CENSUS O F THE SOCIAL SCIESCES

T h e ABS guide to recent publications in the social and behavioral sciences

The American Behavioral Scientist (Oxford, Pergamon Press, 1965, 781 + xxi, L7 7s.)

The 6,664 references, each with a brief abstract of the contents of the work cited, are arranged in alphabetical order by the name of the senior author. They are drawn from a wide range of the literature of the behavioural and social sciences, published over the past eight years, and cover 680 pages of this big book. Rut the usefulness to the research worker of such a mass of material, whatever the intrinsic value of its conlponent parts, is limited by the efficiency of the index to it. Taking an example almost at random-it was Radzinowicz's "In search of criminologyH-I could not make the novel "topical and method- ogical index" lead me to it, nor was it listed in the Book Title index under either "Search" or "Criminology". Indeed, the latter word does not appear to figure in either of the indexes mentioned. Perhaps I was unfortunate in my choice of example, but one hopes so imposing a work--at so imposing a price-to be perfect in all respects !

P. L. Broadhurst

A NOTABLE CENTENARY

Taylor's Principles and Practice of Medical Jurisprudence, Vols. 1 and 2 Keith Sim$son (Ed.) (J. and A. Churchill Ltd., London, 1965 ; 526 $9. and 615 $$. L12)

The appearance of a new edition of "Taylor" must be regarded as an event of signal importance by any standard. When however, such an edition is the Centenary Issue (1865-1965), and when moreover it bears the name of Prof. Keith Simpson as Editor, then this importance is increased threefold-and the task of the reviewer becomes correspondingly more onerous.

I t is interesting, and certainly appropriate at this stage, to review the history of this classic work. I t was first published in 1865 under the authorship of Dr. A. Swaine Taylor, who was both student and teacher at Guy's Hospital, London. In this respect alone the continuity of authorship associated with this Hospital in the person of the present Editor is in every way appropriate, as well as being an obvious choice in other respects. The third edition was revised in 1883 by Dr. T. Stevenson, and the fifth edition in 1905 by Dr. F. J. Smith-not to be confused with the better-known (to the present generation at least) Prof.(later Sir) Sydney Smith who revised the eighth, ninth and tenth editions in association with Dr. W. G. H. Cook ; he continued to be associated with the work until the eleventh edition of 1956, when he revised it in collaboration with the present Editor.

The twelfth and centenary edition (1965) therefore, is the first for which Prof. Simpson has been wholly responsible as Editor. As he himself points out, this edition has probably been more extensively revised than any of its predecessors, and this is not surprising in view of the remarkable surge of activity and progress in this field in the ten years which have elapsed since the eleventh edition.

The magnitude and extent of this revision is apparent from Prof. Simpson's readily recognised meticulous form of expression, tempered by the occasional touch of subtle humour. Indeed it is inevitable that the editor of a work of this nature should leave his imprint on it and that, as time goes on, it becomes less and less the work of the original author and more and more that of his successors.

The contents of the work, which is in 2 volumes, may be summarised briefly as follows. Volume 1 consists of two parts. Part 1 is largely medical in character, dealing with legal aspects of medical practice, and medical ethics and responsibility. Of a more practical nature are chapters on the medico-legal

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examination of the living and dead, death and post-mortem changes, apparent death and the re-construction of human remains. Therc are also chapters on the medico-legal nature of wounds, the examination of bloodstains and firearm wounds, and deaths connected with electricity, cold, heat, X-rays and chemicals, suffocation, drowning, hanging, starvation and neglect. A short but important chapter discusses life and accident assurance and the relationship of trauma to disease. Part 2 of Volume 1 deals with psychiatry and the law, and the legal aspects of mental disorder and responsibility. These take account of civil as well as of criminal law, though claims for compensation are considered separately under insurance in Part 1. These two chapters on criminal psychiatry have been entirely rewritten by Dr. David Stafford-Clark of Guy's Hospital Depart- ment of Psychological Medicine, and Director of the York Clinic.

Volume 2 consists of two parts, the first dealing with the sexual and obstetric aspects of medical jurisprudence, from both the civil and criminal points of view. The principles of blood grouping arise again here, but now in connection with disputed paternity, and there is some overlaptaith the chapter in Volume 1, Part 1, which deals with the examination of bloodstains. Part 2 of this Volume deals with the highly-important subject of toxicology. After the preliminary chapters discussing the law on poisons, the actions of poisons, and their diagnosis and treatment, the individual poisons are dealt with under their chemical-type classifications, namely metals and salts, gases, alcohols, glycols and related substances, hydrocarbons and derivatives including petroleum products, synthetic organic drugs, barbiturates, alkaloids, and animal poisons (including endro- crines and hormones).

The day is long since past when a work of this scope and magnitude can be the product of the knowledge and endeavours of a single person. I t is there- fore only to be expected that specialists in various aspects of the subject will have been used in the interests of this centenary volume. Dr. Stafford-Clark has already been mentioned, and in addition, Prof. Simpson has been fortunate in securing the assistance of Mr. L. C. Kickolls, late Director of the Metropolitan Police Laboratories, who deals with the technical and scientific aspects of toxicology as he did in the previous edition ; and of Mr. W. H. D. Winder, of Lincoln's Inn, Legal Correspondent to The Police Journal who has been re- sponsible for matters of law. The Editor also expresses his thanks to Dr. Keith Mant for helping him with the overall task of editorship. The Forensic Science Society may therefore, justly claim with pride that three of its dis- tinguished members have played a large part in the production of this important work.

Just as it is impossible for a single person to produce a work of this nature any more, so the time is coming when a single reviewer will be unable to com- ment on it adequately. However, one of the great merits of "Taylor", especially in its Simpson mould, is that although it is essentially a work of reference, it is readily understandable by anyone versed in the fundamental elements of forensic science. Thus, just as the scientific sections are relatively easy reading for the doctor of medicine, so the medical sections are of equal interest and instruction and can readily be absorbed by the scientist. The numerous case histories, many of them illustrated, contribute greatly to this readability.

Medical jurisprudence is an old term for legal or forensic medicine, hut almost everything written in Part I, Chapter 1 (on the legal aspects of medical practice) applies as much to the forensic scientist as to his purely medical colleague. Indeed, as a rule throughout this chapter, doctors and scientists are addressed together. The advice on making observations and notes and reports on cases, and the section on giving evidence, court procedure and conduct in the witness box apply equally to both professions, with the exception perhaps that the scientist is not subject to the conventions of medical privilege or professional

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secrecy. This feature ot readability will be greatly appreciated by lawyers, since, as Prof. Simpson stresses, it is necessary that every lawyer should know something of the weaknesses as well as the strength of medical and scientific evidence.

In a large and ramified work of this nature there are naturally, points of detail on which one would like to comment, but the extent to which this can be done in a review is limited. A special word should however, be spared for the section on toxicology, which in its approach is rather different to the remainder of the book. As might be expected from its author, not only is it authoritative but it abounds in practical detail. I t is indeed very useful to have working directions for a number of standard methods of analysis, all of them tried by the author and many of them based on his own work. As the author points out, poisoning is seldom criminal in England and the vast majority of cases encountered are the result of accident or an intention to commit suicide. Among the many interesting features of this chapter is that dealing with the most topical and controversial subject of alcohol in body fluids, and in particular drunkenness. The author's views of the breathalyser are perhaps, rather less critical than one might expect, especially in view of the recent recommendations as to the limiting importance of 80 mg per 100ml of blood ; this was published too late for inclusion in the present volume, which advances the view that the critical amount is between 100 and 150 mg per 100 ml for most people, but may be lower for some.

The "Taylor" of 40 years ago became the Sydney Smith's "Taylor" of the thirties and fifties ; and now this has given place in turn to a work which (were it not for the tradition which publisher, editor and reader would wish to see preserved), could fittingly be described as "Keith Simpson's Medical Jurisprudence". As such, it will undoubtedly enhance its already established international reputation as the classic and authoritative work on a wide range of forensic subjects ; and in particular, on medical jurisprudence as practised in Britain.

Julius Grant

WHAT WE ARE MADE OF

The Molecular Basis of Heredity A . R. Peacocke and R. B . Drysdale (London, Butterworth and Co. Ltd., 1965, 180 $9. 3716)

Two scientists, one a biochemist, the other a microbiologist have collaborated to produce this excellent work on the molecular basis of heredity. Their association naturally gives the reader the best of two worlds in a wide, new, fascinating field of enquiry.

The first part of the book forms a background to the subject with circum- stantial and direct evidence for the importance of the role of nucleic acids in heredity. Secondly a detailed account of the chemistry of DNA, RNA, nucleoproteins and the chromosomes themselves. Finally a survey of the structure of the nucleic acids in relation to their biological functions, including the control and mechanism of protein synthesis.

The speed of advancement in the subject is emphasised by the fact that a chapter containing the latest information, including some 44 extra references, has been added, since the main work was written.

The book concludes with a glossary of some important biological terms and a useful synopsis.

B. R. J. Morgan