Review of publications

The books referred to below have been abstracted from review copies received from the publisher by the editor of this newsletter. Except where noted otherwise, none of the books are available from PAHO. The publisher and the list price (when available) are included at the end of the abstracts for readers who are interested in purchasing the books.

Emergency Response Guide for Dangerous Goods, Information and Emergency Center, Transport Canada. 330 pp. No ref. 1979 (English and French)

Bilingual list of dangerous goods and their potential hazard to health, ordered alphabetically and by United Nations serial number. Provides instructions for emergency handling of each of the substances listed as well as basic first aid measures that should be taken, according to type of exposure. Valuable guide for those working in emergency coordination centers and for personnel responsible for handling dangerous substances.

- US$5.00. Information and Emergency Center, Transport of Dangerous Goods Branch, Transport Canada, Place de Ville, Ottawa, Ontario KIA ON5, Canada.

Biomedical Effects of Volcanoes, Specialized Bibliography Series, National Library of Medicine, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 10 pp. July 1980 (English)

The July issue of the National Library of Medicine, Specialized Bibliography Series, provides an extensive and detailed bibliography of literature (primarily from the last decade) in the field of biomedical effects of volcanoes. The issue was prompted by recent interest in the field resulting from the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in Washington State, U.S.A. The articles, monographs and reports included in the bibliography deal with health effects of volcanic eruptions as well as air, soil and water pollution. A limited number of copies are available from the editor of this newsletter or from: Reference Section, Reference Services Division, National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20209, U.S.A.

Handbook for Mental Health Care of Disaster Victims, Raquel E. Cohen and Frederick L. Ahearn, Jr. 126 pp. Extensive bibliography. 1980 (English)

Introduces general definitions of disasters and stress, and the role of health administrators in managing mental health problems faced by victims of sudden-onset catastrophes. Discusses the stages of emotional and behavioral changes disaster victims undergo, depending on personal and social factors affecting their vulnerability to emotional upset. After examining various models that have been developed to increase administrators' understanding of behavioral transformations in the postimpact phase, proposes guidelines for the planning and implementation of mental health services after a disaster. Ends with a detailed discussion of the three main stages of victims' emotional response to disasters and the corresponding skills that are required of mental health workers. Very useful as a guide; however, as the author recognizes, variations in cultural and social support systems require that readers take the proposals with a view toward adapting them.

- US$12.95 The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, U.S.A.

Hurricanes and Coastal Storms: Awareness, Evacuation and Mitigation, Earl J. Baker, ed. 219 pp. 105 ref. 1980( English)

A compendium of papers presented at the National Conference on Hurricanes and Coastal Storms, held at Florida State University. Participants discussed recent research findings in the areas of warning and evacuation, local disaster response planning, national flood insurance programs, land use and growth management, coastal construction and postdisaster hazard mitigation. Reference points and statistical data are based on U.S. hurricane experience. The overall methodology and the orientation of the problems examined should, however, be of interest to non-U.S. health professionals and government officials who are called upon to manage disaster preparedness and emergency relief programs.

- US$2.00. Marine Advisory Program, 6022 McCarty Hall, University of Florida, Gainewille, Florida 32611, U. S. A.

Disasters, Medical Organization, Jan de Boer and Thomas W. Bailie, eds. 110 pp. No ref. 1980 (English)

Although the title may lead readers to expect guidelines and principles in medical organization generally applicable to all countries, the chapters consist of case studies of measures and systems adopted in the Netherlands, a highly industrialized and densely populated country prone to floods and technological disasters. As a consequence, special emphasis is given to air, sea, and railroad accidents and nuclear or chemical disasters. Briefly treats legislative aspects of disaster medicine, community medicine under emergency conditions, civil defense medical services and crash teams and disaster organization in specific industries and infrastructures. little attempt was made to direct the author's conclusions and recommendations to situations and countries in which human and material resources are critically short. The chapters on triage, surgical treatment, anesthesia and analgesia and radiation may be useful to health services as aids for the preparation of simplified norms and guidelines for the treatment of mass casualties.

- US$13.00 Pergamon Press, Inc., Maxwell House, Fairview Park, Elmsford, New York 10523, U.S.A.