Pitts: Clinical trials and legal liability 123

certain amount of ambiguity about the correct inter- legal constraints and responsibilities in depth before any pretation of exactly where responsibilities lay. There was trial commences. The prudence of ensuring that a a real danger in assuming that someone else would simple, comprehensible (but comprehensive) agreement be responsible in the event of an unfortunate accident setting out the limits of the responsibilities of all or error. The workshop had re-emphasized the need participating partners was drawn up, was now even more to ensure that time is made available to consider all the apparent.

Book Reviews

Interceptive Orthodontics, 2nd edition. A. Richardson. Pp. 72. 1989. London, British Dental Journal. Softback, f 6.95.

The author’s definition of interceptive orthodontics gives a wide scope to discuss his chosen subject in this enlarged and revised second edition. There is a new, relevant chapter on the development of ideal malocclusion, in which the dentition is neatly described in five developmental stages. The text is clear and very readable, the author writing with a nice sense of humour. On the negative side not all the figures face the relevant text and an amount of page flipping is required, although in a book of this size this was not unacceptable. Not all orthodontists would agree with the author’s recommendation of the chin cap or the oral screen, and the extraction of mandibular second molars to relieve mild crowding without warning the readers of the unpredictability of the resultant third molar eruption will be considered by many orthodontists dangerous. However, on the whole, the interceptive procedures suggested are relevant and well described. An excellently illustrated summary is given suggesting which malocclusions require space maintainence and, more importantly, which do not. A list indicating the ages when special vigilance should be exercised during development of the dentition is also very useful. The author suggests that ‘this book is intended for anyone who cares to read it’ but I would suggest that while it may be of interest to the specialist, it is essential reading for those in the primary care sector of the profession. In the days of high- tee, multibracketed appliances this book fills a much- needed gap in the dental literature. P. A. Cook

Oral Medicine, 3rd edition. W. R. Tyldesley. Pp. 230. 1989. Oxford, Oxford Medical Publications. Softback, f 15.00.

This is the third edition of Dr Tyldesley’s well-known oral medicine text, which, written primarily for undergraduates and general practitioners, aims to provide in 1 1 chapters, a contemporary view of the clinical features and management of the more common oral mucosal disorders. The first chapters consider the normal oral mucosa and the investigations used in oral medicine, stressing the importance of correct biopsy technique. The clinical aspects of the many oral mucosal infections are reviewed next, with too much detail on the possible pathogenesis of ANUG and less on the management of chronic atrophic candidosis. As expected, recurrent oral ulceration is well

done although there is an overemphasis on an autoimmune basis to recurrent aphthous stomatitis and Behcet’s disease. The sections dealing with the lips and tongue were particularly enjoyable. Premalignant and malignant oral mucosal diseases are also well done and the confused notions of the aetiology of lichen planus appropriately outlined. In the haematological chapter, multiple myeloma and amyloid are not discussed, while in the endocrine chapter the descriptions of the development of hypothyroidism, and the association between hypoparathyroidism and candidosis are confusing. There is no mention of the different types of hyperparathyroidism. Acquired temporomandibular joint disease and orofacial pain are each concisely discussed but the causes of facial paralysis inadequately reviewed.

I enjoyed this book since within each chapter the author provides the reader with his own useful opinions concerning clinical management and areas of uncertainty regarding the aetiology of some oral disorders. The treatment regimens are perhaps not adequately described and a detailed summary of these would have been advantageous. Compared with the previous editions there are more figures, which help complement text. Dr Tyldesley achieves his aim of providing a contemporary view of the more common oral medicine disorders and I recommend his book to all interested undergraduates and newly qualified dental staff. S. FL Potter

Fortschritte der Kiefer- und Gesichtschirurgie. Band XXXII: Bildgebande Untersuchungsverfahren in der Mund-, Kiefer- und Gesichtschirurgie. N. Schwenzer and G. Ppeifer. Pp. 241. 1987. Stuttgard, Georg Thieme, Herausgeber. Hardback, DM330.

The ‘Proceedings of Maxillofacial Surgery’ are a well- known series and Number 32, ‘Diagnostic Imaging in Maxillofacial Surgery’, reports the Meeting of the German Association of Maxillofacial Surgery in 1986 with, as an Appendix, papers presented at a round table discussion on ‘frontobasal trauma’. There are 89 articles by 180 authors covering a very wide range. What is readily apparent is that imaging procedures in maxillofacial surgery are no longer simply radiological but include endoscopy, arthroscopy, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. The book can be commended for those who read German (the references do quote the international literature) since, until very recently, there was no comprehensive work of this kind. J. T. Lambrecht