Wheeler & Jack's Handbook of Medicine.
1 I th Edn., revised by Dr. Robert Coope.
(Edinburgh: E. and S. Livingstone Ltd.) Considering the small size of this book and the vastness of the subject which it sets out to treat, a remarkable amount of the field has been covered. Thus almost every subject of any importance receives good attention, usually in proportion to its merits, Making the book a most efficient medium for a quick and concise coverage of the subject of Medicine.
The main disadvantage of the book con-
cerns its sections on medical treatment, Which are, in a number of cases, somewhat
brief and superficial. While it must be admitted that certain out-dated aspects of
treatment might well be left out of modern Medical textbooks, it is possible to overdo
such deletion to the detriment of the work, and such has been the case in some sections of this book.
On the whole, however, the book gives good coverage in a remarkably short space, and, while not sufficient of itself as one's
Sole book of reference, might well find its
I''
, ay onto the student's bookshelf as a very
handy summary of the theory and practice of Medicine.
R. M. BIGGINS
Honorary Physician to Out-patients, St. Vincent's Hospital.
Notes on Communicable Diseases of Laboratory Animals
(Edinburgh: E. and S. Livingstone Ltd.) This booklet presents in a very concise form, a great deal of information essential to the successful management of an experi- mental animal house. The research worker must feel confident that his experimental results shall not be influenced statistically by concurrent clinical or inapparent infection.
Therefore, an animal house cannot fulfil its scientific function unless it is capable of maintaining a continuous supply of disease- free animals. Although the ideal arrange- ment is a perfectly healthy animal popula- tion, maintained in the strictest quarantine, in very few instances if this practicable for any length of time.
Dr. Parish has drawn on his long experience in the field of clinical research, and as director of that aspect of the exten- sive and varied activities of the Beckenham Laboratories, to present to the scientific world in the compass of a short monograph a wealth of information accessible otherwise only after long and tedious reading through a host of references. It does not aim to be either completely comprehensive, nor to be the last word on the subject, but as a practical manual, it is a very significant contribution to an important aspect of biological research. It should not be omitted from the library of any institution which breeds or maintains experimental animals.
D. F. GRAY.
Assoc. Prof. of Bacteriology
Industrial Health
An introduction for students by R.
Passmore, M.A., D.M., F.R.S.E., and Catherine N. Swanston, M.R.C.S., D.P.N., D.I.N., with foreword by Professor F. A. E.
Crew, F.R.S.
Published by E. S. Livingston Ltd., Edin- burgh (1950), pp 110.
This small book, written for students in Edinburgh, should be of use also (as the authors point out) to personnel officers, works managers, trades union leaders, indus- trial nurses, etc.
Although written primarily with refer- ence to conditions and legislation in Britain it will be found valuable to English-speaking students anywhere.
Correction of certain loosely expressed ideas and incorrect statements would enhance the value of the book.
For example: Chapter two. "Health is an individual subjective sensation".
Chapter five: "A disease is occupational when it occurs as a risk . . ."
On page 56 the statement "at least 90 per cent. of all industrial poisoning follows the inhalation of dust, fumes or vapour"
occurs. Surely "Gas' should be included.
On page 58, para (4), "Particle" Size: This is probably the most important factor in the absorption of dusts through the lungs".
This statement ignores the chemical nature of the particles, and their number.
Page 67. "The substitution of cellulose for benzene". The meaning can be guessed at, but the statement as it stands is absurd.
Page 55. "Substances such as phenol, lime, and inorganic acids, are dangerous because of their caustic properties".
Surely Phenol is also dangerous if -inhaled as vapour.
In dealing with factors affecting output no mention is made of nutrition, rationing, difficulties of housekeeping or fatigue due to queueing for hours.
The authors rightly stress the importance of the occupational history in diagnosis.
In spite of these faults this little book can be recommended as an introduction to the subject of Industrial Health.
D.O.S.
Round the Fountain
Round the Fountain — Pieces from St.
Bartholomew's Hospital Journal, Fifth Ed tion (Pp. 243).
This collection of verse and sketches has been revised and enlarged in this, the first edition for 22 years. The period covered is from 1893 to 1949, but we don't have to have lived in 1899 to appreciate the humour of "The Malingerer", or to have been a "Bart's" man to sympathise with the House Surgeon in "An Affair of Beds' • The standard of the humour is uniform- 1Y high, without recourse to smut, and all those who enjoy Medical Humour will get much entertainment from the 100 or so pieces.
Some serious verse is included.
It is interesting to compare conditions under which students in London worked at the beginning of the century with those under which we work today, and also to read the opinions of those on the receiving end of the percussing finger.
E. & S. Livingstone, of 16-17 Teviot Place, Edinburgh, 1, will be happy to for- ward a copy of their 1951 catalogue of Medical books to anyone interested.
The Editors wish to acknowledge receipt of the following journals from other Medical Students' societies:
The Review (University of Adelaide)' The Oxford Medical School Gazette, Revue Medicale (1'Universite de Montreal), Irma"- nimate (University of Sydney), Trephine (University of Queensland).
M.S.S. NOTES
During 1950 the Medical Students' Society conducted the usual functions, and the traditional apathy of students towards organised events was not always as marked as history would have it.
Lunch Hour talks were held on four occasions. Dr. John Horan addressed the Society on Recent Advances in Medicine as seen in America; Professor Sunderland, On. his return from overseas, gave us his
°Jmnion on Medical Schools in North America; the Professor of Biochemistry from the University of Malaya, Professor Lugg formerly of this school), delivered a very interesting address on conditions in Univer- his of the Malay States, and illustrated ins lecture with a beautiful set of koda- chrome transparencies—same showing Pro- fessor Trikojus in holiday mood. Our final speaker in this series was Dr. MacLaren_
former Professor of Psychiatric Medicine.
He recounted his long experiences as a Medical missionary in Korea.
The Lunch Hour films were supported in reasonable measure, until word got around about a colour film by the Parke Davis Suprarenal on the secretions of the Pituitary, Niprarenal and Ovaries. Interest waxed strong in the endocrines and scarce one absentee was noted among the pre-clinical students. A collection on that occasion boosted the petty cash balance considerably.
On June 23 the Annual Medical Dinner Was held in the Union House. The guest sPeaker, Professor Burke, spoke on the
°Pening of an Art exhibition, and was applauded vigorously by a very appreciative
audience. Despite the good attendance at this function, the Dinner was again a drain on our resources.
In the realm of Sport, we were second in the Inter-Faculty football competition, and saw some good tennis played in a match between the clinical and pre-clinical students
—the latter were successful.
The crowning success of the year's activi- ties, however, came in November, when the Medical Medleys were held on the 30th of that month at the St. Kilda Town Hall.
The credit for this great event must go to Mr. Alister Cole and his sub-committee. Mr.
Cole proved himself one of the most active members of the M.S.S. during 1950. In addition, we wish to extend our thanks to all those who gave their time to the produc- tion of such an excellent floor show. Finally, our thanks are due to Mr. Leon Stubbings as producer of the show.
The First Year students rejoined the Faculty in Melbourne in 1950. They showed great signs of activity, even going to the extent of organising their own dance. This year, those who survived are welcomed into Second Year, and we hope that their organ- ising ability will be directed into the channels of the M.S.S. Isolationism, now that Mildura is closed, will in the future be frowned upon.
A vote of thanks is due to the Presidents
—Profesor MacCallum, who retired during the year, and Professor Townsend, who took his place, both of whom were enthusiastic and efficient in their office, and were respon- sible for much of the Society's work throughout the year.