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Lawson Tait
Volume
.~q
!\umber 3
BOOK REVIEW8
703
The book eloses with a very practical discussion of how to prevent errors in gynecological diagnosis. The book may be commended for use of students and residents, as well as for those who may be preparing for a demonstration of their ability of pelvic diagnosis before certifying hoards. PHILIP F. WILLIAMS. In the second edition of Essentials of Gynecology3 the authors have revised the discussion of the technique and nursing procedures in gynecology, in line with the changes made during the past eight years in the operating rooms of .Johns Hopkins Hospital. They have also incorporated in the text reference to significant advances in gynecology. A new chapter on radiation therapy in gynecology by Dr. Bernard Brack has been added. The first nine chapters on Anatomy, Physiology, and Disease, form a concise but clear discussion of the basic s:.~bject matter. Four chapters are devoted to gynecological surgery and should give tl:e student nurse an excellent idea of what goes on in the operating room and recovery period and her relation to the surgeon and the patient. These chapters thoroughly describe the technique of the Hopkins Clinic and the pre- and postoperative handling of the patient. The chapter on radiation therapy should give the nurse sufficient information of the use of radium and of her duties in the care of a radium patient during the treatment. This well-written manual should be helpful to nurses interested in gynecologic nursing. PHILIP F. \Vn~LIAMS. Dr. Hamblen has written this book, Facts About the Change of Life,4 with the feeling that education of the patient in physiology, hygiene, and in medical problems is a fundamental part of a patient-physician relationship. The book is simply and directly written, and discusses for the laity the anatomy and physiology of a woman's pelvic organs, and the associated glands of internal secretion. The text discusses for the patient the changes which occur to bring about the cessation of pelvic functions, and informs her physician how he may enlighten the patient as to the underlying causes of jittery nerves rwd mental quirks. The author discusses for the lay person the anatomic sequelae of s3xual involution and gives a common-sense discussion of malignancy. He feels that estrogen treatment of the menopause should be very limited in its duration, that the psychology of estrogen injections is bad, that only a minority of women undergoing the menopause require such treatments. He states that estrogen properly used is a boon, but improperly given may prove a curse. This book may be recommended unhesitatingly to the woman approaching or undergoing her change of life. PHILIP F. WILLIAMS. Dr. I. Harvey Flack has written an interesting and thoroughly documented story of Lawson Tait,-> a stormy petrel in British surgery. The book is an expansion of the Thomas Vicary lecture of the Royal College of Surgeons for 1947. Dr. Flack has extensively searched the records for previous unpublished items regarding Tait, as well as studied previous biographical sketches of this remarkable figure. Discussing Vicary's definition of a surgeon, he writes that Tait would have scored on three of Vi cary's four requisites, in that he was learned, expert, and ingenious, but that he was not invariably well mannered. The story carries through Tait 's early days as a student and assistant, with side lights on the men with whom he was associated, particularly in regard to the legend that he was an illegitimate son of Sir .Tames Y. Simpson. From the beginning of his special practice in Birmingham, he was in immediate conflict with his confreres, showing them a remarkable want of respect for age and authority. Flack discusses Tait 's early operative techniques, his substitution of the ligature for the extraperitoneal clamp in ovariotomy, his •Essentials of Gynecology_ By Leo Brady, M.D., F.A.C.S .. Assistant Professor of Gynecology, Johns Hopkins University, and Ethna Louise Kurtz, R.N., Formerly. Head Nurse. Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Eileen McLaughlin, B.S .. R.N.. Instructor and Supervisor. Gynecological Nursing, Johns Hopkins Hospital. Second Edition, 248 pages with 5.5 illustrations. New York, 1949. The Macmillan Company.
•Facts About the Change of Life. By E. C. Hamblen, M.D., F.A.C.S., Professor of Endocrinology and Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University School of Medicine. 86 pages with 6 illustrations. Springfield, Ill., 1949, Charles C Thomas. 5LawMon Tait, 1845-1899. By I. Harvey Flack, M.D. 1:!9 pages, illustrate
HOOK RE\.lEWH
7()-l.
.\m.
J.
Uhst. & Gynec ~\'larch, lfliO
pioneer work on the gall bladder, and what is probably his best-known surgical advancP, the prompt removal of ruptured tubal pregnancy. As his case lists inereased, he became a (•onstant reporter of his work and at ever~- oppo1·hmit~· attacked vigorously all who riift'ered with him. It is interesting that 'l'ait was opposed to the uHe of animals in research surgery. His famous quarrel with his old friend, Sir Spencer Wells, is discussed, as well as his attitude townrii the discoveries of Lord Lister and Pasteur. His acme and his death are well portrayed. Dr. Flack has given us a fine picture of this nrilliant surgeon and :fine writer-a domineering ami pugnacious personalit~· in the development of gynecology in ~;ng!anrl. PHILIP F. \VJLLIAMS.
In the first chapter of this hook, Ectopic Pregnancy," .:\{asani observes that perhaps the most fascinating condition in gynecology is that of extrauterine pregnancy. In his history of the lesion, first note is an excellent section on differential diagnosis. Rome truly unusual instances of ectopic nidation are referred to in this ehapter. He recounts the pioneer surgical treatment of lesion, the <'hoice of anesthetie, and stresses the subject of blood transfusion. He feels that surgical advanees, prompt operation, and the aYailability of prompt and sufficient transfusions should still further reduce the
I>r. Titus has rearranged the subject matter and adeen arlded illustrations of the treatment of sterility which is regarded as an obstetrir· problem, as well as the treatment of minor postpartum complications, tlw techniques of sterilization, anrl treatment of suppurative mastitis, while the popular methods of analgesia anrl anesthesia are illustrated and briefly discussed. One feels, howeYer, that eyclopropane mentioned as conyentional for late first stage all!] second stage anrl rlelin•r_y by inhalation brings the patient repeatr>illy within range of explosibility. This atlas should he in eontinuerl favor because of the excellent pictorial presentation of what ont> may have to do in a compli<'aterl obstetrical rase. It seems appropriate that <•redit for the line illuRtrationR, hy E. l\L 1'-lhakleforrl, Rhoulii he mentioned in the review. PHTJ.JP }'. \Yn.r.rAMH. 6 Ectopi(· Pregnam·y. l:ly K. M. 1\lasani . .VI.l>. (Lonrl.), F.H.C.S. (Eng.), Honorary Lecturer in Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Seth Gorhandas Sunder
1...~tlas
of
Ob~tetrit~
Technh.>.
By Paul Titus, _M_.D .. Obstetrician-Gynecologist to the St.
Margaret Memorial Hospital, Pittsburgh. Seconol l•:dition. St. Louis, l\1·!9, The C. V. Mosby Compan~·-
HH pages with 203 illustrations.
.~q
!\umber 3
BOOK REVIEW8
703
The book eloses with a very practical discussion of how to prevent errors in gynecological diagnosis. The book may be commended for use of students and residents, as well as for those who may be preparing for a demonstration of their ability of pelvic diagnosis before certifying hoards. PHILIP F. WILLIAMS. In the second edition of Essentials of Gynecology3 the authors have revised the discussion of the technique and nursing procedures in gynecology, in line with the changes made during the past eight years in the operating rooms of .Johns Hopkins Hospital. They have also incorporated in the text reference to significant advances in gynecology. A new chapter on radiation therapy in gynecology by Dr. Bernard Brack has been added. The first nine chapters on Anatomy, Physiology, and Disease, form a concise but clear discussion of the basic s:.~bject matter. Four chapters are devoted to gynecological surgery and should give tl:e student nurse an excellent idea of what goes on in the operating room and recovery period and her relation to the surgeon and the patient. These chapters thoroughly describe the technique of the Hopkins Clinic and the pre- and postoperative handling of the patient. The chapter on radiation therapy should give the nurse sufficient information of the use of radium and of her duties in the care of a radium patient during the treatment. This well-written manual should be helpful to nurses interested in gynecologic nursing. PHILIP F. \Vn~LIAMS. Dr. Hamblen has written this book, Facts About the Change of Life,4 with the feeling that education of the patient in physiology, hygiene, and in medical problems is a fundamental part of a patient-physician relationship. The book is simply and directly written, and discusses for the laity the anatomy and physiology of a woman's pelvic organs, and the associated glands of internal secretion. The text discusses for the patient the changes which occur to bring about the cessation of pelvic functions, and informs her physician how he may enlighten the patient as to the underlying causes of jittery nerves rwd mental quirks. The author discusses for the lay person the anatomic sequelae of s3xual involution and gives a common-sense discussion of malignancy. He feels that estrogen treatment of the menopause should be very limited in its duration, that the psychology of estrogen injections is bad, that only a minority of women undergoing the menopause require such treatments. He states that estrogen properly used is a boon, but improperly given may prove a curse. This book may be recommended unhesitatingly to the woman approaching or undergoing her change of life. PHILIP F. WILLIAMS. Dr. I. Harvey Flack has written an interesting and thoroughly documented story of Lawson Tait,-> a stormy petrel in British surgery. The book is an expansion of the Thomas Vicary lecture of the Royal College of Surgeons for 1947. Dr. Flack has extensively searched the records for previous unpublished items regarding Tait, as well as studied previous biographical sketches of this remarkable figure. Discussing Vicary's definition of a surgeon, he writes that Tait would have scored on three of Vi cary's four requisites, in that he was learned, expert, and ingenious, but that he was not invariably well mannered. The story carries through Tait 's early days as a student and assistant, with side lights on the men with whom he was associated, particularly in regard to the legend that he was an illegitimate son of Sir .Tames Y. Simpson. From the beginning of his special practice in Birmingham, he was in immediate conflict with his confreres, showing them a remarkable want of respect for age and authority. Flack discusses Tait 's early operative techniques, his substitution of the ligature for the extraperitoneal clamp in ovariotomy, his •Essentials of Gynecology_ By Leo Brady, M.D., F.A.C.S .. Assistant Professor of Gynecology, Johns Hopkins University, and Ethna Louise Kurtz, R.N., Formerly. Head Nurse. Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Eileen McLaughlin, B.S .. R.N.. Instructor and Supervisor. Gynecological Nursing, Johns Hopkins Hospital. Second Edition, 248 pages with 5.5 illustrations. New York, 1949. The Macmillan Company.
•Facts About the Change of Life. By E. C. Hamblen, M.D., F.A.C.S., Professor of Endocrinology and Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University School of Medicine. 86 pages with 6 illustrations. Springfield, Ill., 1949, Charles C Thomas. 5LawMon Tait, 1845-1899. By I. Harvey Flack, M.D. 1:!9 pages, illustrate
HOOK RE\.lEWH
7()-l.
.\m.
J.
Uhst. & Gynec ~\'larch, lfliO
pioneer work on the gall bladder, and what is probably his best-known surgical advancP, the prompt removal of ruptured tubal pregnancy. As his case lists inereased, he became a (•onstant reporter of his work and at ever~- oppo1·hmit~· attacked vigorously all who riift'ered with him. It is interesting that 'l'ait was opposed to the uHe of animals in research surgery. His famous quarrel with his old friend, Sir Spencer Wells, is discussed, as well as his attitude townrii the discoveries of Lord Lister and Pasteur. His acme and his death are well portrayed. Dr. Flack has given us a fine picture of this nrilliant surgeon and :fine writer-a domineering ami pugnacious personalit~· in the development of gynecology in ~;ng!anrl. PHILIP F. \VJLLIAMS.
In the first chapter of this hook, Ectopic Pregnancy," .:\{asani observes that perhaps the most fascinating condition in gynecology is that of extrauterine pregnancy. In his history of the lesion, first note
I>r. Titus has rearranged the subject matter and ad
1...~tlas
of
Ob~tetrit~
Technh.>.
By Paul Titus, _M_.D .. Obstetrician-Gynecologist to the St.
Margaret Memorial Hospital, Pittsburgh. Seconol l•:dition. St. Louis, l\1·!9, The C. V. Mosby Compan~·-
HH pages with 203 illustrations.