CLINICAL MECHANICS OF THE HAND, Paul W. Brand, MB, BS, FRCS. The C. V. Mosby Company, St. Louis, MO, 1985, 342 pages $48.50.This book was written by a,surgeon for surgeons and for therapists. to help surgeons and therapists to use sound mechanical pii&ipl&s as they manage their patients with hand disabilities. The ih'e'6'Mis 2fid principles from physics and kinesiobgy that relate to hand funcfidn are presented, defined, and then systematically applied to clinical scenarios. The relevant mathematical formulas required to analyze an.d to solve biomechaiiical problems have been carefully selected and precisely organized to aid the reader's understanding. When each principle or term is intfoduced, its purpose, its effect, its relevance, and its application is succinctly shown. The meticulous artwork is frequently used to graphically illustrate the principles described and applications proposed.The material, as presented, does rely on the reader's strong clinical background while it focuses on the development of biomechanical analysis. The basics as well as the more advanced principles are shared in a well planned hierarchial sequence. The chapters devoted to the mechanics of the hand, transmission, drag, and external stresses are very well written and are particularly geared to the surgeon or therapist reader. To keep interest REFERENCES Fciblcman, J K: (1954) Theory of integrative Levels. British Jownalfor the Philosophy of Science, 5 , 59-66 Rcilly, M: (1974) Play As Erploratory Laming. Sage, Beverly Hills Occup Ther Health Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by Nyu Medical Center on 06/16/15 For personal use only.
