REVIEWS. 247 Trypanosomes and Trypanosomiases. By A. Laveran, Membre de l'Institut et de I'Academie de Medecine, Paris, and F. Mesnil, Chef de Labora- toire 11 l'Institut Pasteur. Translated and much enlarged by David Nabarro, M.O., B.Sc., D.P.H., Lond., etc. London: Bailliere, Tindall & Cox. 21/- net. NOTHING could more forcibly testify to the rapid extension of knowledge with regard to the trypanosomes and the diseases which' they cause than thIs handsome volume of over 500 pages. The existence of trypanosomes as unimportant parasites of some of the lower vertabrates was known before the middle of last century, but it is only twenty-seven years (1880) since the first of the really pathogenic trypanosomes was discovered by Evans in the blood of horses and camels affected with the Indian disease named surra. Fifteen years later Bruce discovered the second pathogenic trypanosome of mammals in his investigations regarding the etiology of the African tsetse-fly disease, but it is only since the dawn of the present century that the important role played by these protozoa in the causation of human and animal disease has been adequately realised. In all tropical parts of the world trypanosomes have been proved to be common disease-producing parasites of various species of domesticated animals, and almost every day fresh information comes to swell the estimate of their importance in this connection, while we also now know that one of the most dreaded of human plagues has to be charged to their malignant activity. A knowledge of the already known facts regarding the trypanosomes and the diseases for which they are responsible has thus within recent years become a matter of first importance to medical men and veterinary surgeons practising in tropical countries, and MM. Laveran and Mesnil undoubtedly rendered a great service to this branch of pathology when, three years ago, they published the admirable text-book of which the present work is a translation. Dr Nabarro has now made the work of these French savants available for English readers; and teachers, students, and practitioners will feel grateful to him for having undertaken and successfully accomplished what was no light task. As we have already indicated, knowledge with regard to the trypanosomiases grows apace, and much valuable information on the subject has been accumulated since the original work appeared. Dr Nabarro therefore decided not to publish a simple translation of Laveran and Mesnil's work, but to bring it up to date by incorporating the results of recent researches regarding the pathogenic trypanosomes. This, it may be surmised, was not the least onerous part of his task, and it has been executed with so much care that nothing of any importance on the subject has escaped notice. The actual translation has been equally well done, and the publishers' share of the work deserves commendation. A Manual of Veterinary Physiology. By Colonel F. Smith, c.B., C.M.G., Army Veterinary Staff, etc. Third Edition, completely revised and in parts re-written. London: Bailliere, Tindall & Cox, 1907. Price, 15/- net. COLONEL SMITH'S Manual of Veterinary Physiology has been since its first appearance a standard text-book with British veterinary students. The new edition will be very welcome, as we believe the second has been for some

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Page 1: Trypanosomes and Trypanosomiases

REVIEWS. 247

Trypanosomes and Trypanosomiases. By A. Laveran, Membre de l'Institut et de I'Academie de Medecine, Paris, and F. Mesnil, Chef de Laboratoire 11 l'Institut Pasteur. Translated and much enlarged by David Nabarro, M.O., B.Sc., D.P.H., Lond., etc. London: Bailliere, Tindall & Cox. 21/- net.

NOTHING could more forcibly testify to the rapid extension of knowledge with regard to the trypanosomes and the diseases which' they cause than thIs handsome volume of over 500 pages. The existence of trypanosomes as unimportant parasites of some of the lower vertabrates was known before the middle of last century, but it is only twenty-seven years (1880) since the first of the really pathogenic trypanosomes was discovered by Evans in the blood of horses and camels affected with the Indian disease named surra. Fifteen years later Bruce discovered the second pathogenic trypanosome of mammals in his investigations regarding the etiology of the African tsetse-fly disease, but it is only since the dawn of the present century that the important role played by these protozoa in the causation of human and animal disease has been adequately realised. In all tropical parts of the world trypanosomes have been proved to be common disease-producing parasites of various species of domesticated animals, and almost every day fresh information comes to swell the estimate of their importance in this connection, while we also now know that one of the most dreaded of human plagues has to be charged to their malignant activity.

A knowledge of the already known facts regarding the trypanosomes and the diseases for which they are responsible has thus within recent years become a matter of first importance to medical men and veterinary surgeons practising in tropical countries, and MM. Laveran and Mesnil undoubtedly rendered a great service to this branch of pathology when, three years ago, they published the admirable text-book of which the present work is a translation. Dr Nabarro has now made the work of these French savants available for English readers; and teachers, students, and practitioners will feel grateful to him for having undertaken and successfully accomplished what was no light task.

As we have already indicated, knowledge with regard to the trypanosomiases grows apace, and much valuable information on the subject has been accumulated since the original work appeared. Dr Nabarro therefore decided not to publish a simple translation of Laveran and Mesnil's work, but to bring it up to date by incorporating the results of recent researches regarding the pathogenic trypanosomes. This, it may be surmised, was not the least onerous part of his task, and it has been executed with so much care that nothing of any importance on the subject has escaped notice.

The actual translation has been equally well done, and the publishers' share of the work deserves commendation.

A Manual of Veterinary Physiology. By Colonel F. Smith, c.B., C.M.G., Army Veterinary Staff, etc. Third Edition, completely revised and in parts re-written. London: Bailliere, Tindall & Cox, 1907. Price, 15/- net.

COLONEL SMITH'S Manual of Veterinary Physiology has been since its first appearance a standard text-book with British veterinary students. The new edition will be very welcome, as we believe the second has been for some