Prior to initiating a review of The Spleen I suspected that I would find little to aid my clinical practice that would not be readily available within a few moments by interfacing with a computerized medical literature search such as Grateful Med. I was wrong. This monograph is an intriguing, useful text that deserves attention as an efficient starting point for the scientist, internist, or surgeon pursuing an enigma involving the spleen.
The text itself is exceptionally handsome and well indexed. It includes helpful schematic drawings and electron micrographs. Useful tables and figures are plentiful. Data presented are meticulously referenced.
In the preface editor Anthony J. Bowdler chooses to review for the reader the historical progress of the scientific and clinical communities in relating structure and function to the clinical significance of Galen's "organ of mystery." I found this to be a particularly enjoyable, informative, and effective orientation for the