Textbook of Immunopathology

The second edition of this textbook of immunopathology is a welcome addition to a number of new and revised texts on immunology. It has been considerably enlarged and the number of contributors increased. The first chapters deal with the fundamentals of immunology, namely, the cellular basis of immune responses, immunoglobulins, complement, genetic control of immune responsiveness, anaphylaxis, antigen-antibody complexes, and delayed hypersensitivity. These have been brought to date and are excellent. Because the coagulation mechanism is so important in the inflammatory process, a new chapter dealing with this theme is a very worthwhile addition. However, I do find fault with the organization of the rest of the text. The chapters on experimental immune diseases such as of the CNS, thyroid, and kidney could perhaps have been combined with the ones dealing with the clinical immunopathology of these organs. There is considerable redundancy at present. A discussion of HLA antigens can