The author includes in the term "surgical care" not only preoperative diagnosis and preparation and postoperative care but also complete rehabilitation of the patient. He deals with the factors of basic science, knowledge of bedside medicine, physiologic mechanisms, and psychologic insight involved in achieving the goal of full recovery of the patient.
The material presented, as indicated by the subtitle, is intended to be practical. Physiologic principles are constantly emphasized in contrast to the surgical care directed by clinical impressions. A positive program based on sound physiologic and biochemical knowledge is outlined. The material covered includes not only what one would expect pertaining to basic preoperative and postoperative care but also excellent chapters on psychogenic factors in surgery, anesthesia, nutrition in surgery, and chemotherapy in surgery, shock, and burns.
The book reads easily. Pertinent and very excellent summaries of known physiologic and biochemical facts are carried to their practical conclusion