PUBLIC HEALTH. mutation, although it might ob viousl y be due to replacement of one form by another. One might accept that the study of the colloidal phenomena described in the volume may be of paramount importance to the medicine of the future, but the author's views will not find ready acceptance or even consideration until he can divest his writings of pontifical utterances without the production of his experimental evidence in full s uppor t of them.
The Preventive Aspects of Medicine. 1\ Series of Lectures deli vered at King's Collegt· Hospital Medical School. London: The Lancet Ltd., HXM. pp. 376. Price lOs. Gd. net. The title " The Preventive Aspects of Medicine " is given to a collection of lectures delivered at the King's College Hospital .M ed ical School on a variety of subjects and diseases, the individuals discussing the various questions involved seeking to regard them from the preventive angle . The choice of lectures, as of lecturers, was extremely well done, and readers who studied the articles as they appeared from time to time in The Lancet will undoubtedly be glad to have them in this collected form. Others also , whether engaged in the health service or in other branches of medical work, will welcome the opportunity of seeing what authorities like Sir Leonard Hill, Dr. Still, Dr. Poynton, Dr. Bridge and others have to say on the preventive aspect of the specialties in which they are engaged; and without hesitation it may be said that they will find it interesting and that the book is worth having.
A Summary of Food Laws and Regulations. fly C. L. HINTON, r.r.c., British Association of Research for the Cocoa, Chocolate, Sugar, Confectionery and Jam Trades. London: The N ema Press, Ltd ., 19~{4. pp. 90 . Price 21s. net. This is a book produced primarily for the information and guidance of food manufacturers. For that reason it regards food legislation from an angle entirely different from that of the public health worker and administrator. Because this is so, and because it is just as valuable to be able to see things as others see them as " to sec oorsel's as ithers see us," the book is particularly interesting and attractive, if not, indeed, fascinating. The hope of the publishers is that cc the
I\IAHCII.
volu me \\ ill simplify the task of the manufacturer wishing to explore new markets, or to control the composition and quality of the products in accordance with requirements of cxistinj; markets." To this end there are included chapters dealing with particular articles -canned and potted meats, pickles, etc., and the regulations operative in regard to them in different countries, and sections also upon such subjects as labelling, preservatives, colouring matters and the like. Apart from the descriptive matter, there is a collection of extraordinarily complete comparative tables summarising the provisions in most, if not all, countries affecting certain articles of food in various connections. The hook is one that in all probability every food manufacturer will desire to possess and will find almost indispensable. To the health officer specially engaged or concerned in food Work or the administration of food law it will prove, of vcr )' practical utility and value ,
The Complete Law of Housing.
By. H. A. I !ILL, of Gray's Inn, narnster-at-Law. London : Butterworth & Co., Ltd., 19:14. pp. 5R4. Price 25s. net . In the many departments in which Hill's Lawof Housing has become the standard reference book on the subject, the appearance of a second edition will be welcomed. For this, as for the first edition, :\Ir. Hill himself is responsible. It has been prepared with a care similar to that seen in the first edition. The notes and the explanatory matter are clear and helpful, and every effort has been made to bring the contents as fully up-to-date as possible. In due course, no doubt, a third edition will be rendered necessary as a result of the appearance of ne\V legislation, and this will be looked forward to and welcomed as warmly as is this. B.A.,
• A Challenge to Neurasthenia. By
DORIS MAI{Y
London : Williams & Norgate. Ltd., 19~~1. pp. 90. Price 2s. 6d., paper» :k 6d. cloth, net. In reviewing the second edition of this little book about three years ago, it was anticipated that it would receive as favourable a reception as did the first edition. The fact that a third edition has been required suggests that the reception expected was given. In this edition certain new matter has been introduced which is likely to add to the value and usefulness of the little book. ARMITAGE.