Infectious diseases remain a major problem for physicians and other health professionals dealing with problems of the reproductive system. Accordingly, this two-volume comprehensive presentation of infectious diseases involving the male and female reproductive systems promises to be a major contribution in this field and to fill a much-needed vacuum. During the past three decades, the introduction of antimicrobial therapy has dramatically altered both the clinical presentation and the therapeutic approaches employed in dealing with the traditional infections of the repro ductive system. In addition, the changing demographics of infectious problems in the industrial countries and the developing world have been a source of concern. A good deal of important information on this topic is included in this series. In recent years, considerable attention has been given to the role of Myco plasma and Chlamydia in both male and female infertility and the problems related to genital herpes and human papilloma virus infections. Current clinical information is included on these infections as well as on newer aspects of diagnosis, such as the use of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease. Also addressed is new information regarding the role of actinomycosis in pelvic infections; current problems such as toxic shock syndrome and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are reviewed as well. New concepts are included in these vohimes to complement the clinical information. The attachment of microbial organisms to sperm may help to explain access of these and other organisms to the upper female genital tract.

It is clear today that several prostaglandins play an important role in the regulation of many of the physiological events of the reproductive organs in the human. Both naturally occurring prostaglandins and their analogues are used routinely in many countries to ripen the cervix and induce labour at term as well as to dilate the cervix and to terminate pregnancy. Prostaglandin biosynthesis inhibitors are widely used in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea. The editors have aimed at an accurate, thorough, yet easily under standable review of the status in 1986 of medical knowledge regarding both the physiological importance and the clinical use of prostaglan dins and their inhibitors in obstetrics and gynaecology. I believe this book will be of value for all clinicians concerned with reproductive health. The list of authors guarantees an authoritative and up-to-date review of this active field. SUNE BERGSTROM Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Table Examples of clinical use of natural prostaglandins and some prostaglandin analogues Indications Prostaglandin Route of administration Manufacturer Dilatation of the cervix prior 15-methyl-PGF * Intramuscular Upjohn, USA 2 to vacuum aspiration 16-phenoxy-PGE methyl sulphonylamide Intramuscular Schering AG, West Germany 2 16,16-dimethyl-PGE methyl ester 1 Vaginal ONO, Japan; May & Baker, UK Second trimester abortion Intra -amniotic Upjohn, USA; ONO, Japan PGF 20 Upjohn, USA PGE Vaginal 2 Upjohn, USA 15-methyl-PGF 2.

Infectious diseases remain a major problem for physicians and other health professionals dealing with problems of the reproductive system. Accordingly, this two-volume comprehensive presentation of infectious diseases involving the male and female reproductive systems promises to be a major contribution in this field and to fill a much-needed vacuum. During the past three decades, the introduction of antimicrobial therapy has dramatically altered both the clinical presentation and the therapeutic approaches employed in dealing with the traditional infections of the repro ductive system. In addition, the changing demographics of infectious problems in the industrial countries and the developing world have been a source of concern. A good deal of important information on this topic is included in this series. In recent years, considerable attention has been given to the role of Myco plasma and Chlamydia in both male and female infertility and the problems related to genital herpes and human papilloma virus infections. Current clinical information is included on these infections as well as on newer aspects of diagnosis, such as the use of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease. Also addressed is new information regarding the role of actinomycosis in pelvic infections; current problems such as toxic shock syndrome and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are reviewed as well. New concepts are included in these volumes to complement the clinical information. The attachment of microbial organisms to sperm may help to explain access of these and other organisms to the upper female genital tract."

Infectious diseases remain a major problem for physicians and other health professionals dealing with problems of the reproductive system. Accordingly, this two-volume comprehensive presentation of infectious diseases involving the male and female reproductive systems promises to be a major contribution in this field and to fill a much-needed vacuum. During the past three decades, the introduction of antimicrobial therapy has dramatically altered both the clinical presentation and the therapeutic approaches employed in dealing with the traditional infections of the repro ductive system. In addition, the changing demographics of infectious problems in the industrial countries and the developing world have been a source of concern. A good deal of important information on this topic is included in this series. In recent years, considerable attention has been given to the role of Myco plasma and Chlamydia in both male and female infertility and the problems related to genital herpes and human papilloma virus infections. Current clinical information is included on these infections as well as on newer aspects of diagnosis, such as the use of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease. Also addressed is new information regarding the role of actinomycosis in pelvic infections; current problems such as toxic shock syndrome and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are reviewed as well. New concepts are included in these vohimes to complement the clinical information. The attachment of microbial organisms to sperm may help to explain access of these and other organisms to the upper female genital tract."

Irvin M. Cushner, MD, MPH It is both remarkable and, at the same time, a sign of this era of rapid change that one can refer back to the "infancy" of a field which has existed for barely more than a decade. Yet, one now reads of the "maturing" of the family planning and abortion fields, both of which were incorporated into our society and integrated into our health care system within the past ten years. Indeed, in the very year that this book is being prepared, we note the tenth anniversaries of several significant events of 1970: 1) the enactment of Title X of the Public Health Service Act, establishing a Federal program in family planning; 2) the first issuance by a major health-related organization (the APHA) of a policy statement advocating repeal of all abortion laws; and 3) the enactment, by New York State, of an abortion law whose only restric tion was that it be performed by a licensed physician and the subse quent action, the first by any local health department (New York City), to assure both its implementation and its quality. They were, indeed, eventful days. These three events seemed to presage a then-unprecedented acceptance of fertility regulation as a right and as a needed service."

Because of increasing worldwide interest in the subject, a decision was made to coordinate the papers presented at the First European Symposium on Hysteroscopy, held in Antwerp, Belgium, in September 1982, into a text on hysteroscopy, including its indications, techniques, and complications. The Organising Committee called on Dr. Louis G. Keith of Northwestern University, Chicago, illinois USA, to edit all of the papers and to prepare them for publication as a multi-author textbook rather than as a haphazard collection of the proceedings of a meeting. Dr. Keith also supervised the many details of preparing the manuscript for publication, including the task of copy editing. The speakers at the Symposium were all eminent European hysteroscopists; the most up-to-date information was presented, assuring the current nature of the scientific data. By way of introduction (Part I), a historical survey of the development of hysteroscopy is presented. The material is then divided into several parts. Part II concerns the technical aspects of hysteroscopy. Part m includes the different clinical applications of hysteroscopy. Part IV concerns special applications of hysteroscopy, and the Conclusion (Part V) contains the remarks of two distinguished American guests. Dr. Alvin M. Siegler presented a special lecture on Jan Palfijn (Chapter 29), and Dr. Louis G. Keith was asked to discuss the relationship between art and medicine at a banquet at the Rubens Mansion in Antwerp (Chapter 30).