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Histochemistry in Pathology
BOOK R E V I E W S
Ethics, Legal Medicine and Forensic Pathology, VERNOND. PLEUCKHAHN, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne. ISBN 0 522 84252 6, 287 pp., colour illustrations. $39.50. In the First Edition of Medico-Legal Investigation of Death by Spitz and Fisher (Charles C. Thomas) the authors stated that three basic questions should be considered by an author writing a book. Why, who needs it? Is it needed now? Why should the author in question, rather than others, undertake this work.
227
One of them however, which purports to show epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) staining in a breast carcinoma metastasis in skin, ir described as a lobular carcinoma when it is clearly ductular. Moreover the text quite erroneously suggests that the skin lesion illustrated could have been misdiagnosed as multiple myeloma or lymphoma. This makes the exercise of staining for EMA with the immunoperoxidase method appear somewhat contrived in this instance and sadly gives the critics of the use of these new technologies some unwarranted support.
R. Whilehead
Applying these questions to this publicationWhy, who needs it? The author states that he has written this book as a practical approach to the more common medico-legal issues that may be faced in modern medical practice and as a guide to further reading. Is it needed now? The author introduces the changes in laws relating to medical practitioners and the rapid changes in social and scientific medicine which introduce new ethical problems. He discusses these fully, gives guidelines, and then leaves the reader to make the final decision. Occasionally he even hazards a look into the future. Why this author. Dr Plueckhahn has extensive experience in the applications of Forensic Medicine, and has done original research in practical aspects, particularly in relation to infections, and to the metabolism of alcohol. He has succeeded admirably in his effort to produce a text of value for medical graduates and undergraduates, and professionals in fields allied to Forensic Medicine. Though written primarily for the Australian scene it has many applications for overseas readers, and 1 would recommend it for any N.Z. graduate intending to work in Australia. The book is well produced with an added bonus of 48 plates in colour, each of which is a practical demonstration of some part of the text. At the price the book is a bargain.
F. J . Cairns
Histochemistry in Pathology, Eds. M. ISABELFILIPE AND BRIAN D. LAKE Churchill Livingstone, Longman Cheshire Group, Melbourne. 1983 347 pp, illustrated. ISBN 0-443-02429-4. $103.60. This book has 25 contributors from all parts of the world and is aimed primarily at the diagnostic histopathologist. It is not claimed to be either a comprehensive pathology or a histochemistry text and although it has introductory chapters concerning the general principles of histochemistry it is really a collection of the individual experience of a variety of expert pathologists in a particular field of tissue diagnosis. Much of what it contains, particularly concerning the non-immunologically based histochemical methods can be found in other standard books. The emphasis, however, is on the application of these special procedures to a variety of both common and unusual diagnostic problems. This will be attractive to the busy anatomical pathologists requiring a comfortably sized bench book, Its real strength however is that it focuses attention on the use of immunohistochemical procedures based upon the peroxidase or similar techniques. The increasing availability of both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against a variety of specific tissue components, normal and abnormal, is revolutionizing tissue pathology by gradually diminishing its element of subjectivity. This is seen to its best effect in the current classifications of the lymphomas. More and more laboratories should indeed be engaged in the use of many of the techniques outlined in this book. Those who are in the process of setting up their methods will find several helpful practical hints in many of the chapters and the appendix is particularly useful. It is a well produced volume and the illustrations are excellent. The colour plates in particular are impressive.
Annual Review of Immunology, Volume I , Eds. W. E. PAUL, C. G . FATHMAN A N D H . METZGER. 1983. Annual Reviews, Inc., Palo Alto, California. 666 pp.. illustrated, index. ISBN 0-8243-3001-3 US$30.00 The arrival of another serial publication in the field of immunology usually provokes groans of anguish and gritting of teeth at the prospect of yet more words to wade through or, guiltily, ignore. The first volume in this new series from Annual Reviews, Inc. is a welcome exception. Without reading it from cover to cover-an exercise in which few will engage-one cannot comment in detail on the contents. One can, however, say from a sampling of the book that the contributors and editors seem to have maintained the high standards for which other Annual Reviews series are well known and respected. In the tradition established in other Annual Reviews this one opens with a lively and fascinating account by Elvin Kabat of his first 21 years in research, beginning with his graduation from college at the age of 18. This should be savoured and treasured, especially by those who have already had the good fortune t o be regaled by Kabat’s reminiscences. There are 21 reviews, the topics being scattered over the spectrum of immunology: molecular, cellular, genetic, pathological, theoretical. The average size of the reviews is 30 pages, which makes them not too daunting to the reader pressed for time. The literature citations are remarkably up-to-date: there are numerous 1982 references and more than a handful to papers already published in 1983. 1 liked the tone and content of the reviews in fields with which I am moderately familiar and I could actually understand those in fields which are less familiar and difficult, such as molecular genetics; from this I conclude that the writing is of a generally high standard. This book is, I think, a ‘must’ for all immunologists. It should also be very useful for others for whom immunology is a peripheral interest. At a time when new developments are taking place almost faster than one can learn the necessary new language Annual Reviews of Immunology should provide a comfortable haven in which one can quietly and efficiently inform oneself about recent advances. At US$30 it is also extraordinarily good value. The publishers, the editor, Dr W. E. Paul, his associate editors, the editorial committee and contributors are all to be congratulated o n such a promising start to the series.
D. S. Nelson
Notes on Antimicrobial Therapy, JANESYMONDS, 1983. Churchill Livingstone, Longman Cheshire Group, Melbourne. ISBN 0-443 02953-9. 195 pp. Tabies. $1 1.90. This book, aimed at medical students, outlines general principles of antibiotic prescribing and the properties of individual antimicrobial agents, including those used in the treatment of fungal, parasitic and viral infections. The agents discussed are those available in the United Kingdom and hence the discussion is not always relevant to Australian conditions (e.g. the author’s preferred parenteral cephalosporin is cefuroxime). While one cannot quarrel with the author’s intention to keep this book as brief as possible, the usefulness of the book would have been
Ethics, Legal Medicine and Forensic Pathology, VERNOND. PLEUCKHAHN, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne. ISBN 0 522 84252 6, 287 pp., colour illustrations. $39.50. In the First Edition of Medico-Legal Investigation of Death by Spitz and Fisher (Charles C. Thomas) the authors stated that three basic questions should be considered by an author writing a book. Why, who needs it? Is it needed now? Why should the author in question, rather than others, undertake this work.
227
One of them however, which purports to show epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) staining in a breast carcinoma metastasis in skin, ir described as a lobular carcinoma when it is clearly ductular. Moreover the text quite erroneously suggests that the skin lesion illustrated could have been misdiagnosed as multiple myeloma or lymphoma. This makes the exercise of staining for EMA with the immunoperoxidase method appear somewhat contrived in this instance and sadly gives the critics of the use of these new technologies some unwarranted support.
R. Whilehead
Applying these questions to this publicationWhy, who needs it? The author states that he has written this book as a practical approach to the more common medico-legal issues that may be faced in modern medical practice and as a guide to further reading. Is it needed now? The author introduces the changes in laws relating to medical practitioners and the rapid changes in social and scientific medicine which introduce new ethical problems. He discusses these fully, gives guidelines, and then leaves the reader to make the final decision. Occasionally he even hazards a look into the future. Why this author. Dr Plueckhahn has extensive experience in the applications of Forensic Medicine, and has done original research in practical aspects, particularly in relation to infections, and to the metabolism of alcohol. He has succeeded admirably in his effort to produce a text of value for medical graduates and undergraduates, and professionals in fields allied to Forensic Medicine. Though written primarily for the Australian scene it has many applications for overseas readers, and 1 would recommend it for any N.Z. graduate intending to work in Australia. The book is well produced with an added bonus of 48 plates in colour, each of which is a practical demonstration of some part of the text. At the price the book is a bargain.
F. J . Cairns
Histochemistry in Pathology, Eds. M. ISABELFILIPE AND BRIAN D. LAKE Churchill Livingstone, Longman Cheshire Group, Melbourne. 1983 347 pp, illustrated. ISBN 0-443-02429-4. $103.60. This book has 25 contributors from all parts of the world and is aimed primarily at the diagnostic histopathologist. It is not claimed to be either a comprehensive pathology or a histochemistry text and although it has introductory chapters concerning the general principles of histochemistry it is really a collection of the individual experience of a variety of expert pathologists in a particular field of tissue diagnosis. Much of what it contains, particularly concerning the non-immunologically based histochemical methods can be found in other standard books. The emphasis, however, is on the application of these special procedures to a variety of both common and unusual diagnostic problems. This will be attractive to the busy anatomical pathologists requiring a comfortably sized bench book, Its real strength however is that it focuses attention on the use of immunohistochemical procedures based upon the peroxidase or similar techniques. The increasing availability of both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against a variety of specific tissue components, normal and abnormal, is revolutionizing tissue pathology by gradually diminishing its element of subjectivity. This is seen to its best effect in the current classifications of the lymphomas. More and more laboratories should indeed be engaged in the use of many of the techniques outlined in this book. Those who are in the process of setting up their methods will find several helpful practical hints in many of the chapters and the appendix is particularly useful. It is a well produced volume and the illustrations are excellent. The colour plates in particular are impressive.
Annual Review of Immunology, Volume I , Eds. W. E. PAUL, C. G . FATHMAN A N D H . METZGER. 1983. Annual Reviews, Inc., Palo Alto, California. 666 pp.. illustrated, index. ISBN 0-8243-3001-3 US$30.00 The arrival of another serial publication in the field of immunology usually provokes groans of anguish and gritting of teeth at the prospect of yet more words to wade through or, guiltily, ignore. The first volume in this new series from Annual Reviews, Inc. is a welcome exception. Without reading it from cover to cover-an exercise in which few will engage-one cannot comment in detail on the contents. One can, however, say from a sampling of the book that the contributors and editors seem to have maintained the high standards for which other Annual Reviews series are well known and respected. In the tradition established in other Annual Reviews this one opens with a lively and fascinating account by Elvin Kabat of his first 21 years in research, beginning with his graduation from college at the age of 18. This should be savoured and treasured, especially by those who have already had the good fortune t o be regaled by Kabat’s reminiscences. There are 21 reviews, the topics being scattered over the spectrum of immunology: molecular, cellular, genetic, pathological, theoretical. The average size of the reviews is 30 pages, which makes them not too daunting to the reader pressed for time. The literature citations are remarkably up-to-date: there are numerous 1982 references and more than a handful to papers already published in 1983. 1 liked the tone and content of the reviews in fields with which I am moderately familiar and I could actually understand those in fields which are less familiar and difficult, such as molecular genetics; from this I conclude that the writing is of a generally high standard. This book is, I think, a ‘must’ for all immunologists. It should also be very useful for others for whom immunology is a peripheral interest. At a time when new developments are taking place almost faster than one can learn the necessary new language Annual Reviews of Immunology should provide a comfortable haven in which one can quietly and efficiently inform oneself about recent advances. At US$30 it is also extraordinarily good value. The publishers, the editor, Dr W. E. Paul, his associate editors, the editorial committee and contributors are all to be congratulated o n such a promising start to the series.
D. S. Nelson
Notes on Antimicrobial Therapy, JANESYMONDS, 1983. Churchill Livingstone, Longman Cheshire Group, Melbourne. ISBN 0-443 02953-9. 195 pp. Tabies. $1 1.90. This book, aimed at medical students, outlines general principles of antibiotic prescribing and the properties of individual antimicrobial agents, including those used in the treatment of fungal, parasitic and viral infections. The agents discussed are those available in the United Kingdom and hence the discussion is not always relevant to Australian conditions (e.g. the author’s preferred parenteral cephalosporin is cefuroxime). While one cannot quarrel with the author’s intention to keep this book as brief as possible, the usefulness of the book would have been