74 Injury: the British Journal of Accident Surgery Vol. ~/NO.

This is a book which does great credit to the author manage to avoid the tautology of cervical collar.
and the publishers. It is very easy for the staff of the One wonders whether the reader needs quite so much
accident and emergency unit in a big hospital to be detail about the structure of spinal supports, for
blissfully unaware of the tremendous efforts that may example, and it might have been an advantage to
be required to bring a victim alive into the reception include the code numbers of appliances as they appear
room. Here is a book which should be ’ required in the Department of Health’s booklet on the subject.
reading’ for the accident surgeon no less than the One looks in vain for accounts of lively splints, parti-
rescue worker. cularly for the upper limb, for modification of
MICHAEL N. TEMPEST crutches by adding a platform to support the forearm
when this is in plaster and for reference to rigid sup-
port for fractures of the shaft of the femur treated in
Traction and Orthopaedic Appliances. By J. D. M. Thomas’s splint. Although the title could include
STEWART. 16 x 24 cm. Pp. viii+206, with 119 artificial limbs, the author has understandably
illustrations. 1975. Edinburgh: Churchill Living- omitted them entirely. In general, Mr Stewart has
stone. f5.50. chosen well by dealing with ways and means that
This is a new book that contains a great deal of useful receive too little of the frequent and careful attention
information and practical advice. The author and understanding that they require. Many junior
includes plaster-of-Paris, do-it-yourself splinting, tour- doctors, as well as nurses, physiotherapists and others,
niquets and walking with crutches, as well as the more should read this book and will do so to their advantage.
obvious sorts of appliances. He does not quite P. S. LONDON

COMPRESSION TREATMENT OF FRACTURES

A four-day advanced course in compression treatment of fractures for those who
have attended a basic course at Stoke-on-Trent, Oswestry, or Davos, Switzer-
land, will be held at the North Staffordshire Medical Institute, Hartshill, Stoke-
on-Trent, on 21-24 October, 1975 under the auspices of the Bio-Medical Engin-
eering Institute, North Staffordshire Polytechnic.
The course will consist largely of discussions, led by surgeons and others from
Switzerland and Britain experienced in internal fixation techniques, interspaced
with lectures of general and scientific interest.
The course fee will be approximately E30, excluding hotel accommodation.
Further details and application forms may be obtained from Mr 0. F. Phoenix,
c/o North Staffordshire Medical Institute, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 7NY.
Telephone: 07824461 Ext. 4253.