Systemic Arterial Embolism.

The role of intravascular clotting with emphasis on thrombosis rather than embolism has achieved a central focus in our current considerations of heart disease, particularly that associated with coronary arteriosclerosis. Many pathologists believe that the major pathogenetic process in arteriosclerosis is repeated minute thromboses with accumulation of the debris of cellular breakdown as a basis for development of atheroma. In a less speculative field we have the tremendous importance of thrombosis and embolism in coronary artery disease and in heart troubles of various kinds, notably in mitral stenosis with or without auricular fibrillation. The orientation of Askey's book is mainly clinical and is based on an extensive experience in practice. There is an excellent review of the relationship of fibrillation and mitral stenosis to the occurrence of peripheral embolism. The clinical aspects of anticoagulant therapy, which Askey calls antithrombotic drug therapy, are reviewed thoroughly and with enthusiasm. Askey is one