Abstract
Cheville, N. F. Introduction to Veterinary Pathology, 2nd ed. PC CD-ROM. Iowa State Press, Ames, IA, 2000. $34.99. ISBN 0-8138-2488-5.
This CD is described as “…intended as an accessory learning tool for the textbook Introduction to Veterinary Pathology” that was first published in 1988 and according to the Introduction of that book is meant for “…the beginning student in veterinary pathology.”
The CD is an interactive multimedia format that is easy to navigate and is organized into various chapters: Cellular Degeneration, Circulatory Defects, Inflammation, Growth Defects, Neoplasia, Cellular Basis of Disease, Cases, Quizzes, and Index of Images. Therefore, it corresponds well with the organization of the Introduction to Veterinary Pathology textbook but also corresponds well with other introductory pathology textbooks and most general pathology courses. When one clicks on a chapter heading, an outline of the major headings used in that chapter appears. Clicking on a major heading provides definitions for terms and usually gross, microscopic, and even electron microscopic photographs of examples of changes defined by that term. Often, next to a gross pathology specimen is an icon of a microscope. Clicking on that icon takes the student to a histopathologic photograph of the process depicted grossly. All photographs are of the highest quality, and most are well labeled so that the student understands the process being depicted. There are seven pathology cases presented, which depict uremia, Gastrophilus larvae, squamous cell carcinoma, penetrating intestinal foreign body, and other pathologic processes. The cases are relatively simple as needed for the targeted audience and help the student to apply various pathologic terminology and processes to a real-life situation. In each case, one can click on the lesion and a series of questions are asked which can be answered by clicking on them. For a student, it would be useful if when the answer is given, one could click on the term, for instance “infarct” and that would take the student back to the discussion of infarction presented in the Circulatory Defects chapter. There are five quizzes that are straightforward and provide questions that review major points for Circulatory Defects, Inflammation, Growth Defects, and Neoplasia chapters. The student receives instantaneous feedback on each answer and a final grade for that quiz. The Index of Images provides an opportunity for browsing the image collection used in the CD. The Cellular Basis of Disease provides the students with a guided tour of the morphology of a normal cell at the ultra-structural level with clear labeling of cellular components and relatively detailed descriptions of structure and function of those various components.
Overall, I feel that the CD would definitely aid students as they explore general pathology. Because of its outline/definition format, it would be frustrating to attempt to use this CD as a stand-alone textbook or self-directed study without a concurrent textbook or course. However, that is not its intent. The CD provides up-to-date basic pathology information in a format that students should find easy to navigate. The text material is presented concisely, and examples are appropriate. I found it to be generally well done, and students should find the information to be presented in an interesting manner. One good addition to the CD would be a search engine that would allow one to enter the program, type in a term, and go directly to the definition and example for that term.