MENTAL ILLNESS AND THE AGEING BRAIN

Abstract

8Book reviews complications, including infections and their treatment with antibiotics, and (5) treatment.The book is written largely from the standpoint of the user of the artificial kidney, and an enormous amount of information is collected which is invaluable in this context and is of very considerable interest to anyone concerned with renal disease in any way.The majority of hospitals, however, do not possess an artificial kidney, and one of the great difficulties is the decision when to refer a patient with anuria or oliguria to a special centre: if cases are referred too soon, any centre will quickly become jammed but if referral is postponed, some treatable patients may die before dialysis can be performed.I have not been able to find the criteria the authors accept as necessitating transfer, and to the general physician this would be of the greatest value.The section on treatment is very short, comprising only some seven pages, and tabulates the various factors which may need attention during the treatment of uraemia; but neither there, nor in the rest of the text, is sufficient detail given for the practical handling of some of the therapeutic measures suggested.Notwithstanding these criticisms, the book would be of wide interest, if it were not for the price, £6 8s., which puts it out of the reach of most.