Anesthesia for Infants and Children

Within the past year, three excellent texts in pediatric anesthesiology have become available. Two of these (D. J. Steward'sManual of Pediatric Anesthesia(243:2095, 1980) and R. M. Levin'sPediatric Anesthesia Handbook) are concise paperback guides to safe, modern methods, particularly as practiced in the authors' respective institutions. The third book, Robert M. Smith's classicAnesthesia for Infants and Children, newly revised and augmented, is of a different genre. The first edition appeared in 1959; the second and third editions in 1963 and 1968. These works, together with the new fourth edition, express the total professional commitment of the United States' premier dean of pediatric anesthesiology. The 29 chapters of the 1980 edition are categorized into three sections: "Theoretical and Technical Considerations" (physiology, mechanical aspects, techniques, and drugs); "Clinical Management of Specific Anesthetic Problems" (the young infant, surgical subspecialties); and "Allied Topics" (fluid therapy, intensive care, complications). Five chapters have