French's Index of Differential Diagnosis. 10th edn. Ed. F. Dudley Hart,

French's Index of Differential Diagnosis.
10th edn. Ed. F. Dudley Hart,

An Old Favourite
French's Index of Differential Diagnosis.
10th edn. Ed. F. Dudley Hart, F.R.C.P.
(Pp. 972; C10.) John Wright. 1973.
The aim of this book when first published in
1912 was to be of practical value to medical
men in deciding the precise cause of any
particular symptom of which a patient might
complain. The purpose of the 10th edition
remains the same. It covers the whole field
of medicine, surgery, gynaecology, ophthalmology,
dermatology, cardiology, endocrinology,
and neurology. The book is an
index in the sense that it deals with various
symptoms and signs in alphabetical order and
offers a discussion of the differential diagnosis.
The text follows the two column format of the
previous edition. There are 805 illustrations,
of which 212 are in colour: many, however,
look as if they belong to a previous era. Figure
66 illustrates ascites and advertises the puncture
marks of repeated paracenteses-a procedure
known for at least a decade to be detrimental.
Fashion historians will identify figure 212 as a
relic of an early edition. The artificial and
unrealistic representation of Koplik's spots
in figure 510 makes one appreciate the advances
of medical artistry since 1912. There is an
extensive index, but when we refer to lethargy,
the commonest symptom complained of
today, we find a reference to mangnese
poisoning as its only cause.
I would agree with the editor that there is a
need for a book which looks at medicine from
a clinical or bedside viewpoint. The significance
of the patient's symptoms and
clinical signs is often neglected in this age
of haste and auto-analysis. Nevertheless this
book does little to provide a remedy, and it is
difficult to decide whose need it will satisfy.
It informs but does not educate, for it is not
concerned with principles or methods. It is
therefore of doubtful value to the undergraduate
student. Nor does it commend itself
to the postgraduate because a variety of comprehensive
textbooks of medicine are better
suited to his needs. However, it contains a
lot of useful information which is clearly
presented and largely accurate, and many of
the lists and tables are useful. The new editor
has done a lot to resuscitate an ailing text by
injecting new blood. Nevertheless, I am left
with the sad impression that another old
favourite has outgrown its usefulness.