The manual, in three volumes, covers all areas with the minimum necessary theoretical background. The clinical significance of laboratory findings has been discussed so that the technicians do not lose sight of the patient. Each chapter admirably deals with the care and use of laboratory equipment and the preparation of reagents. Topics like haematology, blood banking, microbiology, serology, clinical pathology, clinical biochemistry, histopathology, and cytology are well covered. All clinical tests are described step-by-step with down-to-earth practical details to overcome errors. A brief mention of automation in haematology, clinical biochemistry, and histology has also been made. The contents can be easily understood by the technologists of developing countries. The narrative of the text reads as if the author is demonstrating the techniques by the side of the reader; illustrations supplement the narration.

Dr Mukherjee has many years of experience in the supervision and training of medical laboratory technicians in the United States. Hence, he has a thorough understanding of the most suitable approach for training clinical laboratory personnel. He has travelled widely in India as a Fulbright Visiting Professor in Medical Laboratory Technology (1983–1984) and has admirably tailored this manual to conditions in India and other developing countries by staying in close touch with the clinical laboratory technologists of India. This manual will not only serve as an indispensable workbench reference book for the medical laboratories but will also be a valuable guide for the training of clinical laboratory personnel.

Vijaya Hospital Jaganatha Reddy, MD Madras 600 026 Ex-President

In our eort to carry the author’s legacy forward, we have attempted to update the material of the book to cover the latest developments in the technology and the techniques adopted in the modern medical laboratories. The foremost areas of recent literature include molecular pathology, laboratory information systems, immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction in clinical diagnosis (popularly called PCRs).

We do wish that this three-volume title should prove as the essential textbook for medical laboratory technology students and a valuable reference for the medical laboratory technicians in practice and doctors associated with diagnostic laboratories.