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The Microbe's Challenge 



The Microbe's Challenge. By Frederick Eberson, Ph.D., M.D. 329 

 pages. The Jaques Cattell Press, 1941. $3.50. 



To write a book on a scientific subject that will have appeal 

 for the lay mind as well as for the scientist is a difficult task and 

 yet this is seemingly what Dr. Eberson has achieved in his recent 

 publication, "The Microbe's Challenge."' 



Microbes are shown to have a way of living. They must grow, 

 eat, reproduce and die. The manner in which they set about this 

 business of living is vividly told. There are both good and bad 

 microbes and these are equally important to man. The microbial 

 parasite is a subject for contempt as are parasites in any walk of 

 life, but must be treated with respect because its parasitism is 

 necessary if it is to go on living. The fight to overcome these 

 disease-producing parasites is a fascinating one and puts to test all 

 of man's ingenuity, as the author plainly shows. 



The numerous disease-producing parasites or agents are each 

 described in detail and the means by which invasion is fought and 

 overcome clearly stated. One sees the body-producing poisons to 

 ofifset those produced by the microbe. Such words as toxin, anti- 

 toxin, bacteriophage, etc., are given meaning. 



Virus diseases, the yellow fever problem, and many others 

 are set forth in a manner that will arouse enthusiasm for the 

 scientist and respect for the laboratory. The how and the why of 

 epidemics is but one of the problems met with. 



Indeed the microbe's challenge is being met with, and though 

 the path is hard and strewn with difficulties, much success has 

 been attained since Louis Pasteur first started out on the journey. 



In addition to the above, the author gives a true and accurate 



account of the history of the development of bacteriology and the 



men who have made this possible. „ itt -r, 



'■ Rhoda W. Benham 



Plant Anatomy 



Practical Plant Anatomy. By Adriance S. Foster. D. Van Nostrand 

 Company, 1942. Pp. 155. $2.50. 



If one approaches Dr. Foster's new book as this reviewer did, 

 by way of the pre-publication announcement, the results are likely 

 to be disappointing. The publisher's notice leads one to expect 



