TROMBOEMBOLISMUL PULMONAR—INFARCTUL PULMONAR

TROMBOEMBOLISMUL PULMONAR—INFARCTUL PULMONAR

very critical, which at times results in contradictory statements. This is particularly evident in the sections on malposition of the heart and transp...

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very critical, which at times results in contradictory statements. This is particularly evident in the sections on malposition of the heart and transposition. Bankl seems to have an inadequate grasp of certain concepts; eg, no distinction is apparently made between the terms, "prevalence" and "incidence" (page 36). On page 42, paragraph 2, the term, "L-transposition" (or D-transposition), as nearly as I can determine, is used synonymously with corrected transposition in Rokitanski's sense (since that is the most common type of dextrocardia in situs solitus); however, on page 55, the term merely means that the aortic valve is to the left of the pulmonary valve (in transposition). To complicate matters further, Figure 18.2 is referred to as showing "situs solitus with L-transposition," but the aorta is shown to be placed above a morphologic left ventricle. Nevertheless, on page 55, Bankl states that in that condition, "transposition is not literally present" and proposes (as Van Praagh has done) to use the term, "malposition.' Bankl then, curiously, goes on to disregard his own advice. A number of illustrations have been redrawn after those of others (eg, Kramer, Patten, Shaner) and resemble the originals so closely that Bankl should have given credit to the original sources. Mter reading the book, one is left with the feeling that, in spite of its good features, the volume on balance offers too little to the individual knowledgeable in the field and will be hard to digest for the neophyte, for whom it is intended. L. H. S. Van Mierop, M.D. GainesviUe, Ela LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS: A REVIEW OF THE CURRENT STATUS OF DISCOID AND SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS AND THEIR VARIANTS (2nd ed, revised}, Edited by EDMUND L. DuBOiS. Los Angeles, University of Southern California Press, 1976,798 pp, $39.50. "All You Ever Wanted to Know about Lupus" would be an appropriate title for this book. With his customary diligence, Dubois has added the very latest. epistles to what, for the last 12 years, has been recognized as the "bible" of systemic lupus erythematosus. The second edition (1974) of this book contained all of the information found in the first edition (1965), with supplementary chapters added when appropriate and the bibliography expanded. The revised second edition contains all of the previous elements, and the bibliography has been updated by references to 170 new articles published through December 1976. The findings of the new publications have been incorporated into the text in some cases, but in others the index refers the reader to the original article. This unusual arrangement results in a happy combination of completeness, currency, and reasonable cost. Having easily mastered the format, the reader will find this monograph to be a repository of all that is known and believed about systemic lupus erythematosus. Dubois has chosen the 20 contributors wisely. All have added significantly to our understanding of systemic lupus erythematosus. Although there is the irreducible minimum of repetition common to multi-authored texts, the editor's concept pervades and unifies the volume. This edition of this book and future editions should be in every medical library and on the shelves of the growing ranks of those involved in the care and study of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Luis Fernandez-Herlihy, M.D. Bonon CHOLESTEROL. Edited by JOHN R. SABINE. New York, Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1977,512 pp, $25.00. This book of more than 500 pages, including 1,529 references, consolidates some of the vast and diverse literature concerning cholesterol in a variety of species, including man. The overview of the major facets of research regarding cholesterol, including a critique of experimental methods, provides much material extensively documented in a bibliography that will update the reader to within the last few years. The book's contents include the role of cholesterol in mammalian systems, factors influencing the concentration of cholesterol in the blood, and cholesterol in atherosclerosis, cancer, cholelithiasis, and disorders of the nervous system. This reviewer does not approve of the final chapter, which sngests that the patient recommend this book to his physician for information on how best to treat him. This chaptar also departs from the main intent of the book in touching on advice for broad public health

preventive measures in coronary heart disease. In summary, this book does provide a progress report on recent advances, controversies, and gaps in knowledge of cholesterol in health and disease for those with investigative interest in this area. Frederick I. Stare, M.D. Bonon TROMBOEMBOLISMUL PULMONAR-INFARCI'UL PULMONAR. By PETRE !.EPADAT, D. BURNEA, and P. GALBENV. Bucharest, Romania, Editura MedicaIa, 1977,.378 pp, price not stated. This monograph on pulmonary embolism and infarction, unfortunately for the English-speaking reader, is written in Romanian, although there is a rather eKtensive English summary. While the summary often is most informative, in many areas, it only refers to the meat of the material contained within the Romanian text. To fully appreciate and digest the voluminous material contained in this most extensive ~atment of the subject would require familiarity of the reader with the Romanian language. Nevertheless, this monograph is 'most complete, for the most part, beginning with the history of pulmonary embolism and infarction. The anatomy and physiology of the pulmonary vasculature are covered in detail, as are the morphology and pathophysiology of pulmonary embolism and infarction. Included is an extensive review of the mechanism for coagulation of the blood under normal and abnormal circumstances. A section of original work on the experimental production of pulmonary. infarction is included. Clinical patterns of pulmonary embolism and infarction are treated extensively, including clinical and paraclinical investigative methods and techniques. Although the coverage of medical therapy is most complete, the section on surgical therapy leaves something to be desired. The book finishes with a clinical and statistical review of 223 cases of pulmonary embolism documented at autopsy. It is obvious that Lepadat and coauthors have treated their subject in great detail and have produced an excellent reference; however, it is unfortunate that the book will be of limited usefulness to the English-speaking reader.

Arthur C.

Bean, t-; M.D., F.C.C.P. Howton

BOOK NOTICES THE MIRACLE OF THE EMPTY BEDS: A HISTORY OF TUBERCULOSIS IN CANADA. By GEORGE JASPlDl WHERRETT. Toronto, University of, Toronto Press, 1977, 299 pp, $12.50. In the western world, Canada has played a leading and sometimes innovative role in the fight against tuberculosis. Wher· rett, retired executive secretary of the Canadian Tuberculosis Association, has told the story from the tentative beginning. of a public health movement to the recently available potent drugs that are permitting the closing of so many sanitaria. Interesting chapters relate Canada's experience with BCG vaccination, the better control of rampant tuberculosis in native populations, and educational and administrative activities of the national and provincial organizations. The book is well documented and provides a highly useful historical account.

THE TRIAL OF ANNIE BESANT AND CHARLES BRADLAUGH. By ROGlDl MANVELL. New York, Horizon Press, 1976, 182 pp, $8.95. Although embellished by biographic accounts of the chief actol'l, this drama revolves around the trial itself. Besant and Bradlaugh published a pamphlet giving accurate information about reproductive physiology and recommending active control of conception within marrlag". When brought to trial by British officialdom, Besant and Bradlaugh conducted their own defensemost ably-and after a preliminary setback, they were ultimately released. The trial had lasting e1fects on legal opinion with regard both to obscenity and to birth control.