Physiological and pathological ageing

intelligence of the offspring. An adequate though simplified treatment of chromosomal defects and genetic dysplasias is included in these chapters. Almost 50 pages are involved in the scrutiny of the effect of maternal emo¬ tions on the child in utero. The chapter on maternal sensitization not only dis¬ cusses the well known RH and ABO incompatibilities in terms simple enough to be understood by nonprofessionals, but also is sufficiently up-to-date, as an ex¬ ample, to refer to theories on the devel¬ opment of maternal-to-fetal chimeras. All of the viral diseases as well as rubella are discussed authoritatively in chapters deal¬ ing with all types of maternal infections. In chapters on drugs, narcotics, gases, and poisons, the author includes compel¬ ling figures on the association of smoking with prematurity, and in a thorough evaluation of the effect of anoxia, there are comments on travel in jet aircraft during pregnancy. Radiation, x-ray, and fall-out facts and figures are available. The final chapter covers the function of the birth process and the physiologic importance to the baby of the trauma of delivery. Much that is found here is "the kind of knowledge that should be part of the mental equipment of everyone in a re¬ sponsible society." This book provides much more, however, for the medical student, pediatrician, obstetrician, gyne¬ cologist, or internist, as measured by a reference bibliography that takes up 76 of its 600 pages. It is a unique volume, up-to-date, readable, pertinent to the problems of today, and should be a must on the book shelves of the modern phy-