Aug.
1956
BOOK
REVIEWS
941
body disease, special tumors, atherosclerosis, pancreatic cystic disease, myasthenia gravis,
retrolental fibroplasia. T h e lucid descriptions and t h e clear evaluation of etiologic and
pathogenetic factors bear t h e touch of the master. T h e description of each lesion is clear
and direct and is preceded b y a succinct discussion of related general phenomena of t h e
disease. The editing is superb. T h e index, however, could be made fuller.
This textbook has long been, and still continues to be, a classic in the English language.
Its ownership and constant use are therefore recommended to all physicians. T h e treasure
of information t h a t it contains and the surpassing excellence of its presentation should
reward anyone who consults i t .
Eloise, Michigan
S. E . GOULD
Next) York
CORNELIUS P . RHOADS
Biochemistry. An Introductory Textbook. B y F E L I X HAUROWITZ, D r . med., P r a g u e , D r . rer.
nat., P r a g u e ; Professor of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, I n d i a n a . 4S5
pp., 57 figs., 31 tables. S6.75. New York: John Wiley & Sons, I n c . . 1955.
Although the subtitle of this book is "An Introductory T e x t b o o k , " for those who a r e
basically morphologists it contains valuable information. I t s value lies in its emphasis on
the succession of labile intracellular metabolic processes t h a t are mediated by enzyme
systems. The structural organic and physiologic chemistry of t h e past is n o t enough to
explain these processes. This book contains much information about enzyme biochemistry
written with sufficient clarity for t h e non-specialist t o understand. F o r those pathologists
who are becoming interested in histochemistry it can help them understand the morphologic
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Advances in Cancer Research. Vol. I I I . E d . by J E S S E P . G R E E N S T E I N , National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Public Health Service, Bethesda, M d . ; and
ALEXANDER HADDOW, Chester B e a t t y Research I n s t i t u t e , Royal Cancer Hospital,
London, England. 369 pp., 42 figs., 64 tables. SS.50. New York: Academic Press, I n c . ,
1955.
The third volume of Advances in Cancer Research by Greenstein and Haddow is a most
distinguished one, comprehensive in scope and complete in detail.
The article by Doll on t h e etiology of lung cancer is an ideal review of t h e topic by t h e
senior author in one of the most competent studies in t h e volume. I t is hard to escape t h e
conclusion t h a t those who decry a role of cigarette smoke inhalation in t h e etiology of lung
cancer a r e in an increasingly weak position.
The section by Morris on experimental tumors of t h e thyroid gland is exceedingly complete. I t may be hoped, however, t h a t a t some later time a more extensive consideration
can be given to thyroid tumors in m a n . Only 2 pages of this 64-page article could be devoted
to that topic.
The treatise of the Pullmans on t h e correlation of electron density and carcinogenic activity of aromatic molecules is particularly timely. I t brings into perspective a s t u d y of
the greatest basic importance.
Rondoni presents a most interesting consideration of t h e neoplastic transformation of
a normal tissue as an increase of entropy. T h e possibility is advanced t h a t t h e physical
nature of t h e protein molecule is important in maintaining neoplastic characteristics.
Shimkin's review of pulmonary tumors in experimental animals is complete a n d most
useful. Of special interest is his consideration of the " v e r t i c a l " approach t o t h e cancer
problem. This term is applied to t h e application of multiple disciplines to a particular
neoplasm.
Weinhouse has handled in a masterly way t h e oxidative metabolism of cancer tissue.
This review is complete and most useful. His conclusion t h a t there exists little evidence in
favor of t h e Warburg hypothesis is important and timely, when so much thought is being
given to the neoplastic transformation in vitro of normal human cells.
This volume should be read by all interested in cancer research.
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BOOK REVIEWS
Vol. 26
expressions of enzyme functions t h a t histochemical technics are rapidly contributing. T h e
material is lucidly presented and is printed in clear type on good paper so t h a t the book is
easy to read.
Los Angeles
P . J. M E L N I C K
Of Research People. B y GEORGE E . BURCH, M . D . , F.A.C.P., Henderson Professor of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana. 56 p p . , 40 figs.
S3.00. New Y o r k : Grune & S t r a t t o n , I n c . , 1955.
Dr. Burch has written an amusing and courageous little monograph, cleverly illustrated
by R o y Robinson. I t deals, with " a certain amount of bluntness and directness." with
some of t h e problems of cooperation and effective communication between t h e various
echelons in the research world. These problems loom larger every day in the field of medical
research. D r . Burch emphasizes t h e key role of t h e true investigator. Like a r t and music,
scientific research is best supported and encouraged for its intrinsic enduring values, not
for t h e extraneous circumstances t h a t a t t a c h t o and surround it.
P . J. M E L N I C K
Kapillaren und Interstitium. Morphologie. Funklion. Klinik. Hamburger Symposion,
Oktober
89-81, 1954. Herausgegeben von H . BARTELHEIMER, Professor Dr. I. Med. Klinik und
Poliklinik im Stiidt. Krankenhaus Moabit, Freie Universitiit Berlin; und H . K U C H MEISTER, Dozent D r . I I . Medizinische Universitiits-Klinik Hamburg-Eppendorf. 232
pp., 55 abbildungen. $8.00. S t u t t g a r t : Georg Thieme Verlag, 1955.
This symposium on capillaries and interstitial tissue held in Hamburg, Germany, in
October, 1954, contains 27 papers presented by contributors from 6 European countries.
T h e topics discussed include, among others: t h e normal and pathologic anatomy and t h e
physiology of capillaries; the clinical aspects of capillary function; pharmacodynamic
aspects of capillary function; t h e application of radio-isotope technics in t h e s t u d y of capillary permeability; the morphology and function of arterio-venous anastomoses; t h e structure and function of interstitial tissue, as revealed by chemical analysis and by electron
microscopy. As is evident from this partial summary of t h e contents, t h e subjects surveyed
in the various articles cover a wide field of knowledge—the source material to which m a y
often be inaccessible to the individual reader. An index, reference lists, and excellent illustrations enhance the value of this monograph which should be most useful to all who are
interested in the subject.
Dearborn, Michigan
M . W. WILSON
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Los Angeles