Anthony Seaton – författare

Now in its Fifth Edition, Crofton and Douglas''s Respiratory Diseases has firmly established itself as the leading clinical textbook on diseases of the chest.

Presented, for the first time, as a two-volume set, this classic text has been completely rewritten and greatly expanded. Extensive revisions ensure that these volumes present an up-to-date review of all aspects of lung disease

. The contributions of some 18 leading authorities ensure that each area is comprehensively covered and new to this edition are chapters on the genetics of lung disease, smoking, air pollution, sleep apnoea, diving, lung transplantation and medico-legal aspects. The changes in content reflect the pace of change in the areas concerned not only in terms of understanding of the disease processes but also their treatment. The single chapter on asthma that appeared in previous editions, has now been expanded into three chapters covering epidemiology, mechanisms and management, reflecting the enormous research effort currently underway following a marked increase in the incidence of this disease in recent years.

This new edition continues to provide an excellent reference both for the trainee and specialist in respiratory medicine, as well as the general physician. It will be extremely useful on the ward and in the office, where clinical problems arise and questions are asked which need clear answers.

When the last deep coal mine in Britain closed in 2016 it marked the end of the most transformative era in the history of mankind. In writing this account of the rise and decline of the coal industry and its effects on the health of the miners, of those who worked with coal products and of almost all of us who have breathed in the pollution from its combustion, Professor Seaton points to the often hidden adverse consequences of transformative technologies. He also traces the early history of the discoveries that led to the concept of man-made climate change and discusses the converging threats to civilisation from unregulated technological advance. ‘I look back on the decline and death of the coal industry with mixed feelings and say, echoing the words of Shakespeare’s Richard II, “Farewell King Coal”. But I watch with interest the decline of oil as a fuel, soon perhaps to be followed by gas, a switch away from fossil fuels driven by understanding of climate change. This is my personal obituary of coal in the context of an individual’s medical career and a population’s increasing understanding of mankind’s place in the ecology of the Earth. It is the story of the most disruptive technology ever introduced by mankind and the consequential increasing prosperity of the western world, but also of the deaths and diseases caused by coal, its mining, utilisation and combustion, and of the scientific disputes that surrounded the medical discoveries. As such, it is an important part of the story of mankind’s unending struggle to survive on this restless planet in harmony with the animals, microbes, and plants that share it with us.’ From the Introduction by the author.