- Email: [email protected]
Lung biology in health and disease, 4. Metabolic functions of the lung
93
Book Reviews 1977, without much ciation. Then, in opposition came the latest alteration, the British Thoracic Association, and so from BTA to BTA in one generation. This small book, written to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Association, is a most readable account of its history. The story is vividly told of the times and of the men who played such an important role in moulding thoracic services in this country as we know them today. Those concerned with the writing of this book deserve praise. It is a fascinating story that many thoracic physicians will want to read.
MAXWELL CAPLIN
Lung Biology in Metabolic Functions Y. New 353.
S. Bakhle
and
J. R. Vane
York: Price
Marcel SFr 112
Dekker.
Lung Biology Development W. New 646.
Health and of the Lung
Alan York: Price
of
in Health the Lungs
1977. and
Disease,
Pp.
4.
xvi+
Disease,
6.
Hodson Marcel SFr 160
Dekker.
1977.
Pp.
xxii+
Of Advances and Recent Trends, of Modern Concepts and Workshops, of Year Books and Annual Reviews and Current Topics, indeed All Sorts of Series of Medical Books there appears to be no end, and here is another one. This one is several cuts above the average, probably at least three standard deviations. The idea of the lung as a metabolic organ has now been circulating long enough to deserve an efficient capillary filter in the form of a monograph. There is about 15 years work to review, the authors appear to be actively in the business as opposed to being in retirement but still drawing director’s fees, and the resulting book (Volume 4) is a success. It will not change the reader’s clinical practice overnight, nor will present knowledge explain much clinical pathophysiology-yet. There are major measurement problems, and the inability for example easily to separate and quantify bronchodilator and bronchoconstrictor prostaglandins in small quantities of blood means that a hypothesis incorporating suitable quantities
of both can be constructed to account for almost any clinical observation. (This temptation is eschewed, mostly, by the authors.) Nevertheless, it is an important field and a reader wishing an introduction to it or a summary of it could do no better than to start here. The problems of pulmonary function and respiratory control in premature infants, especially hyaline membrane disease, and the dramatic pathology of congenital heart disease, ensured the early attention of some of the most talented post-war scientists, many of whom have contributed to Volume 6 on the Development of the Lung. This applies not only to airways, alveoli and blood vessels but also to surface-active material, innervation of the lung, respiratory control, and the physiology of gas exchange, mechanics and control of the pulmonary circulation. The result is an authoritative, critical and comprehensive account. Dr Lenfant (General Editor) is to be congratulated on attracting authors of such high calibre to contribute to these two volumes, and in ensuring an even clear style. The books are well produced, with references up to 1976 or 1977, and can be confidently recommended. K. B. SAUNDERS
Current
Therapy
Howard
F. Conn
Philadelphia 1977. Pp.
and xlii+,689.
1977
London: Price
W. L19.50
B.
Saunders.
This book contains 284 articles written by 343 contributors. It sets out to describe, ‘latest approved methods of treatment’ for a wide range of diseases from acanthocytosis to Zenker’s diverticula, but it does not say who does the approving. The treatment described in each case is the ‘method’ of the individual contributor, and references are omitted entirely. Such descriptions may be biased and disputable; they are of no use to the specialist and can be misleading to doctors working in other fields. The book costs almost E20; its size and weight (5 lb) preclude its use as a handy guide to therapy for the junior doctor and I can see no place for it in any situation where developed medical services are available. B. S. MANTELL
Book Reviews 1977, without much ciation. Then, in opposition came the latest alteration, the British Thoracic Association, and so from BTA to BTA in one generation. This small book, written to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Association, is a most readable account of its history. The story is vividly told of the times and of the men who played such an important role in moulding thoracic services in this country as we know them today. Those concerned with the writing of this book deserve praise. It is a fascinating story that many thoracic physicians will want to read.
MAXWELL CAPLIN
Lung Biology in Metabolic Functions Y. New 353.
S. Bakhle
and
J. R. Vane
York: Price
Marcel SFr 112
Dekker.
Lung Biology Development W. New 646.
Health and of the Lung
Alan York: Price
of
in Health the Lungs
1977. and
Disease,
Pp.
4.
xvi+
Disease,
6.
Hodson Marcel SFr 160
Dekker.
1977.
Pp.
xxii+
Of Advances and Recent Trends, of Modern Concepts and Workshops, of Year Books and Annual Reviews and Current Topics, indeed All Sorts of Series of Medical Books there appears to be no end, and here is another one. This one is several cuts above the average, probably at least three standard deviations. The idea of the lung as a metabolic organ has now been circulating long enough to deserve an efficient capillary filter in the form of a monograph. There is about 15 years work to review, the authors appear to be actively in the business as opposed to being in retirement but still drawing director’s fees, and the resulting book (Volume 4) is a success. It will not change the reader’s clinical practice overnight, nor will present knowledge explain much clinical pathophysiology-yet. There are major measurement problems, and the inability for example easily to separate and quantify bronchodilator and bronchoconstrictor prostaglandins in small quantities of blood means that a hypothesis incorporating suitable quantities
of both can be constructed to account for almost any clinical observation. (This temptation is eschewed, mostly, by the authors.) Nevertheless, it is an important field and a reader wishing an introduction to it or a summary of it could do no better than to start here. The problems of pulmonary function and respiratory control in premature infants, especially hyaline membrane disease, and the dramatic pathology of congenital heart disease, ensured the early attention of some of the most talented post-war scientists, many of whom have contributed to Volume 6 on the Development of the Lung. This applies not only to airways, alveoli and blood vessels but also to surface-active material, innervation of the lung, respiratory control, and the physiology of gas exchange, mechanics and control of the pulmonary circulation. The result is an authoritative, critical and comprehensive account. Dr Lenfant (General Editor) is to be congratulated on attracting authors of such high calibre to contribute to these two volumes, and in ensuring an even clear style. The books are well produced, with references up to 1976 or 1977, and can be confidently recommended. K. B. SAUNDERS
Current
Therapy
Howard
F. Conn
Philadelphia 1977. Pp.
and xlii+,689.
1977
London: Price
W. L19.50
B.
Saunders.
This book contains 284 articles written by 343 contributors. It sets out to describe, ‘latest approved methods of treatment’ for a wide range of diseases from acanthocytosis to Zenker’s diverticula, but it does not say who does the approving. The treatment described in each case is the ‘method’ of the individual contributor, and references are omitted entirely. Such descriptions may be biased and disputable; they are of no use to the specialist and can be misleading to doctors working in other fields. The book costs almost E20; its size and weight (5 lb) preclude its use as a handy guide to therapy for the junior doctor and I can see no place for it in any situation where developed medical services are available. B. S. MANTELL