December, 1962 P H Y S I O T H E R A P Y Page 13

Book Reviews

THE PRINCIPLES OF EXERCISE THERAPY

Author: M. Dena Gardiner, F.C.S.P.
Diploma of Bedford Physical Training College, Teacher of 
the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (T.M.M.G. and 
T.E.T.), formerly Deputy Principal o f the London Hospital 

School of Physiotherapy.
Publishers: G. Bell & Sons Ltd.,

York House, Portugal Street,
London, W.C.2.

Third Edition 1962.
The Proof Copy o f this edition has just come to hand, 

in view of the fact that Miss Gardener has been in our 
midst during the year and has inspired many of us with her 
enthusiasm for P.N .F., this book will be more than usually 
welcome.

Since publication of the previous edition in 1956 Miss 
Gardiner has had first hand experience in these techniques 
in America, and this new edition contains a comprehensive 
section on P.N.F. and on Functional Re-education.

Some out-moded exercise therapy has been omitted; the 
main theme being the importance of re-educating normal 
functional movement.

There are six sections to this valuable book including 
an Appendix containing Derived Positions and Terminology. 
The first section is of particular interest to Students as an 
introduction to the subject of Exercise Therapy and in 
their approach to the patient’s problem.

The following five sections deal thoroughly and con­
cisely with movement and exercise in all form.

Attractive and clear diagrams and “stick-men” illustrating 
exercises are to be found on most pages. Physiotherapists 
Ind students alike will find much o f interest and value 
in this book, and it will surely be referred to time and again.

Miss Gardiner must be congratulated on revising her book 
especially during her strenuous months in South Africa

MUSCLES ALIVE—THEIR FUNCTIONS REVEALED 
BY ELECTROMYOGRAPHY

By J. V. Basamajian, M.D., Professor and Head of the 
Department o f Anatomy, Queen’s University, Kingston, 
Ontario, Canada.

Publisher: Bailliere, Tindall & Cox,
7/8 Henrietta Street, London W.C.2.

278 pages, 126 figures. Price 68s.
This little book serves to fulfil a much needed place in 

the curriculum o f all persons dealing with the movements 
°f the body.

As this review is intended primarily for Physiotherapists 
(both student and graduate), I recommend to them that 
certain chapters especially those dealing with posture, 
respiratory and abdominal muscle function should be read 
with great care.

Those chapters towards the end of the book, although 
o f general interest, have very little value for the practice of 
every day physiotherapy techniques.

The style in which this book is written, in contrast to 
most medical books, leads to easy reading and compre­
hension and the book itself I  recommend to be read by all 
who are interested in the action o f living muscle.

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY FOR STUDENTS OF 
PHYSIOTHERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY & 

GYMNASTICS. (4th Edition, 1962).

Authors: C. F. V. Smout, M.D., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.
R. J. S. McDowall, M.D., D.Sc., M.R.C.P., 
F.R.C.S.(E.)

Publisher: Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd., London.

Price in the U .K .: 60/-

As a physiotherapist, this reviewer approached the new 
edition o f this book with some misgiving because it seemed 
mpossible to cover two such major subjects in a book of 

this size.

This is an improvement on the third edition, and both 
the Anatomy and Physiology sections have been brought 
up to date. The section on Physiology has also been 
enlarged. It is pleasing to note special chapters on fascia 
as well as muscle, the lymphatic system, anatomical regions 
and living anatomy. There are also chapters on levers and 
leverage and on muscles in action; these contain some 
controversial statements with which your reviewer does not 
entirely agree.

The anatomy is well illustrated and presented. There 
are a few details which a physiotherapist would have to 
look up in a more comprehensive textbook on anatomy.

In the physiology section the author attempts to deal 
with the effects of exercises, electrotherapy and massage 
in one chapter. Elsewhere, breathing exercises and the 
application of local heat and radiations to the body are 
discussed. The nervous system and control of movement 
are still inadequately described, and the author believes 
movement to be initiated in the cerebral cortex.

It is a good book for the price and size, but a student of 
physiotherapy would need to have access to more compre­
hensive textbooks to supplement it.

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