Diabetes mellitus management and complications

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Authors: Jerrold M Olefsky, Robert S Sherwin (Eds). Publisher: Churchill Livingstone, New York, Edinburgh, London, Melbourne, 7985. Size: 476 pages, 9%” x 6%” (hardback). Price: f52.50

This book is volume 1 of Contemporary Issues in En- docrinology and Metabolism and is written by distinguished authors, only one of whom is not American. The contents in- clude chapters on control and complications, insulin therapy, hypertension, pregnancy and in- dividual microvascular complications.

The title of the volume sug- gests a textbook but in the editorial philosophy it is made clear that only selected topics will be addressed. Strangely ab- sent is any detailed considera- tion of macrovascular disease as a major cause of mortality in diabetes.

The contributions vary con- siderably in approach and style.

Thus, Sherwin and Tamborlane write with clarity and concise- ly on the difficult topic of con- trol and complications, Rizza presents the metabolic risks of insulin therapy well, and Schade (as always) gives pleasure by his writing on illness and surgery in the diabetic patient.

On the other hand, several authors have had obvious dif- ficulty in knowing what to leave out of their topic, and the chapters on intensive treatment and on the kidney (with 382 references) proved too much for this reader. More minus points are scored by the use of black and white photographs in the chapters on retinopathy and the

psychological issues in patient management and the economic impact of diabetes were quite fascinating. The writer of the former is to be commended for avoiding the heading of brittle diabetes and, although the economics are North American, the information is of con- siderable interest.

Being editor of a multi- author volume is hard work, as I know to my cost. Contents must be decided, contributors approached, and the battle is commenced to persuade, cajole, and threaten the writer to pro- duce a manuscript by a date

known euphemistically as a deadline.

When this is long past and manuscripts have been received, there dawns the awful awareness that the contribu- tions bear little resemblance to what the editor had in mind. Whatever is then decided - to rewrite, delete large sections, or introduce minor modifications - the editor has some respon- sibility for achieving a uniform style. This volume lacks a firm hand in editing, which detracts from its overall appeal.

Malcolm Nattrass Consultant Physician

I skin.

Author: Lyn Cheater Publishers: Javelin Books, 7986. Size: 728 pages, A 5 (softback). Price: f2.95.

In the author’s words, this book is “directed not at those with medical knowledge but at the discerning persons who seek a better understanding of their bodies and how they work”. It is written in a rather breezy, but direct, author-to-reader style, which I found a little disconcer- ting as the reader changes from child’s mother to teenager to overweight senior citizen.

The book appears to cover every aspect of the foot, starting with simple anatomy and pro- gressing through growth and development, to foot disorders and their treatment. There are good chapters on footwear and foot exercises. The book con- tains a lot of sound, practical advice, accompanied by many helpful diagrams and several, sometimes horrific, photo- graphic plates. Diabetes, as a topic, is covered in three pages.

Would I recommend this book? I would, to discerning persons who seek a better understanding of feet, as well as Drill Sergeant-Majors, mothers of toddlers and fashion- conscious footwear designers. I would also say that doctors and nurses who look after patients with diabetes would profit from reading this book.

Would I recommend it to diabetic patients? Probably not; although the book is good value for money at E2.95, our patients already have many extra ex- penses and this book is too comprehensive for their needs. I am willing to be persuaded, however.

Colin Mclntosh Consultant Physician

See Special Book Offer, page 799 of this issue.

220 Practical DIABETES July/August 1986 Vol 3 No 4