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The dyspepsia of phthisis
52
THE
BRITISH
JOURNAL
OF TUBERCULOSIS
absolutely trustworthy, and, while full of facts and figures, possesses high literary merit, and "is marked by a charm of presentation which will stimulate many to become enthusiasts in the Anti-Tuberculosis Campaign. This helpful volume should be in the hal!ds of all working for the extermination of the "Silent White Plague." T. N. KELYNACK, M.D. T H E P R E V E N T I V E T R E A T M E N T OF T U B E R C U L O S I S . Dr. Henry Clark has provided in his treatise 1 a clear account of the modern methods of diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of tubenculosis. After referring to the importance of early diagnosis and the assistance given by the ophthalmic and cutaneous reactions to tuberculin, the author proceeds to the methods of prevention, and states that chief reliance must be placed on the suppression of tuberculosis in cattle, and on the segregation of consumptive patients, which, in his opinion, can be done most effectively by public bodies without necessarily having recourse to compulsory measures. Regarding treatment, a careful account is given of tuberculin administration. The author prefers the German method of pushing the drug until a febrile reaction occurs. He believes that a rise of temperature is quite as rapid and delicate a test of an excessive dose as the opsonic index, and is of opinion that the latter may safely be dispensed with, and reliance placed on the temperature-chart alone. This brings the tuberculin treatment within the reach of the general practitioner, as the technical and expensive estimation of the opsonic index is no longer required. R. MURRAY LESLIE, M.D. T H E D Y S P E P S I A OF P H T H I S I S . Dr. Habershon's new work 2 is a comprehensive yet concise, intelligible and serviceable manual on gastric affections, exactly suited to the needs of the student and the necessities of the practitioner. W e know of no other work of like size on diseases of the stomach which is so up-to-date, explicit, and helpful. It is a volume which should be studied by all who have to deal with consumptive subjects. A special chapter is devoted to affections of the stomach associated with tuberculosis. Dr. Habershon describes three forms of functional gastric disorder in the tuberculous subject : " T h e atonic dyspepsia of debility with general gastric insufficiency ; the hype,'secmtion of gastric juice causing acidity and a tendency to acute gastric catarrh ; and the less important biliary indigesli01,, to which anyone is liable who is suddenly deprived of exercise." The author endorses the dictum of Louis and Andral that " o f all the organs, the digestive tube, next to the lungs , presents the most common lesions in phthisis." The organic l ,, Studies in Tuberculosis." By Henry Clark. M.D. PP. 59. London: Archibald Constable and Co. 19o9. Price 5s. net. 2., Diseases of the Stomach : A Manual for Practitioners and Students." By S. H. I-Iabershon, M.A., M.D., F.R.C.P. Pp. 565, with 8 coloured and ii blackand-white plates. London : Cassell and Company, Limited. 19o9. 9s. net.
'NOTICES
OF
BOOKS
53
g a s t r i c lesions met w i t h in p u l m o n a r y t u b e r c u l o s i s a r e fully d e s c r i b e d . Clinicians will gain m u c h h e l p f r o m t h e sections on " T h e S y m p t o m s of V o m i t i n g in P u h n o n a r y T u b e r c u l o s i s , " a n d " M e c h a n i c a l Vomiting, or V o m i t i n g due to the V i o l e n c e of C o u g h . " T h e d i r e c t i o n s for treatmerit are excellent. A l t o g e t h e r , t h e v o h u n e is a n o t a b l e one, a n d s h o u l d have a p l a c e in e v e r y p r a c t i t i o n e r ' s library. AIR AND HEALTH. Dr. Macfie's t r e a t i s e on air a n d its relation to health 1 f o r m s t h e latest a d d i t i o n to " T h e N e w L i b r a r y of M e d i c i n e , " issued u n d e r the g e n e r a l e d i t o r s h i p of Dr. C. \V. S a l e e b y . It is a p o p u l a r l y - e x p r e s s e d s t u d y of t h e a t m o s p h e r e , a n d d e s c r i b e s in e a s i l y - u n d e r s t o o d l a n g u a g e m a n ' s h y g i e n i c a s s o c i a t i o n s w i t h his aerial e n v i r o n m e n t . I n a succession of w e l l - d e s i g n e d c h a p t e r s t h e c h e m i c a l c o m p o s i t i o n of p u r e air, respiration, a i r - p r e s s u r e , t e m p e r a t u r e , h u m i d i t y , t h e r m o l y s i s , i m p u r e air, ventilation, climate, a n d t h e like, r e c e i v e lucid exposition. T h e volume is full of i n f o r m a t i o n a n d s u g g e s t i o n b o t h for those w h o r e c o m m e n d a n d for t h o s e w h o live t h e o p e n - a i r life. A n excellent d e s c r i p t i o n is given of t h e o p e n - a i r t r e a t m e n t of c o n s u m p t i o n , with q u o t a t i o n s f r o m the w o r k s of t h e pioneers, B o d i n g t o n a n d M a c C o r m a c . Details a r e als0 given r e s p e c t i n g the e s t a b l i s h m e n t of o p e n - a i r schools for children. M e d i c a l p r a c t i t i o n e r s as well as the laity will a p p r e c i a t e this w e l l - d e s i g n e d a n d ca}-efully-executed work. TUBERCULOUS
CHILDREN.
A n e w e d i t i o n of Dr. E u s t a c e S m i t h ' s w e l l - k n o w n a n d m u c h valued w o r k on t h e diseases of c h i l d r e n has just a p p e a r e d . ~ L a r g e p o r t i o n s of this c o m p r e h e n s i v e treatise have b e e n r e w r i t t e n a n d r e a r r a n g e d in t h e light of m o d e r n advance. As t h e a u t h o r states in his preface, his d e s i r e has b e e n " t o m a k e t h e w o r k a t r u s t w o r t h y clinical g u i d e . " It is essentially a clinician's work, for p a t h o l o g i c a l c o n s i d e r a t i o n s h a v e b e e n m a i n l y e l i m i n a t e d . T h i s w e regret, a n d we could have w i s h e d that r e f e r e n c e s h a d b e e n given to r e c e n t researches. W e are s u r p r i s e d to find a brief c h a p t e r given to " scrofula or s t r u m a , " t e r m s w h i c h w e t h o u g h t a n d h a d h o p e d w e r e d e a d a n d b u r i e d . T h e c h a p t e r on t u b e r c u l o s i s w e think m i g h t well have b e e n longer, for, as t h e a u t h o r states, " i t is in i n f a n c y a n d childhood t h a t t h e b o d y is most s u s c e p t i b l e to t h e i n r o a d s of t h e specific bacillus, a n d that t h e evil effects of t h e m i c r o b e a r e so w i d e s p r e a d and so disastrous." T h e clinical p i c t u r e of t u b e r c u l o s i s is g r a p h i c a l l y portrayed. T u b e r c u l i n is not m e n t i o n e d in t h e index, a n d d i r e c t i o n as to its e m p l o y m e n t is c d n s p i c u o u s b y its a b s e n c e f r o m t h e text. This is to b e r e g r e t t e d , for it is a m a t t e r on w h i c h p r a c t i t i o n e r s require direction. T h e w h o l e work, h o w e v e r , is a n o t a b l e one, a n d will b e a v a l u a b l e a c q u i s i t i o n to a p r a c t i t i o n e r ' s library. 1 .. Air and Health." By IRonald Campbell Macfie, M.A., M.B.. C.M. Pp. 345. London : Methuen and Co., 36, Essex Street, W.C. 19o9. Price 7s. 6d. net. 2 " A Practical Treatise on Disease in Children." By Eustace Smith, M:D., Physician to the East London Children's Hospital. Pp. 833. Third edition. Edinburgh and London : William Green and Sons. I9o9.
THE
BRITISH
JOURNAL
OF TUBERCULOSIS
absolutely trustworthy, and, while full of facts and figures, possesses high literary merit, and "is marked by a charm of presentation which will stimulate many to become enthusiasts in the Anti-Tuberculosis Campaign. This helpful volume should be in the hal!ds of all working for the extermination of the "Silent White Plague." T. N. KELYNACK, M.D. T H E P R E V E N T I V E T R E A T M E N T OF T U B E R C U L O S I S . Dr. Henry Clark has provided in his treatise 1 a clear account of the modern methods of diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of tubenculosis. After referring to the importance of early diagnosis and the assistance given by the ophthalmic and cutaneous reactions to tuberculin, the author proceeds to the methods of prevention, and states that chief reliance must be placed on the suppression of tuberculosis in cattle, and on the segregation of consumptive patients, which, in his opinion, can be done most effectively by public bodies without necessarily having recourse to compulsory measures. Regarding treatment, a careful account is given of tuberculin administration. The author prefers the German method of pushing the drug until a febrile reaction occurs. He believes that a rise of temperature is quite as rapid and delicate a test of an excessive dose as the opsonic index, and is of opinion that the latter may safely be dispensed with, and reliance placed on the temperature-chart alone. This brings the tuberculin treatment within the reach of the general practitioner, as the technical and expensive estimation of the opsonic index is no longer required. R. MURRAY LESLIE, M.D. T H E D Y S P E P S I A OF P H T H I S I S . Dr. Habershon's new work 2 is a comprehensive yet concise, intelligible and serviceable manual on gastric affections, exactly suited to the needs of the student and the necessities of the practitioner. W e know of no other work of like size on diseases of the stomach which is so up-to-date, explicit, and helpful. It is a volume which should be studied by all who have to deal with consumptive subjects. A special chapter is devoted to affections of the stomach associated with tuberculosis. Dr. Habershon describes three forms of functional gastric disorder in the tuberculous subject : " T h e atonic dyspepsia of debility with general gastric insufficiency ; the hype,'secmtion of gastric juice causing acidity and a tendency to acute gastric catarrh ; and the less important biliary indigesli01,, to which anyone is liable who is suddenly deprived of exercise." The author endorses the dictum of Louis and Andral that " o f all the organs, the digestive tube, next to the lungs , presents the most common lesions in phthisis." The organic l ,, Studies in Tuberculosis." By Henry Clark. M.D. PP. 59. London: Archibald Constable and Co. 19o9. Price 5s. net. 2., Diseases of the Stomach : A Manual for Practitioners and Students." By S. H. I-Iabershon, M.A., M.D., F.R.C.P. Pp. 565, with 8 coloured and ii blackand-white plates. London : Cassell and Company, Limited. 19o9. 9s. net.
'NOTICES
OF
BOOKS
53
g a s t r i c lesions met w i t h in p u l m o n a r y t u b e r c u l o s i s a r e fully d e s c r i b e d . Clinicians will gain m u c h h e l p f r o m t h e sections on " T h e S y m p t o m s of V o m i t i n g in P u h n o n a r y T u b e r c u l o s i s , " a n d " M e c h a n i c a l Vomiting, or V o m i t i n g due to the V i o l e n c e of C o u g h . " T h e d i r e c t i o n s for treatmerit are excellent. A l t o g e t h e r , t h e v o h u n e is a n o t a b l e one, a n d s h o u l d have a p l a c e in e v e r y p r a c t i t i o n e r ' s library. AIR AND HEALTH. Dr. Macfie's t r e a t i s e on air a n d its relation to health 1 f o r m s t h e latest a d d i t i o n to " T h e N e w L i b r a r y of M e d i c i n e , " issued u n d e r the g e n e r a l e d i t o r s h i p of Dr. C. \V. S a l e e b y . It is a p o p u l a r l y - e x p r e s s e d s t u d y of t h e a t m o s p h e r e , a n d d e s c r i b e s in e a s i l y - u n d e r s t o o d l a n g u a g e m a n ' s h y g i e n i c a s s o c i a t i o n s w i t h his aerial e n v i r o n m e n t . I n a succession of w e l l - d e s i g n e d c h a p t e r s t h e c h e m i c a l c o m p o s i t i o n of p u r e air, respiration, a i r - p r e s s u r e , t e m p e r a t u r e , h u m i d i t y , t h e r m o l y s i s , i m p u r e air, ventilation, climate, a n d t h e like, r e c e i v e lucid exposition. T h e volume is full of i n f o r m a t i o n a n d s u g g e s t i o n b o t h for those w h o r e c o m m e n d a n d for t h o s e w h o live t h e o p e n - a i r life. A n excellent d e s c r i p t i o n is given of t h e o p e n - a i r t r e a t m e n t of c o n s u m p t i o n , with q u o t a t i o n s f r o m the w o r k s of t h e pioneers, B o d i n g t o n a n d M a c C o r m a c . Details a r e als0 given r e s p e c t i n g the e s t a b l i s h m e n t of o p e n - a i r schools for children. M e d i c a l p r a c t i t i o n e r s as well as the laity will a p p r e c i a t e this w e l l - d e s i g n e d a n d ca}-efully-executed work. TUBERCULOUS
CHILDREN.
A n e w e d i t i o n of Dr. E u s t a c e S m i t h ' s w e l l - k n o w n a n d m u c h valued w o r k on t h e diseases of c h i l d r e n has just a p p e a r e d . ~ L a r g e p o r t i o n s of this c o m p r e h e n s i v e treatise have b e e n r e w r i t t e n a n d r e a r r a n g e d in t h e light of m o d e r n advance. As t h e a u t h o r states in his preface, his d e s i r e has b e e n " t o m a k e t h e w o r k a t r u s t w o r t h y clinical g u i d e . " It is essentially a clinician's work, for p a t h o l o g i c a l c o n s i d e r a t i o n s h a v e b e e n m a i n l y e l i m i n a t e d . T h i s w e regret, a n d we could have w i s h e d that r e f e r e n c e s h a d b e e n given to r e c e n t researches. W e are s u r p r i s e d to find a brief c h a p t e r given to " scrofula or s t r u m a , " t e r m s w h i c h w e t h o u g h t a n d h a d h o p e d w e r e d e a d a n d b u r i e d . T h e c h a p t e r on t u b e r c u l o s i s w e think m i g h t well have b e e n longer, for, as t h e a u t h o r states, " i t is in i n f a n c y a n d childhood t h a t t h e b o d y is most s u s c e p t i b l e to t h e i n r o a d s of t h e specific bacillus, a n d that t h e evil effects of t h e m i c r o b e a r e so w i d e s p r e a d and so disastrous." T h e clinical p i c t u r e of t u b e r c u l o s i s is g r a p h i c a l l y portrayed. T u b e r c u l i n is not m e n t i o n e d in t h e index, a n d d i r e c t i o n as to its e m p l o y m e n t is c d n s p i c u o u s b y its a b s e n c e f r o m t h e text. This is to b e r e g r e t t e d , for it is a m a t t e r on w h i c h p r a c t i t i o n e r s require direction. T h e w h o l e work, h o w e v e r , is a n o t a b l e one, a n d will b e a v a l u a b l e a c q u i s i t i o n to a p r a c t i t i o n e r ' s library. 1 .. Air and Health." By IRonald Campbell Macfie, M.A., M.B.. C.M. Pp. 345. London : Methuen and Co., 36, Essex Street, W.C. 19o9. Price 7s. 6d. net. 2 " A Practical Treatise on Disease in Children." By Eustace Smith, M:D., Physician to the East London Children's Hospital. Pp. 833. Third edition. Edinburgh and London : William Green and Sons. I9o9.