This book is a reference monograph on the biliary tract. Its materials consisting of an extensive review of the literature and an analysis of 2,285 gallbladder operations, a series presented in the Archives in 1964. Almost every aspect of embryology, anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the biliary tract is mentioned. In this sense, it is a comprehensive work. There are, however, some criticisms.
First, the index is incomplete. For example, although calcified gallbladder and milk of calcium bile are briefly discussed, and hemobilia and postcholecystectomy symptoms (syndrome) are mentioned offhand, they are not in the index.
Secondly, when, by browsing through, one does find such things, he is frequently disappointed in that the explanations, or definitions, are not clear. Even if the subject is a controversial one, at least the author's stand on the subject should be mentioned. Or, alternately, description of an illustrative patient (of