Fundamentals of Clinical Fluoroscopy with Essentials of Roentgen demie encephalitis, and malarial fever treatment of acute
Interpretation. By Charles B. Storch, M.D., Adjunct, Radiodiagnostic anterior poliomyelitis. On the other hand, established methods
Department and Radiotherapy Department, Beth-El Hospital, Brooklyn,
New York. Cloth. $6.75. Pp. 196, with 217 illustrations. Grune & Stratton,
Inc., 381 Fourth Ave., New York 16, 1951.
To an old radiologist trained in the Holzknecht (Vienna) and
the Levy-Dorn (Berlin) early schools of roentgenology, there
is a nostalgic and comforting thrill to this author's attempt to
arouse or revive an interest in fluoroscopy. The technological
triumphs of modern radiography would seem to eclipse the
fundamental and clinical satisfactions inherent in fluoroscopy.
Of course it is essential that plenty of clinical experience enter
into the interpretation of the fluoroscopic images, and it is also
important to observe the demands for protection of both patient
and fluoroscopist. As the author states, the literature of fluoros-
copy is scarce and scattered. It is a neglected waif of radiology.
The author also admits a Socratic adherence to logic and answer-
ableness that is commendable. The author does not presume that
fluoroscopy is a competitor to roentgen films. Rather fluoros-
copy amplifies and frequently serves to avoid an unusual num-
ber of films for the patient in whom the movement or pressure
displacement of viscera needs to be surveyed. The thoracic cage
becomes an alluring and resourceful field for fluoroscopy, with
its shift of fluid level, the diaphragmatic excursion, and the medi-
astinal variations by position. Abdominal emergencies of various
types of gas retention from several causes can be studied with¬
out the inevitable delays of radiography. Now that amplifica¬
tion of fluoroscopic images with substantial gains in visual acuity
and increased brightness of the screen images is available, there
is every reason for one to believe that this revival of fluoroscopic
interest is more than justifiable. Fluoroscopy must and will
emerge from this tunnel of darkness in which it has been for
decades. But there must be full understanding and observance
of the demands of protection and the necessity of familiarity
with normal and abnormal fluoroscopic anatomy and physiology,
in addition to a full measure of clinical comprehension. Radi¬
ologists of this generation have had little experience with
fluoroscopy compared to the first generation of continental
radiologists who were trained with glass plates without even
screens to intensify images. It is going to be interesting to witness
this revival of simple fluoroscopy. This good book can show
the way.
Therapie der Nerven- und Geisteskrankheiten. Herausgegeben von Wolf-
gang Holzer, Professor Dr.med. et Dr.Ing., Vorstand der psychiatrisch\x=req-\
neurologischen Universit\l=a"\tsklinikin Graz. Unter Mitarbeit von Hans Eich-
horn, et al. Redigiert von Ernst Pichler. Cloth. Pp. 407, with 28 illustra-
tions. Wilhelm Maudrich, Spitalgasse 1B, Wien IX/2, 1951.
The editor, Dr. Holzer, restricts himself to a general medico\x=req-\
philosophical introduction and relegates the main task to his
associates. This treatise covers all types of therapeutic proce-
dures, such as pharmacotherapy, physical therapy, therapeutic
operations on the central and peripheral nervous system, spe-
cific therapy in diseases of the brain and meninges, treatment
of neurosyphilis, and other diseases of the spinal cord, peripheral
nerves and neuromuscular system. There are chapters on diag-
nostic procedures, shock treatments, convulsive disorders,
psychotherapy, therapeutic use of hormones, vitamins, diets,
and therapy of acute injuries to the central nervous system.
This monograph contains little that is of value to the prac-
ticing neurologist or psychiatrist. It is filled with therapeutic
suggestions that have been gleaned from the literature of the
past century and put together without critical evaluation. Most
of the recommended forms of therapy are obsolete; to mention
a few striking examples, leeches in cerebral hemorrhage,
mercury and bismuth in central nervous system syphilis, mor-
phine in postconcussion delirium, convalescent serum in epi-
The reviews here published have been prepared by competent authorities
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stated.
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of treatments which have been in use for a number of years are
omitted or barely considered; for example, penicillin in neuro-
syphilis, the surgical procedures in cerebral aneurysms, and the
value of the newer antibiotics. Many disease entities are not
considered. The importance of the electroencephalogram in
diagnosis and control of treatment of epilepsy is overlooked,
and topectomy, transorbital lobotomy, and electronarcosis in
the treatment of mental disorders are not mentioned.
These are but few examples of the defects of this monograph.
It gives the impression of a book written in haste, by authors
who have had little practical experience and who do not have
the critical judgment which is needed in writing on subjects of
therapy. Some of the defects may be excused on the basis that
progress in medical science has been retarded in Austria by the
war. This does not, however, excuse the lack of order in the
presentation of the material and the failure of the authors to
use discrimination in the selection of methods of therapy.
The printing of the book is good, but the binding is weak and
easily broken. There are 28 illustrations, most of which pertain
to the technic of lumbar and cisternal puncture and do not add
to the value of the book. There is an inadequate bibliography
at the end of each chapter. Practically all the references are to
the German literature. References to the foreign literature cited
in the text are not included in the bibliography. There is an
adequate index.
Therapies in all fields of medicine are changing rapidly. The
authors have not kept apace with the advances in the field of
neurology and psychiatry. Their monograph is'not, therefore,
of any value to the student or to the specialist.
Roentgenologic Diagnosis of Diseases of Bones. By David G. Pugh.
Assistant Professor of Radiology, Mayo Foundation, Graduate School,
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. [Reprinted from Nelson's loose-leaf
Diagnostic Roentgenology.] Cloth. $6. Pp. 316, with 307 illustrations.
Thos. Nelson & Sons, 19 E. 47th St., New York 17; Parkside Works,
Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh 9, 1950; 1951.
This book is the section with the same title in Nelson's loose-
leaf "Diagnostic Roentgenology," edited by Dr. Ross Golden,
Chief of the Department of Radiology at the Columbia Medical
Center at New York City. This original section was written by
Paul Hodges, Phemister, and Brunschwig. Pugh has retained
much of the original section, which he acknowledges, and has
added much, especially on the endocrinal, vitaminic, rheumatoid,
neurologic, hematologic, and orthopedic categories of bone dis-
ease. Fractures are not discussed as such, but fractures as com-
plications of systemic bone disease receive good attention. The
dystrophies of bones receive elaborate attention, as do also bone
tumors. There used to be about four bone diseases, to wit:
tuberculosis, osteomyelitis, syphilis, and cancer. When improved
sanitation methods for cattle and milk were adopted, the
virtual elimination of tuberculosis followed. The sulfonamides
have about eliminated osteomyelitis. Penicillin has conquered
syphilis, and now the problem of malignancy is about to be
solved. But a new array of bone diseases have arisen to baffle
diagnostic skills. Pugh's book provides the avenues of analytical
roentgen diagnosis. No longer does the orthopedist alone treat
bone disease and trauma. Now the endocrinologist, the rheu¬
matic and cardiac specialist, the neurologist, and others are
appropriating treatment of bone diseases, each into his own
specialty. But a book like this will help any and every specialist.
Perhaps general practitioners might and could appropriate this
whole field of the newer diseases of bone, saving the radiologist
as the court of last resort.
Pugh's book is worthy of the author and his background.
If Pugh has missed any of the new expressions of bone disease,
it is just because they have not as yet been discovered. When
bigger and better bone diseases are provided, Pugh can add
appropriate postscripts.