Book excerpt: This volume provides an excellent survey of the chemistry, microbiology, pharmacology and clinical use of the oral cephalosporins in general and the newer agents in particular. The cephalosporins have long provided satisfactory treatment for many disorders without causing serious side effects; and over the past fifty years forms with different antimicrobial, pharmacologic and toxicologic properties have been developed. Despite the broad spectrum of their activity against a large variety of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, the third-generation oral cephalosporins including the prodrug esters do not work against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant staphylococci, enterococci or Bacteroides species. Many, however, are suitable for treating infections of the respiratory and urinary tracts and of the skin and its structure, as well as certain sexually-transmitted diseases. Authors consider other possible uses, against multi-resistant Enterobacteriaceae for instance, but also point out the limitations of the oral cephalosporins. For those working in the fields of infectious disease, bacteriology, chemotherapy, pharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics, this book is a valuable source of authoritative information.