Huma Embryology

Abstract

LITTLE more than a year ago a new English text-book of human embryology had a somewhat mixed reception in these columns1. Criticisms were that it did not refer to the work of certain British men of science ; that a few features in some diagrams were incorrectly labelled ; and that here and there the text could have been expanded to advantage. To-day another text-book with precisely the same title is addressed to medical students by Prof. Patten, a well-known and much esteemed American embryologist. It is slightly longer ; slightly more lavishly, if not as well (although this is largely a matter of taste), illustrated ; it covers almost the same ground ; and doubtlessly it is open to some of the same criticism. It would be surprising if it were otherwise. In a subject like topographical embryology, where ideas on the genesis of organs represent dynamic concepts based on successive 'still' views of developmental processes, there is ample opportunity for differences in individual interpretation and emphasis ; and furthermore, so much scope that no one person could be expected to have a first-hand knowledge of every part of the whole field. Huma Embryology By Prof. Bradley M. Patten. Pp. xv + 776. (London: J. and A. Churchill, Ltd., 1946.) 45s