Book reviews 635 Diagnosis and Management of Medical Emergencies (2nd edition) By RUSTOM JAL VAKIL and FAROKH ERACH UDWADIA. Pp. xx + 750, illustrated, hard cover. Oxford University Press: 1975 (Reprint 1976. £10.00. This is a remarkable book in many ways. In the first place it is encyclopaedic and its title belies the fact that there are chapters on paediatrics, ophthalmology, ENT and gynaecological emergencies. Secondly, its real strength lies in the feeling with which it is written, which

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... athes the life of the casualty department and bedside into the text. As a textbook in differential diagnosis which must, of course, precede optimum management, the book is first-rate. The book is written by a number of authors mainly from the Bombay hospitals. The Indian setting is reflected in the strange (to British eyes) trade names of some drugs, and the space given to important tropical diseases and now largely extinct European ones. These sections could none the less be of considerable value even if the British accident and emergency doctor does not need to know the details that identify the king cobra. Inevitably one can quibble with many details of the treatment advised-attempts at early ambulation in myocardial infarction are not recommended, whereas vasopressors and anticoagulants are. The newest techniques in treating diabetic ketosis are not mentioned although it should be noted that the book was published in 1975, the review copy having been somewhat detailed. The index is also not one of the strong points nor is the print, by British standards. With certain caveats, Doctors Vakil and Udwadia's book can certainly be warmly recommended.