Diseases of Bones and Joints. By Leonard W. Ely. M. D., 220 pages, 94 illustrations. Surgery Publishing Co., N. Y. Price, cloth. $2.00.
Few men are better fitted than Dr. Ely to write an authoritative book on joint and bone diseases. He has gone at his study from the only logical end; that is, the study of the underlying pathology. The book throughout shows the result of much conscientious work in the pathological and x-ray laboratories, carefully checked up from the clinical aspect.
The average specialist who writes a manual for the use of the general practitioner seems to think he must mention every theory which has ever been brought out since the time of Hippocrates, together with a list of every form of treatment ever proposed. The bewildered family doctor gets about as much help as he would from the perusal of a few pages of the Index Medicus. One good theory, clearly stated, even if it is not universally accepted, may form a practical working basis which will be of great aid to the doctor in the understanding and care of his cases. In this particular Dr. Ely is most satisfactory. He has worked out the pathology of the tubercular and other chronic joint diseases in a clear and logical manner. While much may have to be altered in the light of further research, at least one can feel sure that Dr. Ely has convictions, and that his work will form a useful basis for further investigations.
The illustrations are taken almost entirely from photographs or photomicrographs and are mostly original. So many works on Orthopedic Surgery appear which are filled with cuts handed down from one text-book to another, cuts of impossible people wearing impossible appliances, that it is hard to imagine that such a book, illustrated with such quaint old prints, can represent the latest word or offer anything new.
Dr. Ely’s discussion of the pathology of joint tuberculosis is perhaps the most interesting thing in the book. His idea of the red bone marrow and the synovia being the sole tissues to be primarily involved does not agree with the recent work of Fraser, of Edinburgh. Evidently more work must be done in order to harmonize these findings.
In general, while not much space is given to treatment, what there is, is clear and is carefully selected by the author, instead of leaving this important point to the discretion of the reader.
His discussion of the chronic arthritides is quite full and very instructive. He points out particularly the resemblance between the pathological conditions found in various chronic infectious joints and in the various stages of joint tuberculosis.
This little book will certainly be of use to anyone who has to treat bone and joint diseases.
—Reed.