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Refresher courses for general pratitioners
The M y s t e r y o f Measles
February 1957 At present, we can tell by the weekly or monthly notifications whether measles is in an epidemic phase or not, but we are certainly uqable to foretell with any exactitude the onset, course or extent of the next outbreak in any area, although we may make a shrewd guess. If the supreme test of scientific knowledge is the ability to prognosticate, then we must all contemplate with great humility the as yet unsolved mystery of measles.
REFERENCES
BRINCKER,J. A.H. (1938)~. Proc. R. Soc. Med., 31,'807. BUTLER,W. (1946). Monthly Bull. Min. Health, 5, 81. GOODALL, E. W. (1928). "Infectious Diseases," 410. Lewis, London. GOULD, C.A. (1953). Lancet, 2, 205. GREENWOOD, A., HILL, A. B., TOPLEY,W. W. C., & WILSON, J. (1936). M.R.C. Spec. Rept. Series. 209, 71. HARRIES, E. H. R., & MrrMAN, M. (1947), "Clinical Practice in Infectious Diseases," 246--7. Livingstone, Edinburgh. KER, C. B. (1920). "Infectious Diseases," 32-33. Oxford Medical Publications, London. ROBERTS, T.E. (1953). Med. Officer, 90, 155. SPENCE,'J., WALTON,W. S., MILLER,F. J. W., & COtrRT, S. D. M. (1954). " A Thousand Families in Newcastle-on-Tyne." Oxford University Press, London. STIMSON, P. M. (1936). "Common Contagions Diseases," 143. Bailli~re, Tindall and Cox, London.
Acknowledgmem I have to thank my colleagues of the Tyneside towns for the data used in this paper, and also to acknowledge the great help from the clerical staff of my department in its compilation.
Book Reviews Breads White and Brown : Their place in Thought and Social History. By R. A. MCCANCE, C.B.E., M.D., F.R.C.P., F.R.S., & E. M. WmDOWSON,D.SC., PH.V. (Pp. xi + 174. s 10s.) L o n d o n : Pitman Medical Publishing Co., 1956.
held beliefs a spurious validity irrespective of whether or not they are founded on any real evidence." They urge us all to examine our motives. The book is of great interest and well written, and has a bibliography of 720 items. It is a pity that its price is likely to put it beyond the reach of many.
This is a book which makes one think ; and it is in many ways a disturbing book. It is a study in social history and in science b y two authors whose own work in the field of nutrition is of world-wide reputation. The history of bread, white and brown, is traced from the earliest times to the 9resent day, and consideration is given to the factors, social and scientific, which have affected the reputation of each kind. The scientific factors have only within the last 100-and particularly within the last 50--years been studied in detail. The authors themselves were able to carry out, in the unique conditions prevailing just after the second World War, a series of studies on undernourished German children, as a result of which unexpected results emerged. These studies showed, among other things, that unenriched white flour was just as valuable a constituent of the diets used as whole wheaten meal. The authors allow themselves some general reflections on the effect of preconceived n o t i o n s - and commercial interests--on conclusions which appear to be based on cold scientific reasoning. They quote Professor Beveridge's observation that the herd instinct " gives widely
Refresher Courses for General Practitioners. Third Collection. (Pp. xvii + 548. s 5s.) London " British Medical Association. 1956. For some time the British Medical Journal has been publishing specially commissioned articles on subjects of interest in the work of general practitioners. This is the third collection of these articles published in book form. There are 60 in number and they range over a wide field. Some deal with infectious diseases and other matters of public health interest. The diagnosis of smallpox is the subject of one article, and the typhus group of fevers is treated in another. Glandular fever, venereal diseases, and tetanus are dealt with, and there are articles on quarantine and isolation and on serum reactions. This volume can be well recommended as maintaining the standard get,by its predecessors. It should be added that although the articles are written primarily for general practitioners, the study of them need not be confined to one section of the profession. The three volumes form a valuable work of reference from which all may profit.
Ill !
WHAT PA T CAN DENTIFRICE PLAY
\
Despite the claims sometimes made in the lay press, the ordinary toothpaste or powder can play but a small part in inhibiting decay. Even its twice or thrice daily use can do little but ensure that the teeth are clean and free from food particles. In some cases it may increase the pH of the saliva for a short period. The high-urea dentifrice, Amm-i=dent, is in a class by itself. Strictly controlled clinical tests here and in the U.S. on patients of all ages have pro;ted beyond doubt that its use not only maintains the pH but also secures a corresponding reduction in the Lactobaeilli count.
mm.l.den/
We shall be Iliad to send supplies of Professional samples upon receipt of a card addressed: Professional Dept., Stafford-14iiler Ltd., 166 Great North Road,
Ha~eld, Hem
THE
91
HIGH
UREA TOOTHPASTE
AND
POWDER
February 1957 At present, we can tell by the weekly or monthly notifications whether measles is in an epidemic phase or not, but we are certainly uqable to foretell with any exactitude the onset, course or extent of the next outbreak in any area, although we may make a shrewd guess. If the supreme test of scientific knowledge is the ability to prognosticate, then we must all contemplate with great humility the as yet unsolved mystery of measles.
REFERENCES
BRINCKER,J. A.H. (1938)~. Proc. R. Soc. Med., 31,'807. BUTLER,W. (1946). Monthly Bull. Min. Health, 5, 81. GOODALL, E. W. (1928). "Infectious Diseases," 410. Lewis, London. GOULD, C.A. (1953). Lancet, 2, 205. GREENWOOD, A., HILL, A. B., TOPLEY,W. W. C., & WILSON, J. (1936). M.R.C. Spec. Rept. Series. 209, 71. HARRIES, E. H. R., & MrrMAN, M. (1947), "Clinical Practice in Infectious Diseases," 246--7. Livingstone, Edinburgh. KER, C. B. (1920). "Infectious Diseases," 32-33. Oxford Medical Publications, London. ROBERTS, T.E. (1953). Med. Officer, 90, 155. SPENCE,'J., WALTON,W. S., MILLER,F. J. W., & COtrRT, S. D. M. (1954). " A Thousand Families in Newcastle-on-Tyne." Oxford University Press, London. STIMSON, P. M. (1936). "Common Contagions Diseases," 143. Bailli~re, Tindall and Cox, London.
Acknowledgmem I have to thank my colleagues of the Tyneside towns for the data used in this paper, and also to acknowledge the great help from the clerical staff of my department in its compilation.
Book Reviews Breads White and Brown : Their place in Thought and Social History. By R. A. MCCANCE, C.B.E., M.D., F.R.C.P., F.R.S., & E. M. WmDOWSON,D.SC., PH.V. (Pp. xi + 174. s 10s.) L o n d o n : Pitman Medical Publishing Co., 1956.
held beliefs a spurious validity irrespective of whether or not they are founded on any real evidence." They urge us all to examine our motives. The book is of great interest and well written, and has a bibliography of 720 items. It is a pity that its price is likely to put it beyond the reach of many.
This is a book which makes one think ; and it is in many ways a disturbing book. It is a study in social history and in science b y two authors whose own work in the field of nutrition is of world-wide reputation. The history of bread, white and brown, is traced from the earliest times to the 9resent day, and consideration is given to the factors, social and scientific, which have affected the reputation of each kind. The scientific factors have only within the last 100-and particularly within the last 50--years been studied in detail. The authors themselves were able to carry out, in the unique conditions prevailing just after the second World War, a series of studies on undernourished German children, as a result of which unexpected results emerged. These studies showed, among other things, that unenriched white flour was just as valuable a constituent of the diets used as whole wheaten meal. The authors allow themselves some general reflections on the effect of preconceived n o t i o n s - and commercial interests--on conclusions which appear to be based on cold scientific reasoning. They quote Professor Beveridge's observation that the herd instinct " gives widely
Refresher Courses for General Practitioners. Third Collection. (Pp. xvii + 548. s 5s.) London " British Medical Association. 1956. For some time the British Medical Journal has been publishing specially commissioned articles on subjects of interest in the work of general practitioners. This is the third collection of these articles published in book form. There are 60 in number and they range over a wide field. Some deal with infectious diseases and other matters of public health interest. The diagnosis of smallpox is the subject of one article, and the typhus group of fevers is treated in another. Glandular fever, venereal diseases, and tetanus are dealt with, and there are articles on quarantine and isolation and on serum reactions. This volume can be well recommended as maintaining the standard get,by its predecessors. It should be added that although the articles are written primarily for general practitioners, the study of them need not be confined to one section of the profession. The three volumes form a valuable work of reference from which all may profit.
Ill !
WHAT PA T CAN DENTIFRICE PLAY
\
Despite the claims sometimes made in the lay press, the ordinary toothpaste or powder can play but a small part in inhibiting decay. Even its twice or thrice daily use can do little but ensure that the teeth are clean and free from food particles. In some cases it may increase the pH of the saliva for a short period. The high-urea dentifrice, Amm-i=dent, is in a class by itself. Strictly controlled clinical tests here and in the U.S. on patients of all ages have pro;ted beyond doubt that its use not only maintains the pH but also secures a corresponding reduction in the Lactobaeilli count.
mm.l.den/
We shall be Iliad to send supplies of Professional samples upon receipt of a card addressed: Professional Dept., Stafford-14iiler Ltd., 166 Great North Road,
Ha~eld, Hem
THE
91
HIGH
UREA TOOTHPASTE
AND
POWDER