BOOK NOTICES
BOOK NOTICES
Manual of Obstetrics.By Edward P. Davis, A. M., M. D., Professor of Obstetrics in the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. 12mo of 463 pages, 171 illustrations. Philadelphia and London: W. B. Saunders Company, 1914. Cloth, $2.25 net.
As indicated by the name this is a handy book. It is well illustrated, the text is brief and well written, and as complete as could be expected in a work of its size.
It presents no features which are especially new, though it takes up many of the most recent advances in obstetrics.
It is a work that aims to give those who wish it a concise account of the status of obstetrics at the present time.
—Adair.
Balneo-Gymnastic Treatment of Chronic Diseases of the Heart.By Prof. Dr. Theodor Schott, Bad-Nauheim. Published by Blakiston, Philadelphia. Price, $2.50.
This brochure sets forth in the main, preceded by a short chapter on medical treatment, the philosophy, technic, and clinical results of balneogymnastic therapy in chronic heart-conditions.
It would appear, inasmuch as Prof. Schott admits the non-establishment of the probable curative factors of either the carbon dioxide or mineral constituents, that possibly, as Dr. Anders in the foreword surmises, the curative properties may reside in the “advantage of being far removed from the cares and responsibilities growing out of the practical affairs of life at home.”
Relative to the more firmly established value of the gymnastic element, it is quite evident that the “resistance movements,” are an improvement over the Zander mechanico-gymnastic, and of similar value to the so-called “Terrain Kur,” with the added advantage of personal application.
—Schneider.
Diseases of Bones and Joints.By Leonard W. Ely. M. D., 220 pages, 94 illustrations. Surgery Publishing Co., N. Y. Price, cloth. $2.00.
Few men are better fitted than Dr. Ely to write an authoritative book on joint and bone diseases. He has gone at his study from the only logical end; that is, the study of the underlying pathology. The bookthroughout shows the result of much conscientious work in the pathological and x-ray laboratories, carefully checked up from the clinical aspect.
The average specialist who writes a manual for the use of the general practitioner seems to think he must mention every theory which has ever been brought out since the time of Hippocrates, together with a list of every form of treatment ever proposed. The bewildered family doctor gets about as much help as he would from the perusal of a few pages of the Index Medicus. One good theory, clearly stated, even if it is not universally accepted, may form a practical working basis which will be of great aid to the doctor in the understanding and care of his cases. In this particular Dr. Ely is most satisfactory. He has worked out the pathology of the tubercular and other chronic joint diseases in a clear and logical manner. While much may have to be altered in the light of further research, at least one can feel sure that Dr. Ely has convictions, and that his work will form a useful basis for further investigations.
The illustrations are taken almost entirely from photographs or photomicrographs and are mostly original. So many works on Orthopedic Surgery appear which are filled with cuts handed down from one text-book to another, cuts of impossible people wearing impossible appliances, that it is hard to imagine that such a book, illustrated with such quaint old prints, can represent the latest word or offer anything new.
Dr. Ely’s discussion of the pathology of joint tuberculosis is perhaps the most interesting thing in the book. His idea of the red bone marrow and the synovia being the sole tissues to be primarily involved does not agree with the recent work of Fraser, of Edinburgh. Evidently more work must be done in order to harmonize these findings.
In general, while not much space is given to treatment, what there is, is clear and is carefully selected by the author, instead of leaving this important point to the discretion of the reader.
His discussion of the chronic arthritides is quite full and very instructive. He points out particularly the resemblance between the pathological conditions found in various chronic infectious joints and in the various stages of joint tuberculosis.
This little book will certainly be of use to anyone who has to treat bone and joint diseases.
—Reed.