Midzm~qv(1993)9,251-252 @L,qman Group UK Ltd 1993 tmwery

BOOK REVIEWS

Physical Therapy Assessment in Early Infancy by Irma A. Wilhelm Churchill Livingstone, 1993, 1st edn. ISBN 0-443- 08815-2, 316 pp. Price X35.00

This book is part of a series in Clinics in Physical Therapy. It is written mainly for the professional working in a highly intensive, highly specialised field, which involves the care and assessment of the neo- natal/high risk infant and those in early infancy. It also includes the family and its specific needs and resources. The book itself has 12 chapters which provide an extensive range of topics and these have been written mostly by either American or Canadian professors. The language and terminology is mainly American and may, therefore, make the reading slightly more difficult to readers outside the American health care setting.

The presentation of the book is impressive; it has a hard back and includes black and white illustrations, diagrams, charts and presentation of data. The contri- butors include many references to the particular topic discussed at the end of each chapter. Although the book is aimed at a very specific group of people working in highly specialised neonatal/infant care its orientation may detract from its usefulness to others working in similar situations but where the approach and models of care differ from those described in this publication.

MARGARETA.E.MCCLELLAND

RGN, RM, DNC, DMAS

HIV Infection and Women by M. Johnson and F. Johnston Churchill Livingstone, 1993, 1st edn. ISBN 0-443- 04885- 1,290 pp.

As the title implies, the aim of this book is to examine ah issues concerning women and HIV infection. Epidemiology, with a close look at demographics, modalities of transmission, treatment outcomes, cur- rent research and prevention are all scrutinised. The psychosocial and cultural impact, and implications of this pandemic infection to women the world over are discussed poignantly and probed to great depths.

Each chapter IS short, concise, and packed with very useful information for practising midwives. She/he will also find the up-to-date reference list at the conclusion of each chapter to be all encompassing and extremely relevant. The book is composed of chapters written by experts from many parts of the world. Tables are well labelled, useful, and clearly comple-

ment the text. Of particular interest is a map of the work depicting global distribution of HIV infection (mid 1992) in which the numerical figures literally jump out at the reader. Each chapter focuses on a particular aspect of HIV, such as testing and screening programmes, contraception and safe sex, pregnancy management and outcomes, vertical transmission, counselling, and nosocomial and infection control procedures.

This book is an excellent resource crammed with practical information and written to hold its audience captive. It addresses the individual, the community, society, and the public health of the planet. Anybody who works with women should have a copy.

MAKYANNELEVINE MSN, RN, SCM

The Immunology of Human Pregnancy by Henry N. Claman Humana Press, 1993, 1st edn. ISBN o-89603-251-5, 232 pp. Price f62.00

I confess to finding books on immunology generally esoteric, difficult to read and even more difficult to understand. This publication is none of these. There is a lot of technical language and immunological terms but the book is still readable. This is probably because it is something of a hybrid in that it is not directed specifically at immunologists but at clinicians who are assumed to have some knowledge, or at least an interest, in the topic area. The subject matter is very specific, in that the contents cover all aspects of immunology of the materno-fetal relationship from recurrent pregnancy loss to maternal immune responses during pregnancy and in this respect it is to my knowledge unique. Recognising the target readership the opening chapter very sensibly covers the immune system in a manner which can be easily understood and will be very useful to those involved with the teaching of students. Other areas covered include the local immune response in the uterus and maternal immune responses in conditions such as diabetes and thyroid disease.

The book is very well presented (hardback) with each chapter carrying a summary and comprehensive reference list. The price of f62 probably puts the publication out of reach of individual midwives but I would recommend it to those responsible for mid- wifery libraries.

MARGARETLYNCH BA(Hom), RGN, RM. MTD

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