The editor has selected capable gastroenterologists to write the chapters assigned to them. Unfortunately, some of the chapters, particularly that regarding the therapy of peptic ulcer, include material not substantiated by long-continued clinical experience.
One questions the validity of making a diagnosis of pancreatic diseases by means of determination of serum lipase and serum amylase only. Too much emphasis is apparently placed on the blood levels of serum lipase and amylase in the diagnosis of diseases of the pancreas.
Disease of the extrahepaticbiliarypassages isone of the most common digestive complaints, but is noteworthy by absence of consideration in this book. This statement is made in spite of the fact that the editor states in his preface that no attempt was made to cover the entire gastrointestinal field.
As a whole, the book is well written, in simple, understandable language, and is to be highly recommended to both students and practitioners.