BOOK REVIEWS 1049

Adverse Reactions to Foods. COMMITTEE ON ADVERSE REACTIONS TO FOODS, AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, and NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, Maryland. pp 220, 1984, $9.50.

Intolerance to dietary components is a frequent phenomenon. It may have an immunological basis (e.g. Cow's milk protein hypersensitivity) or based on an enzyme deficiency (e.g. lactose intolerance). Much mystery and mystique surrounds the topic. This publication brings together the concensus view of the modern approach to the pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of adverse reactions to foods. A panel of experts, mostly from the U.S.A. helped in its production. It is a readable uptodate publication. Understandably, there are some dogmatic statements made for which there is little scientific evidence and the topic of early detection of the 'high risk' group is given poor coverage. The role of hydrolysate formulae and soya-based 'milks' should have been discussed in greater detail. Clearly, there is need for further research in this area and perhaps an updated version of the state-of-the-art of the subject in another two years.

Advances in Nutritional Research. Volume 6. HAROLD H. DRAPER, ed. Plenum, New York, 1984, pp 332, $49.50.

This expensive compedium of ten reviews covers a wide range of topics, including pathways of methionine catabolism, fibre, protein turnover, vitamin A and cancer, metabolic bone disease associated with total parenteral nutrition, zinc-binding ligands, selenium status and Keshan disease, sucrose-isomaltose malabsorption and nutrient absorption in gnotobiotic animals. There are some good contributions (Yang et al., Reeds and Garlick) but the majority are of poor standard. The first two chapters are probably the worst. The section on ascorbate does not mention any adverse reactions of mega-dose therapy. The production values are poor, some of the tables and lettering on the figures is barely legible. It is difficult to understand the logic of printing the text but typing the legends to figures and the tables. The book does not maintain the earlier quality of volumes in this series and the Editor needs to pull up his sleeves and get a better set of reviews for the next edition.

Immunology Of the Lung and Upper Respiratory Tract. JOHN BIENENSTOCK, ed. McGraw-Hill, New York, Toronto and other places, 1984, pp 414, Price Cdn$60.75.

The topic of macromolecular transport across mucosal epithelia is of great interest to nutritionists. Although this book is focussed on the respiratory tract, many of the chapters discussing the basic concepts of mucosal tissues have wider relevance. Most of the chapters are extremely well written and easy to read. The production values are excellent. The publication is strongly recommended for purchase by all medical schools and academic hospitals.