BOOKS OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 181, 20 April 1918, Page 11

BOOKS OF THE DAY

The Social Evil. i A [l ;-W- N"- Willis, an'ex-Australian legislator, lias for eoiuo limo past devoted liiiiisolf to a' study of tho social evil and how best to combat tlio frightful ravages 6f venereal diseases. In his latest book, "Tho Grip of tho Venereal Microbe" (T. Werner Luurio), Mr. Willis draws a truly horrifying picture of tho insidiously destructive effects of these diseases. Ho is insistent upon tho necessity for the ovil to be dealt yrith far more courageously by the public Press than Has hitherto been the case, and advocates the furthor education of the public on the subject and the establishment of a. widespread State organisation specially devoted to extirpating the evil mid safeguarding, as far as may bo possible, future generations against its effects. The author deals at length with the disease itself, its manner of treatment, by salvarsan or other means, with the necessity for establishing public clinics, and with many other phases of a problem which is now morn than ever _of 'momentous importance to tho nation. Hβ warmly commends tho good work done at the Early. Treatment Depot established by the Australians at Horseferry Road, London, where "no testimonial is required, no names, addresses, nor rank demanded, no record kept.' . He quotes with approval the declaration of the Royal - Commission on Venereal Diseases that there can bo littlo doubt that n. franker attitude towards those diseases would lead to leas concealment, often involving iiecoiirse .to quack remedies which may retard euro or render it impossible, and would thus- assist in checking one of the greatest evift that can afflict a community.

_■ Tho subject is dealt with throughout in the frankest possible way,' tho author evidently believing with ' Dr. Kidd, of tho London Hospital, that "the quickest and easiest way, from amedical' or sciontifto stnndpoint, ' to stamp out this disease would ho to permit the vulgarisation of knowledge on the question of how to prevent disease." Mr. Willis's hook ■ should' ho read by all who are interested in the great and grave social problem with which it deals w> courageously ■ and exhaustively. (New Zealand price, 4s. Cd.) Some Cheap and Useful Handbooks. To their cheap and useful series of ""Vork Handbooks," Messrs Cassell and Co. have recently added a volume entitled "Incubators and Chicken Bearers:, How to Make and Manage Them." The book, which, it is claimed, is written entirely by experts, and contains a largo number of working diagrams and other illustrations, should bo very useful to all who are interested in poultry keeping. (Price, 25.) Another now volume in this, series deals with "Clock Cleaning- and Repairing." It ig edited by Bernard E. Jones, the editor of "Work." Tho book is fully illustrated and is based, so the editor informs his readers, on the information contributed to "Work" for'many years past in the way of articles and answers to correspondents by a clever and practical hprologist. (Price, 25.) ' •• "Another addition to Messrs. Caseoll's cheap and haiidy series of Gardening' Manuals - is. entitled ' 'One Thousand Gardening Hints," edited by Mr. H. H. Thomas, editor of "The Gartloncr." The handbook, which is specially intended for the amateur , gardener, contains a vast number of useful hints on tho cultivation of flowers, ■ trees and shrubs, greenhouse flowers, vegetables and fruit trees, and.also includes some practical advice on combating, garden pests and plant diseases. Numerous • diagrams and illustrations, many of tho latter being beautifully reproduced, enhance tho value of a capital littlo book, which should be in great demand by amateur gardeners. (N.Z. price, 25.) To tho series of "Gardening Books for Amateurs" published by the samo firm have been added two new volumes, "Fruit. Tree Pruning" and "Tlio Allotment," the author in each caeo being Mr. H. H. Thomas, editor of , "The Gardener." Tho second book should specially interest suburbanites who aro interested in vegetable growing. (Review copies per Messrs. S. and AV. Maokay ;■ N.Z. price, Is.). "New Zealand at the Front." Supplies of "Now Zoaland at tho Front," written and illustrated in Franco by men of tho New Zealand Division (Cassell and Co., per Whitcombo and Tpmbs)j ]iavo now arrived in Wellington. Those who desire to securo a copy of this interesting, and historically' valuable souvenir of tho war and of tho part played on the Western front by our Now Zoaland boys should malco a point of doing so without delay, as only a limited number of copies is available. In The Dominion !of January 12 appeared a long and detailed roviow of tho publication, tho literary and artistic contents of which are of a high order of merit. (N.Z. price, 4s. 6c1.).