This textbook-sized manual presents nothing new in the way of information, but rather garners into a concise format well-established principles and facts concerning preand postoperative care. Its list of contributors is most impressive. Nearly every chapter is written by an outstanding and recognized authority in that field, ie, Oliver Cope on "Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery," Francis Moore on "Metabolic Response to Injury." However, in spite of generally outstanding authorship, many chapters miss their mark widely, perhaps due in part to the need for brevity in so comprehensive a book. The first half of the book is devoted to "General Principles," and is directed toward a number of general problems, such as metabolic aberrations, infection, ventilation, renal failure, and special problems of infants, children, and the aged. The second half takes up surgical care of patients by body organs and systems. For the most part, the authors have presented their material