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The other example of unreliable testing concerns the benzidine test for blood. The position surely is that no one would now suggest that a positive result from such a test proves the presence of human blood. Once again, however, poor writing prevents one finding out exactly what the writers mean-the second and third paragraphs on p. 133 are prime examples of obscure writing. The same faults of expression mar the suggestions put forward for the future organisation of Forensic Science and Forensic Medicine. We are told "it is essential to remove the principle of compartmentation". This presumably means that there should be more co-operation between those of different specialities, which is wholly admirable. But it is difficult to find many precise proposals, even in the diagram showing complex interrelationships of a department or institute of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Science in a University framework. The department is shown as "either divided or integrated". The book then is a disappointment, particularly in view of its authorship, but does point out many problems to which members of the Forensic Science Society should be applying their minds. Perhaps it will stimulate them to formulate more cogent and reasoned solutions to them. David Patterson. THE VALLEY OF DEATH
The Death Factory Ota Kraus amd Erich K u l k a Translated from the Czech by Stephen Jolly (Oxford. Pergamon Press, 1966, 284 pp., 301-) Auschwitz differed from the other Nazi Concentration Camps by the fact that it was built for and run primarily as an extermination centre. Although executions and extermination by gassing occurred in other camps the numbers were never on a scale approaching Auschwitz, where some four million men, women and children were killed and cremated to further the Nazi genocide programme. The Death Factory traces the history of the Auschwitz group of camps from their start in 1941 to their closure and evacuation at the beginning of 1945. All aspects of the camp life and administration are covered, including the ill-treatment and tortures suffered by inmates; the selection of prisoners for the gas chambers; the method of gassing and the subsequent disposal of the bodies by cremation or by burning when the crematoria were unable to deal with the numbers. There are short biographies by some of the staff. The material which forms the basis of this book has been collected not only from official sources and trial transcipts but also from the personal experiences of the authors and other camp inmates. Much of the material is derived from Czech sources and thus deals with the fate of Czech prisoners. Of the 44,929 deportees from the Terezin Ghetto sent to the camp between 1942 and 1944, only 2,868 returned. I t will be no easy matter for anyone reading this book without prior knowledge of Nazi Concentration Camps, to digest the facts detailed by the authors. The Death Factory, although adding little if anything to previous publications concerning the Concentration Camps, a t least fulfills the important function of reminding its readers that less than a quarter of a century ago the German Government was undulging in practices which may well have appalled their barbaric ancestors of the Dark Ages. A. Keith Mant. PLUS CA CHANGE
Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology (12th Ed.) John Glaister and Edgar Rentoul (Edinburgh and London. E. & S . Livingstone Ltd., 1966, 724 pp., 801-) The twelfth edition of Glaister's Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology has appeared only four years after its predecessor, and this fact alone is the best 113
index of its continued popularity. I t is edited jointly by Professor John Glaister and Dr. Edgar Rentoul, whose association with this textbook began with the ninth edition. Any reader looking for new material will be disappointed. The twelfth edition is virtually a reprint of the eleventh. Brief mention has been made of the "Battered Baby Syndrome" and accidental hanging due to sexual deviation has been recognised for the first time. There is also reference to the M.O.H. Enquiry into Sudden Death in Infancy. The section on chemical tests is reprinted from the previous edition. The preface, however, indicates that this section may be expanded in future to include the basic toxicological techniques which have nowr been in general use for over ten years. In this edition the latest reference to toxicological methods is 1948. Some changes in legislation have been omitted. The Summary Jurisdiction (Scotland) Act, 1908, is still quoted although it was repealed by the 1954 Act. The section on Presumption of Survivorship omits all reference to the Succession (Scotland) Act of 1964. Glaister's Medical Jurisprudence has merited its position as a standard textbook in both Scotland and England for some six decades. If it is to maintain its reputation it cannot rely on its previous success but must be brought up to date. I t is doubtful to-day whether any medium sized textbook on Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology should give details of the classical techniques of blood grouping and toxicological analysis, when thcsc have now largely been superceded by highly sophisticated methods which should only be carried out by the specialist. Medical jurisprudence is advancing rapidly and it is frustrating for the student or practitioner to be constantly referred to out of date references and techniques. The latest "Glaister" maintains its tradition of high standard of presentation for which the publishers must be congratulated. Some new and instructive colour plates have been included. But a rise in cost of 251- over the previous edition may cause would-be purchasers to think twice when they are getting so very little more for their money. A. I
The Death Factory Ota Kraus amd Erich K u l k a Translated from the Czech by Stephen Jolly (Oxford. Pergamon Press, 1966, 284 pp., 301-) Auschwitz differed from the other Nazi Concentration Camps by the fact that it was built for and run primarily as an extermination centre. Although executions and extermination by gassing occurred in other camps the numbers were never on a scale approaching Auschwitz, where some four million men, women and children were killed and cremated to further the Nazi genocide programme. The Death Factory traces the history of the Auschwitz group of camps from their start in 1941 to their closure and evacuation at the beginning of 1945. All aspects of the camp life and administration are covered, including the ill-treatment and tortures suffered by inmates; the selection of prisoners for the gas chambers; the method of gassing and the subsequent disposal of the bodies by cremation or by burning when the crematoria were unable to deal with the numbers. There are short biographies by some of the staff. The material which forms the basis of this book has been collected not only from official sources and trial transcipts but also from the personal experiences of the authors and other camp inmates. Much of the material is derived from Czech sources and thus deals with the fate of Czech prisoners. Of the 44,929 deportees from the Terezin Ghetto sent to the camp between 1942 and 1944, only 2,868 returned. I t will be no easy matter for anyone reading this book without prior knowledge of Nazi Concentration Camps, to digest the facts detailed by the authors. The Death Factory, although adding little if anything to previous publications concerning the Concentration Camps, a t least fulfills the important function of reminding its readers that less than a quarter of a century ago the German Government was undulging in practices which may well have appalled their barbaric ancestors of the Dark Ages. A. Keith Mant. PLUS CA CHANGE
Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology (12th Ed.) John Glaister and Edgar Rentoul (Edinburgh and London. E. & S . Livingstone Ltd., 1966, 724 pp., 801-) The twelfth edition of Glaister's Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology has appeared only four years after its predecessor, and this fact alone is the best 113
index of its continued popularity. I t is edited jointly by Professor John Glaister and Dr. Edgar Rentoul, whose association with this textbook began with the ninth edition. Any reader looking for new material will be disappointed. The twelfth edition is virtually a reprint of the eleventh. Brief mention has been made of the "Battered Baby Syndrome" and accidental hanging due to sexual deviation has been recognised for the first time. There is also reference to the M.O.H. Enquiry into Sudden Death in Infancy. The section on chemical tests is reprinted from the previous edition. The preface, however, indicates that this section may be expanded in future to include the basic toxicological techniques which have nowr been in general use for over ten years. In this edition the latest reference to toxicological methods is 1948. Some changes in legislation have been omitted. The Summary Jurisdiction (Scotland) Act, 1908, is still quoted although it was repealed by the 1954 Act. The section on Presumption of Survivorship omits all reference to the Succession (Scotland) Act of 1964. Glaister's Medical Jurisprudence has merited its position as a standard textbook in both Scotland and England for some six decades. If it is to maintain its reputation it cannot rely on its previous success but must be brought up to date. I t is doubtful to-day whether any medium sized textbook on Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology should give details of the classical techniques of blood grouping and toxicological analysis, when thcsc have now largely been superceded by highly sophisticated methods which should only be carried out by the specialist. Medical jurisprudence is advancing rapidly and it is frustrating for the student or practitioner to be constantly referred to out of date references and techniques. The latest "Glaister" maintains its tradition of high standard of presentation for which the publishers must be congratulated. Some new and instructive colour plates have been included. But a rise in cost of 251- over the previous edition may cause would-be purchasers to think twice when they are getting so very little more for their money. A. I