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Diagnostic and Experimental Methods in Tuberculosis
606
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CHEST PHYSICIANS
No v.• 1952
Book Review Diagnostic and Experimental Methods in Tuberculosis . By Henry Stuart
Willis and Martin Marc Cummings. Charles C. Thomas, Springfield. Illinois. 2nd Edition. 1951. The appearance of Diagnostic and Experimental Methods in Tuberculosis, by Henry Stuart Willis, in 1928, represented a landmark in the study of this disease. This edition has been almost completely rewritten as a result of the great advances, particularly in diagnostic methods and chemotherapy, that have emerged since the first edition was written. At that time tuberculosis was the foremost cause of death in this country, but was recognized usually in an advanced stage following the development of severe symptoms, and was treated mainly by rest and palliative measures. Now, chiefly as a result of the campaign against tuberculosis, to which this book and its authors have made such substantial contributions, tuberculosis is no longer numbered among the leading half-dozen causes of death in the United States, although it still kills millions every year in the entire world . It, is now being detected at an early stage by mass screening methods, and active disease demonstrated by the cultivation of the bacilli by modern methods long before they could be found by the older microscopic techniques. Experimental investigations into the treatment of tuberculosis was then mere random probing into the unknown, and the few workers in this field were often admonished to cease a hopeless quest, and tQ devote their energies to more profitable projects. Now chemotherapy founded on such researches has become an essential part of the treatment of most patients with tuberculosis, and millions of dollars are being expended on developing it by hardheaded business men and their host of highly trained and eager workers. The immunology of tuberculosis then appeared to be an academic exercise of idle contemplation, tuberculin a relic of an abandoned therapy, and of diagnostic value only in infancy, and vaccination another fad of a few Frenchmen. Now that more than forty million people all over the world have been tuberculin tested, and half of them vaccinated with BCG, in the most extensive ' organized medical program in history, it has become increasingly urgent that the production and administration of these agents, and the observation and interpretation of the results, be improved and standardized, and their phenomena better understood. This volume not only contains detailed directions for the performance of scores of useful diagnostic tests and experimental procedures, and for the observation and recording of their results, but from a rich background of historic perspective and the extensive laboratory and clinical experiences of the authors presents an evaluation of their significance such as few others could afford. In the numerous disputed points in the laboratory study of tuberculosis, such as the life cycle of the bacillus, the significance of granules, the existence of filtrable forms, the range of dissociation, the taxonomy of non-pathogenic acid fast bacilli, the value of tuberculin and of vaccination, and the many technical details in volved in the procedures described, the tyro will appreciate the authoritative guidance, while even dissenting experts will profit from the clear exposition of the authors views. Emil Bogen.
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CHEST PHYSICIANS
No v.• 1952
Book Review Diagnostic and Experimental Methods in Tuberculosis . By Henry Stuart
Willis and Martin Marc Cummings. Charles C. Thomas, Springfield. Illinois. 2nd Edition. 1951. The appearance of Diagnostic and Experimental Methods in Tuberculosis, by Henry Stuart Willis, in 1928, represented a landmark in the study of this disease. This edition has been almost completely rewritten as a result of the great advances, particularly in diagnostic methods and chemotherapy, that have emerged since the first edition was written. At that time tuberculosis was the foremost cause of death in this country, but was recognized usually in an advanced stage following the development of severe symptoms, and was treated mainly by rest and palliative measures. Now, chiefly as a result of the campaign against tuberculosis, to which this book and its authors have made such substantial contributions, tuberculosis is no longer numbered among the leading half-dozen causes of death in the United States, although it still kills millions every year in the entire world . It, is now being detected at an early stage by mass screening methods, and active disease demonstrated by the cultivation of the bacilli by modern methods long before they could be found by the older microscopic techniques. Experimental investigations into the treatment of tuberculosis was then mere random probing into the unknown, and the few workers in this field were often admonished to cease a hopeless quest, and tQ devote their energies to more profitable projects. Now chemotherapy founded on such researches has become an essential part of the treatment of most patients with tuberculosis, and millions of dollars are being expended on developing it by hardheaded business men and their host of highly trained and eager workers. The immunology of tuberculosis then appeared to be an academic exercise of idle contemplation, tuberculin a relic of an abandoned therapy, and of diagnostic value only in infancy, and vaccination another fad of a few Frenchmen. Now that more than forty million people all over the world have been tuberculin tested, and half of them vaccinated with BCG, in the most extensive ' organized medical program in history, it has become increasingly urgent that the production and administration of these agents, and the observation and interpretation of the results, be improved and standardized, and their phenomena better understood. This volume not only contains detailed directions for the performance of scores of useful diagnostic tests and experimental procedures, and for the observation and recording of their results, but from a rich background of historic perspective and the extensive laboratory and clinical experiences of the authors presents an evaluation of their significance such as few others could afford. In the numerous disputed points in the laboratory study of tuberculosis, such as the life cycle of the bacillus, the significance of granules, the existence of filtrable forms, the range of dissociation, the taxonomy of non-pathogenic acid fast bacilli, the value of tuberculin and of vaccination, and the many technical details in volved in the procedures described, the tyro will appreciate the authoritative guidance, while even dissenting experts will profit from the clear exposition of the authors views. Emil Bogen.