In this fourth edition, Dr. Shands has brought the subject matter up to date and has added sections in some 10 subjects on which knowledge and thinking is currently changing. The bibliography, which should be of use to students, has been brought up to date as of March 1, 1952.
The name "Handbook" is still appropriate, for this book is definitely not a reference work. It is very complete as an outline and study book for medical students, but it does not provide exhaustive treatment of any of its subjects. The author is to be commended for his excellent judgment in deleting the obsolete and treating controversial subjects with brevity, while making it clear that all authors are not in agreement. The omission of fresh fractures, which are better handled in a separate volume, and the curtailment of interesting but unnecessary historical background, is commendable in a book of this