Otolaryngology

In this book, Dr Sutherland successfully brings together information about all of Australia's dangerous creatures and their venoms and provides the latest recommendations on first aid and hospital management of bites and stings. In the Foreword, Professor R. Douglas Wright relates how he recently learned that the "harmless" black snakes he despatched as a child were, in fact, "the largest, most potent tiger snakes in Australia". Australians, including members of the medical profession, are often very ignorant about our poisonous creatures and the author's concern about education has resulted in his writing dozens of articles and books. Australian Animal Toxins brings together, in a single volume, all his own work as well as the work of many others, which he readily acknowledges. This book willappeal to most doctors, particularly country practitioners, Emergency Department and Intensive Care Ward personnel and medical researchers. Readers should not be put off by the book's large size, as it is exceptionally well indexed and crossreferenced. It is clearly written, well illustrated and easy to read. My only concern is that the frequent use of isolated Latin names to refer to the creatures mentioned may prove confusing for people unfamiliar with them. Numerous terrestrial and marine creatures are discussed, including snakes, spiders, bees, ants, ticks, wasps, centipedes, scorpions, jelly fish and stonefish. There are a number of excellent colour photographs. In addition, black and white photographs, drawings and diagrams are included to illustrate particular points or to help with identification. I found the many case histories both interesting and instructive. Knowledge about our venomous creatures is rapidly increasing. Indeed, since this book was published, two new speciesof dangerous snake, a black snake called Butler's snake (Pseudechis butlen) and a new species of death adder, the Northern Death Adder (Acanthophis praelongus) have been described. I recommend this book. I hope that it will be widely read and that, if the author's enthusiasm and energy continue, new information will be incorporated into future editions.