Library

EQUINE MEDICINE AND SURGERY, Fourth Edition (1991); Edited by Patrick T. Colohan, Ian G. Mayhew, Alfred M. Merritt, and James N. Moore; Published by American Veterinary Publications, Inc.; approx. 2,000 pages; $165 for two volumes.

Some consider this the classic text in equine medicine and surgery, and will be happy to see this extensively revised edition. The editors have organized the book in a new fashion which seems to approach the diagnosis of clinical problems in much the same way as do most veterinarians. That is to say the first 50 pages describe approaches to common pre- senting complaints. The next 88 pages describe the principles of patient evaluation and diag- nosis. This is followed by achapter onprinciples of therapy and a chapter on systemic diseases involving multiple body systems. Theremained of the two volume book is devoted to diseases by body systems: cardiovascular, respiratory, alimentary, nervous, reproduction, ocular, musculoskeletal, urinary, integument, endo- crine, and hemolymphatic.

In describing how to use the book, the authors say, "Every day, veterinarians must examine an animal, make a diagnosis, pre-

scribe an appropriate regimen of treatment, and offer the client an accurate prognosis; texts should be written to help complete these tasks. Some textbooks are not of much help to the practitioner because it is presumed that the definitive diagnosis already has been made when the veterinarian turns to the book for information. This is not the way that clinical practice works.

"Under more realistic circumstances, the client notices or suspects that something is wrong with a horse. Eventually, the veterinarian's office is contacted and arrange- ments are made for the animal to be examined. The veterinarian then compiles information from the animal's medical history, a general physical examination, and information arising from use of routine diagnostic aids to deter- mine which organ systems are involved. To make a diagnosis and subsequently decide which methods of treatment should be used and to formulate a reasonable prognosis, the veterinarian must decide how the abnormality occurred. This may require a more detailed examination of the affected organ systems and use of more refined diagnostic aids. Once all the necessary data have been gathered, the veterinarian can make the diagnosis. Only at this point do classicbooks help theveterinarian decide what is the most appropriate method of treatment and what the client should be able to expect as an outcome."

The editors have organized this book to follow closely the steps that the veterinarian follows in making the diagnosis, facilitating the process from start to finish. The various chapters on the systems start with a description of the desirable examination of the system. There are 14 Chapter Editors and 100 authors.

This book is much more than a new edi- tion, it is actually a completely new contribu- tion to the literature of equine practice. With all

the new books published on the subject in the past few years, there was the risk that a new edition of an old book would be "too little, too late." Not so, however, with this one. It is such a massive contribution to the literature that any library without it will most certainly be found wanting. WEJ

EQUINE RESPIRATORY DISORDERS (199]); By Jill Beech; Published by Lea & Febiger; approx. 400 pages; $69.50.

Here is the f~rst book devoted entirely to the diagnosis and medical and surgical man- agement of respiratory disorders inthehorse. It covers topics from physiology and the exami- nation of the respiratory tract to the postmor- tem examination and disorders of the neonatal foal. Collaborating with the author are twelve contributors: F. J. Derksen, C. S. Farrow, D. E. Freeman, D. M. Gillette, A. M. Koterba, M. O'Callaghan, P. G. Orsini, J. R. Pascoe, V. B. Reef, J Robertson, L R. Rooney, and C. R. Sweeney.

The book has 22 chapters: Applied res- piratory physiology; Examination of the res- piratory tract; Tracheobronchial aspirates; Bronchoalveolar lavage; Thoracocentesis, Pleurocopic examination and lung biopsy; Ultrasonographic evaluation; Radiographic examination and interpretation; Xeroradiographic examination; Scintigraphic imaging of lung disease; Postmortem exami- nation, Infections causedby viruses; Infections caused by bacteria, mycoplasmas, parasites, and fungi, Thoracic Neoplasia; Miscellaneous lung and pleura] injuries; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH); Nasal pas- sages; Paranasal sinuses; Guttural pouches; Pharynx and larynx; Trachea; and Disorders of the Neonatal Foal. WEJ

GENETICS AND HORSEBREEDING

By William E. Jones, DVM, PhD

$38.50 postpaid (not available overseas)

II II i SPORTS MEDICINE i i FOR THE RACEHORSE i i By William E. Jones, DVM, PhD i

l l $24.95 postpaid i

i ($30.00 overseas pp.) II =

CHANGING TIMES A survival guide

for the equine practitioner By William E. Jones, DVM, PhD

$19.50 postpaid ($25.00 overseas, pp.)

Order from Equine Veterinary Data, P.O. Box 1209, Wildomar, CA 92395. For credit card orders phone 714-678-1889.

126 EQUINE VETERINARY SCIENCE