Book Review

The editors have claimed that this is the first comprehensive textbook of surgical infections since Frank Meleney's Clinical Aspects and Treatment of Surgical Infections (1949). The new work reflects progress made over the past three decades. Its first half is devoted to a detailed discussion of the basic microbiology and pathophysiology of surgical infections, as well as technical aspects of the prevention of wound infection. Although working surgeons will have to find their way to the second half of the book for practical suggestions about the care of specific problems, they will be reminded of the considerable body of knowledge . . . No extract is available for articles shorter than 400 words.