Clinical Uses of Adrenal Steroids.

Abstract

This extremely current and inclusive collection of 17 papers belongs to a group of clinical publications sponsored by the University of California Medical Extension Series. The book, written by 22 specialists mainly from California but also some from other medical centers, is divided into 2 sections. The first is concerned with the clinical use of steroids in the treatment of adrenal diseases, of diseases of connective tissue (the collagen diseases) and specific fields of medicine such as allergy, dermatology, lung disease, gastrointestinal disease, renal disease, and neoplastic and hematologic diseases. The second section deals with basic knowledge concerning the biochemistry of steroids, their structuralfunctional relationships, the effects of steroids on water and electrolyte metabolism and renal function, and lastly the effects of steroids on the metabolism of carbohydrate, protein, and fat. These chapters, by S. Roberts, J. M. Koplowitz and C. R. Kleeman, and J. Brown, respectively, are notably clear with ample classical and current references. Also of note is the introductory chapter by P. K. Bondy who presents an extremely objec¬ tive and philosophical approach to the use of steroids in clinical medicine. The book may serve as a guide for both the internist and for the specialist who deals with the use of steroids in certain disease states. The book is particularly useful to the physician with less experience in the use of steroids and to the physician de¬ liberating in a given patient whether steroid therapy should be instituted. George F. Cahill, Jr., M.D.