Tobacco and Your Health: The Smoking Controversy By Harold S. Diehl (review)

ablerecord ofevents in dieobstetrical worldduringthefirsthalfofthis century. Copiesof the book are available from the Adair Award Fund, Box 65, Maitland, Florida 32751. Edith L. Potter, M.D. Gladiolus Drive Route 3, Box 658 Fort Myers, Florida 33901 Tobacco and Your Health: The Smoking Controversy. By Harold S. Diehl, M.D. New York: McGraw-HUl Book Co., 1968. Pp. 271. $4.95. Dr. Harold S. Diehl has been, since 1958, an official ofthe American Cancer Society, thus becoming deeply involved in the campaign against cigarette smoking in its relationship to the increased incidence ofcancer ofdie lung. The book is not offered as a scientific document but rather, as said by Dr. Berwyn F. Mattison ofthe American PubUc Health Association, a book by an author who "frankly disclaims the roles of disinterested observer and impartial reporter." The book is propaganda mustering, in weU-organized chapters, the mass ofopinion and the modicum ofscientific evidence which led to the expressions of opinion. Diehl traces the growth ofthe campaign, the supporting voices culminating in die papers by Drs. Ernest Wynder and Evarts Graham, by Drs. Richard Doll and A. B. Hill, and then the extensive statistical studies ofDrs. E. Cuyler Hammond and Daniel Horn. From this point onthe perspective widens to include die effects oftobacco on longevity , on respiratory diseases, on the circulation, and on the heart. Two briefpages concern air poUution with the potential synergistic effect ofsmoke from the air and smoke from tobacco. Some ofthefacts areaUttlebafflinginrelationship to diecancer-tobacco concept. However, thejudgments are not left to the reader. The presentation is geared to die antitobacco crusade. Indeed the nine pages devoted to dissenting opinions are largely concerned with demolishing the dissent. I am especiaUy interested in the section on smoking by physicians, which tells about doctors who have smoked and stopped smoking. These statistical poUs are as dubious as those which used to be developed by Albert Lasker who sent aU die doctors boxes ofcigarettes and one week later polled diem as to which cigarette diey were smoking! A doctor who hasjust stopped smoking is very proud to return a postcard declaring diat fiict but like people everywhere—and doctors are people—he forgets to send another card stating that he has started again! However, there has been, widiout doubt, some diminution ofsmoking by physicians. This I observe in themeetings ofthemanymedical organizations which I attend. The book by Diehl is an important social document concerned widi a pubUc health problem which unfortunately is not nearly so easily solved as die problems related to water and sewage disposal, but comes more nearly to such problems as that ofalcohol. I am, perhaps fortunately, one ofthose who has not smoked even once because I never wantedto. IfIhadwished to smoke, Iwould quitecertainlyhavedoneso. SimilarlyIhave 127 indulged but infrequently in spirituous Uquors, and dien only ofthe mildest type. However , tremendous numbers ofmy family and my friends have seemed to feel that the deUghts they derive from smoking and drinking are adequate compensation for such hazards as they incur while in die midst ofdieir indulgence. I have never thought to warn diem to change their habits. At die same time I am a strong devotee ofmoderation in all things. Morris Fishbetn, M.D. 5454 South Shore Drive Chicago, Illinois 60615 Morris Fishbein, M.D. By Morris Fishbetn, M.D. New York: Doubleday & Co., 1969. Pp. 18+486. $10.00. Morris Fishbein, M.D. is die fascinating story ofa remarkable man's significant involvement in medicine and in many ofits important issues during a period offifty-five years. Beginning widi his early days as an enterprising student at the University of Chicago, through the long period ofhis association widi the American Medical Association as assistant to die editor, and later as editor oftheJournal ofdie association, foUowed by yet another career as medical consultant and innovator, especiaUy in the field ofcommunication and pubUcations, Dr. Fishbeinhas been actively engaged in die affairs ofmedicine and related fields, and diese experiences constitute die main subject ofdlis biography. Fishbein has combined unusual talents ofinteUect, energy, and insight in the origination and implementation of a host of good medical causes, such as foundations advancing research in poUomyeUtis, arthritis, congenital developmental defects, heart disease and digestive disorders, and in the...