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Manson's tropical diseases
TRANSACTIONS
OF THE ROYAL
SOCIETY
OF TROPICAL
MEDICINE
1Book Reviews) Gastroenterology in the Tropics and Subtropics: a Practical Approach. D. Watters & C. Kiire (editors).
London & Basingstoke: Macmillan Education, 1995. xvii+446pp. Price $30.95. ISBN O-333-59343-X. The objectives of the editors (working in Papua New Guinea and Zimbabwe, respectively), which are embodied in 24 chapters, are outlined in the Foreword: the book is ‘not intended as a specialist text for gastroenterologists but as a practical book to help all clinicians trying to solve gastrointestinal problems...‘, and to bring together a ‘combination of “hands on” experience and knowledge in the field of gastroenterology’. It is apparently intended not only for clinicians, but for paramedical workers and nurses-a formidable editorial task indeed! The book-attractively produced, but overall underillustrated-is in the main arranged on a symptomatic basis (diarrhoea, dysphagia, abdominal pain, jaundice, etc.), although the editors have clearly run into some difficulties with this approach, and specific entities, e.g., ‘HIV infection of the gastrointestinal tract’, ‘abdominal tuberculosis’, pigbel disease, and pancreatitis also receive separate chapters. The first chapter contains a great deal of valuable information on the organization of a gastrointestinal unit in a developing country. My major concern? however, is that hepatology (which most would consider an integral component within gastroenterology) is underplayed; both acute and chronic hepatic problems receive coverage in a single chapter devoted to jaundice; specific conditions-e.g., invasive amoebiasis, schistosomiasis, visceral leishmaniasis, hydatidosis, and hepatic neoplasia-are, however, scattered throughout the book. Although the 20 contributors all have experience of practice in tropical and subtropical countries, 11 (if South Africa is included) have addressessituated in ‘developed’ areas. Most, but not all, chapters contain selected lists for ‘further reading’ (some much longer than others); whereas these are adequate for much of the designated readership, senior medical staff could doubtless make use of more substantial lists of up-to-date references.In my view, the publisher has set the price far too high for a paper-backed (albeit well produced) book for exclusive use in the ‘developing world’; but for those who can afford it, this timely volume brings together a vast amount of practical advice in a relatively neglected field of ‘tropical literature’. G. C. Cook Hospital for Tropical Diseases St. Pancras Way London, NW1 OI’E, UK
Color Atlas of Tropical
Medicine
and Parasitology,
4th edition. W. Peters & H. M. Gilles. London: Mosby-Wolfe, 1995. viii+248pp. Price E29.95. ISBN o-7234-2069-6.
The third edition of this book, published in 1989,was not reviewed in this journal until 2 years later (1991: Transactions. 85. 412). This time we have manaeed slightly better. The book, already excellent, has also yrnproved. The general format, lay-out and style remain the same, but the number of excellent illustrations has increased from 852 to 976. Althoueh the mice increase (54%) this time outstrips the increise in number of Figures ‘(15%), the book -remains good value for money. Some of the additional illustrations are ecoloeical rather than parasitological, and several of those used”in~theprevious edition have been replaced by better ones (and the
AND HYGIENE
(1996) 90, BOOK REVIEWS
207
quality of reproduciton of others has been improved). The text also has been updated where necessary; for example, the spread of dengue into South America has been noted. Other changes (all for the better) include distributing the Tables throughout the text instead of grouping them at the end; enlarging the already excellent index; and considerably increasing the number of works cited in the bibliography (now-arranged according to chapters). It is, as alwavs, oossible to make a few ‘nit-nickina’ criticisms. The iife’cycle of the African trypanosom& (Fig. 149) has become somewhat heretical, and the photomicrograph of Typanosoma brucei rhodesiensein a thick film of human blood (Fig. 150). which is the same as that used in the third’ e&ion,“has been reduced by about one-third but is still said to be printed at the same magnification (x900). But this is indeed carping. The book remains second to none in the quality of its illustrations, the extent of its coverage,and its topicality. Buy it! John Baker Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Manson House 26 Portland Place London, WIN 4EY, UK
Manson’s Tropical Diseases, 20th edition. G. C. Cook (editor). London: W. B. Saunders, 1996. xviii+l78Opp. Price c85.00. ISBN O-7020-1764-7.
In 1898 Patrick Manson’s Tropical Diseases. A Manual of the Diseases of Warm Climates was nublished. In the brief space of 667 octave sized pages,ihis book encompassedall that was then known on the subject. Nearly a century later Dr Gordon Cook, with the collaboration of 93 colleagues, has produced a new edition of this remarkable textbook, the 20th since its inception. His stated aim, to present a definite change in direction towards ‘medicine in the tropics’, has been attained. With a radically reorganized layout of the contents and much improved printing style, these 1780pagesembrace virtually all that is known today, not only of the many infectious and other conditions that are essentially endemic to the tropics and subtropics, but also of many that present special profiles when observed outside their more familiar habitats in the develooed world. Weiehing nearly 3.7kg, and the text some Ib% larger than that 07 its predecessor,the work is divided into 83 chapters in 5 sections, of which the first (12pp.) is a brief history of ‘Trooical medicine’ and ‘Medicine in the tronics’ bv the editor. Section 2 is in 2 parts: 2A, Symptom’sand signs (14pp.) and 2B, System-oriented disease (364pp.). Section 3 (44pp.) gives a brief account of special aspects of paediatrics,. surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology as encountered in the trooics. The 16 chaoters included in sections 2 and 3 give’ an overview of ;he various fields, essentially with the aim of drawing attention to possible differential diagnoses in a geographical context. Section 4 (208pp.) is a mixed bag of topics under the heading ‘Environmental/genetic disorders’. It embraces such diverse subjects as travel medicine, heat stress and problems related to high altitude, malnutrition, animal and plant toxins, malignancies, diabetes, circulatory disorders, podoconiosis and familial mediterranean fever. Section 5, which forms the major part of this treatise, includes the following subsections: 5A, Viral infections (182pp.); 5B, Rickettsial infections (2Opp.); SC, Bacterial infections (23Opp.); 5D, Mycotic infections (4Opp.); 5E, Protozoan infections (234pp.); SF, Helminthic infections (202pp.); and 5G, Ectoparasites (28pp.). The book concludes, as did most of its predecessors,with extensive appendices: I, Immunology
BOOK REVIEWS
208
Radiology and imaging services (the latter 2 being very brief). The appendices run to 204 pages. With few exceptions each chapter has been entirely rewritten and is as up-to-date as is possible in a vast work of this nature. Many of the first 29 chapters appear for the first time in this edition. The overall presentation is admirably succint yet produces a remarkably complete coverage and I doubt whether any reader will be disappointed when he or she seeksin these pages an account of even the most recentIy described condition. As to the ‘classical’ subjects such as, for example, malaria, the material has been completely rewritten and reorientated to embrace virtually all its aspects?including novel theoretical concepts of pathogenesis, and gives excellent guidance on prevention and therapy. While it is difficult to select specific chapters for special applause, I cannot resist drawing attention to that on ophthalmology which impressesme, as one not specialized in that field, as a superb example of a well balanced, extremely informative presentation. I cannot claim to have read this book from cover to cover but, having dipped into it as deeply as time permits while comparing it chapter by chapter with its predecessor, I have encountered a mere handful of typographical errors as well as one suggestion with which some would take issue-namelv (D. 1319). that trematodes other than schistosomes, b&g less numerous (there are 40 million infections with them, compared with 200 million schistosome infections), are less important and are mainly localized in south-east Asia. There is inevitably some disparity in the depth into which individual contributors have permitted themselves to venture. The new appendix II on medical protozoology, for example, is ad-mirably brief but quite-out of balance with aunendix III on medical helmintholoev. Perhaps the time-has come to accept that excellent books on medical parasitology and entomology are now readily available and remove-these chapters entirely from the next edition. ‘Trouical diseases’are no loneer iust ‘diseasesof warm climates’. Even today new disiases are being discovered, especially those caused by infectious agents. We must forsee not only that this progress will continue, but also that the geographical range of some diseases will extend with the inexorable progress of global warming for which the evidence is now becoming more solid. Physicians and others concerned with the prevention and treatment of the so-called ‘tropical diseases’have access,in this exceptionally complete work, to virtually all the currently available information. Every medical student should receive adequate instruction in
this field wherever he may be studying or will eventually practice. At the extremely modest cost of &85, the 20th edition of ‘Manson’ should become an essential reference work for all physicians, public health workers and medical parasitologists. Dr Cook and his team, not to mention the publishers, deserve high praise and our thanks for this outstanding achievement. W. Peters CABI International Institute of Parasitology 39Sa Ha&eld Road St Albans, Hens, AL4 OXU, UK
[I Books Received* (I WHO Model Prescribing Information. Drugs Used in Parasitic Diseases, 2nd edition. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1995. 146~~. Price SW.fr. 35.-/US$ 31.50 (in developing countries SW. fr. 24.50). ISBN 92-4-140104-4. [Available in English; French and Spanish versions in preparation.] This book provides model prescribing information for some 37 essential drugs used for the prevention and treatment of protozoa1 and helminthic infections. The sections on malaria, African trypanosomiasis, cestodeinfections, schistosomiasis, and onchocerciasis have been extensively revised in the light of new developments in the treatment of these diseases.[The first edition was reviewed in the Transactions, 85,848 (1991).] Anticoagulant Rodenticides. Environmental Health Criteriu, no. 175. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1995. 121~~. Price SW.fr. 21-/IJS$ 18.90 (in developing countries SW.fr. 14. 70). ISBN 92-4-157175-6.[Available in English, with summaries in French and Spanish.1 This book evaluates the risks to human health and the environment posed by the use of anticoagulants for rodent control. *Inclusion of titles in this list does not necessarily imply recommendation by the Society, Editorial Board or Editor.
OF THE ROYAL
SOCIETY
OF TROPICAL
MEDICINE
1Book Reviews) Gastroenterology in the Tropics and Subtropics: a Practical Approach. D. Watters & C. Kiire (editors).
London & Basingstoke: Macmillan Education, 1995. xvii+446pp. Price $30.95. ISBN O-333-59343-X. The objectives of the editors (working in Papua New Guinea and Zimbabwe, respectively), which are embodied in 24 chapters, are outlined in the Foreword: the book is ‘not intended as a specialist text for gastroenterologists but as a practical book to help all clinicians trying to solve gastrointestinal problems...‘, and to bring together a ‘combination of “hands on” experience and knowledge in the field of gastroenterology’. It is apparently intended not only for clinicians, but for paramedical workers and nurses-a formidable editorial task indeed! The book-attractively produced, but overall underillustrated-is in the main arranged on a symptomatic basis (diarrhoea, dysphagia, abdominal pain, jaundice, etc.), although the editors have clearly run into some difficulties with this approach, and specific entities, e.g., ‘HIV infection of the gastrointestinal tract’, ‘abdominal tuberculosis’, pigbel disease, and pancreatitis also receive separate chapters. The first chapter contains a great deal of valuable information on the organization of a gastrointestinal unit in a developing country. My major concern? however, is that hepatology (which most would consider an integral component within gastroenterology) is underplayed; both acute and chronic hepatic problems receive coverage in a single chapter devoted to jaundice; specific conditions-e.g., invasive amoebiasis, schistosomiasis, visceral leishmaniasis, hydatidosis, and hepatic neoplasia-are, however, scattered throughout the book. Although the 20 contributors all have experience of practice in tropical and subtropical countries, 11 (if South Africa is included) have addressessituated in ‘developed’ areas. Most, but not all, chapters contain selected lists for ‘further reading’ (some much longer than others); whereas these are adequate for much of the designated readership, senior medical staff could doubtless make use of more substantial lists of up-to-date references.In my view, the publisher has set the price far too high for a paper-backed (albeit well produced) book for exclusive use in the ‘developing world’; but for those who can afford it, this timely volume brings together a vast amount of practical advice in a relatively neglected field of ‘tropical literature’. G. C. Cook Hospital for Tropical Diseases St. Pancras Way London, NW1 OI’E, UK
Color Atlas of Tropical
Medicine
and Parasitology,
4th edition. W. Peters & H. M. Gilles. London: Mosby-Wolfe, 1995. viii+248pp. Price E29.95. ISBN o-7234-2069-6.
The third edition of this book, published in 1989,was not reviewed in this journal until 2 years later (1991: Transactions. 85. 412). This time we have manaeed slightly better. The book, already excellent, has also yrnproved. The general format, lay-out and style remain the same, but the number of excellent illustrations has increased from 852 to 976. Althoueh the mice increase (54%) this time outstrips the increise in number of Figures ‘(15%), the book -remains good value for money. Some of the additional illustrations are ecoloeical rather than parasitological, and several of those used”in~theprevious edition have been replaced by better ones (and the
AND HYGIENE
(1996) 90, BOOK REVIEWS
207
quality of reproduciton of others has been improved). The text also has been updated where necessary; for example, the spread of dengue into South America has been noted. Other changes (all for the better) include distributing the Tables throughout the text instead of grouping them at the end; enlarging the already excellent index; and considerably increasing the number of works cited in the bibliography (now-arranged according to chapters). It is, as alwavs, oossible to make a few ‘nit-nickina’ criticisms. The iife’cycle of the African trypanosom& (Fig. 149) has become somewhat heretical, and the photomicrograph of Typanosoma brucei rhodesiensein a thick film of human blood (Fig. 150). which is the same as that used in the third’ e&ion,“has been reduced by about one-third but is still said to be printed at the same magnification (x900). But this is indeed carping. The book remains second to none in the quality of its illustrations, the extent of its coverage,and its topicality. Buy it! John Baker Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Manson House 26 Portland Place London, WIN 4EY, UK
Manson’s Tropical Diseases, 20th edition. G. C. Cook (editor). London: W. B. Saunders, 1996. xviii+l78Opp. Price c85.00. ISBN O-7020-1764-7.
In 1898 Patrick Manson’s Tropical Diseases. A Manual of the Diseases of Warm Climates was nublished. In the brief space of 667 octave sized pages,ihis book encompassedall that was then known on the subject. Nearly a century later Dr Gordon Cook, with the collaboration of 93 colleagues, has produced a new edition of this remarkable textbook, the 20th since its inception. His stated aim, to present a definite change in direction towards ‘medicine in the tropics’, has been attained. With a radically reorganized layout of the contents and much improved printing style, these 1780pagesembrace virtually all that is known today, not only of the many infectious and other conditions that are essentially endemic to the tropics and subtropics, but also of many that present special profiles when observed outside their more familiar habitats in the develooed world. Weiehing nearly 3.7kg, and the text some Ib% larger than that 07 its predecessor,the work is divided into 83 chapters in 5 sections, of which the first (12pp.) is a brief history of ‘Trooical medicine’ and ‘Medicine in the tronics’ bv the editor. Section 2 is in 2 parts: 2A, Symptom’sand signs (14pp.) and 2B, System-oriented disease (364pp.). Section 3 (44pp.) gives a brief account of special aspects of paediatrics,. surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology as encountered in the trooics. The 16 chaoters included in sections 2 and 3 give’ an overview of ;he various fields, essentially with the aim of drawing attention to possible differential diagnoses in a geographical context. Section 4 (208pp.) is a mixed bag of topics under the heading ‘Environmental/genetic disorders’. It embraces such diverse subjects as travel medicine, heat stress and problems related to high altitude, malnutrition, animal and plant toxins, malignancies, diabetes, circulatory disorders, podoconiosis and familial mediterranean fever. Section 5, which forms the major part of this treatise, includes the following subsections: 5A, Viral infections (182pp.); 5B, Rickettsial infections (2Opp.); SC, Bacterial infections (23Opp.); 5D, Mycotic infections (4Opp.); 5E, Protozoan infections (234pp.); SF, Helminthic infections (202pp.); and 5G, Ectoparasites (28pp.). The book concludes, as did most of its predecessors,with extensive appendices: I, Immunology
BOOK REVIEWS
208
Radiology and imaging services (the latter 2 being very brief). The appendices run to 204 pages. With few exceptions each chapter has been entirely rewritten and is as up-to-date as is possible in a vast work of this nature. Many of the first 29 chapters appear for the first time in this edition. The overall presentation is admirably succint yet produces a remarkably complete coverage and I doubt whether any reader will be disappointed when he or she seeksin these pages an account of even the most recentIy described condition. As to the ‘classical’ subjects such as, for example, malaria, the material has been completely rewritten and reorientated to embrace virtually all its aspects?including novel theoretical concepts of pathogenesis, and gives excellent guidance on prevention and therapy. While it is difficult to select specific chapters for special applause, I cannot resist drawing attention to that on ophthalmology which impressesme, as one not specialized in that field, as a superb example of a well balanced, extremely informative presentation. I cannot claim to have read this book from cover to cover but, having dipped into it as deeply as time permits while comparing it chapter by chapter with its predecessor, I have encountered a mere handful of typographical errors as well as one suggestion with which some would take issue-namelv (D. 1319). that trematodes other than schistosomes, b&g less numerous (there are 40 million infections with them, compared with 200 million schistosome infections), are less important and are mainly localized in south-east Asia. There is inevitably some disparity in the depth into which individual contributors have permitted themselves to venture. The new appendix II on medical protozoology, for example, is ad-mirably brief but quite-out of balance with aunendix III on medical helmintholoev. Perhaps the time-has come to accept that excellent books on medical parasitology and entomology are now readily available and remove-these chapters entirely from the next edition. ‘Trouical diseases’are no loneer iust ‘diseasesof warm climates’. Even today new disiases are being discovered, especially those caused by infectious agents. We must forsee not only that this progress will continue, but also that the geographical range of some diseases will extend with the inexorable progress of global warming for which the evidence is now becoming more solid. Physicians and others concerned with the prevention and treatment of the so-called ‘tropical diseases’have access,in this exceptionally complete work, to virtually all the currently available information. Every medical student should receive adequate instruction in
this field wherever he may be studying or will eventually practice. At the extremely modest cost of &85, the 20th edition of ‘Manson’ should become an essential reference work for all physicians, public health workers and medical parasitologists. Dr Cook and his team, not to mention the publishers, deserve high praise and our thanks for this outstanding achievement. W. Peters CABI International Institute of Parasitology 39Sa Ha&eld Road St Albans, Hens, AL4 OXU, UK
[I Books Received* (I WHO Model Prescribing Information. Drugs Used in Parasitic Diseases, 2nd edition. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1995. 146~~. Price SW.fr. 35.-/US$ 31.50 (in developing countries SW. fr. 24.50). ISBN 92-4-140104-4. [Available in English; French and Spanish versions in preparation.] This book provides model prescribing information for some 37 essential drugs used for the prevention and treatment of protozoa1 and helminthic infections. The sections on malaria, African trypanosomiasis, cestodeinfections, schistosomiasis, and onchocerciasis have been extensively revised in the light of new developments in the treatment of these diseases.[The first edition was reviewed in the Transactions, 85,848 (1991).] Anticoagulant Rodenticides. Environmental Health Criteriu, no. 175. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1995. 121~~. Price SW.fr. 21-/IJS$ 18.90 (in developing countries SW.fr. 14. 70). ISBN 92-4-157175-6.[Available in English, with summaries in French and Spanish.1 This book evaluates the risks to human health and the environment posed by the use of anticoagulants for rodent control. *Inclusion of titles in this list does not necessarily imply recommendation by the Society, Editorial Board or Editor.