To those who have read the first edition of this treatise the appearance of a third will serve as additional proof of its popularity. Important additions have been made in the chapters on circulatory disturbances, disorders of the back, knee, shoulder and foot, and infections of the hand. These additions have helped to bring the book up to date.
One cannot but help being impressed, as one reads, with the scope and importance of modern orthopedic surgery. Mercer has included not only diseases of the bones, muscles and tendons but also those of the nerves and blood vessels. In other words, orthopedic surgery now includes practically all extremity surgery and, in addition, many important diseases of the trunk. To cover all of these subjects adequately in a volume of 900 pages is an almost impossible task. Dr. Mercer has done an excellent piece of work, considering the inherent difficulties which