Speculum - University of Melbourne

SPECULUM
53
BOOK REVIEWS
RADIOLOGICAL PHYSICS
Author: M. E. J. Young, M.Sc.
Pages: 365.
Illustrations: 184.
Publication Date: October, 1957.
H. K. LEWIS & COY. LTD., LONDON
Reviewed by Mr. Donald Stephens, Director
of the Commonwealth X-Ray and Radium
Laboratory.
M. E. J. Young in this book presents the
basic physics of diagnostic and therapeutic
radiology. The author states in a preface
that the book is written as a text for students
preparing for specific diplomas in
radiology and for radiographers-in-training
preparing for qualifying examinations. In
addition, the author hopes that it will be
useful to physicists who are entering the
specialty of hospital physics. The book
should fulfil these aims admirably.
The text is developed in a logical fashion
and important points are emphasised by
well-chosen and well-produced diagrams,
tables and graphs. Most of the important
sections of a rapidly expanding subject are
covered in some detail. In dealing with
such an extensive subject in a comparatively
small volume, the author has been forced to
limit his elaboration of topics which one
might have expected to be dealt with in
greater detail. For example, it is somewhat
surprising to find that only 30 pages of text
are devoted to nuclear structure and production
and medical use of artificial radioactive
isotopes. Perhaps a more notable
limitation of discussion is found in a section
devoted to the dose received by patients
during diagnostic radiology. This subject
which, in recent years, has come into such
prominence is covered in two pages of
which almost one complete page is devoted
to tables. It is surprising, too, to find in
this section that attention is devoted, in the
main, to the dose to the skin, no mention
being made of the gonad dose to the patient
during diagnostic radiology.
These criticisms are to a very large degree
compensated for by the well chosen
references in the text to journal articles
which should be reasonably accessible to
students, and by supplementary general
references to other books and review
articles. The author, who was formerly
Lecturer in Physics, Royal Free Hospital
School of Medicine (University of London),
has a commendable objective of encouraging
students to read beyond the test, and he
has, as he states in his preface, provided
"points of entry to the current literature".
In two chapters dealing with measurement
of ionising radiations, the author
presents the subject in a manner which
should enable the student to consolidate
further knowledge on a sound foundation.
Similarly, chapters on the interaction of
radiation with matter and some chemical
and biological effects of ionizing radiation,
will equip the student to handle his future
problems with satisfactory basic knowledge.
Students preparing for examination will
welcome the typical examination questions
which are set out at the end of each chapter.
The book should prove a useful text to
students in Australia preparing for the Certificates
of Competence of the Conjoint
Board of the College of Radiologists of
Australasia and the Australasian Institute
of Radiography or for University Diplomas
of Radiology or Diplomas of the College
of Radiologists of Australasia. Its clear
presentation and excellent references will
enhance its value to students preparing for
these examinations without the aid of formal
lecture courses.
Price: £2/2/- st.
IDEALS IN MEDICINE
A Christian Approach to Medical Practice.
Editors: Vincent Edmunds, M.D., M.R.C.P.,
and C. Gordon Scorer, M.B.E., M.D.,
F.R.C.S.
Pages: 192.
Publication Date: February, 1958.
THE TYNDALE PRESS, LONDON.
An excellent book, stimulating thoughts
in the mind of every medical practitioner