Peripheral Arterial Disease

Abstract

Readers of this new impressive book who persevere through the introductory barriers of towering philosophical profundities will discover that it contains a wealth of information on latest research techniques that fulfill all requirements of refinement, elegance, and sophistication. It should prove particularly useful to inexperienced researchers. Even an unsophisticated onlooker will be edified by the panoramic approach of new research methods. He will marvel at the ingenuity with which diverse and often contradictory data are woven together in logical sequences.He may, however, find the labyrinthine complexities of minute details somewhat indigestible and may even be vexed by innumerable threeletter contractions of long terms as well as by the introduction of newly coined and unfamiliar technical expressions. Codified language must be necessary, since it is so widely employed, but the cynical-minded may suspect that scientific snobbishness is as contagious as any other variety. Are such expressions as "tingible substantiveness" really required? Perhaps scientific termi¬ nology provides excellent cover for limited literacy.The unsophisticated onlooker may be unable to appreciate the full sig¬ nificance of the "achievements" of these investigations. He may mis¬ chievously conclude that they chief¬ ly establish the parameters of new models leading to continuation of further similar studies. To para¬ phrase Virchow, all parameters arise from pre-existing parameters.Our unsophisticated onlooker will be impressed by recent emphasis placed on a complexity of cytoplasmic granulations, identified by his¬ tochemical and electron microscope methods. Even the enzymes seem to enjoy a broader ambience than for¬ merly. Elastase, for example, can dissolve muscle and mucin with equal facility without relinquishing its ability to digest elastic tissue.To use a profane and possibly sac¬ rilegious analogy, basic research has become somewhat akin to a foxhunt.Sportsmen who ride to the hounds enjoy the pursuit even if the kill turns out to be merely a serendipi¬ tous rodent of an inferior autosomal genotype. Pink jackets and velvet caps can be as satisfying as refine¬ ment, elegance, and sophistication in the laboratory.Dr. Barker has prepared an excellent volume on the surgery of arterial disease of the terminal aorta and lower extremity. The first half of the book includes separate chapters on anatomy, physiology, pathology and pathogenesis, diagnostic problems, and nonoperative treatment and a discussion of lumbar sympathectomy. The remainder concerns direct arterial surgery. There is great detail and the author carefully stresses the many facets of minute care required for successful operation. The title is somewhat misleading since operations for disease of cervical and abdominal visceral arteries are not discussed to any extent.The book is well made and abundantly illustrated. The relatively few typographical errors do not hinder the reader. Indexing is adequate and the references, at the end of each chapter, are comprehensive....