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Shock and allied forms of failure of the circulation
BOOK
939
REVIEWS
pact book, the Boases have given a good summary of current knowledge. The senior author for many years has been interested in this subject and has contributed to the literature concerning it. The He is, therefore, in a position to express critical opinions concerning controversial matters. Coronary insufficiency is arrangement of chapters has resulted in some unnecessary repetition. disposed of with relative brevity. Consideration of treatment is adequate and the use of various drugs is discussed in the light of their pharmacologic action according to the best evidence available. Westsal is recommended as a salt substitute although it has recently been condemned Probably the book was in press before these unfortunate because of the toxic effects of lithium. clinical experiences were published. The chief criticism, in the opinion of this reviewer, is the lack of logical sequence in the preCoronary sentation of the material. Arteriosclerosis is the main cause of coronary heart disease. insufficiency, occlusion, thrombosis, and cardiac infarction are episodes in the evolution of this process. Congestive heart failure is the result of the damage to the myocardium. This is a simple concept and upon an understanding of it, rests rational therapy. The style is clear and the An adequate bibliography of some 400 key references is given. publishers have creditably performed their part. In the words of the authors, “the book is designed as a useful tool for the practicing physician, but the presentation is sufficiently detailed to make it of interest co the’cardiologist as well.” ROBERT L. LEVY, M.D. SHOCK AND ALLIED FORMS New York, F.A.C.S. Price $12.00.
OF FAILURE 1949, Grune
OF THE CIRCULATION. and Stratton, 595
By H. A. Davis, M.D., CM., pages, 55 figures, and 17 tables,
The advances made in the definition and treatment of shock during recent years as well as the scattered studies which preceded the concentrated effort made in World War II have long been in need of, and at last been given, a unified presentation. So great has been the need that it is curious that books such as this do not abound. One reason is the diversity of opinion among potential authors, the need for a penetrating analysis of an extensive literature, and the fact that few have the ability or interest to compass all the phenomena incident to shock, recovery therefrom, and “allied forms of failure of the circulation.” This book opens with a historical review and proceeds through definitions to consider the pathogenesis of shock (physiological, biochemical, and histological), the special types of circulatory failure (adrenal, infectious, obstetric, burn, and anesthetic), and the treatment of each. In so doing, the author demonstrates his familiarity with the field, which he carefully documents. He does not pretend to a magisterial or dogmatic conclusiveness. Rather, he achieves an unusual and refreshing impartiality in the evaluation of the work of others. The objection may be raised that he seems at times to devote disproportionate space to his own observations. This is not a serious objection to the book as a whole. In common with most who have labored in this vineyard, we note also that (according to our lights) not enough is made of arterial transfusion, elective hypotension, and so on. But, in general, the treatment is comprehensive and exact. Thus, what needed doing, has been done well. The technical makeup is satisfactory. The book can be recommended to all who have to deal with shock and injury, both experimentall>. and clinically. I. H. PAGE, M.D., AND A. C. CORCORAN, M.D. FUNDAMENTALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE. York, 1949, D. Appleton-Century-Crofts
By
Wallace Company,
M. Yater, M.D. Third Edition. Inc., 1,451 pages and 315 figures.
New
The third edition of this popular text, retaining its original concept, covers the vast field of *internal medicine with simplification, conciseness, and elimination of theoretical and redundant material. The first 190 pages of the volume outline the essential features of diseases of the heart and blood vessels and form the basis of this review. Most of this section is again the work of the senior author. The discussion of the diagnosis and treatment of the various etiologic types of heart disease reflects his rich clinical experience. A new and enlarged article on electrocardiography by Dr. Joseph M. Barker brings this subject
939
REVIEWS
pact book, the Boases have given a good summary of current knowledge. The senior author for many years has been interested in this subject and has contributed to the literature concerning it. The He is, therefore, in a position to express critical opinions concerning controversial matters. Coronary insufficiency is arrangement of chapters has resulted in some unnecessary repetition. disposed of with relative brevity. Consideration of treatment is adequate and the use of various drugs is discussed in the light of their pharmacologic action according to the best evidence available. Westsal is recommended as a salt substitute although it has recently been condemned Probably the book was in press before these unfortunate because of the toxic effects of lithium. clinical experiences were published. The chief criticism, in the opinion of this reviewer, is the lack of logical sequence in the preCoronary sentation of the material. Arteriosclerosis is the main cause of coronary heart disease. insufficiency, occlusion, thrombosis, and cardiac infarction are episodes in the evolution of this process. Congestive heart failure is the result of the damage to the myocardium. This is a simple concept and upon an understanding of it, rests rational therapy. The style is clear and the An adequate bibliography of some 400 key references is given. publishers have creditably performed their part. In the words of the authors, “the book is designed as a useful tool for the practicing physician, but the presentation is sufficiently detailed to make it of interest co the’cardiologist as well.” ROBERT L. LEVY, M.D. SHOCK AND ALLIED FORMS New York, F.A.C.S. Price $12.00.
OF FAILURE 1949, Grune
OF THE CIRCULATION. and Stratton, 595
By H. A. Davis, M.D., CM., pages, 55 figures, and 17 tables,
The advances made in the definition and treatment of shock during recent years as well as the scattered studies which preceded the concentrated effort made in World War II have long been in need of, and at last been given, a unified presentation. So great has been the need that it is curious that books such as this do not abound. One reason is the diversity of opinion among potential authors, the need for a penetrating analysis of an extensive literature, and the fact that few have the ability or interest to compass all the phenomena incident to shock, recovery therefrom, and “allied forms of failure of the circulation.” This book opens with a historical review and proceeds through definitions to consider the pathogenesis of shock (physiological, biochemical, and histological), the special types of circulatory failure (adrenal, infectious, obstetric, burn, and anesthetic), and the treatment of each. In so doing, the author demonstrates his familiarity with the field, which he carefully documents. He does not pretend to a magisterial or dogmatic conclusiveness. Rather, he achieves an unusual and refreshing impartiality in the evaluation of the work of others. The objection may be raised that he seems at times to devote disproportionate space to his own observations. This is not a serious objection to the book as a whole. In common with most who have labored in this vineyard, we note also that (according to our lights) not enough is made of arterial transfusion, elective hypotension, and so on. But, in general, the treatment is comprehensive and exact. Thus, what needed doing, has been done well. The technical makeup is satisfactory. The book can be recommended to all who have to deal with shock and injury, both experimentall>. and clinically. I. H. PAGE, M.D., AND A. C. CORCORAN, M.D. FUNDAMENTALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE. York, 1949, D. Appleton-Century-Crofts
By
Wallace Company,
M. Yater, M.D. Third Edition. Inc., 1,451 pages and 315 figures.
New
The third edition of this popular text, retaining its original concept, covers the vast field of *internal medicine with simplification, conciseness, and elimination of theoretical and redundant material. The first 190 pages of the volume outline the essential features of diseases of the heart and blood vessels and form the basis of this review. Most of this section is again the work of the senior author. The discussion of the diagnosis and treatment of the various etiologic types of heart disease reflects his rich clinical experience. A new and enlarged article on electrocardiography by Dr. Joseph M. Barker brings this subject