Practical Cytology

Cytological Diagnosis in Medical Practice, by J. Bamforth, 246 pp, 300 illus, $18.50, Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1967. Two rather short books on exfoliative cytology have appeared from Great Britain. The first,Practical Cytologyby R. G. W. Taylor, is described by the author as a guide for students and technicians in the field. It is a very readable text for this audience. Included in its 148 pages is an excellent section on both cytologic and histologic fixation and staining techniques. There is a brief but pertinent section on chromosomes. Elementary cellular physiology and histology is well described as are terms frequently used in cytology. The actual presentation and discussion of exfoliative cytology of the various organs is extremely cursory—gynecologic cytology in 17 pages, sputa in 6 pages, etc. In fact, the description of gastric secretions, urine, breast, and cerebrospinal fluids is too brief for benefit. Nonetheless some of