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Ciba Foundation Symposium on paper electrophoresis
Book Reviews ‘I’HEKAPY OF FUNGUS DISEASES-AN INTERNATIONAL SYMI’OSIIJM. Edited by Thomas H. Sternberg, M.D., and Victor D. Newcomer, M.D. Pp. 337, with 42, figures; indexed. Boston, 1956, Little, Brown & Company. Price $7.50. This volume represents papers presented at a two and one-half day symposium on fungus The conference was sponsored by the Dividiseases occurring in this and eight foreign countries. sion of Dermatology of the School of Medicine and the Extension Divisions of the Medical School of the University of California at Los Angeles, and made possible by the financial assistance of the Squibb Institute for Medical Research. The symposium covered much more than therapy, In fact, the data on successful therapeutic procedures and drugs for the treatment of both superficial and deep mycotic infections were rather meager and forcefully emphasized the validity of the statement by Dr. Pillsbury in his introductory remarks, “Among all the microbial infections of man, the diseases caused by, fungi are perhaps the most difficult to modify in their course or to The prevalence of the dermatoses and systemic fungal infections are given for India, prevent.” France, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines, the Ukraine and Italy, together with experience in treatment. Other chapters deal with the ecology of fungi and the epidemiology, pathoDr. Waksman discusses genesis, pathology, and immunologic aspects of their respective diseases. the origin, chemical nature, and activity of antibacterial and antifungal antibiotics derived from bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes. Considerable space is devoted to the pharmacology, fungistatic and fungicidal activity of Mycostatin (Squibb) in the treatment of experimental infections in animals caused by Monilia, Coccidioides immitis, H. capsulatum, and Blastomyces. Experience in the treatment of human Encouraging exinfections caused by these agents as well as superficial fungi is also recorded. periences with other antifungal drugs and antibiotics in the treatment of experimental infections are recorded. Those deserving further clinical trial include MRD-112 (Merrell), 2-hydroxystilbamidine (Merrell), antibiotic 1968 (Nepera), nitrostyrenes, filipin, an antibiotic, and rhodanine, an organic sulfur compound. This volume will be of value of anyone interested in the fungi and the diseases they cause. The investigator will appreciate the remarks of Dr. Pillsbury that “approaches to the therapy of fungus diseases must be increasingly bold and imaginative and necessarily will involve basic studies He which do not-indeed should not-have any prospect of immediate practical application.” then sets forth “approaches which appear worth while.” Clayton G. Loosli CIBA FOUNDATION SYMPOSIUM ON PAPER ELECTKOPHORESIS. G. E. W. Wolstenholme, O.B.E., M.A., M.B., B.Ch., and Elaine C. I’. Millar, il.H.-W.C., A.R.I.C. Price Pp. 224, with 74 illustrations; indexed. Boston, 1956, Little, Brown and Company. $6.75. In the preface to this volume one finds an explanation that the symposium was titted into a previously planned schedule by the Ciba Foundation for the dual purposes of clarifying the technique of paper electrophoresis and of helping the overseas participants to attend another Congress which was held immediately afterward. This reviewer applauds the editors for their
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forthright honesty in explaining the very apparent lack of planning of a well-rounded program, and he hopes that the participants enjoyed the other Congress mentioned so that at least part of the expressed purpose was realized. =\ number of fine points concerning technique are made by the notable contributors, but most of these points are well hidden in the discussions. A number of methods are discussed but with insufficient detail to aid the beginner and lacking in newness to intrigue those who have worked in the field. Clinical detail is clearly not part of the symposium. The whole sense 01 the meeting seemed admirably stated by one discussant of a paper concerning the reading of the electrophoretic strip: “I think I could sum up this discussion in the following way: that it really is not possible to recommend one procedure or the other; it must vary from case to case and the research worker has simply to use his common sense.” If his common sense tells him not to buy this book, the research worker will save $6.75. Ernest
\V. Smith
CIBA FOUND.L\TION SYMPOSIUM ON BONE STKI-CTI-RE .4ND METABOLISM. t’p. G. E. W. Wolstenholme, O.B.E., M..l., M.B., B.Ch., and Cecilia M. O’Connor, B.Sc. 299, with 121 illustrations; indexed. Boston, 1956, Little, Brown and Company. I’rice $8.00. This book is published by the Ciba Foundation, which was founded for the promotion of international cooperation in medical and chemical research. Its appearance at this time is much appreciated by those who are working in the field of bone structure and metabolism. It reports the progress made in this field up to the time of the conference, which took place in July, 1955. Not all of those who have The participants were well selected and represent leaders in the field. contributed heavily to this field were present at the conference, but the authors usually presented their own work in such a way that reference to the work of those who were absent was noted. The bibliographies at the end of each chapter are not exhaustive but they appear adequate. Several disciplines are represented: anatomy, biochemistry and chemistry, physics and biophysics, and clinical medicine. The conferences were conducted in a manner similar to those sponsored by the Josiah Macy, Jr., Foundation on Metabolic Interrelations which were held in Sew York yearly between 1949 and 1953. A subject was presented by an authority in each ctf the fields of research represented at the conference, and subsequently an open discussion was These discussions held by any of the participants who cared to comment on the work presented. are reported at the end of each chapter. In this way, the multiple disciplines represented at the These discussions are printed and irconference were brought to bear on each of the subjects. crease the value of the material formally presented in each chapter. More European participants were able to attend this conference on bone than those which were previously held in New York by the Josiah Mac)-, Jr., Foundation, and points of view which did not appear in the Transactions of the Conferences on Metabolic Interrelations are therefore This symposium report brings one up to date on present in this Ciba Foundation Symposium. research progress in the field of bone structure and metabolism as well as any’ book could do. ‘L‘he It is the opinion of the rematerial is put together simply and the illustrations are valuable. viewer that anyone working in the field of bone structure and metabolism, including internists who are interested in the problems of electrolyte balance, and orthopedic surgeons who are interested in bone as a skeletal structure, should read this hook. Robert
ALCOHOLISM A3 A MEDICAL PROBLEM. Hoeber-Harper. Pp. 102 ; indexed. $3.00.
Edited
by H. D. Krusc,
A. Robinson
M.D., New York,
1956,
This small volume consists of a series of articles on alcoholism by several contributors who participated in a conference held under the auspices of the Committee on Public Health of the New York Academy of Medicine and the New York State Mental Health Commission. The
Volume 5 Number 2
271
forthright honesty in explaining the very apparent lack of planning of a well-rounded program, and he hopes that the participants enjoyed the other Congress mentioned so that at least part of the expressed purpose was realized. =\ number of fine points concerning technique are made by the notable contributors, but most of these points are well hidden in the discussions. A number of methods are discussed but with insufficient detail to aid the beginner and lacking in newness to intrigue those who have worked in the field. Clinical detail is clearly not part of the symposium. The whole sense 01 the meeting seemed admirably stated by one discussant of a paper concerning the reading of the electrophoretic strip: “I think I could sum up this discussion in the following way: that it really is not possible to recommend one procedure or the other; it must vary from case to case and the research worker has simply to use his common sense.” If his common sense tells him not to buy this book, the research worker will save $6.75. Ernest
\V. Smith
CIBA FOUND.L\TION SYMPOSIUM ON BONE STKI-CTI-RE .4ND METABOLISM. t’p. G. E. W. Wolstenholme, O.B.E., M..l., M.B., B.Ch., and Cecilia M. O’Connor, B.Sc. 299, with 121 illustrations; indexed. Boston, 1956, Little, Brown and Company. I’rice $8.00. This book is published by the Ciba Foundation, which was founded for the promotion of international cooperation in medical and chemical research. Its appearance at this time is much appreciated by those who are working in the field of bone structure and metabolism. It reports the progress made in this field up to the time of the conference, which took place in July, 1955. Not all of those who have The participants were well selected and represent leaders in the field. contributed heavily to this field were present at the conference, but the authors usually presented their own work in such a way that reference to the work of those who were absent was noted. The bibliographies at the end of each chapter are not exhaustive but they appear adequate. Several disciplines are represented: anatomy, biochemistry and chemistry, physics and biophysics, and clinical medicine. The conferences were conducted in a manner similar to those sponsored by the Josiah Macy, Jr., Foundation on Metabolic Interrelations which were held in Sew York yearly between 1949 and 1953. A subject was presented by an authority in each ctf the fields of research represented at the conference, and subsequently an open discussion was These discussions held by any of the participants who cared to comment on the work presented. are reported at the end of each chapter. In this way, the multiple disciplines represented at the These discussions are printed and irconference were brought to bear on each of the subjects. crease the value of the material formally presented in each chapter. More European participants were able to attend this conference on bone than those which were previously held in New York by the Josiah Mac)-, Jr., Foundation, and points of view which did not appear in the Transactions of the Conferences on Metabolic Interrelations are therefore This symposium report brings one up to date on present in this Ciba Foundation Symposium. research progress in the field of bone structure and metabolism as well as any’ book could do. ‘L‘he It is the opinion of the rematerial is put together simply and the illustrations are valuable. viewer that anyone working in the field of bone structure and metabolism, including internists who are interested in the problems of electrolyte balance, and orthopedic surgeons who are interested in bone as a skeletal structure, should read this hook. Robert
ALCOHOLISM A3 A MEDICAL PROBLEM. Hoeber-Harper. Pp. 102 ; indexed. $3.00.
Edited
by H. D. Krusc,
A. Robinson
M.D., New York,
1956,
This small volume consists of a series of articles on alcoholism by several contributors who participated in a conference held under the auspices of the Committee on Public Health of the New York Academy of Medicine and the New York State Mental Health Commission. The