Multiple Sclerosis: A Disease Acquired in Childhood.

Abstract

In 1957 Travis edited a book entitled The Handbook ofSpeech Pathology that has been the standard reference work in the diagnosis and treatment of speech disorders. The present handbook is a revised and expanded edition of the original text. The book now consists of 50 chapters, written by 44 contributing authors who rank among the leading authorities in speech pathology and audiology. The 50 chapters are divided into five main parts. Quoting freely from the editors' preface, the five parts consist of the following: Part one includes nine chapters dealing with concepts and factors common to all disorders of communication, such as terminology, phonetics, acoustics, personality, diagnosis and therapy.Part two, with seven chapters, deals with hearing. The person with a hearing loss and his organs of hearing are considered together in anatomy, physiology, pathology, psychology, speech, diagnosis, and treatment.Part three has seven chapters telling of the origin, nature, uses, troubles, and means of modifying the voice in the com¬ munication process.The largest single portion of the book is contained in part four, which deals with speech. Nineteen chapters reveal the na¬ ture of speech itself and note the multiple factors that operate in its pathologies. Diagnosis and treatment are approached from a wide range of viewpoints and .. . professional disciplines. Part five gives an exposition of language and its disorders. Eight chapters cover the development, nature, and disturbances of language. Aphasia in both childhood and in adults is fully considered diagnostically and therapeutically.The book is far too long to read word for word and meet any editors, or publishers review deadline. A care¬ ful sampling of the book indicates, however, that it probably is the most complete and careful coverage of the subject that is available in a single text. The book is well illustrated with excellent photos and drawings. The author and subject index help the reader find specific material quickly. There is a bibliography at the end of each chapter that enables the reader to delve further if he is so in¬ clined. The book is an excellent refer¬ ence source containing a great deal of well integrated material for the per¬ son who is interested in information about speech and hearing disorders. The material includes a good balance of research, theory, and practice.The book generally does not appear to be a quick reference for the physi¬ cian who is in an office practice. It is a lengthy and sophisticated treatise of a broad and difficult subject. This re¬ viewer recommends it to the reader with an inquiring mind into disorders of the most unique human behaviorcommunication. It deserves to be in the libraries of colleges of medicine, and in the libraries of departments of otolaryngology, physical medicine, dentistry, neurology, medicine, psy¬ chiatry and especially pediatrics. Un¬ doubtedly this book will remain the standard reference work in communi¬ cation disorders for many years to ROBERT W. KEITH PHD Cincinnati Nutrition in Renal Dise...