This short manual covers throughly the diarrheal diseases from clinical, laboratory and public health aspects. In addition, the introductory chapters discuss related anatomy, physiology, bacteriology, pathology and diagnostic procedures and technics.
There is unquestionably a wealth of material in this manuscript, but the method of presentation leaves the reader wondering why so much space is wasted in description of simple laboratory procedures and methods of physical diagnosis and so little time spent in interpretation of results. By the same token, therapeutics is described in general terms. The practitioner who wishes to use this for reference will find complete lists of suggested treatments but little discussion of their indications.
This oversimplification on one hand and painful detail on the other suggests that the manual be recommended for study by medical students and young practitioners. It will not be found of great value by experienced gastroenterologists.