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Atlas of clinical gastroenterology
BOOK REVIEWS
May 1988
ogy, and as a source for occasional terologists and surgeons.
reference
to gastroen-
BRIAN WEST, M.D.
New
Haven, Connecticut
Doctors in Science and Society: Essays of a Clinical Scientist. By Christopher C. Booth. 318 pp., The Memoir Club, British Medical Journal, Cambridge, England, 1987. ISBN O-7279-0189-3. In his usually felicitous and informative fashion, Chris Booth, quondam gastroenterologist, now the Director of the Clinical Research Centre at Northwick Park, indulges his interests and amplifies our wonder at medical history. The collection, largely derived from formal lectures to assorted groups, has no particular overarching plan, other than an association with Sir Christopher’s abiding interest in Yorkshire and the Quakers. He has always had a fascination with American medical history, and so it is not surprising that among the papers, which range from “Clinical Science in the Age of Reason” to a more hortatory oration on “Clinical Science Today,” there should be one on “Three Doctors and the American Revolution.” Booth has a way with the unknown. For example, in a chapter called “A Pupil of Boerhaave” he tells us of William Hillary, one of the first English physicians to write a book about tropical disease, and the earliest account of tropical sprue. In commenting on a visit by Dr. Hillary to Lawrence Washington in the Barbados, Booth unearths our first President’s comments on the reassurance given to his brother about his tuberculosis: “He did in a favourable light, giving great assurance, that it was not so fixed but that a cure might be effectually made.” In an aside, Booth observes, “Yet no physician will readily leave his patient without hope, whose therapeutic effects are mysteriously effective, and there is therefore much to commend in Hillary’s encouragement.” Whatever he writes, Booth ties the near past to the present and the future, much as he does in his own person. As we learn, for example, that the university should be a place of “light, liberty and learning,” we reflect on the growing dichotomy between molecular medicine, now under the aegis of the cell biologists, and clinical research now so tightly focused by grants from industry. The book has been my pleasant companion on several trips. Attractively bound, it will repay in pleasure and enlightenment the few dollars that it costs. IHOWARD SPIRO, M.D.
New
Haven. Connecticut
Atlas of Clinical Gastroenterology. By J.J. Misiewicz, C.I. Bartram, P.B. Cotton, A.S. Mee, A.B. Price, and R.P.H. Thompson. 283 pp., 966 illustrations, $110.00. Gower Medical Publishing Limited, London, 1987. ISBN o-81211059-5. From the first many readers will feel a sense of “deja vu” when looking through this atlas, and appropriately so. From 1985 through 1987 Glaxo Pharmaceuticals distrib-
1239
uted it as three separate volumes, one per year, as each came available from the authors and publishers. Volume I comprised chapters l-6, covering the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine; volume II contained chapters 7-13, reviewing the pancreas and lower gastrointestinal tract; and volume III, with chapters 14-20, discussed miscellaneous conditions and the hepatobiliary system. For the potential buyer unfortunate enough not to have received these “freebies,” Gower Publishing has bound these volumes into a single hardbacked package to be purchased for somewhere just over $100. In every respect identical to the Glaxo-distributed version, this book contains the aforementioned 20 chapters in 283 pages. Adhering closely to the atlas form, each chapter is resplendent with beautifully reproduced photographs, endophotographs, photomicrographs, radiographs, and artistic renderings totaling nearly 1000 illustrations, about four per page. As one can surmise, the text is kept brief and concise, referring constantly to the visual aids and relying on them to convey the message. Likewise, following the style of a true atlas, this book does not afford discussions of evaluation or therapy and cannot serve as a source of references, but is designed specifically to be an exercise in the visual. Because this is not meant to be an endoscopic, radiographic, or histologic atlas no one of these facets receives primary attention, but each is amply represented in an effective pictorial combination. The result is an easily read, lavishly illustrated atlas covering normal anatomy and most common pathology of the digestive system that can be thoroughly absorbed with minimal time expenditure. Though it is a beautiful work it cannot, by its very nature, serve as a definitive text or even as a source of references, so it cannot be recommended to students or residents whose contact with gastroenterology is usually superficial. It is, however, unequalled to date as a beautifully illustrated, concisely written [and appropriately titled) atlas of clinical gastroenterology and has set a high standard for future authors who may make similar efforts. Though I do not feel that this atlas should be considered a “first-line” purchase, for the subspecialist who wishes to maintain a complete [and attractive] library, and who did not benefit from Glaxo’s generosity, this atlas is well worth the price. fOEL E. HADE, M.D.
New Haven.
Connecticut
Walter B. Cannon, The Life and Times of a Young Scientist. By Saul Benison, A. Clifford Barger, and Elin L. Wolfe. 520 pp., $30.00. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts and London, United Kingdom, ISBN o-674-94580-8. The editor knew when he assigned me this biography of Cannon’s first half-life that it might be an emotional event for both of us. I’m pleased that he took the chance, as some parts of the biography, early years and the relationship with his family, especially his wife Cornelia, were subjects that were not available in my youth, when my father worked as his assistant. My Cannon story goes like this:
May 1988
ogy, and as a source for occasional terologists and surgeons.
reference
to gastroen-
BRIAN WEST, M.D.
New
Haven, Connecticut
Doctors in Science and Society: Essays of a Clinical Scientist. By Christopher C. Booth. 318 pp., The Memoir Club, British Medical Journal, Cambridge, England, 1987. ISBN O-7279-0189-3. In his usually felicitous and informative fashion, Chris Booth, quondam gastroenterologist, now the Director of the Clinical Research Centre at Northwick Park, indulges his interests and amplifies our wonder at medical history. The collection, largely derived from formal lectures to assorted groups, has no particular overarching plan, other than an association with Sir Christopher’s abiding interest in Yorkshire and the Quakers. He has always had a fascination with American medical history, and so it is not surprising that among the papers, which range from “Clinical Science in the Age of Reason” to a more hortatory oration on “Clinical Science Today,” there should be one on “Three Doctors and the American Revolution.” Booth has a way with the unknown. For example, in a chapter called “A Pupil of Boerhaave” he tells us of William Hillary, one of the first English physicians to write a book about tropical disease, and the earliest account of tropical sprue. In commenting on a visit by Dr. Hillary to Lawrence Washington in the Barbados, Booth unearths our first President’s comments on the reassurance given to his brother about his tuberculosis: “He did in a favourable light, giving great assurance, that it was not so fixed but that a cure might be effectually made.” In an aside, Booth observes, “Yet no physician will readily leave his patient without hope, whose therapeutic effects are mysteriously effective, and there is therefore much to commend in Hillary’s encouragement.” Whatever he writes, Booth ties the near past to the present and the future, much as he does in his own person. As we learn, for example, that the university should be a place of “light, liberty and learning,” we reflect on the growing dichotomy between molecular medicine, now under the aegis of the cell biologists, and clinical research now so tightly focused by grants from industry. The book has been my pleasant companion on several trips. Attractively bound, it will repay in pleasure and enlightenment the few dollars that it costs. IHOWARD SPIRO, M.D.
New
Haven. Connecticut
Atlas of Clinical Gastroenterology. By J.J. Misiewicz, C.I. Bartram, P.B. Cotton, A.S. Mee, A.B. Price, and R.P.H. Thompson. 283 pp., 966 illustrations, $110.00. Gower Medical Publishing Limited, London, 1987. ISBN o-81211059-5. From the first many readers will feel a sense of “deja vu” when looking through this atlas, and appropriately so. From 1985 through 1987 Glaxo Pharmaceuticals distrib-
1239
uted it as three separate volumes, one per year, as each came available from the authors and publishers. Volume I comprised chapters l-6, covering the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine; volume II contained chapters 7-13, reviewing the pancreas and lower gastrointestinal tract; and volume III, with chapters 14-20, discussed miscellaneous conditions and the hepatobiliary system. For the potential buyer unfortunate enough not to have received these “freebies,” Gower Publishing has bound these volumes into a single hardbacked package to be purchased for somewhere just over $100. In every respect identical to the Glaxo-distributed version, this book contains the aforementioned 20 chapters in 283 pages. Adhering closely to the atlas form, each chapter is resplendent with beautifully reproduced photographs, endophotographs, photomicrographs, radiographs, and artistic renderings totaling nearly 1000 illustrations, about four per page. As one can surmise, the text is kept brief and concise, referring constantly to the visual aids and relying on them to convey the message. Likewise, following the style of a true atlas, this book does not afford discussions of evaluation or therapy and cannot serve as a source of references, but is designed specifically to be an exercise in the visual. Because this is not meant to be an endoscopic, radiographic, or histologic atlas no one of these facets receives primary attention, but each is amply represented in an effective pictorial combination. The result is an easily read, lavishly illustrated atlas covering normal anatomy and most common pathology of the digestive system that can be thoroughly absorbed with minimal time expenditure. Though it is a beautiful work it cannot, by its very nature, serve as a definitive text or even as a source of references, so it cannot be recommended to students or residents whose contact with gastroenterology is usually superficial. It is, however, unequalled to date as a beautifully illustrated, concisely written [and appropriately titled) atlas of clinical gastroenterology and has set a high standard for future authors who may make similar efforts. Though I do not feel that this atlas should be considered a “first-line” purchase, for the subspecialist who wishes to maintain a complete [and attractive] library, and who did not benefit from Glaxo’s generosity, this atlas is well worth the price. fOEL E. HADE, M.D.
New Haven.
Connecticut
Walter B. Cannon, The Life and Times of a Young Scientist. By Saul Benison, A. Clifford Barger, and Elin L. Wolfe. 520 pp., $30.00. Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts and London, United Kingdom, ISBN o-674-94580-8. The editor knew when he assigned me this biography of Cannon’s first half-life that it might be an emotional event for both of us. I’m pleased that he took the chance, as some parts of the biography, early years and the relationship with his family, especially his wife Cornelia, were subjects that were not available in my youth, when my father worked as his assistant. My Cannon story goes like this: