Cheville NF:

Introduction to Veterinary Pathology, Second Edition CD-ROM, Ames, IA, Iowa State University Press, 2001 ($34.95).

Pathology is the key discipline that provides a bridge from normal anatomy and function to clinical medicine. For all that the veterinary or human practitioner does, the fundamental goal of his or her activity can be summarized as treating, repairing, removing, or preventing pathologic lesions (abnormal anatomy) or processes (abnormal function). Thus, provision of intelligent and well-planned therapy requires understanding of the processes for which the intervention is offered. Textbooks have provided and will continue to provide the foundation for the study of pathology, but computer technology now expands our methods for instruction. The CD-ROM Introduction to Veterinary Pathology by Norman Cheville is such an application. The author indicates that the program is intended as a companion to the associated textbook, and the format of the disk is designed as such. It provides interactive definitions, annotated photographs, animated clips, and case material that cover major pathologic processes. Self-scoring quizzes reinforce the material. The interactive layers provide elementary instructional depth only. The material does have a few weaknesses, including the lack of a key word search engine and photographs of prosectors handling tissues without protective gloves. Overall, the information is provided in a clear, understandable format. The compact disk demonstrates basic veterinary pathology designed for veterinary students, but it also would be well received by graduate students in the life sciences who receive little fundamental training in basic pathology.