The Merck Manual of Medical Information: Home Edition by Mark H. Beers, Merck, Mark Beers, Robert Porter (Editor), Andrew J. Fletcher (Editor)

From Barnes & Noble

You don't need a lot of medical jargon when it comes to understanding a diagnosis, but you do need accurate, detailed information from sources of the highest quality. This book provides just that: clear, concise descriptions of physical disease, mental disorders, surgical recovery, rehabilitation of all kinds, and even nutrition, all worded in a way a patient can understand. Considering that the big brother of this book is the essential resource at your doctor's elbow, it makes sense to have a Merck Manual on your shelf, too.

Publishers Weekly

The second edition of this very valuable resource has all the attributes of the first. Written for the layperson, articles are clear, comprehensive and detailed. There are excellent charts and illustrations to further make the material more understandable. Almost every conceivable medical condition is covered, with additional chapters that highlight women's, men's and children's health issues; specific information is also provided on the aging body. According to the editors, the content has been expanded to cover medical treatments or advances that have occurred since 1997, when the first edition was published. The editors have included new drug options for HIV-positive patients, as well as a section on herbal supplements and their possible interactions with prescribed medications. Although the emphasis is on traditional medicine, there is an objective article on complementary and alternative medicine. Two appendices-"Drug Names: Generic and Trade" and "Resources for Help and Information"-will be particularly helpful to medical consumers. In addition, advice is given on preventative measures, such as the value of exercise and proper nutrition. An excellent resource for any home. (Apr.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

The first edition of this highly acclaimed consumer health guide was published in 1997. The second edition is, as the preface states, "more than a revision," with every topic updated and new ones added (such as communications with healthcare providers, diseases of unknown cause, and "Special Subjects," including travel and health). There are also more illustrations, such as "A Look Inside the Ear" in the chapter "Biology of the Ears, Nose and Throat," which are clearly rendered and well captioned. Like the first edition, this volume is based on The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, now in its 17th edition. Contributors include some nationally known names, such as gynecologic oncologist Hervy Averett and infectious disease specialist Paul D. Hoeprich. The arrangement is the same as the first edition, with major sections on drugs and disorders of body systems (e.g., lung, brain, and blood), but the text has been rewritten in an easier-to-read style. Unfortunately, the consequence is the deletion of some of the slightly more scientific and complex phraseology. In addition, some information has been moved or deleted. For example, though both editions include an illustration of a beef tapeworm in the chapter "Parasitic Infections," the first edition featured sections for beef, pork, and fish tapeworms, while the second does not. The chapter "Pinworms" has been moved from "Disorders Likely Caused by Infection" in the first edition to "Parasitic Infections" in the second. The name of the first edition's chapter "Sebaceous Gland Disorders" has been changed to "Acne" in the second, with the addition of a readable chart, "Drugs Used To Treat Acne." One of the four appendixes lists trade names of generic drugs, while another provides a list of resources, including full contact information and URLs. Because of its very modest price, as well as its proven track record of excellence, this is a book that every public, school, or consumer health library, regardless of size, would be happy to have in its reference and/or circulating collection. As of the time of writing this review, the first edition was freely available online at www.merckhomedition.com (although as the editors note, much of its information is out-of-date), with "limited sections" of the second edition being made accessible each month. Apparently, the full text of the second edition will also be freely available at some point.-Martha E. Stone, Massachusetts General Hosp. Lib., Boston Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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