Book Reviews

RREISI,~I!FS~~K~-S~~~ USD PAT~IOI~ISCHE ILrs~o~,oc;re. By Prof. Dr. Martin Nerd mann, Priratdozent, IJniversit,y of Tiibingen. (Ergebnisse der Kreislauff orschung, Band iv.) 171 pp. Dresden and Leipzig, 1933, Theodor Steinkopff.

This is a review of the literature (for the most part German) dealing with the more manifest disturhanccs of the circulation in the peripheral vessels, from the clinical as well as the pathological-histological standpoint. It stresses the dcsirabilit> of many modes of approach to the subject with an attempt at correlation. The author deplores the lark of attention to Rockitansky’s point of view. Be states that Thoma is the only one who holds with him that phenomena consequent upon circulatory disturbances include all conditions of pathological anatomy. It is an interesting account of the German contributions to the ml,ject of v;isculnr disraw.

4. R. R.

DIE BRUSTW.~~~DPUI,XBTIO?;EN ALS SYXPTOME vus HEW ITXD GEFL&KKANKHEITF.S.

By Dr. Wilhelm Dressier, Assistant in the Heart Station in Vienna. 181 pp., with 87 illustrations. Vienna, 1933, Wilhelm Maudrich.

Dr. Dressler ‘s careful clinical study of pulsations of the chest wall is a notable example of work based on the skillful use of the senses as opposed to a study rc- quiring complicated apparatus. Dr. Dressler reviews the important anatomical and physiological relationships and shows how these affect the pulsations which may 1~ seen or felt in health and in disease. The first part of the book is given over to general considerations; the second to a discussion of the modification of the pulsn- tions under special conditions. The style is clear and the method of presentation interesting. Dr. Dressier has used graphic methods for control purposes, but ho has wisely chosen to present his material as a study in physical diagnosis and clinical observation, and as such it should be of sprcial interest to tc:+chers and clinicians.

CARDIOVASCULAR PAIN AS A BLOCHEAIICAI, PWBLEX. By Gordon Lamhert, B. A..

M.D., B.C. (Cantab.) 75 pages, with 23 illustrations. Londou, 1933, II. li. Txwis & Co., Ltd.

Contrary to the implication contained in its title, this lirtle monograph proceeds to concern itself with a discussion of the i ‘vascular, muscular and neural factors in cardiovascular pain. ’ ’ ‘There are no original observations. The author has collected seventy-five references, many of them irrelevant. There are frequent quo- tations, but the recent work of Sir Thom:m Lewis is not mentioned. The illustra- tions consist of crude pen and ink drawings; even the electrocardiograms appear as free-hand sketches.

After sixty-nine pages of futile argument, it is concluded that “biochemical research gives promise of adding to our knowledge, and further compilation of statistics, based solely upon morbid anatomy, cannot yield the same results. ”

In the opinion of this reviewer, the booklet serves no useful purpose. Lt neither contributes to our knowledge of cardiovascular pain, nor doos it summarize in au adequate manner those facts which are known concerning it.

R. L. L.

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