ARTS, CRAFTS AND TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES

The author is a retired consultant in occupational medicine with wide experience in the UK National Health Service and small and medium enterprises and heavy industry. Dr Dasgupta qualified in medicine from the University of Calcutta, and he has an MSc from London University. He holds a diploma in tropical medicine and hygiene from the University of Liverpool. He is a member of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine London and a member of the Royal College of Physicians London. His work and research interests have taken him to many parts of the world. The author shares his observationsand experiences in these series of books. Dr Dasgupta lives in Hampshire, England. His other book, ‘Disasters’, has already won two book awards.

The target audience is anyone interested in traditional crafts or artisan trades and occupational or global health or health and safety practitioners.

This is the third book in a series of five on arts and crafts. There are 20 chapters in this volume, which range from bead work technique, candle making and flower arranging, to boat building and larger enterprises such as the construction of hovercraft. The crafts covered come from such far-flung corners of the world such as Mexico and the Dominican Republic (where amber is mined), to Lake Titicaca (where they make islands out of reeds) and India (where delicate works of art are made out of the same ‘sholapith’ from the dried pith of the sola tropical plant, that was used to make the original lightweight sun helmets). Food production is covered in the chapters on fishing, cheese and beer production. There are fascinating insights with salutary health warnings about the health risks attached to each craft. Shoala-dust-related health risks have not yet been studied scientifically, perhaps this is a suitable dissertation for a budding occupational health professional. Each chapter is almost a monograph in its own right. There are marvellous photographs that enhance the text and illustrate the skill and artistry of these traditional activities.

The book is easy to read. There is a standard format detailing the key steps and activities in each craft. This is followed by a summary of the health issues associated with the activity. The quality of the typesetting could be clearer, and there are some typographical errors. The text is descriptive, and there are no detailed scientific references.

This is an interesting and charming read, and one is drawn into the author’s enthusiasm for this contemporary ‘De Morbis Artificum Diatriba’. The book is compact and serves as a useful introductory reference point for each of these crafts. This is the latest and third edition in the planned series of five books.

This is an interesting and useful read for occupational health professionals researching or advising workers in these craft or trades. It provides a good overview, but further detail would be required for effective risk control. It represents good value for money, and it is of interest to those looking for an overview of each craft and the main hazards.