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What a monumental task and what a monumental accomplishment by the editor! When I was a medical student and young house officer, Christopher's Textbook of Surgery was a necessary constant companion; every page was to be learned. Dr Sabiston's 11th edition is no longer just a simple text for the beginning student but is a source book for the maturing house officer and practicing surgeon.
The beginning 582 pages are devoted to an in-depth discussion of the general scientific principles that constitute the basis of modern surgical care. Examples, chosen randomly, are MacLean's classification and methods of analyzing the varying syndromes of shock and Powers's excellent "how-to-do-it" flow sheet for the identification and treatment of problems affecting renal function in the surgical patient. No matter how closely I have followed over the years the fine work of Moore and Kinney, I never fail to learn something helpful and new each