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A Century of Arterial Hypertension edited by Nicolas Postel-Vinay. John Wiley and Sons, Chichester, 1996 (ISBN 0 471 96788 2). lllus. 21 1 pages. f29.95. This comprehensive study pub- lished in collaboration with the International Society of Hyper- tension is welcome, particularly in the light of recent Department of Health statistics (1995) which state depressingly that 43% of males and 44% of females died from circulation-related disorders.

The editor of A Century of Arterial Hypertension has taken a thematic approach to the history of hypertension rather than a strictly chronological narrative as so many books of this type do. This has allowed individual contributors more freedom to cover a wide variety of events, discoveries and contexts without the constraints or confusion of historical schedules.

The major themes covered are: 0 Measuring blood pressure. 0 Recognising hypertension.

Understanding hypertension. Treating hypertension. The question of norms. Social pressures.

0 Yesterday’s sufferers and today’s patients, 0 The genetics of hypertension.

There is, however, a section a t the end of the book called ‘Milestones’ that does provide a list of dates for the major events and discoveries.

Some sections in this book are highly technical, for example ‘Pheochromocytoma and the concept of surgically curable hypertension’, in chapter 3. Others, such as ‘Modern civilisation under pressure’ in chapter 6 are less so. One is not left, however, with an impression of intellectual bias, and this book will appeal equally to those with a scientific background as well as to those whose interest lies more with the social aspects of disease. For the latter, the involvement and influence of insurance companies in the concept of hypertension as a risk factor is enlightening.

There is even some specific physiotherapeutic interest in chap- ter 4 on ‘The extravagant promises of electrotherapy’ (plus qa change).

I was pleased to observe that the authors have not been seduced by the internalist Great Men approach to the history of medicine and that

The sphygmograph - an early attempt the aid of an apparatus

they clearly do not subscribe to the belief that doctors always know what they are doing. There is a healthy measure of scepticism, particularly in chapter 5 ‘The question of norms’ where we are reminded that knowledge does not always equal understanding.

There are numerous unforget- table quotes drawn from a wide variety of sources, which indicate that this is a very literate book, something of a novelty in mod- ern texts. I was particularly taken with Ren6 Lacroix’s thought that ‘Modern life is essentially vasocon- strictive’, and the perception of Paul Valbry in his comment ‘Why does this body of mine confide in you [the doctor1 and not me?

The editor Nicolas Postel-Valery and the translators Richard Edel-

to study blood flow in humans with

stein and Christopher Coffin are t o be congratulated on producing a uniform and balanced text that is as informative as it is readable. I did like the way that the refer- ences have been handily placed in the right-hand margins so that the rhythm of reading the text is not compromised by constantly search- ing for the appropriate reference or comment.

As a lecturer I find myself constantly telling students before examinations that I do not want them to write down everything that they know about a subject and expect me to pick and choose the information that I want. This time, however, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Allen Mason MSc BA MCSP

When Life Meets Death by Thomas William Shane DDiv. Haworth Press, 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, New York 13904-1580, USA, 1998 (JS6N 0 7890 0289 2). 142 pages. $36. Subtitled ‘Stories of Death and Dying, Truth and Courage’, this is a book of tales about people who have faced the ordinary but over- whelming experience of the death of a loved one.

Some anecdotes are as commonplace as the peaceful passing of an elderly relative, others traumatic, like the loss of victims in the Oklahoma City bombing disaster.

The accounts are collated into four groups: ‘On the Way’ deals with the time before death, when its inevitability becomes evident.

‘At the Moment’ shares exper- iences of the final goodbye.

‘When Death is Traumatic’ emph- asises the suddenness of the change from everyday living t o bereavement for the mourners,

with less attention to the victims, perhaps from necessity.

‘When It’s Over’ covers the progress to a new normality and suggests eight steps to recovery.

Physiotherapists are not ment- ioned in this book, although (since it is an American publication) a respiratory therapist appears like the Angel of Death to disconnect a hopeless patient’s breathing apparatus (page 62). Since the author is a hospital chaplain it also has a religious slant.

Dr Shane sympathises with younger healthcare staff witnessing the deaths of patients, with paramedics who fail t o revive accident victims, and with everyone who has lost loved relatives.

He writes from professional and personal experience and shows how to offer comfort. In spite of its subject, overall this is quite a cheerful book, and should help staff and carers towards a positive attitude. JW

Physiotherapy, May 1998, vol84, no 5