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Autoimmunity: Clinical and experimental
J. chron. Dis. 1968, Vol. 21, pp. 55-56. Pergamon Press. Printed in Great Britain
BOOK REVIEWS AUTOIMMUNDY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL. J. R. ANDERSON,W. W. BUCHANAN and R. B. GOUDIE. Charles C. Thomas, 1967. 485 pp. Indexed. $19.50. AFTERconsideration
of a publication on the subject of autoimmunity, the initial response might be to question the value of another review of this area in view of the numerous symposia, articles and books that have recently appeared. The reply would be that this book on autoimmunity is worth reading and having as a reference text. It is clearly written, concise and objective. The authors have chosen to limit their presentation to certain major areas of autoimmune disease on the basis that complete coverage would become repetitious. This selectivity results in a more useful approach to concepts of autoimmunity without the voluminous data that would result from a complete coverage of all possible diseases which might be related to auto-hypersensitivity. The introductory chapters on immune diseases and immune mechanisms are basic without being superficial. They have little to offer the advanced immunologist but are appropriate for a summary of hypersensitivity reactions. The reviews of the experimental data for each particular organ disease or autoimmune system disease are precise in description and not burdened by an attempt to report every related study, however remote. There are two approaches in the book which make it superior to many isolated reviews. One of these is the limitation of the number of authors which provides a cohesive analysis of the diseases of different systems. The particular value of the book is the interpretation of experimental data and assessment of certain studies as evidence for the role of autoimmunity as pathogenetic mechanisms in the diseases discussed. The observations of the authors are of considerable value in this area, and one might wish that the authors had devoted even more consideration to expressing their opinions of the theoretical aspects of autoimmunity and interpretations of experimental data relating to this subject. The only objections to the book are in regard to the statement on the dust-jacket that the book is oriented for every day practice, which it is not, and the superficial comments on autoimmune disease which appear in the Foreword of the book. The era of concern with the description of antibodies reacting with host tissues is past. Future concern will be with mechanisms of autoimmunity, and this book serves as a useful review of the past and an introduction to the future. ROY PATTERSON
SURGERY OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. 1967. 261 pp. Indexed. $15.00.
LEONARDMARMOR. Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia.
A RNJRCZNCE of interest in the surgical management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the last decade has led to an increasing application of surgical techniques in this disease in medical centers throughout the world. Dr. Marmor’s book, perhaps the tirst directed solely to this subject, provides a concise review with descriptions of the anatomy, pathology, and some of the operative techniques in current use for the correction of many of the abnormalities encountered in rheumatoid arthritis. Introductory chapters on diagnosis and medical management present the subject so briefly that they are of little value. Subsequent chapters are devoted to discussion of the surgical approach to problems of each of the major peripheral joint regions and the cervical spine. Specific functional and anatomical features of each joint which deserve special consideration are well illustrated by diagrams, clinical photographs and X-rays. These lucid presentations should provide the reader a sound basis for the understandings of clinical problems. Important aspects of pre- and post-operative care are. also presented. A major criticism of the book is the didactic manner of presentation which clearly reflects the enthusiasm and bias of the author but gives no hint of the controversial or uncertain aspects of some 55
BOOK REVIEWS AUTOIMMUNDY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL. J. R. ANDERSON,W. W. BUCHANAN and R. B. GOUDIE. Charles C. Thomas, 1967. 485 pp. Indexed. $19.50. AFTERconsideration
of a publication on the subject of autoimmunity, the initial response might be to question the value of another review of this area in view of the numerous symposia, articles and books that have recently appeared. The reply would be that this book on autoimmunity is worth reading and having as a reference text. It is clearly written, concise and objective. The authors have chosen to limit their presentation to certain major areas of autoimmune disease on the basis that complete coverage would become repetitious. This selectivity results in a more useful approach to concepts of autoimmunity without the voluminous data that would result from a complete coverage of all possible diseases which might be related to auto-hypersensitivity. The introductory chapters on immune diseases and immune mechanisms are basic without being superficial. They have little to offer the advanced immunologist but are appropriate for a summary of hypersensitivity reactions. The reviews of the experimental data for each particular organ disease or autoimmune system disease are precise in description and not burdened by an attempt to report every related study, however remote. There are two approaches in the book which make it superior to many isolated reviews. One of these is the limitation of the number of authors which provides a cohesive analysis of the diseases of different systems. The particular value of the book is the interpretation of experimental data and assessment of certain studies as evidence for the role of autoimmunity as pathogenetic mechanisms in the diseases discussed. The observations of the authors are of considerable value in this area, and one might wish that the authors had devoted even more consideration to expressing their opinions of the theoretical aspects of autoimmunity and interpretations of experimental data relating to this subject. The only objections to the book are in regard to the statement on the dust-jacket that the book is oriented for every day practice, which it is not, and the superficial comments on autoimmune disease which appear in the Foreword of the book. The era of concern with the description of antibodies reacting with host tissues is past. Future concern will be with mechanisms of autoimmunity, and this book serves as a useful review of the past and an introduction to the future. ROY PATTERSON
SURGERY OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. 1967. 261 pp. Indexed. $15.00.
LEONARDMARMOR. Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia.
A RNJRCZNCE of interest in the surgical management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the last decade has led to an increasing application of surgical techniques in this disease in medical centers throughout the world. Dr. Marmor’s book, perhaps the tirst directed solely to this subject, provides a concise review with descriptions of the anatomy, pathology, and some of the operative techniques in current use for the correction of many of the abnormalities encountered in rheumatoid arthritis. Introductory chapters on diagnosis and medical management present the subject so briefly that they are of little value. Subsequent chapters are devoted to discussion of the surgical approach to problems of each of the major peripheral joint regions and the cervical spine. Specific functional and anatomical features of each joint which deserve special consideration are well illustrated by diagrams, clinical photographs and X-rays. These lucid presentations should provide the reader a sound basis for the understandings of clinical problems. Important aspects of pre- and post-operative care are. also presented. A major criticism of the book is the didactic manner of presentation which clearly reflects the enthusiasm and bias of the author but gives no hint of the controversial or uncertain aspects of some 55