Reviews three books on the care of critically ill. 'Care of the Critically Ill,' 2nd ed., by Stephen M. Ayres, Stanley Giannelli Jr., and Hiltrud S. Mueller; 'Intensive Care,' 3rd ed., by Ake Wahlin, Lars Westermark, and Ansje Vand der Vliet; 'Intensive Care,' edited by G. Gerson.