BOOK REVIEWS

British Medical Bul l e t in : "Reactions to I n j u r y . " Vol. 1% No. I. Pp. ix +72. ( L o n d o n : T h e Bri t ish Counci l . 1954.) I5S.

For those who are concerned with the treatment of trauma this number of the British Medical Bulletin has much to offer. Within the small compass of sixty-odd pages the wide field of the physiological response to injury is explored. The eighteen contributors discuss the present extent of knowledge in their own fields, and delineate the problems which remain as yet unsolved.

The subjects chosen vary from those which have an immediately practical bearing on therapy to problems which are more strictly academic.

The redistribution of body fluids after injury is admirably outlined by Dr F. C. Courtice, as he reminds us of the Compensatory mechanisms available to the body to combat shock. Dr J. P. Bull discusses the specific changes of burn shock and outlines its treatment. The plasma replacement for children recommended in this article, an amount equal to the plasma volume for each 15 per cent. of surface area burnt, appears considerably in excess of that required and must lead to a dangerous overdistension of the extracellular space in the severely burnt child. Emphasis is placed rightly on the necessity of hour to hour observations in tile control of burn shock.

Dr R. T. Grant summarises his well-known investigations into the circulatory patterns seen in wound shock and provides a very practical guide to transfusion treatment.

Several sections are devoted to the various materials available for transfusion. The desirable attributes of a plasma substitute are stated clearly by Dr W. d'A. Maycock, and the properties of those now in use are compared.

Dr D. P. Cuthbertson leads the reader back to the natural response to injury by a lucid exposition of the metabolic changes which follow trauma.

Space forbids mention in detail of the other contributions to this Bulletin, which closes with an account by Dr W. Ritchie Russell of his studies on head injury.

The Medical Department of the British Council are to be congratulated on the production of this symposium on a subject of prime importance to the surgeon.

A. D. R. B.

M e d i c a l H i s t o r y o f t h e S e c o n d W o r l d W a r : S u r g e r y . Ed i t ed by Sir ZACHARY COVE. Pp. xix + 772, w i th i l lustrat ions. ( L o n d o n : H . M . S ta t ionery Office. 1953.) £ 4 net .

During the war of 1939-1945 surgical advances were many and the outlook on many con- ditions was entirely changed. This volume presents the evolution of such advances, the treatment of wounds and burns, an account of the crush syndrome and the effects of blast, and the rehabilitation of patients with spinal paralysis. A section is devoted to the war surgery of the maxillo-facial region and there are special chapters on plastic surgery and orthopaedic surgery. Sir Harold Gillies has written a short introduction to the chapter on Plastic Surgery, and this is followed by a description of the organisation and work of plastic units by a group of collaborators, and lastly by a description of the War History of Plastic Surgery in the Army by Mr R. J. V. Battle.

The reviews are admirable and will prove useful to the younger surgeons. The chapters on burns are now out of date but show the advances made during the Second World War.

A. B. W.

O r a l a n d Fac i a l D e f o r m i t y . By C. KERR MCNEIL, P h . D . , L . D . S . Pp. 127, wi th 191 i l lus t ra t ions ( L o n d o n : Sir Isaac P i t m a n & Sons L td . 1954.) 25s. net .

Much of what the author has to say has already been said. He has made an important point, namely, that he can promote osteogenic activity of the palatal processes by his appliances. This particular point should have been more clearly defined and more adequately proved. No conclusions should be deduced from the text as it stands at present. The title is most misleading.

F . B . A. B. W.

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