreement. Some of his suggestions are, as he admits, experimental ; others, in my opinion (e.g., notification) inadvisable; while some are debatable, e.g., " unhealthy adenoids," " hypovitaminosis " and paranasal sinusitis. But what has compelled me to write to you is to join issue with him in his demand to stop children swimming. I believe that the harm done to children's ears by bathing has been grossly exaggerated by a small number of otologists, and that their views have been put forward without considering the good that swimming and bathing may do to the damaged ear, or taking into account the general beneficial effect of the exercise and the sport upon the child's mind and body that outweigh the taking of some risk with the ear, even if one admits that to be present. The whole subject is ripe for discussion in open debate, which should be conducted not only by otologists and medical officers of schools but also by laymen who see the child whole, such as school masters and mistresses or persons dealing with the welfare of adolescents immediately after their entry into industry. In preparation for such a debate I shall take an early opportunity of reading Mr. Tumarkin's article on " The Bathing Pool and Deafness," for missing which, on its publication, I must apologise to him. Yours faithfully, T. B. LAYTON. Guy's Hospital, S.E.1. March 14th, 1936. THE infant mortality rate in England and W a l e s of 57 per 1,000 for 1935 is the lowest so f a r recorded. The only other years with rates approaching that of last year were 1930 (60) and 1934 (59). Births during 1935 numbered 599,167, and deaths 477,371, giving a natural increase of population of 121,796.