What is a hematologist doing behind the iron curtain? Lawkowicz answers well and shows how the biochemist, immunologist, radiobiologist, statistician, and even the geologist support the clinician and cytologist. The new German translation of Lawkowicz' original in Polish is interesting and useful not only for the hematologist but also for the general internist and for other specialists. Atypical features of hematological disease are identified in syndromes of other origin, the many hazards of exposure to radiation and to chemicals are set forth, and a dynamic interaction is shown between blood as a moveable fluid tissue and the fixed tissues of the body.
Conventional presentation of the anemias is accompanied by discussion of the recent work on the renal origin of erythropoetin, the metabolic actions of vitamin B12, folic acid, and pyridoxine. Anomalous hemoglobins find their place along with discussion of iron metabolism. Reduced glutathione and deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase