Medicine in modern society

Books Reviews ~Iedicine in Modern Society. DAvm ~IESMAN,M.D., Princeton, N. J., 1939~ Princeto~ University Press ~ pp. 226. Price $2.50. In these times when medical writing for the laity consists chiefly of polemic novels, medical autobiographies of more or less interesting and unimportant lives which offer an outlet to the ego, an(] that excrescence on medical literature known generally as the ne'wspaper " h e M t h column," produced by columnist% some o f whom have never practiced medicine, the value of which the reviewer feels lies in the remuneration to the writer rather than in the information set forth to the public, it is a pleasure to run across a book like this. Dr. Riesman, for many years one of the leading physicians and internists in Philadelphia and a teacher at the University of Pennsylwmia, has produced for the laity a book on medicine and its problems which presents briefly the past and, in more detail, the present, and which for the knowledge it contains and the b r e a d t h of view from which it is w r i t t e n would be hard to duplicate. Throughout, one has the vision of a wise and tolerant man who is in love with his profession and to whom medicine is an ideal. The book is based on a series of Iectm'es known as the Vanuxem Lectures delivered by the author before a lay audience at Princeton University. The theme lies in the author's belief that " t h e history of medicine is in reality art epitome of the history of civilization and should form a p a r t of every m a n ' s c u l t u r e . " After a :few brief chapters on the art and science of medicine and medical progress through the centuries, eertain specific topics are discussed among which are cancer, medical education, medical ethics, cults, superstitions and the '~family doctor. ~' I n a chapter on the social outlook in medicine~ present-day problems and conditions which are the subject of so much controversy are presented. I t is in this chapter perhaps that the tolerance and maturity of the author are best seen. The writing throughout is clear and simple, as good writing should be. It is a readable book that the physician may well recommend to his lay friends who are interested in the story of medicine and in its future. Biographies of Child Development. ARNOLD (~ESELL, ]3. ~V~. CASTNER, ]=[ELEN THOMPSON, and C. A. A~Ia'rKUDA. New York, 1939, Paul B. Hoeber, pp. 328. Price $3.75. This is one .of the most interesting books that has appeared from the Yale Clinic of Child Development. I n contrast to some of the earlier publications, it has more to do with results than methods and for this reason appeals more to the average reader. In P a r t I the report of a series of 30 eases published ten years ago and restudied after this interval is given. The development in later childhood in nearly all instances has justified the implication of the early growth pattern. There is just enough discrepancy "rod failure in the prediction and outcome to impress the reader with the view that the early growth pattern does give a distinct clue to the development in later childhood, i t is not too perfect to be true. In P a r t I I a number of developmental biographies are presented from the standpoint of factors influenelng the growth pattern. Thus eases of immaturity and premature birth, language and reading disabilities, and physieM complications are recorded. The value of Dr. Gesell's work and methods will undoubtedly tind a permanent place in the study of child development. 558