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Physiotherapy in Paediatrics by Roberta 13 Shepherd. Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford, 1995 (ISBN 0 7506 0620 7) (3rd edn). 420 pages. Illus. f25.

This book has been written for undergraduate physiotherapists. It covers, in great detail, the pathology, anatomy and physiology relating to problems found in sick and disabled children and suggests rationale for physical treatment. The author intends readers to develop a greater understanding of the various conditions, thereby allowing them to make an informed choice when planning treatment programmes, a s opposed to providing a standardised treatment technique for each problem.

This third edition takes into account changing clinical practice in relation to new scientific develop- ments, especially in the practice and the need to measure outcomes. The reference and reading lists are expanded with guidance for addi- tional reading for students, and new chapters have been written on motor development and the acquisition of skill; and on re-

covery processes associated with neural lesions.

Each chapter is subdivided according to pathology, aetiology, historical overview, clinical feat-

Method of applying strap and buckle splinting to the ri&t foot for talipes equinovarus. A diagram from ‘Physio therapy i n Paediatrics’

ures, surgical management, physio- therapy, etc, and ends with a short summary. It is well illustrated with photographs of children, equipment, X-rays and diagrams, albeit in black and white only.

Students will find this volume extremely comprehensive and be more likely to use it as a source of reference when encountering chil- dren on clinical placement rather than to read it cover to cover.

The book is large for its paperback cover but handles reasonably well. It is easy to find the way through the chapters - subdivided on a n easy-to-understand contents page - and I found myself reading more than I intended when using the book as a reference on a particular condition. I t is good value for money.

I would recommend it as suitable for a library, for a physiotherapy department used by undergradu- ates on clinical placement and most definitely for paediatric physiotherapists.

Susan K Leech MCSP

Hong Kong Conductive Education Source Book edited by Anita Tatlow. Working Group on Conductive Education and Joint Council for the Physically Disabled (Rehabilitation Division, Hong Kong Council of Social Service), Duke of Windsor Social Service Building, 15 Hennessy Road, Hong Kong, 1993 (ISBN 962 7003 42 5). lllus. 303 pages. $30 US.

Conductive education is a system which was developed in Budapest, Hungary, by Professor Andras Pet0 from the 1940s. It is an educational- therapeutic approach for the neurologically impaired of all age groups which is based on the personality of the person (not the disability) and requires their active participation throughout the day.

This book demonstrates how a group of people both from education and health have been able success- fully to bring this approach into a totally different environment. I t describes how they have introduced and developed this concept t,o suit the needs of their neurologically impaired people. The book com- prises a wide range of articles which have been ably compiled by Anita Tatlow, who was the Hong Kong conductive education project co-ordinator. Different professionals

have written the articles which clearly illustrate their interdiscipli- nary approach. The authors of these articles include those well known and respected in the UK such as Ester Cotton, Lillemore Jernqvist, Rowena Kinsman and Margaret Reid Campion.

Some have measured this approach with other recognised treatment methods such a s the Bobath, Montessori and the Halli- wick methods.

The separate articles provide a good reference source for a whole spectrum of ages, conditions and abilities. They are easily accessible to the busy clinician as each can stand on its own as well as in support of the others. Some articles are more controversial than others.

Electrotherapy Second Edition Now Available

Fourteen reviews and guide lines on the use of electrotherapy, published in the Journal in 1990-94, have been collected in one convenient 76- page reprint booklet. Price: E l 0 post free. Payment with orders should be sent to the Journal Department of the CSP.

Throughout this book there are good illustrations of working in groups and generalising the learnt skills.

The book has been divided into various sections which help the reader understand the different strands tha t have enabled this system to be introduced and devel- oped. This system has spread throughout Hong Kong by very careful planning, practice, training through courses and publications such as the chapters in this book. I t demonstrates ‘how well motor disordered children (adults) can manage their daily activities once they have learnt to think about their movements and to organise them’.

This book will be a n inspiration for any team working with neuro- logically disordered people in any age group. I t also complements the recently published book The Pet0 System and its Evolution in Britain edited by Alexander Russell and Ester Cotton which emphasises the philosophy behind this cohesive, holistic system.

Eleanor M L Kinnear MCSP Linda Eve MCSP

Anthea Pel1 MCSP

Physiotherapy, January 1996, vol82, no 1