This small and clearly printed book is a true vade mecum (Latin for "go with me"). Its 12 chapters are entitled (1) "Normal Data"; (2) "Nutrition"; (3) "Fluid and Electrolytes"; (4) "The Newborn"; (5) "Infections"; (6) "Paediatric Emergencies"; (7) "Accidental Poisoning"; (8) "Haematological and Biochemical Information"; (9) "Paediatric Prescribing"; (10) "Antibiotic and Chemotherapy"; (11) "Corticosteroids"; (12) "Miscellaneous (genetics, differentiation of convulsive states"). Each chapter has three to eight subtitles, all listed in the table of contents in the front of the book. Chapters 3, 9, and 10 are printed on green, orange and pink paper, respectively, for rapid orientation.
The longest chapters are the ones on nutrition and emergencies. The chapter on nutrition is excellent; it includes recommendations for vitamins, both with normal and with parenteral feedings, treatment of diarrhea, as well as special diets for galactosemia, celiac syndrome, phenylketonuria, terminal renal insufficiency, and obesity. There is a table of