For Islands

Useful Medical Book

THE most useful publication that has been made available to Pacific Islands residents for many a long day is Diseases Commonly Met With in Melanesia—Their Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment. It has been written by Dr. Clifford S. James, medical officer in charge of the Mela nesian Hospital at Fauabu, British Solo mon Islands; published by the Melanesian Mission; and it is being distributed through Burns, Philp stores at 4/6 per copy.

Every type of disease commonly met with in the Pacific Islands, and especi ally in Melanesia, is described in simple, non-technical language, and the methods of treatment recommended are set out in sufficient detail to enable the non-medical worker to understand and carry them out.

Dr. H. B. Hetherington (Solomon Islands), in a foreword, gives the book the warm praise it deserves, and points out that “with careful attention to details of the instructions given, anyone can ex pect to perform successfully any of the procedures described . . . Complicated procedures, beyond the ability of the medical layman, have been omitted.” He points out that Dr. James writes with the authority of eight years’ experience in the Solomons and New Guinea.

The book is divided conveniently into sections, classified according to the parts of the body in which symptoms usually manifest themselves. Sections are de voted to fevers, skin diseases, bowel dis eases, lung diseases, etc. The method of treatment is given alongside the descrip tion of every disease.

A good index permits immediate refer ence to the description and treatment of the sickness or disease under notice.

The author has given a good deal of attention to the prevention of disease, and to the care of women and children. “The tropical life,” he says, “is not for those with tuberculosis in the family, nor epi lepsy, nervous troubles, mental disease, nor with a tendency to diarrhoea.”

The section on “Prevention of Malaria” ought to be learned by heart by every dweller in Melanesia.

The book will be just as useful in Poly nesia as in Melanesia. The only dif ference is that there are in Polynesia fewer of the diseases described in the book, and no additional ones. No dweller in the tropical islands should be without a book of this kind.

Persons who cannot obtain a copy from the local B.P. store should send 4/6 to the Secretary, Melanesian Mission, 247 George Street, Sydney.