The conquest of an infectious disease by vaccination is a story that can reward the reader from both a historical and scientific perspective. The worldwide eradication of smallpox, with the elimination of the necessity of vaccination, inspires the hope in everyone that other diseases, eg, polio, no longer would cause illness. It was with this mind-set that I approached Dr Behbehani's story.
Each of this paperback book's six chapters is carefully subdivided into distinct sections, giving an organized approach and easy reference to specific topics. Selected references are listed at the end of each chapter. As stated in the title, the book contains pictures, which are black-and-white and, unfortunately, many times not of the best quality. Extensive captions are present under each picture and sometimes are too lengthy. A six-page index at the end of the book completes the very orderly format.
Chapter 1, "The Early Period," covers in chronological