This study of all aspects of cardiac pacemakers is noteworthy for its skillful and detailed treatment of the subject. For the careful reader, it provides a valuable orientation in the field based on the considerable experience of the authors. One is impressed by the knowledge of physiology, bioelectricity, and hemodynamics displayed by the author, who is a surgeon. At the same time, the book discusses recent directions in medicine, the new equipment, and the constant interchange of information among the members of the medical community.
Several chapters are particularly interesting; "Drug Treatment" is one of these. Considerations concerning the contraction threshold and the threshold for ventricular fibrillation should be thoroughly familiar to all cardiologists. In addition, knowledge is presented about the various drugs which, by lowering the fibrillation threshold, may jeopardize the patient (even though they may improve cardiac automatism, etc). For example, digitalis which is indicated for congestive heart