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Zinsser's Textbook of Bacteriology
122
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CHEST PHYSICIANS
January. 1949
Book Reviews ' Zinsser's Textbook of Bacteriology. Br David Smith and Donald S. Mar-
tin, et al, Duke University Schoo of Medicine. Cloth. Price $10.00.
pp. 992, mustrated. Appleton Century Crofts, New York, 1948.
In 1935 there appeared, from the pen of Hans Zinsser, a book "Rats, Lice and History" which was the life history of typhus fever. In this book there was a lucid , simple and fascinating story of the effect of infections on, and the transmission of infectious diseases to the population, and the impetus it had on civilization. In 1940 Zinsser's last publication, "As I Remember Him," appeared. This, the reader will recall, was in essence an autobiography of Hans Zinsser. From these books one readily concludes that here was an author of first magnitude, a scientist of international reputation, and an authority in his particular field -,-bacteriology and public health. For many years before the above mentioned books appeared, Zinsser's contribution to bacteriology was known to every medical student through his texts, first, with Professor Hiss (published in 1910), later published under his name alone, and finally in cooperation with Bayne-Jones. For some years thereafter, this book did not appear on the market and was not available to the medical student, but due to the efforts of Smith and Martin and their associates, the ninth edition of Zinsser's Textbook of Bacteriology is now available. Smith, Martin and their associates are to be complimented for their work in revising and re-editing Zinsser's Textbook of Bacteriology, which is generally accepted as a classic in this particular field. There is the added advantage that Smith, Martin, et al, not only have had the benefit of Zinsser's Textbook of 'Bacte riology as students, but have also had the advantage of teaching bacteriology to their own students, and have thus been able to benefit from their wide experience in bringing this book up to date. These new authors have introduced each subject with the public health aspect of the disease. They have further added the newer investigations in the field of bacteriology and public health which accummulated during and after World War n. Since the advent of bacteriologic and cultural characteristics of organisms, emphasis has been placed in various chapters of the book so that this newer knowledge shall not escape detection by the reader. Zinsser, among other phases of his work, laid particular emphasis on immunology. The new authors have not only rewritten and brought up to date this subject within the realms of the function of their textbook, but have also rewritten the material concerning bacteriological metabolism, fungi, and virus diseases. We can illustrate the format of this book with the subject of tuberculosis . In this chapter there is a . brief resume of the public health aspects of tuberculosis, followed by discussion of the genus Myobacterium found in the soil, water and air. In a clear, simple and understandable manner, there is a discussion of the cultural characteristics as well as the staining properties of the organism; tuberculin and its various products in diagnostic procedures; the effect of the antibiotics on the organism; and experimental methods for the detection of the disease. The subject is further integrated by a brief clinical resume of tuberculosis and finally the public health aspects of the sUb~ct. This method of reviewing the bacteriologic, cultural, public health and elm-
Volume XV
C~LLEGE
NEWS
123
Ical aspects of the d1sease is indeed helpful to the student. Included is a chapter dealing with technical methods of bacteriology, immunology, and serology which is ample for the medical student. This book can be unqualifiedly recommended to the medical student and the practicing physician as a source of information in bacteriology. The publlshers are to be complimented on the manner in which the book has been printed and the clear photographs that appear in the text. Although the book has been designated as a "Textbook of Bacteriology," it should be in the possession of medical students and practitioners of medicine and public health as a guide in the application of bacteriology and immunology to diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of infectious d1seases. A Practical Manual of Diseases of the Chest . By Maurice Davidson, M.A.,
M.D., F.R.CP. Third Edition, 1948. Oxford University Press. This extensive manual, comprising six hundred and seventy pages, has been written in the best literary style and diction, and reads like a story book. The author has presented a well systematized sequence of his subject matter, with appropriate illustrations and photographs of x-ray fums, as well as clinical charts. He has made free use of illustrative case histories to emphasize the d1scussion of each subject. The more recent advances in the chemotherapy and antibiotic therapy of pneumonias have been thoroughly d1scussed. It has considerable material of interest to the internist, as well as the thoracic surgeon, to make the book worthy of a place in their library. Although the book is primarily written for the British public its international scope should make it one of choice for .everyone interested in diseases of the chest. BOOKS, REPORTS AND REPRINTS RECEIVED
"The Relationship of Tuberculosis and Sll1cosis," O. A. Bander, MD., F .A.CP., Milwaukee, Wisconsin. "Benign Pneumoconiosis Due to Metal Fumes and Dusts," O. A. Bander, MD., F .A.CP., Milwaukee, Wisconsin. "Relacoes Entre a Tuberculose Pulmonar e a Tuberculose Osteo-Artlcular," Lopo de Carvalho Cancella, Lisbon, Portugal. "M1cro-radlofotografia em massa; resultados obtldos numa prlmeira observacao," Lopo de Carvalho Cancella, Lisbon, Portugal. "A Pos1cao de Drenagem e a Peniclllna Por Via lnalatorla Como Tempo Preoperatorlo da Clrurgla Pulmonar," Lopo de Carvalho Cancella, e F . Ferreira Coelho, Lisbon, Portugal. "Tratemento do Empiema Pleural Tuberculoso," Dr. Jesse Teixeira, Rio de Janeiro, Brazll. "Ole prlmare Tuberkulose bel Erwachsenen und Kindem und lhre Entwicklung," Dozent Dr. Med . St. J. Leitner, published by Med1z1n1scher Verlag Hans Huber, . Bern, Switzerland. "Extrapleural Pneumonolysis with Luclte Plombage," Drs. John B . Grow and Ralph E. Dwork, Denver, British Journal of Tuberculosis and Diseases of the Chest, Aprll 1948. 'Colloidal Copper Morrhuate," Dr. Paulo Beabra, Rio de Janeiro, Brazll.
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CHEST PHYSICIANS
January. 1949
Book Reviews ' Zinsser's Textbook of Bacteriology. Br David Smith and Donald S. Mar-
tin, et al, Duke University Schoo of Medicine. Cloth. Price $10.00.
pp. 992, mustrated. Appleton Century Crofts, New York, 1948.
In 1935 there appeared, from the pen of Hans Zinsser, a book "Rats, Lice and History" which was the life history of typhus fever. In this book there was a lucid , simple and fascinating story of the effect of infections on, and the transmission of infectious diseases to the population, and the impetus it had on civilization. In 1940 Zinsser's last publication, "As I Remember Him," appeared. This, the reader will recall, was in essence an autobiography of Hans Zinsser. From these books one readily concludes that here was an author of first magnitude, a scientist of international reputation, and an authority in his particular field -,-bacteriology and public health. For many years before the above mentioned books appeared, Zinsser's contribution to bacteriology was known to every medical student through his texts, first, with Professor Hiss (published in 1910), later published under his name alone, and finally in cooperation with Bayne-Jones. For some years thereafter, this book did not appear on the market and was not available to the medical student, but due to the efforts of Smith and Martin and their associates, the ninth edition of Zinsser's Textbook of Bacteriology is now available. Smith, Martin and their associates are to be complimented for their work in revising and re-editing Zinsser's Textbook of Bacteriology, which is generally accepted as a classic in this particular field. There is the added advantage that Smith, Martin, et al, not only have had the benefit of Zinsser's Textbook of 'Bacte riology as students, but have also had the advantage of teaching bacteriology to their own students, and have thus been able to benefit from their wide experience in bringing this book up to date. These new authors have introduced each subject with the public health aspect of the disease. They have further added the newer investigations in the field of bacteriology and public health which accummulated during and after World War n. Since the advent of bacteriologic and cultural characteristics of organisms, emphasis has been placed in various chapters of the book so that this newer knowledge shall not escape detection by the reader. Zinsser, among other phases of his work, laid particular emphasis on immunology. The new authors have not only rewritten and brought up to date this subject within the realms of the function of their textbook, but have also rewritten the material concerning bacteriological metabolism, fungi, and virus diseases. We can illustrate the format of this book with the subject of tuberculosis . In this chapter there is a . brief resume of the public health aspects of tuberculosis, followed by discussion of the genus Myobacterium found in the soil, water and air. In a clear, simple and understandable manner, there is a discussion of the cultural characteristics as well as the staining properties of the organism; tuberculin and its various products in diagnostic procedures; the effect of the antibiotics on the organism; and experimental methods for the detection of the disease. The subject is further integrated by a brief clinical resume of tuberculosis and finally the public health aspects of the sUb~ct. This method of reviewing the bacteriologic, cultural, public health and elm-
Volume XV
C~LLEGE
NEWS
123
Ical aspects of the d1sease is indeed helpful to the student. Included is a chapter dealing with technical methods of bacteriology, immunology, and serology which is ample for the medical student. This book can be unqualifiedly recommended to the medical student and the practicing physician as a source of information in bacteriology. The publlshers are to be complimented on the manner in which the book has been printed and the clear photographs that appear in the text. Although the book has been designated as a "Textbook of Bacteriology," it should be in the possession of medical students and practitioners of medicine and public health as a guide in the application of bacteriology and immunology to diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of infectious d1seases. A Practical Manual of Diseases of the Chest . By Maurice Davidson, M.A.,
M.D., F.R.CP. Third Edition, 1948. Oxford University Press. This extensive manual, comprising six hundred and seventy pages, has been written in the best literary style and diction, and reads like a story book. The author has presented a well systematized sequence of his subject matter, with appropriate illustrations and photographs of x-ray fums, as well as clinical charts. He has made free use of illustrative case histories to emphasize the d1scussion of each subject. The more recent advances in the chemotherapy and antibiotic therapy of pneumonias have been thoroughly d1scussed. It has considerable material of interest to the internist, as well as the thoracic surgeon, to make the book worthy of a place in their library. Although the book is primarily written for the British public its international scope should make it one of choice for .everyone interested in diseases of the chest. BOOKS, REPORTS AND REPRINTS RECEIVED
"The Relationship of Tuberculosis and Sll1cosis," O. A. Bander, MD., F .A.CP., Milwaukee, Wisconsin. "Benign Pneumoconiosis Due to Metal Fumes and Dusts," O. A. Bander, MD., F .A.CP., Milwaukee, Wisconsin. "Relacoes Entre a Tuberculose Pulmonar e a Tuberculose Osteo-Artlcular," Lopo de Carvalho Cancella, Lisbon, Portugal. "M1cro-radlofotografia em massa; resultados obtldos numa prlmeira observacao," Lopo de Carvalho Cancella, Lisbon, Portugal. "A Pos1cao de Drenagem e a Peniclllna Por Via lnalatorla Como Tempo Preoperatorlo da Clrurgla Pulmonar," Lopo de Carvalho Cancella, e F . Ferreira Coelho, Lisbon, Portugal. "Tratemento do Empiema Pleural Tuberculoso," Dr. Jesse Teixeira, Rio de Janeiro, Brazll. "Ole prlmare Tuberkulose bel Erwachsenen und Kindem und lhre Entwicklung," Dozent Dr. Med . St. J. Leitner, published by Med1z1n1scher Verlag Hans Huber, . Bern, Switzerland. "Extrapleural Pneumonolysis with Luclte Plombage," Drs. John B . Grow and Ralph E. Dwork, Denver, British Journal of Tuberculosis and Diseases of the Chest, Aprll 1948. 'Colloidal Copper Morrhuate," Dr. Paulo Beabra, Rio de Janeiro, Brazll.