Book Review

Indian Pediatrics 2002; 39:1091

Book Review

Fundamentals of Pediatrics. K.E. Elizabeth: Paras Publishing, Hyderabad, Second edition, Page 588, Price Rs. 295/-.

It was only an year back that I got the opportunity to review the first edition of "Fundamentals of Pediatrics(1). And lo, within an year, the second edition has hit the stands!

The book has a new cover with an attractive color scheme. Inside, the contents are now in a pleasing double color format. There is a liberal sprinkling of screens, line diagrams, tables and both black and white and color photographs. The presentation and readability has certainly improved. All this coming to you at a cost that has been hiked by more than 30% over the previous edition.

However, it is evident that the edition has been hurriedly prepared and released. No new chapter or sections have been added, although few sections have been deleted. There is no major reorganization effort. Though the number of pages have gone up from 521 to 588, most of this is accounted for by the inclusion of figures and not newer knowledge. For example, the section on neonatal resuscitation has a new flowchart (as per recent recommendations), that is accompanied with the old outdated text. Apart from changes in the color format and addition of pictures, there is little change in th intellectual content. Overall, "old wine in a new bottle".

However, I maintain the book serves a useful purpose for undergraduate medical students aspiring to obtain the basic knowledge in Pediatrics.

1. Gupta P. Book Review. Fundamentals of Pediatrics. Elizabeth KE. Paras Publishing, Hyderabad. Indian Pediatr 2001; 38: 691.

Poisoning in Children. Eds. Utpal Kant Singh, F.C. Layland, Sanjay Suman and Rajniti Prasad. Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers(P) Ltd., New Delhi, 2nd Edition, Pages 185, 2001, Price Rs. 100/-.

Authorss have been inspired by the ongoing research in the field of toxicology to bring out the second edition of this popular book on poisoning in children. This edition has undergone reorganization and extensive revision, while retaining the original format, style and rapid access to important information. New chapters included are epidemic dropsy, oleander, methyl alcohol, methylene glycol and mustard gas besides latest update on radioactive hazards. However, inclusion of circumstances of poisoning in subsequent editions could be a useful feature helping clinical differentiation. The book has become a must for residents and pediatricians with incorporation of recent management trends for poisoned victims.

.