Current diagnosis and treatment.

The term "current" which appears in the title of the book is intriguing to the reviewer and it should become an increasing challenge to the authors. The offset printing, the acceptance of uneven lines, a paperback cover, and low cost emphasizes the role and meaning of "current." Standards for this procedure are now being set in the development of Current Medical Terminology, published by the American Medical Association.

Brainerd and his colleagues indicate thoughtfully and with significance that their book is not intended for use as a textbook of medicine. It contains the essentials for diagnosis and treatment, with limited considerations of physiopathology and the fundamental mechanisms of treatment. It is a valuable tool for quick reference by practitioners, pending opportunities for reading the classical literature and standard textbooks of medicine. The format suggests that an extensive revision will be undertaken each year to reflect the advances of modern medicine.