Anesthesiology: Continuing Education Review. By Slack Steven J. & DeKornfeld Thomas J. Published (Paperback) by Medical Examination Publishing Inc., New York. Pp. 305; indexed.

1276 especially since some of them occur in mathematical formulae which appear in the text without any derivation. A particularly bad example is the analysis of defibrillator circuitry on page 291, where there is a series of symbol omissions from the set of equations. Another surprising error is the statement, on page 323, that the potential of the U.K. mains supply is 230 V. This is implied again elsewhere in the book. There are problems in some of the diagrams too, an example being figure 5.5, which does not match its caption or the text. In conclusion, although the book has its uses, the reader requiring a progressive, readable and lucid introduction to the subject of Intensive Care Instrumentation will find this volume heavy going. Paul Davis

BRITISH JOURNAL OF ANAESTHESIA Parenttral and Enttral Nutrition: A Practical Guide, 2nd Edn. By G. D. Phillips and C. L. Odgers. Published (1982) by the Flinders University of South Australia. Pp. 310.

Downloaded from http://bja.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Michigan on July 10, 2015

Parenenteral nutriton is an area of patient care that is undertaken with increasing enthusiasm, but often with little insight. This small book will do much to avoid the unnecessary morbidity and even mortality associated with i.v. nutrition. The authors are the Director of an Intensive Care Unit and a Pharmacist, and this unusual combination have produced an excellent didatic guide. The book is up to date, with extensive references (including 1982) and many useful tables of information that is otherwise hard to find. The main uses of the book are likely to be as an essential reference work on the Intensive Care Unit and as an aid to hospitals initiating a nutritional service. The enthusiasm and practical experience of the authors shine through the text, but Anesthetiology: Continuing Education Review. By Steven J. Slack they cannot be accused of uncritical judgement as they report & Thomas J. DeKornfeld. Published (Paperback) by Medi- recent work showing the limited benefits accruing from total cal Examination Publishing Inc., New York. Pp. 305; parenteral nutrition. indexed. Since the first edition, two of the chapters added to the book are the Physiological and Biochemical Bases of Nutrition and the The "short essay" type of examination question is being increas- Metabolic Effects of Starvation, Sepsis and Trauma. In many ingly used in higher examinations. It requires a candidate to state ways these are the least successful chapters, as they are so cogently and precisely the important aspects of the problem compressed as to be little more than short summaries. In addiposed. Short essay questions rarely seek for esoteric knowledge, tion, the role ascribed to the catabolic hormones in regulating substrate mobilization is, in some instances, at variance with and allow little scope for the candidate to develop arguments. This book contains 400 such questions, each with a model recent work. answer of 200-400 words. A key reference is given with each In summary, this book represents excellent value with its answer, the references in the main being to either standard wealth of useful information, and will build on the success textbooks or recent ASA Refresher Course lectures. The main enjoyed by the first edition. purpose of the book is to prepare trainees for the American Board G.M.Hall examinations. The authors also intend the book to act as an update for the practising anaesthetist. The scope of the book includes the basic sciences, pre-, intra- and post-operative anaesthetic management, anaesthesia for specialized surgery, Anaathesia and Patient Cart. By T. C. K. Brown. Published by regional anaesthesia and problems in intensive therapy. Blackwell Scientific Publications. Illustrated. Price £6.50. Of necessity, the contents of this book reflect North American Dr Brown is an eminent Australian anaesthetist specializing in practice, and several of the suggested answers would not be considered appropriate in the United Kingdom. Whilst, for paediatrics and he has produced an exceptionally readable and instance, verapamil and similar drugs are the subject of one clear handbook intended for anaesthetic assistants, whether nurses or others. My enthusiasm for the book is undoubtedly question, lignocaine, quinidine and procainamide are the agents the authors most frequently advocate for the treatment of cardiac fired by Dr Brown's almost uncanny inclusion of virtually all the arrhythmias In a few questions the authors forget that short details of attitude and practice about which I feel strongly, but essays demand a "first things first" approach, and describe the which so rarely are allowed to rise to the surface in a written text: such matters as allowing the anaesthetist to monopolize the rare before the common. The most disappointing section of the patient's attention immediately before induction and the need to book is to be found in the few questions devoted to physics. The factor given to convert mmHg to kPa is incorrect, as is the keep patients informed of the reasons for delays. formula described to calculate output concentration from a vapIt is not surprising that the special requirements of children are orizer. Absolute humidity is dismissed as a useless concept. The given rightful prominence, instead of their usual relegation to a gas laws, with the exception of Dalton's Law, are considered to be subsidiary position or worse. of mere flradrmir interest. These strictures apart, the majority of Dr Brown acknowledges the help he has had from nurses and the model answers are well organized, clear and precise. medical students during preparation and this has dearly helped to avoid unexplained jargon. I think some people might have diffiBecause of its wide scope this book will be as useful to the United Kingdom anaesthetist as to his North American counter- culty coping with the term "dead space" which occurs several part. Forthcoming rhangi*« in the F.F. A. examinations are likely to times before an explanation and even then is not clearly divided between patient and apparatus. lead to short-essay type written papers, and the trainee can use It is always difficult to know where to start when attempting to this volume both to discover gaps in his knowledge and to practise simplify a complex process such as anaesthesia and the initial this type of essay. Few clinicians could read this book without chapter is commendably entitled "The Patient". Although the gleaning at least one new piece of information to update their knowledge. The final page of the book, giving advice on how to primary aim of the book is to instruct anaesthetists' assistants, it should be recommended reading for all medical students. pass the oral section of the American Board examination, should be compulsory reading for Fellowship candidates and their The thinking behind all the activities related to anaesthetic care teachers. is comprehensively related to the practicalities of drug and fluid C. M. Contoay administration and the care of equipment. The range of possible