Deprivation and Health in Scotland

chapters begins with a brief review of normal physiological function, followed by ways in which mechanisms are disturbed in renal disease, with particular reference to problems in the elderly.The remaining chapters cover glomerular disease, renal involvement in systemic disease, infections, obstruction, acute and chronic renal failure and hypertension.For each topic the authors have summarized the existing information on adults in general and expanded this to provide information that is specific to the elderly, both from the literature and from their own experience.Where there is a dispute about treatment, they are not afraid to say so, but they give clear details of their current practice and their reasons for following each course of action.Examples include the use of plasma exchange or gamma globulin therapy in thrombotic thrombocytopenic pur- pura, the use of ACE inhibitors in hypertension and heart failure, erythropoietin for treatment of anaemia, and the place of dialysis and transplantation in elderly patients.I would recommend this book, not just for physicians in elderly care, but as a source of sound practical advice for nurses and medical staff on nephrology wards and renal units.It also provides excellent revision for M.R.C.P. candidates and nephrologists.It should be included on the shelves of the postgraduate library.