It is interesting to observe the evolution of medical education over the years. The massive textbooks of the past have almost disappeared except as works of library reference. In their place we now find an increasing number of publications which explore the detail of particular specialities and sub-specialities. Once the young surgeon has acquired his basic knowledge of surgery in general (as it is now called), postgraduate education, whilst seeking to maintain the general scientific and humanistic principles of surgery, is forced to provide specialised reference works in a whole variety of...