Lumbar Puncture and Spinal Analgesia

This once-slim volume, now in its fourth edition, fortunately has retained all that was good in earlier versions. The anatomic color relief illustrations of the vertebral column, spinal cord, and meninges are masterpieces of simplicity and clarity. The chapter on history has grown from seven to 23 pages; though it reads well, it would have been better placed at the rear to reward the persistent reader. The new editors have added a section on extradural analgesia almost as an afterthought; it contributes little and distracts from the main thrust of the work. The sterilization and equipment chapter still shows the original old-fashioned "typical spinal pack" photo; no mention is made of sterile disposable trays. If you already own an older edition, there is no need to buy this one.

These little quibbles notwithstanding, this is an outstanding book. Design and layout are clear and readable, the quality of paper is