Book Review

VAI~EMECUM DER KLISISCHEN ELEI<TKOE;I\RDIO(;K~PHII~. 1~~. Schellnetten, F.P.S. Leipzig, 19.5,. Georg Thieme. 119 pages, 6-L figures.

This is the shortest primer of clinical electrocardiography yet published, the test (without illustrations) corresponding to approximately thirty pages of the size of this jourllal. The author

states iLs primary purpose is “to give the practitioner, who receives the ECG interpretations from all electrocardiographer, some explanations about the most ~‘ommon terms and definitious (Begriffsbestimmungenj of electrocardiography.” In his foreword, Brugsch goes farther and claims that this booklet, incorporates all which is essential and might serve as a guide for electro- cardiographic interpretation. Such extreme condensation would require very careful organization of the material and extensive use of tabular presentations. There are, indeed, several very good tables, summarizing the various abnormal patterns, but, as a nhole, the organization of the material is very poor. IXscussion of the fundamentals is limited to ten pages. Probably, the author feels that more would constitute theoretical ballast. unnecessary for the practitioner. ‘l‘hua, the book consists essentially of a mere description of the most com~non abnormal patterns, wirhout the guide of them-l, 10 explain their background.

The material is subdivided into the segments of the cycle (for illsLance, 1’ wave, 12 wave. Q wave, S-T segmenL). This arrangement is inadequate for discussion of diagnostic electrocardio- graphic entities such as ventricular prepotlderance. hlyocardial infarction is separately discussed llnder “R wave,” “S-T segment ,” ant1 “‘I‘ u ave.” The inclusion of some abnormal T-wave patterns in the section “Ii-wave” adds further collfusioll. Bundle branch block is illustrated onI!. by standard leads and discussed under “QRS complex” \vithout reference LO S-T and T changes. Chest leads and standard leads are treated q~aratcly. The lbest part of the I)ook ih the appendix about artefacts (19 pages). O~ily ten pages are devoted to all arrhythmias. Importallt r.xamples have been omitted. ‘I‘herc is, for instance, no illustration of ventricular tachycardia or librillation. It is unfortunate that most tracings of arrhythmias and bundle branch bloc-k do not have an!- time marks. In regard to terminolog)-. the author differentiates Q, Ii, and S wave independent of the direction; he speaks of a positive Q or a negative K. He comments about the difficulty of differentiating a negative R wave from all S wave, but does not say how it cali be done. He IIIUSL

be unaware of the fact that at opposite points oi the body 1~ and S wave are in phase. .%dequate normal standards are missing. \Vithin this small volun~c, the author has mallaged to incorporate a rather large number of erroneous or insufficiently substantiated statements, which cannot be discussed in detail. If used by a practitioner as a guide for interpretation, the book might do more harm than good, and Brugsch’s recommendation in his foreword is somewhat surprising.

1:. s.

Announcements THE COOK COUIGTF GRADUrlTE SIZH~O~ (11; MEDICXXE announces a two-week illtensivc course

on “The Diagnosis and ‘Treatment of Congenital and of Rheumatic Heart Disease in Infants and Children,” presented by Benjamin M. Gasul, M.D., and Egbert H. Fell, M.D., and asso- ciates, from May 18 to May 30, 1953. For a circular giving full information, write to:

Registrar, Cook County Graduate School of Medicine, 707 South Wood Street, Chicago, Illinois.

THE =\MERICAN COLLE(;L’: OF CARDIOLOGY will hold its second annual convention at the Statler Hotel in Washington, D. C., June 7, 8, and 9, 19.53. The topic will be Diagnosis of Cardiac- Diseases. Any further information, pertaining to the program, may be obtained from the Set- retary of the College, Dr. Philip Reichert, 480 Park ,4ve., New York 22, N. Y.

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