The Treatment of Haemophilia A and B and von Willebrand's Disease

It is hard to argue with success, and certainly the Oxford group is a recognized world leader for the treatment of hemophilia. Under Dr Biggs' guidance, the center flourished, and now she has edited a monograph on the treatment of hemophilia at Oxford. The book opens with a historical review of coagulation disorders and hemophilia, progressing stepwise through the current understanding and pathogenesis of hemostasis and hemorrhage. Then follows a detailed technical analysis of the factor VIII molecule, its physiology, biochemictry, and molecular structure, an area of particular interest to Dr Biggs. The chapter covering the laboratory aspects of coagulation from the clinician's viewpoint is well done. Befitting a modern treatise on hemophilia, there are chapters discussing the amount of blood necessary to meet the concentrate needs of the hemophiliac, the reasons for organizing care around hemophilia centers, and the benefits of home therapy. Other chapters deal, as one would