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Cardiovascular surgery 1962
102 MEDICAL MYCOLOGY. Febiger, Philadelphia,
Book Reviews CHESTERW. EMMONS,CHAPMAN H. BINFORDand JOHN P. UTZ. Lea & 1963. 380 pp. Indexed. Price $14.00.
IN THISbook the authors have outlined in an excellent review the most significant clinical, cultural and
epidemiologic features of the major mycoses. The illustrations-388 altogether-a majority of which are photomicrographs of lesions containing fungi, are well chosen and reproduced with unusual clarity. The only criticism this reviewer has is that too little attention is given to specific therapy. The authors have had an extensive experience with that phase of the subject and more details of procedures and the possibility of reactions when drugs such as Amphotericin-B are used, would be welcome. There is considerable evidence that the clinical course of serious fungal infections may be modified favorably, when these drugs are tolerated. The authors’ report on cryptococcosis was especially interesting. In that chapter they suggest that milder forms of the disease than those we have recognized so far may exist, and that these infections may be initiated by pigeon droppings, which have been shown to contain C. neoformans. In this connection they were of the opinion that some of the epidemics blamed, at times retrospectively and with insufficient evidence, on Histoplasma may have been caused by the Cryptococcus. It is their concept that the most frequent source of exposure to Histoplasma in urban areas is from fecal contamination of the soil under trees which have served as roosting areas for starlings. Another significant observation along these lines was that the mouse, because of its great susceptibility to Histoplasma organisms, can be used for the purpose of isolating these fungi from the soil or from materials such as sputum. The main text is followed by an appendix outlining many of the methods which have proven their worth in the field of diagnosis; such a ‘dividend’ should enhance the value of the book greatly to any one interested in the study of fungal diseases. A. MURRAY FISHER
CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY 1962. Proceedings of the Council on Cardiovascular Surgery, American Heart Association Monograph No. 6 American Heart Association, Inc., New York, 1963, 202~~. Not indexed. Price $3.00. (Circulation 27, 651-853,1963.) THIS monograph
is prepared by The American Heart Association as the first of a series of annual symposia on Cardiovascular Surgery. Contributions have been collected from centers throughout the country on subjects of particular current interest. It contains a number of advances of importance to those in cardiology and cardiovascular surgery. Of special interest are the reviews of new subjects including hyperbaric oxygenation, the placement of intracardiac valves by a sutureless method, venous thrombectomy for acute thrombosis, and a new clinical entity entitled ‘aortico-left ventricular tunnel.’ The collection of papers in the current monograph constitutes a highly commendable initial volume. It is to be hoped that future annual issues of Cardiovascular Surgery will maintain the standard of the present one. DAVID C. SABI~TON
Book Reviews CHESTERW. EMMONS,CHAPMAN H. BINFORDand JOHN P. UTZ. Lea & 1963. 380 pp. Indexed. Price $14.00.
IN THISbook the authors have outlined in an excellent review the most significant clinical, cultural and
epidemiologic features of the major mycoses. The illustrations-388 altogether-a majority of which are photomicrographs of lesions containing fungi, are well chosen and reproduced with unusual clarity. The only criticism this reviewer has is that too little attention is given to specific therapy. The authors have had an extensive experience with that phase of the subject and more details of procedures and the possibility of reactions when drugs such as Amphotericin-B are used, would be welcome. There is considerable evidence that the clinical course of serious fungal infections may be modified favorably, when these drugs are tolerated. The authors’ report on cryptococcosis was especially interesting. In that chapter they suggest that milder forms of the disease than those we have recognized so far may exist, and that these infections may be initiated by pigeon droppings, which have been shown to contain C. neoformans. In this connection they were of the opinion that some of the epidemics blamed, at times retrospectively and with insufficient evidence, on Histoplasma may have been caused by the Cryptococcus. It is their concept that the most frequent source of exposure to Histoplasma in urban areas is from fecal contamination of the soil under trees which have served as roosting areas for starlings. Another significant observation along these lines was that the mouse, because of its great susceptibility to Histoplasma organisms, can be used for the purpose of isolating these fungi from the soil or from materials such as sputum. The main text is followed by an appendix outlining many of the methods which have proven their worth in the field of diagnosis; such a ‘dividend’ should enhance the value of the book greatly to any one interested in the study of fungal diseases. A. MURRAY FISHER
CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY 1962. Proceedings of the Council on Cardiovascular Surgery, American Heart Association Monograph No. 6 American Heart Association, Inc., New York, 1963, 202~~. Not indexed. Price $3.00. (Circulation 27, 651-853,1963.) THIS monograph
is prepared by The American Heart Association as the first of a series of annual symposia on Cardiovascular Surgery. Contributions have been collected from centers throughout the country on subjects of particular current interest. It contains a number of advances of importance to those in cardiology and cardiovascular surgery. Of special interest are the reviews of new subjects including hyperbaric oxygenation, the placement of intracardiac valves by a sutureless method, venous thrombectomy for acute thrombosis, and a new clinical entity entitled ‘aortico-left ventricular tunnel.’ The collection of papers in the current monograph constitutes a highly commendable initial volume. It is to be hoped that future annual issues of Cardiovascular Surgery will maintain the standard of the present one. DAVID C. SABI~TON