Stephen Miller

Primer in Ophthalmology

being that in the former, of developmental origin, the cavity communicates with the intracranial ventricular pathways; the latter includes cavity formation in tumours, the cavitation secondary to constrictive arachnoiditis and after trauma. They propose that there is vet another form of isolated cavitation which does not correspond to any of the aibove and reimains without adequate explanation. They discuss in detail the theories which have developed from James Gardners original work associating congenital abnorrmalities at the foramen magnum and fourth ventricle with a forcing of fluid down the central canal of the cord causing it to dilate, and by means of a process almost akin to dissecting aneurysm formation allowing the cavity to rupture into surrounding nervous tissue and so form the characteristic irregular prolonged cavities. The variations on this aetiological theme are well illustrated, and it is emphasized how early surgical treatment in many of these patients can do more than prevent progression and offer very worthwhile improvement. These points are illustrated by many personal case histories. The second section, which some might be less happy to call syringomyelia, includes spinal tumours, the little recognized effects of constrictive arachnoiditis, and the late effects of trauma. For those who want to follow one of the most fascinating developments of our time this book is compulsive reading. It suffers a little from too many individual case histories, particularly as for me at any rate the print was uncomfortably small, and one feels that the same amount of information could have been presented in two-thirds the number of words. While clarifying the modern ideas, it presents them so convincingly that one must guard against accepting brilliant conceptions as factually proved mechanisms applicable to all cases. There is still a lot to learn and to explain, and the book will do much to stimulate further interest. It should be widely read especially by those not primarily concerned in this field, for the new concepts will come as a revelation to some.

Robert Stanley Miller

Former general practitioner Scotland and New Zealand (b 1920; q Glasgow 1950), died from prostate cancer on 15 July 2003. Stanley Miller took part in one of the most disastrous naval operations of the second world war. He was involved in the bombing and torpedo attack of 30 July 1941 on the Arctic ports of Petsamo (now Pechanga) in Finland and Kirkenes in Norway. Of the 59 British aircraft involved, 15 were shot down, including the Fulmar in which Miller was the observer. Miller subsequently spent three years in a German prisoner of war camp. He went on to a successful career as a family doctor, mainly in the west of Scotland but also in the Highlands and Islands and, for 10 years, in New Zealand. He leaves a wife, Patricia; two children; and seven grandchildren.

Sight through Corneal Grafting

without thrombocytopenia are also covered, followed by a section on experimental studies and histopathology. Two excellent chapters containing a comprehensive review of heterophil antibody systems and the serology of infectious mononucleosis will be of interest to clinical pathologists and experimental workers in the serology of this complex disease. Of special interest to physicians and clinical pathologists is the chapter devoted to the problem of diagnosis in patients who do not develop heterophil antibodies. Finally, there is a characteristically thought-provoking chapter by the late Professor W. Dameshek speculating on the nature of infectious mononucleosis and its relationship to neoplastic diseases. The book is well-produced and the illustrations are of a high standard. A minor criticism is that although the relationship of the disease to the Epstein-Barr virus is discussed, there is no illustration of this virus. The editors and authors are to be commended for their selection of data and references, as the whole makes a most authoritative book wvhich will be read and used as a reference by pathologists and physicians. J. W. STEWART.

Ophthalmology in Rotterdam

The authors state in their preface that they are often asked by fellow practitioners for the name of a practical book on vascular surgery. They feel that no such book exists, and the aim is to provide one. Arterial disease is now the major cause of death after 45, and a comprehensive review of the aetiological factors and the various pathological groupings appears an essential introduction. There are sensible practical chapters on assessment of vascular cases, and a brief review of the problems of occlusive arterial disease, aneurysms, arterial embolus, and. arterial injuries. The vasomotor disorders are well covered, as are the neurovascular compression syndromes. One might hope that a future edition would review venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolus more extensively, putting far more emphasis on precise diagnosis because of the present more aggressive surgical approach to treatment. The book closes with sound advice on the problems of varicose veins and lymphoedema and a summary of techniques in vascular surgery. All in all this little book condenses most of the information required to understand the common problems of peripheral vascular disease. It can be strongly recommended. W. T. IRVINE.