This book consists of 11 chapters and an appendix. There are six contributors in addition to the authors. Paul Swyer has written two chapters on intensive care of the neonate. Early sections of the treatise are concerned with the pathophysiology of disease in the critically ill child, especially cardiopulmonary. The four stages in the transport of carbon dioxide and oxygen are elucidated. Ventilation and perfusion problems of the lung are discussed in great detail. Methods of estimating venous admixture and of dead space effect are examples of the type of subjects included. Graphical representation of acid-base abnormalities are presented with references to the work of Davenport, Astrup, Siggaard-Anderson, and Engels. Disorders of electrolytes are dealt with briefly.
In subsequent sections of this treatise the authors relate their approaches in the management of circulatory failure, arrhythmias of the heart, meningitis, status epilepticus, gastrointestinal diseases, renal failure, acute infections, intoxications, etc.