Rehabilitation of the Older Adult, by Keith Andrews MD FRCP. Edward Arnold, London, 1987 (ISBN 0 7131 4524 2). 364 pages. €30.

As the percentage of elderly people in our society increases, the need t o understand individual problems of disease and disability is paramount. Rehabilitation of the older adult has become a recognised specialty among health care professionals, and the author provides us with his concepts of rehabilita- tion: 'restoration of the individual t o the optimal level of ability within the needs and desires of the individual and hidher family'.

The approach is interdisciplinary, yet treat- ment modalities are essentially physiothera- peutic, the subject matter of each chapter being relevant to many practising physio- therapists: Arthritis, spinal conditions, fracture of the neck of femur, peripheral vascular disease, respiratory disorders, Parkinson's disease and cerebrovascular accident ( to which three chapters are de- voted). References to the wide variety of treatments suggested are extensive follow- ing each chapter, and the deficit of physio- therapy papers listed serves to fulfil one function of the book-to encourage further research.

The book is well illustrated and easy to read, it provides the reader w i th excellent source material. However, critical examina- tion reveals lack of detail given to important areas such as goal-planning, essential t o good practice. Some treatment modalities are poorly explained or controversial. However, the author invites crit icism preferably w i th research evidence to back any claims made. The aim of the book to provide 'tools' to lower dependency levels is to some extent met, but these 'tools' are familiar techniques to all physiotherapists.

The author has set out comprehensive material, encouraging us t o evaluate our treatments, therefore increasing our credi- bility as possible key workers in the rehabili- tation of the older adult. M y initial surprise at a well-known doctor in geriatric medicine writing this kind of book only serves to underline the need for physiotherapists to put tested techniques into print.

This book may inspire all physiotherapy departments, not just those in specialist units for the elderly, to modify and adapt treatment to suit the individual. It provides students wi th excellent reference material.

ANNA CULOT MCSP

Hospital Geriatric Mssdicine, by A C D Cayley MB BS MRCP. Edward Arnold, London, 1987 (ISBN 0 7131 4556 0). 114 pages. €7.95.

The author, a consultant physician in geriatric medicine and medical teacher at London University, describes his book as 'a white-coat pocket book' for junior doctors and medical students. Its aim is t o provide concise, comprehensive information w i th a practical bias.

The first three chapters are an introduction

to the background and concepts of care of the elderly and include descriptions of the organisation of a department of geriatric medicine, special features of geriatric medicine, and what the author calls the four Is - immobility, instability, incontinence and intellectual failure.

The last section of the book - chapter 10 - covers aspects such as care of the dying and the legal aspects of elderly care.

These chapters, although brief by the very nature of the book, contain most of the relevant points about hospital geriatric care. Rehabilitation is mentioned, as is the role of the physiotherapist (again briefly), but the importance of the multidisciplinary team approach with the patient as the main team member is stressed.

The middle chapters are a 'body systems review' obviously for doctors. Some conditions are explained and discussed in detail but others have only a brief mention and some medical knowledge is assumed.

Overall I found the book readable and interesting, and although there is a lot of information it is presented in a clear comprehensive way. Despite being written for doctors, it could be useful for student physiotherapists and staff physiotherapists on a rotation scheme as background reading prior to a geriatric placement.

CATHERINE KESSIE MCSP

Asthma: The Facts, by Donald J Lane and Anthony Storr. Oxford University Press, 1987, 2nd edn (ISBN 0 19 261692 7). Illus. 188 pages. €4.95.

Donald J Lane is a consultant chest physician at the Osler chest unit of the Churchill Hospital in Oxford and Anthony Storr is an honorary consulting psychiatrist for Oxford HA.

The authors state the book is for patients and their families. I would suggest that medical and allied professions would also gain a great deal from reading this book as it covers every aspect of asthma very comprehensively.

The book begins w i th an account by Dr Storr of his life as an asthma sufferer from which, I am sure, many asthmatics wil l take heart. The author discusses in detail how asthma is recognised, its causes, the effects of environment and heredity, and the control of asthma. All aspects of treatment are covered and the book is up to date throughout.

From the authors' experience in inter- iewing asthmatic patients, they are able to give helpful advice to questions they must have been asked, eg how to cope w i th cough, air t rwel , diet, etc. Some of the less common treatments are discussed, eg use of ionisers, acupuncture and psychotherapy.

The book is very detailed but comprehen- sive, well illustrated and easily readable. It would be valuable in a department/school library and to anyone undertaking a project on asthma.

FRANCES WRIGHT MCSP

ENT - Surgery and Disorders, by A J lnnes MB BS FRCS and N Gates SRN DipN. Faber and Faber, London, 1985 (ISBN 0 571 13653 2). 194 pages. €4.95 (paper covers).

This book, which is co-written by a consul- tant ENT surgeon and a nursing officer, is very obviously biased towards the surgical and nursing aspect of the specialty. Never- theless, the authors manage to convey a well- balanced presentation, incorporating all multidisciplinary aspects of ENT.

Intended as a general insight into ENT disorders, and management thereof, the book is not specialised enough in physio- therapy for the physiotherapy student, although essential for the therapist intend- ing to work on an ENT unit, where the text wou ld be supplemented by practical experience.

The book describes surgical techniques and nursing practices which the therapist must be aware of if she is to integrate, and relate to the specialist team. In turn, physio- therapy procedures are described in accept- able detail, in order that nursing staff, for whom the text is intended, gain an insight into the role of the physiotherapist.

The section on audiometry is interesting rather than essential, although knowing how a hearing aid works could be handy when dealing with the elderly! The text makes easy reading and is complemented by annotated sketches and relevant photographs. In particular, the section most relevant to the physiotherapist is that on the mouth and throat, dealing w i t h such aspects as I a r ygec t o my, t ra c h e o s t o my and b I oc k dissection.

The anatomy and physiology provide good revision for the already qualified therapist and the operative procedural explanation is informative and instructive, allowing a more empathetic approach to aftercare.

It can be said that the book in its present form would be interesting rather than essen- tial reading, for anyone other than the specialist therapist.

JAINE RICHARDSON MCSP

DLPA: The natural pain killer and anti- depressant, by Dr Arnold Fox and Barry Fox. Thorsons, Wellingborough, 1987 (ISBN 0 7225 1376 3). 224 pages. €2.99.

An amino-acid - DL-phenylalanine (DLPA) - can stimulate the body to produce endorphins which wil l counteract pain, depression, premenstrual syndrome and stress, according to this book which has an impressive supporting bibliography. The text explains the use of DLPA in conjunction with diet, therapy and exercises, and starts w i th a responsible warning against its adoption by pregnant or lactating women, or children, and advice for everyone to consult a doctor. There is no age barrier however: the first case history is of a 73-year-old woman whose arthritic pain was banished by DLPA - and then found she was pain free even after she had run out of doses.

Physiotherapy, May 1988, vol 74, no 5 231