Neurology and neurobiology, vol. 14. Development, organization, and processing in Somatosensory Pathways. M. Rowe and W. D. Willis, Jr. (eds). New York: Alan R. Liss, Inc., 1985, 411 pp
✍ Scribed by L. Kruger
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 1985
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 79 KB
- Volume
- 14
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0360-4012
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
Refracted through the exotic atmosphere of Hunter Valley in New South Wales, Australia, the experience of exchanged scientific information and views must have been glorious for those fortunate enough to attend the symposium organized by the Somatosensory and Pain Commission associated with the 1983 Physiology congressthe source of this nicely presented volume: Reviewing a symposium volume is usually a thankless task, for one runs the risk of offending if only a few contributions are singled out for singular merit, and in general, the proscriptions of book review length preclude a comprehensive or scholarly account. Nevertheless, there are some important things to relate about such publications, especially when they are well produced, as opposed to the often outdated, unattractive, high-priced photo-offset volume.
This volume reflects the delight and awe that derives from a field in which the high flux of growth submerges the minor controversies that might emerge during those epochs when new findings are rare. The contrast between the sorts of reports that result when primate paleontologists or Shakespeare scholars meet stems from the difference between explosive growth as opposed to the competitive spirit of stepping on each other's toes incessantly. There are some areas of controversy in this field to be sure, but their absence in this volume is not really missed because there are SO many truly new and exciting findings that have not been published extensively elsewhere. Provocative presentations on such subjects as two classes of ventral root afferent fibers, the role of prostaglandins in nociceptor sensitization, and new insights about hyperalgesia along with the elegant papers displaying the morphology or chemical specializations of physiologically characterized neurons will be of interest to the nonspecialist.
Rarely does one feel moved to recommend splurging on a costly symposium publication, but this is one of those occasions. This book is nicely edited and produced, with handsome type face and good reproduction of illustrations. I put it down with the affection that I suspect derives from the joy expressed in this collection of papers from workers in a field that has never been more exciting than it is today.