Viral and Rickettsial Infections of Man [antikvár]

Preface There is need for a book on viral and rickettsial infections of man to which medical students and practicing physicians may turn for information. Knowledge concerning these infections has developed so rapidly during the past two decades that any book written during that time would have been out of date before publication. Furthermore, ideas about infectious agents responsible for these diseases were in such a state of flux that any book written by a number of authors would have confused those not actively working with them. Within the past few years there has been considerable stabilization of knowledge and ideas, and it is now time that these be brought together in such a way that interested people not actively engaged in the study of viral and rickettsial infections may have easy access to them. Bacterial and mycotic infections of man are discussed in a companion volume edited by Dr. René J. Dubos. It would be impossible for one person to write authoritatively about all of the diseases and their causal agents discussed in this book. Consequently, experts in the different fields have been chosen to partic.ipate in a co-operative venture. At first, it seemed not unlikely that there might be many different opinions recorded by the various authors, but this has not occurred, indicating that much of the information presented is basic and will not have to be altered. Viruses and rickettsiae are obligáté parasites and multiply only in susceptible cells of a living host or in living cells in tissue cultures. In view of this, much of the book naturally has to deal with clinical and pathologic pictures induced by these active agents in natural and experimentál hosts. To give a complete picture of viral and rickettsial infections for medical students and physicians, sections on epidemiology and control measures are included in each chapter. To publish a book of this nature costs a great deal, and without subsidy it would be available to only a limited number of people. The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis has provided financial aid for the preparation and the publication of the volume so that its price should not be a factor limiting the number of people who read it. The editor has had splendid co-operation from all of the contributors and from The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, for which he expresses deepest appreciation. Thomas M. Rivers, M.D. Hospitál of The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research New York