Book review
IADVL (Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists) Textbook and Atlas of Dermatology, Volumes I and II. R. G. Valia, Editor-in-Chief; A. R. Valia, Assistant Editor and K. Siddappa, Project Director. Bombay: Bhalani Publishing House, 1994. Hardbound, 1437 pp., index for each volume, color and black and white illustrations. ISBN 81 -85578-07-9 (set); 81-85578-11-7 (Vol. 1); 81-85578-12-5 (Vol. 2). Available from: Bahalani Publishing House, 1-2 Trisandhya A, 97 Dada Saheb Phalke Road, Dadar, Bombay 400014, India.
"The IADVL textbook project was conceived to fill a lacuna in our postgraduate teaching of dermatology. Dr. Marquis and I felt that though the standard textbooks could not be replaced, there was a need for a textbook written with an Indian and Third World perspective.
"The spectrum of skin disorders and their presentation on brown Indian skin differ from those seen on white skin, as will be seen in the color atlas containing the entire gamut of skin disorders. Also, constraints of resources and the nonavailability of adequate facilities have to be taken into account while calling for investigations or instituting therapy.
"The priority assigned to different topics in this book naturally differs from that in others. Thus, pigmentary disorders, which are fairly common in the Indian populace, have been dealt with in greater detail than cutaneous malignancies, which are very rare. Eminent authors from all over the country have done justice to their assignments in this regard.''' -From Preface by R. G. Valia
This textbook is authoritatively written by distinguished authors and is lavishly illustrated with 1108 color plates of uniformly excellent quality. It will undoubtedly be a major teaching tool in dermatology internationally as well as in India.
There are 12 chapters, 131 pages of text and over 100 color plates devoted to leprosy. Chapters are included on the customary subjects, epidemiology, microbiology, immunology, pathology, clinical aspects, systemic manifestations, differential diagnosis, drug treatment, surgical aspects, rehabilitation, and leprosy control. The chapters are well written and up to date.
For a foreign leprologist, one of the most interesting chapters in the leprosy section is the account of "Leprosy Control in India. Historical Aspects" by S. S. Pandya. The author provides a fascinating account of the rich history of leprosy work in India which has laid the groundwork for today's programs in leprosy control.
The authors, editors, and publishers are to be congratulated on the authoritative dermatology textbook they have created. - RCH