This second edition is a concise treatise on the essential features of virus and rickettsial diseases of man and their causative agents. It is presented in orderly manner, contains sections on most of the essential technics and includes some very good illustrative material. The electron micrographs are especially fine.
Emphasis seems to have been misplaced in dealing with some matters. The highly specialised equipment for electron microscopy is described in considerable detail, yet the procedure of freeze-drying, so important in preparation of diagnostic reagents, vaccines, etc., is not mentioned. There are a number of misquotations in the volume and a few misstatements which might be dangerous. Example of the latter is the statement that “viruses are destroyed by the same disinfectants as destroy bacteria.” Many viruses are, in fact, quite resistant to common bactericidal agents.
This volume was not intended to be a reference book and it does not deal exhaustively with any of the subjects covered.