This book gives an excellent summary of new ideas adapted to the background of the past. The articles are concise and practical, and even the arrangement in the book seems very apropos, starting with the human host defense mechanism as it relates to surgery and trauma. This concerns multiple organ failure and depletion of opsonic α2 surface-binding glycoprotein noted after trauma, major surgery, or burn injury. The importance of sepsis, even though antibiotics are available, is noted. These are early observations of what may be of great significance and this article should be read carefully.
The articles on trauma, ie, complex vascular injuries, trauma of the liver, blunt splenic trauma, head injuries, and fat embolism, were excellent. Each calls attention to new ideas in observation and therapy, and the need to avoid the rigid procedures of the past.
Of great interest was the practical article with regard to setting