326 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



The scope of the subject is tremendous, as it involves the study of all the 

 usual physiological processes in addition to the special conditions due to 

 fertilisation, intra-uterine growth, birth, and extra-uterine growth. 



The treatment of the subject is adequate. One is surprised to find not 

 only an explanation of the laws of heredity, but a physico-mathematical 

 treatment of the cleavage planes in the dividing egg. Such a discussion is 

 useful for anyone studying the subject, as it gives a starting-point. On the 

 other hand, those who look for mere technical information will find it in the 

 numerous tables and diagrams. Thus the weight and height of children 

 at different ages and mathematical formulae for expressing these relationships 

 are given. These standards are useful for the purely practical purpose of 

 determining whether the nutrition of a given child is what it ought to be. 



All branches of the subject are treated : internal secretions, accessory food 

 substances, digestion during childhood, metabolism of children, etc., all have 

 a place in this book. 



The data on which the book is founded have been collected from many 

 sources. The collection of the material must have required great industry 

 and perseverance. The putting together of the material in a readable form 

 has been well accomplished. The book has something beyond these merely 

 desirable attributes, as it is characterised by an enthusiasm and a freshness 

 of outlook. It is original because it is the first book which attempts to cover 

 the field of child physiology. 



This book can be thoroughly recommended to anyone interested in 

 physiology or in child development. To obtain the greatest value from it, 

 the reader must be able to follow mathematical formulae, such as the differ- 

 ential calculus. 



The numerous references by themselves are of great use to students of 

 the subject. 



H. E. R. 



The Link between the Practitioner and the Laboratory. By Cavendish 



Fletcher, M.B., B.S., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., and Hugh McLean, B.A., 



B.C.Cantab., D.P.H.Camb., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. [Pp. gi, with 7 



illustrations.] (London : H. K. Lewis & Co., 1920. Price 4s. 6d. 



net.) 



The selection of material to be sent to the pathological laboratory, and 



the technique of its collection and preservation by the medical practitioner, 



form the subject-matter of this little book. Attention to these details 



makes all the difference between a haphazard and an accurate diagnosis, 



and nowadays, when the practitioner so often bases his future treatment 



upon the pathological report, it is of the utmost importance that the rules 



laid down as to the securing and transmission of uncontaminated specimens 



should be strictly adhered to. 



The advice given as to the preliminary preservation of histological 

 material is good ; it is, unfortunately, the experience of many pathologists 

 to receive material for histological examination which has been badly 

 selected, and placed straight away' into a strong solution of formalin or 

 methylated spirit. The authors recommend 50 per cent, alcohol, which, 

 although only a slow fixative, yet allows of the subsequent use of more 

 rapid fixing and hardening agents, without detriment to the final result. 



In connection with the paragraphs dealing with collection and trans- 

 mission of pathological material obtained from cases of cerebro-spinal 

 meningitis, the stress laid upon rapidity of transit of cerebro-spinal fluid and 

 infected naso-pharyngeal swabs is to be commended. So many failures have 

 occurred from culturing swabs which have been allowed to become cold, 

 where success so essentially depends upon keeping swabs and cerebro-spinal 

 fluid at body-temperature right up to the time of culturing. 



