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Modern electrocardiography
BOOK
MODERN CONCEPTS IN MEDICINIS. pany. Price $11.50. As the author points out to facilitate the understanding
By
Julius
155
REVIEWS
Jensen.
in the opening sentence of internal medicine.”
St.
Louis,
of his preface,
1953,
The
“This
C. V. Mosby book
has been
Comwritten
It will be recalled that a year ago, in collaboration with Henry W. Noller, Dr. Jensen published his Introduction to Medical Science, (The C. V. Mosby Company, St. Louis, 1952), a volume which has been very well received by medical students and physicians throughout the Englishspeaking world. The present monograph was partly inspired by a meticulous study of the history of medicine, which the author undertook in preparation for the above mentioned book, and partly by recent progress in the field of cybernetics. Against this background, Dr. Jensen now reviews the whole of internal medicine with a special emphasis upon the role of adaptation and maladaptation. He thus attempts to develop a conceptual basis for an integrated, unitary interpretation of the very nature of disease. After an introductory chapter, in which he outlines his “functional approach to an integrated concept of medicine,” he discusses, at some length, the basic biochemical, physiological and pathological processes, which he considers to be of fundamental importance, both in the process of adaptation and in the genesis of disease. Then follow sections on the “Structural Facilities in Support of Adaptive Processes,” in which the individual organ-systems and their diseases are described, and “Cybernetics,” in which-after a brief description of the principles of cyberneticsthe author proceeds to a study of enzymes, vitamins, endocrines, and the nervous system, as integrators of vital processes in health and disease, Because of the strong, and often very original views expressed by the author, his philosophic interpretations will, no doubt, provoke a great deal of controversy. However, no one will be able to deny that the book is not only imaginative and thought-provoking, but also represents a brief textbook of both biochemistry and medicine in which quite objective and concise synopses of the chief biochemical processes and disease conditions are outlined in an integrated form. The publishing
composition, company.
illustrations,
paper,
and
binding
are
in line
with
the high
tradition
of the H. S.
VISCERAL CIRCULATION. Boston, 1953, Little,
Ciba Brown,
Foundation Symposium, & Co. Price $6.50.
1951.
John
McMichael,
Chairman.
This little book contains a wealth of information for the student, anatomist, physiologist, and clinical investigator. Presentations by authorities are discussed freely and critically by other investigators. This is the most valuable feature of the symposium. Much of the work is published for the first time, but sufficient background is given to make the material comprehensible. One feels projected at times into the future by the possibilities of some of the ideas expressed. A. M. MODERN ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY. Wilkins Company. Price
By
Eugene
Lepeschkin,
M.D.
Baltimore,
1952,
Williams
&
$12.00.
This book is a really remarkable piece of work, which has no counterpart in textbooks published in this country. It constitutes a compendium of world literature on the subject of electrocardiography since 1934. A book of this sort is of great usefulness to the electrocardiographer of some experience in that he can find ready reference to almost any phase of the subject he may wish to investigate. Because the book contains such a vast number of references, it makes very difficult reading for the tyro. It is not recommended for the student who wishes a step-by-step presentation of development of theory in this subject. Dr. Lepeschkin’s section on instruments and is of special interest to one who wishes of modern instruments.
is one of the best obtainable in the current to know the operating characteristics and
literature limitations
156
AMERICAN
HEART
JOURNAL
The extent of coverage of the author’s reading may he illustrated by the following: One of the artifacts in electrocardiography is written up in the technical builetin of a commercial company. Correct reference to this ohscure article will be found in Dr. Lepeschkin’s book. This book, with its well-arranged bibliography, is recommended as an indispensable reference work for the library of any electrocardiographer. c. w. CARDIOGRAPHIC Inc. Price
TECHNIQUE. $5.50.
By S. L. Barron
and A. Schott.
New
York,
1952, Grune
& Stratton,
This volume is a rather elaborate manual of operation for electrocardiographic instruments and for procedures by cardiographic technicians. The anatomic and physiologic background of the electrocardiogram is reviewed. The construction and operation of various types of electrocardiographic instruments are then described. Some of the material may be confusing to American technicians in that the description involves terms such as “valves” and “mains” rather than the usual American phrases. The volume would appear to be of value where more than the usual operating manual for electrocardiographic instruments is desired by a technician. J. V. W.
MODERN CONCEPTS IN MEDICINIS. pany. Price $11.50. As the author points out to facilitate the understanding
By
Julius
155
REVIEWS
Jensen.
in the opening sentence of internal medicine.”
St.
Louis,
of his preface,
1953,
The
“This
C. V. Mosby book
has been
Comwritten
It will be recalled that a year ago, in collaboration with Henry W. Noller, Dr. Jensen published his Introduction to Medical Science, (The C. V. Mosby Company, St. Louis, 1952), a volume which has been very well received by medical students and physicians throughout the Englishspeaking world. The present monograph was partly inspired by a meticulous study of the history of medicine, which the author undertook in preparation for the above mentioned book, and partly by recent progress in the field of cybernetics. Against this background, Dr. Jensen now reviews the whole of internal medicine with a special emphasis upon the role of adaptation and maladaptation. He thus attempts to develop a conceptual basis for an integrated, unitary interpretation of the very nature of disease. After an introductory chapter, in which he outlines his “functional approach to an integrated concept of medicine,” he discusses, at some length, the basic biochemical, physiological and pathological processes, which he considers to be of fundamental importance, both in the process of adaptation and in the genesis of disease. Then follow sections on the “Structural Facilities in Support of Adaptive Processes,” in which the individual organ-systems and their diseases are described, and “Cybernetics,” in which-after a brief description of the principles of cyberneticsthe author proceeds to a study of enzymes, vitamins, endocrines, and the nervous system, as integrators of vital processes in health and disease, Because of the strong, and often very original views expressed by the author, his philosophic interpretations will, no doubt, provoke a great deal of controversy. However, no one will be able to deny that the book is not only imaginative and thought-provoking, but also represents a brief textbook of both biochemistry and medicine in which quite objective and concise synopses of the chief biochemical processes and disease conditions are outlined in an integrated form. The publishing
composition, company.
illustrations,
paper,
and
binding
are
in line
with
the high
tradition
of the H. S.
VISCERAL CIRCULATION. Boston, 1953, Little,
Ciba Brown,
Foundation Symposium, & Co. Price $6.50.
1951.
John
McMichael,
Chairman.
This little book contains a wealth of information for the student, anatomist, physiologist, and clinical investigator. Presentations by authorities are discussed freely and critically by other investigators. This is the most valuable feature of the symposium. Much of the work is published for the first time, but sufficient background is given to make the material comprehensible. One feels projected at times into the future by the possibilities of some of the ideas expressed. A. M. MODERN ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY. Wilkins Company. Price
By
Eugene
Lepeschkin,
M.D.
Baltimore,
1952,
Williams
&
$12.00.
This book is a really remarkable piece of work, which has no counterpart in textbooks published in this country. It constitutes a compendium of world literature on the subject of electrocardiography since 1934. A book of this sort is of great usefulness to the electrocardiographer of some experience in that he can find ready reference to almost any phase of the subject he may wish to investigate. Because the book contains such a vast number of references, it makes very difficult reading for the tyro. It is not recommended for the student who wishes a step-by-step presentation of development of theory in this subject. Dr. Lepeschkin’s section on instruments and is of special interest to one who wishes of modern instruments.
is one of the best obtainable in the current to know the operating characteristics and
literature limitations
156
AMERICAN
HEART
JOURNAL
The extent of coverage of the author’s reading may he illustrated by the following: One of the artifacts in electrocardiography is written up in the technical builetin of a commercial company. Correct reference to this ohscure article will be found in Dr. Lepeschkin’s book. This book, with its well-arranged bibliography, is recommended as an indispensable reference work for the library of any electrocardiographer. c. w. CARDIOGRAPHIC Inc. Price
TECHNIQUE. $5.50.
By S. L. Barron
and A. Schott.
New
York,
1952, Grune
& Stratton,
This volume is a rather elaborate manual of operation for electrocardiographic instruments and for procedures by cardiographic technicians. The anatomic and physiologic background of the electrocardiogram is reviewed. The construction and operation of various types of electrocardiographic instruments are then described. Some of the material may be confusing to American technicians in that the description involves terms such as “valves” and “mains” rather than the usual American phrases. The volume would appear to be of value where more than the usual operating manual for electrocardiographic instruments is desired by a technician. J. V. W.