Veterinary Research Communications, vol 28, p26 (2004). Reviewed by A.S.J.P.A.M Van Miert, Utrecht.

“The publication of a multi-author textbook on comparative and veterinary physiology is something of an event for interested teachers, researchers, and students in veterinary, animal and agricultural sciences. This book is major, running 735 pages including a comprehensive index. The first edition of this textbook, published by the Scandinavian Veterinary Press, will certainly enjoy widespread acceptance.

In the preface, the editors state, “The ultimate goal of the book is to enable students to develop the problem-solving skills they will need in future careers”. In my view, the authors have succeeded in this difficult task. They emphasize the explanation of conceptual aspects, and focus on homeostasis, that is, how regulating mechanisms keep the internal environment of the body stable in a changing external environment.

The subjects are well treated in 20 chapters, broken up into many paragraphs. They include not only a description of the different organ systems, but also biochemistry and biophysics, tissues and cells including communication, structure, function and apoptosis, bioenergetics and growth, reproduction and lactation. Each chapter includes a subject index, clinical examples and, at the end, control questions and a list of references to reviews for further readings. Chemical formulas, tables and full-colour drawings (nearly 600) are well executed. There is no doubt that over the years this textbook will become a standard. For further information, look up the web page: www.scanvetpress.com”