Fingerprint, Palms and Soles; an Introduction to Dermatoglyphics

WALTER J. LEVER, M.D. Third edition. Pp. vii + 653 with 320 illustrations. London: Pitman Medical. Philadelphia: J. B. Myincott. I96i. C6. It seems almost presumptuous for a dermatologist to review the new edition of Lever's book, so used is one to its being an authoritative guide in the histopathology of the skin. Here is Lever in an up-to-date, more valuable form, preserving intact the virtues of the earlier editions. The general classification used by the author is under the headings of congenital, non-infectious vesicular and bullous diseases, non-infectious inflammatory diseases, drug eruptions, degenerative diseases, diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses, metabolic diseases, tumours and the lymphoma and myelosis group. It is, therefore, easy to follow and explore. In this third edition, seven years after the second, much has been rewritten. Emphasis is laid on the developing techniques of histochemistry and electron microscopy. Several newly recognized entities of great interest to dermatologists-e.g. sub-corneal pustulosis and kerato-acanthoma-have now been assimilated into the book. A few diseases previously recognized but not discussed by Lever have now been included, e.g. lethal midline granuloma of the face. There is, as before, an abundance of good black and white photographs, but the text is perhaps more important, providing a clear dissertation on the histological features of every feature under discussion, with brief notes on the clinical appearance; the attention paid to differential (histological) diagnosis is especially valuable. Unobtrusively the reader is given an account in which fact and theory, experimental and clinical findings are given their due share. The style is of consistent clarity. There are excellent introductory chapters on techniques, embryology and the histology of normal skin. The book is rounded off by a useful glossary and a good index. One of the greatest merits of this book is the provision of reasonably full and up-to-date lists of references following each chapter; lists which are not narrowly confined to American sources but which draw upon the dermatological Jiterature of the world. This book, the new edition no less than the old, is indispensable for the dermatologist and for any pathologist dealing with dermatological material.