Healthnet: Connecticut Consumer Health Information
Network
Lyman Maynard Stowe Library
University of Connecticut Health Center
Farmington CT
Updated March 2008
The following are recommended titles for a medical reference collection useful for answering many different types of consumer health questions. Titles marked with a double asterisk (**) are considered essential for a basic collection in any size library. A single asterisk (*) indicates additional titles essential for larger public libraries and those that consider consumer health information services a high priority. Purchase of second priority titles would depend upon an individual library's size, budget, and population served. Titles with no asterisk are additional recommendations for a comprehensive medical reference collection. All titles are currently in print as of June 2007. Prices are approximate. Check with your book vendor for currency of the ISBN number and price.
This list is updated several times a year. Some titles
from previous lists have been dropped and replaced by more current titles.
Out-of-print titles have been deleted and new editions of older titles
have been added. As new editions of titles are added, we recommend that
you discard the older title, even if you do not plan to buy the new edition.
It is better not to have any information than to give someone information
that is outdated. Titles marked with a 
are recently added titles or ones that have new editions as of 3/2008. Please note that the USPDI vol. 1 - Drug Information for the
Health Care Professional and USPDI vol. 2 - Advice For the Patient - Drug Information in Lay Language have
been removed from the list. They will no longer be available in print.
Titles are arranged by category. Select a category or scroll through the list.
Dictionaries, encyclopedias | Directories | Bibliographies | Specific topics: Aging | Alternative therapies | Anatomy | Cancer | Children's health and diseases | Dental care | Diseases/medical conditions and their treatments - General | Drugs - prescription and non-prescription | Hazardous substances | Heart disease | Medical tests and diagnostics | Mental health | Musculoskeletal diseases and injuries | Nutrition and diet therapy | Surgery | Women's health
Although this title is slightly different than the old
AMA Encyclopedia of Medicine (1989), the format is much the same.
This A-Z guide has more than 5,000 medical terms, up-to-date information
on symptoms, diseases, drugs, and treatments, more than 1,700 illustrations
to explain terms, and 83 full-page features on topics such as food safety,
laparoscopic surgery, walking aids, and choosing a plastic surgeon.
Other features include hundreds of charts and graphs, over 20 pages of
first aid information, and special topics such as alternative medicine,
twenty-first century medicine, bioterrorism, and robotic surgery.
An absolute must for all public library reference collections.
2) Dictionary of medical acronyms & abbreviations. 5th ed. Compiled and edited by Stanley Jablonski. Hanley & Belfus/distributed by Elsevier, 2005. 536 p. (ISBN 1-5605-3632-2), $32.95 paperback.
Many of the entries included in this title may be listed in Acronyms, initialisms, and abbreviations (which many public libraries already own), but this is especially handy if you're regularly confronted with medical terms.
*3) Dictionary of medical syndromes. By Sergio Magalini. 4th ed. Lippincott, 1997. (ISBN 0-397-58418-0), $125.00.
Descriptions of syndromes (clusters of symptoms related to a specific disease) with information on synonymous terms, causes of the disease, standard treatment, and prognosis.
**4) Dorland's illustrated medical dictionary. 31st ed. Saunders, 2007. (ISBN 1-4160-2364-X), $49.95.
Every library should have the latest edition of a good medical dictionary. Stedman's Medical Dictionary (2006; ISBN 0-7817-6450-5; $64.95) is an excellent alternative, but you don't really need both.
**5) Melloni's illustrated medical dictionary. 4th ed. Ida G. Dox and John Melloni. Taylor and Francis, 2002. 778 p., ill. (ISBN 1-85070-094-X), $49.95
Definitions of over 26,000 terms comprising the common core of information for all the health sciences, as well as a large number of terms most frequently used in the distinctive language of the subspecialties. Each brief definition, written clearly and concisely without words that would require additional references, includes the abbreviation or symbol for the term as well as its synonyms. Contains 2,500 illustrations. An excellent resource for the consumer.
*6) Mosby's medical, nursing, and allied health dictionary. 6th ed. Elsevier, 2005. (ISBN 0-32303-736-4), $38.95.
An authoritative medical dictionary is a must for all public libraries. However, when you need a dictionary to understand the terms in a medical dictionary, you may want to turn to this title. While not as authoritative as Dorland's, this dictionary is useful because it explains medical terms in fairly easy-to-understand language.
*7) Campbell's psychiatric dictionary. 8th ed. Edited by Robert Campbell. Oxford University Press, 2003. 728 p. (ISBN 0-19-515221-2), $69.50.
Brief to fairly extensive descriptions of terms and concepts related to psychiatry, including psychiatric illnesses, treatment methods, and evaluation tools.
A listing of hospitals in the United States arranged by state. Information includes name, address, telephone number, types of services provided, specialties, number of beds, certifications, etc. Although published annually, you probably can get by with one that's 1 or 2 years old.
**9) Consumer's Guide to Hospitals. By the Editors of Consumers' Checkbook Magazine. Center for the Study of Services, 2002. $19.95 pap. 359 p. (ISBN 1-888124-12-1). Order from: Consumers' CHECKBOOK Headquarters, 1625 K St., NW, 8th floor, Washington, DC 20006
Includes hospital by hospital ratings of 4,500 acute care hospitals in the United States with information on how doctors rate the hospitals, ratings by inspectors, and death rates and complication rates. Also has information on the best hospitals for specific types of cases, how to get the best care wherever you go, and how to cut hospital costs. There is an online version that is available for $19.95. Go to the Consumer Checkbook site to purchase the print or the online version.
**10)America's top doctors. The nation's leading medical specialists. 6th ed. Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., 2006. 1278 p. (ISBN 1-883769-17-5), $24.95 paperback.
National guide to medical specialists, organized by type of specialty. Listed by section of the country within each specialty category. Most are board-certified. Physicians were selected for inclusion in the guide by recommendations of other physicians in phone and mail surveys. The guide explains responsibilities of each specialty and training requirements beyond medical school. Special expertise index included.
11) Directory of physicians in the United States.
40th ed., 2007. American Medical Association. 4 vol. $750.00 (Continues
American
Medical Directory)(ISBN 978-1-57947-784-4) Information on physicians is also available on the
AMA
website.
A directory of physicians with brief biographical information
including address, telephone number, primary and secondary specialty, medical
school attended, year licensed, type of practice, and board certification.
Physicians listed here may not be in the ABMS Compendium (#15 on
this list).
**12) Folio's medical directory of Connecticut
and Rhode Island. Folio Associates. Annual $85.00 (A directory of
Massachusetts and a directory of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont are
also available.) Order from: Folio Associates, Inc., 297 North St., Suite 212,
Hyannis, MA 02601-5130, phone (800)223-2233
Contains basic information about physicians in Connecticut
and Rhode Island - including area of specialty, when and where they got
their medical degree, current address and telephone number, and language
spoken. Alphabetical listings are by name of physician, geographical location,
and specialty. Not absolutely esssential to have the latest edition.
You may check a specific Connecticut physician's qualifications
on the Connecticut
Department of Public Health's website.The Physician Profiles include information
on the physician's medical education, special training, specialties, honors
and awards, publications, disciplinary actions, and medical malpractice
claims. The Department also issues quarterly
Regulatory
Action Reports of disciplinary
actions and sanctions of doctors, nurses, allied health professionals,
day care centers, nursing homes and licensed individuals and facilities.
This database must be searched separately from the Physician Profiles database.
To find physicians who practice in other states,
go to the Federation
of State Medical Boards (select "Public Services" in
the left-hand column, then select "Directory of State Medical Boards".)
This website has a listing of physician information web sites for all 50
states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Not all states have complete physician profiles.
**13) Guide to Top Doctors. By the Editors of Consumers'
Checkbook Magazine. Center for the Study of Services, 2002. $24.95.
454 p. (ISBN 1-888124-13-X). Order from: Consumers' CHECKBOOK Headquarters,
1625 K Street, NW, 8th floor, Washington, DC, 20006. Also available as an interactive
online resource. Two year subscription is $24.95. Ordering information online at
Center for the Study of Services website.
Includes physicians recommended by other doctors in a
survey conducted in more than 50 large U.S. Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Brief entry for each, including name of medical school and year of graduation,
and contact information. Includes only Fairfield, Hartford, and New Haven
counties in Connecticut.
14) Medical
and health information directory, 2007: Health Services. 20th
ed. Vol. 3. Edited By Karen Boyden. Gale Research (ISBN 0-7876-8607-7),
$375.00.
This guide to health services includes clinics, treatment
centers, care programs, and counseling/diagnostic services. Each entry
gives the name, address, telephone number, name of a contact person, and,
in a few instances, a one line description of the kind of services available.
Services covered include sleep disorder clinics, arthritis centers, drug
abuse treatment centers, kidney dialysis and transplant services, multiple
sclerosis clinics, sports medicine clinics, and others.
15) The Official ABMS compendium of certified medical
specialists. Annual. American Board of Medical Specialties. 1007 Church Street, Suite 404,
Evanston, IL 60201-5913. 4 volumes. $649.00.
A listing of all certified medical specialists arranged
by the 24 specialties with a geographical and name index. Brief facts about
the specialist including birthdate, where trained, places and dates of
internship and residencies, type of practice, hospital staff appointments,
professional associations, and current address and telephone number. Physicians
listed here may not be in the AMA Directory of Physicians (#11 on this
list).
An online directory is available at http://www.abms.org
. Registration is required and the user is limited to five searches
in a 24 hour period.
**16)
The self-help directory : a guide to Connecticut and national groups. 2007-2009.
New
Haven, CT. Connecticut Self-Help/Mutual Support Network. Publication of 13th edition
planned Spring 2007. $30.00 For information about ordering call (203) 624-6982.
A directory of self-help/mutual support groups in Connecticut
arranged by specific concern (cancer, compulsive gambling, widows/widowers,
etc.). Gives a brief description of the group and the name, address, and
telephone number of a contact person. Also includes national groups, a
listing of self-help clearinghouses, and a listing of hotlines, helplines,
and toll-free specialty telephone numbers.
Annotated, evaluative
bibliographies on many consumer health topics. Also lists online and Internet
resources. Use as a guide to help patrons identify books on a specific
topic. Some books listed in this source may be out of print by now, but may
be available via Interlibrary Loan.
*18) Merck manual of health and aging . Beers, Mark H., ed.
Merck Research Laboratories. 2004. (ISBN 0-911910-36-0) $29.95 hardcover, (ISBN 0-345-48274-3),$18.95
paperback.
An overview of healthy aging and the disorders more likely
to affect older adults and the elderly, published by Merck Co., publishers of another comprehensive,
consumer-friendly health guide: Merck Manual of Medical Information—Home
Edition. (#44 on this Core Bibliography) The book includes information
on preventive health care, nutrition, guidance in navigating the health
care system, as well as discussions of health-related ethical and social
issues. It discusses how medication affects the aging and incorporates
a chart about specific medications and their side effects in the elderly.
There is information about specific diagnostic tests and there are cross-references
to a number of illustrations and tables within the text.
*19) The best alternative medicine: what works?
what does not? Kenneth R. Pelletier. DIANE Publishing
449 p. (ISBN 1-4223-5030-4) paperback, 2003. $17.00.
Dr. Pelletier, clinical professor of medicine, Department
of Medicine, and a senior research scholar at the Stanford Center for Research
in Disease Prevention, Stanford University, has compiled a comprehensive
text on alternative therapies. His evaluations of the safety and
efficacy of popular herbal treatments, Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and
other therapies are scientifically based and he provides the necessary
documentation to support his views. Approximately two thirds of the book
are devoted to evaluations of these therapies. The remaining sections
discuss alternative treatments for common medical conditions such as cancer,
high blood pressure, colds and flu, depression, digestive problems, and
others.
**20) Encyclopedia of natural medicine. Revised
2nd ed. Michael Murray and Joseph Pizzorno. DIANE Publishing, 1998. 946
p. (ISBN 0-7567-5274-4), pap. $25.00
Natural medicine, or naturopathy, is the method of employing
natural means to prevent and treat disease. Herbs, vitamins, minerals,
diet and nutritional supplements, exercise, acupuncture, and homeopathy
are some of the methods used. This guide describes common diseases and
medical conditions and offers prescriptions for treatment. Each treatment
recommendation includes, for the most part, suggested general measures
(i.e. drink more fluids), as well as dietary changes, a regimen of vitamin
supplements, botanical remedies, and exercises or other mechanical therapies.
Includes an extensive list of references to research reported in the journal
literature.
21) Green pharmacy herbal handbook: Your comprehensive
reference to the best herbs for healing. James Duke. Rodale, 2000. 282 p.(ISBN 1-57954-184-4)$19.95 pap.
Encyclopedic herbal desk reference for 180 herbs. Index
of disorders links the reader to a main entry for each herb used to treat the disorder.
Information on form of herb, its uses, parts used, side effects, and dosages.
22) Mosby's dictionary of complementary and alternative medicine.
Elsevier, Inc., 2005. 544 p.(ISBN 0-323-02516-1), $41.95.
This dictionary includes more than
6000 definitions related to five categories of complementary and alternative medicine: alternative health
systems, mind-body interventions, biologically based therapies, manipulative and body-based health methods,
and energy therapies. Some of the brief definitions incorporate illustrations, diagrams, and photographs. The
appendix provides explanations of alternative medicine therapies such as reflexology, traditional Chinese
medicine, and relaxation therapies.
*23) PDR for herbal medicines. 3rd rev. ed.
Thomson Healthcare, 2004. 1250 p. (ISBN 1-56363-512-7),
$59.95.
This compendium offers information on over 600 common
botanicals. The monographs are based on the findings of the German
Regulatory Authority's herbal watchdog agency, better known as "Commission
E". This agency conducted an intensive review of the peer-reviewed
medical literature, weighing the quality of the clinical evidence for approximately
300 herbs and the uses for which the herb may be considered effective.
For those herbs not covered by the Commission, the editors of the PDR conducted
an exhaustive literature review of another 300 botanicals.
Each monograph gives the herb's scientific name and its
most common name along with a description of the botanical parts of the
herb and its actions and pharmacology. Indications and usage, contraindications,
precautions and possible adverse reactions, symptoms and consequences of
overdose, dosages, and references to the scientific literature are included.
A full-color identification guide of 400 herbs, a scientific name index,
and a common name index are included.
*24) American Pharmaceutical Association practical
guide to natural medicines. Andrea Peirce. William Morrow and Company,
1999. 728 p. (ISBN 0-688-16151-0), $37.00.
Published under the auspices of the American Pharmaceutical
Association, national organization of pharmacists. Guide to more than 300
natural herbal treatments. Includes description of herb, its uses, forms,
dosage, results of research on its effectiveness, potential harm. Bibliography
at the end of each entry and list of reference to footnotes in text.
*25) The 5-minute herb and dietary supplement
consult. Adriane Fugh-Berman, editor. Lippincott, Williams
& Wilkins, 2003. 400 p. (ISBN 0-683-30273-6), $69.95.
Although this guide to herbs and dietary supplements
is concise, the research-based information provided in each two-page description
is comprehensive and detailed. Over 160 herbs, vitamins, minerals,
and dietary supplements are described. Written mainly in technical
terms for a medical audience, the information is clearly laid out and categorized
by topics such as active ingredients, mechanism of action, adverse reactions,
evidence of effectiveness, and dosage. Footnotes in the text refer
to books and medical journal articles that form the basis of descriptions
of the herbs' effects, uses, and risks.
For additional titles, see Healthnet’s resource list of
alternative medicine books and websites at
http://library.uchc.edu/departm/hnet/altmedres.html
*26) Grant's atlas of anatomy. 11th edition. Anne
Augur, James E. Anderson. Lippincott, William and Wilkins, 2004. 848 p. pap. (ISBN
0-7817-4255-2), $74.95. January 2008 paperback edition (ISBN 0-7817-7055-6)
Provides detailed descriptions of the structures of the
human body. Uses many color and black and white illustrations and photographs
throughout. More comprehensive and detailed than the Johns Hopkins' Atlas
and easier to use than Gray's Anatomy. An online version of the 20th edition
of Gray's Anatomy can be found at http://www.bartleby.com.
**27) The human body book. Charles Clayman, editor. Dorling
Kindersley, 2007. 256 p. illus. (ISBN 0-7566-2865-2 hardcover), $35.00 .
Full-colored drawings and straightforward
text guide the reader to a thorough understanding of the human body. All
of the major systems of the body are covered - from the skeleton and muscles
to the digestive and reproductive organs. Intricate details of the body's
workings, such as the production of red blood cells and the transmission
of electrical nerve impulses, are also illustrated and described.
Accompanied by a DVD.
**28) The Johns Hopkins atlas of human
functional anatomy. 4th ed. Johns Hopkins Press, 1997. (ISBN 0-8018-5652-3), $23.95 pap.
Covers the most essential information on anatomy. Describes
structure and function of the major body organs and systems. Illustrations
are in color with essential details clearly depicted.
29) Cancer: principles and practice of
oncology. 7th ed. Vincent DeVita & Samuel Hellman, eds. Lippincott,
Williams and Wilkins, 2005. (ISBN: 0-7817-4865-8), $329.00
An authoritative, technical text on cancer. The major
portion of this book is devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of different
types of cancer. Additional topics covered include cancer prevention, diet
and nutrition, surgical treatment of cancer, radiation therapy, research,
and rehabilitation. Numerous photographs are included. Very technical and
comprehensive. Recommended only for large public libraries.
An excellent source of current information on all aspects
of cancer. Forty separate chapters cover the major forms of cancer and
describe risk factors, screening tests, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments
for that particular cancer. Separate sections cover nutrition and fitness,
managing pain, and other similar concerns. One chapter describes Physician's
Data Query (PDQ), a computerized database of the most up-to-date treatments
for cancer and where these treatments are available. A description of clinical
trials is given with a discussion of factors to consider when deciding
whether or not to participate.
**31) American Cancer Society's informed decisions
: the complete book of cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery. 2nd
ed. Gerald Murphy, Lois Morris, and Dianne Lange. American Cancer
Society. Viking, 2002. 784 p. (ISBN 0-94423-527-1), $29.95.
Up-to-date information for consumers on all aspects of
cancer, including prevention and screening, causes and risks, principles
of treatment, investigational therapies, and alternative and complementary
therapies. Other topics covered include cancer in children, nutrition,
managing disabilities and limitations, and pain relief. An encyclopedia
of common and uncommon cancers describes different cancers and how they
are diagnosed and treated. An authoritative reference on an important topic.
Children's
Health and Diseases
*32) Caring for kids. The complete
guide to children's health. Norman Saunders and Jeremy Friedman, editors. Firefly Books, 2006.
448 p. (ISBN 1-55407-160-7), $35.00.
"When should I be concerned about my youngster's nosebleed?" "How should I manage my child's nightmares?" "Should I
worry about my child's acute abdominal pain?" These are some of the more than 250 concerns of parents that are
covered in this guide. Each condition is described and treatment information is offered. The authors discuss
common childhood symptoms, problems of the newborn, childhood infections, school difficulties, accidents
and emergencies, and much more.
*33) Current pediatric diagnosis and treatment.
17th
ed. Edited by William W. Hay, et. al. McGraw Hill, 2004. (ISBN
0-07-142960-3), 1420 p. pap. $64.95.
Basic information on diseases of children. Also includes
information on normal growth and development, developmental disorders,
normal childhood nutrition and its disorders, immunization, emergencies
and accidents, psychosocial aspects of diseases, psychiatric disorders,
genetics, and drug therapy.
34) Gellis and Kagan's current pediatric therapy. 17th
ed. Ed. by Frederic D. Burg, et. al. W.B. Saunders, 2002. 1231p.
(ISBN 0-7216-8871-3), $109.00.
Concentrates on the management of diseases and disorders
affecting children. Each section on the management of a specific disease
or condition is written by a different physician who describes the treatment
that has worked for her/him. Diseases and conditions are grouped according
to a broad topic or major system of the body. Descriptions for each treatment
vary in length from 1/2 page to several pages.
35) Nelson textbook
of pediatrics. 18th ed. By Richard E. Behrman. Saunders, 2007.
(ISBN 1-4160-2450-6), $149.00.
OR
36) Rudolph's pediatrics.
21st
ed. Abraham Rudolph, et. al. Mc-Graw Hill, 2003. (ISBN:
0-07-112457-8), $150.00.
Both of these titles
are comprehensive and authoritative and are highly recommended for larger
public libraries interested in augmenting their reference collection in
pediatrics. Both are written for the practicing physician and are technical,
but the information is not too inaccessible for the general public. Each
title has extensive essays on childhood diseases as well as normal child
development, psychosocial development, nutrition, and genetic disorders
and birth defects.
*37) Report
of the Committee on Infectious Diseases (Red Book). 27th ed.
American Academy of Pediatrics. American Academy of Pediatrics, 2006. 992
p. (ISBN 1-58110-194-5) $109.95.
Important information
on infectious diseases common to children with basic information on manifestations
of the disease, causes, how they are acquired, diagnostic tests, treatment, whether
isolation is required and for how long, and control measures. Includes
immunization schedules.
**38) The
Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery's guide to family
dental care. Rebecca W. Smith and the Faculty of the Columbia University
School of Dental and Oral Surgery. W.W. Norton, 1997. 480 p. (ISBN 0-393-04036-4),
$29.95.
Written for the consumer,
this guide answers a myriad of questions on dental care and treatment.
Topics covered include proper care of the teeth, overcoming dental fear,
tooth decay and operative dentistry, treatment of gum disease, cosmetic
dentistry, temporal mandibular disorder, and dental emergencies. An informative
chapter discusses dental education, how to choose a dentist, insurance
and payment of dental treatment, and options when dental work is not satisfactory.
Diseases/medical
conditions and their treatment - General
When beginning your research for a medical question, start
with the first titles in this section. The first six titles in this section
are very similar. Public libraries need not buy all six. Recommended
first selection is #44 Merck manual of medical information
- home edition or #39 American Medical Association Family Medical
guide; 2nd choice is #40 Harvard Medical School family health
guide because it is updated on the Harvard
web site.
**39)
The American Medical Association family medical guide. 4th ed. Edited
by Charles Clayman. Wiley, 2004. 1136 p. (ISBN 0-471-26911-5),
$45.00.
Basic information about
diseases and medical conditions. Clearly written with black and white and
color illustrations. The diagnosis charts for common symptoms and the photographs
to aid in diagnosis make it a valuable resource for someone interested
in self-diagnosis.
**40) Harvard
Medical School family health guide. Anthony L. Komaroff, ed.
Simon & Schuster, 2004. 1272 p. ISBN 0-684-86373-1 paperback $25.00.
Updated on the Harvard Publications web site at:
http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg
The newest addition
to the growing number of medical guides for consumers. Some unique
features include a chapter on plastic and reconstructive surgery, numerous
color photographs and illustrations, benefit and risk assessment graphs
on various diagnostic tests and treatments, extensive symptom charts (similar
to the AMA guide), and a color guide to visual diagnosis.
**41) Johns
Hopkins family health book. Michael J. Klag, editor.
Johns Hopkins University. HarperResource, 1999. 1680 p.
(ISBN 0-06270-149-5), $49.95.
Explains common and
serious medical conditions affecting various systems of the body.
Includes chapters on wellness, nutrition, exercise, self-care, smoking
cessation, and alcohol and drug use. A section on health care offers
advice on choosing a doctor, preparing for surgery, understanding and getting
the most from the health care system, and home care and long term care
issues. Appendices include a medication directory, growth charts,
information on living wills and advance directives, and laboratory tests.
42) Johns
Hopkins symptoms and remedies. Simeon Margolis, editor.
Medletter Associates, 2005. 792 p.
(ISBN 1-933087-16-1), $39.95.
Written in consumer friendly language.
The book's first half is an alphabetical directory of symptoms in chart form. Each one to two page symptom entry
includes associated symptoms, possible diagnosis, and distinguishing features. The second half describes common
disorders: description, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and when to contact a doctor.
**43)
Mayo Clinic family health book. 3rd ed. Scott C. Litin, ed. HarperResource, 2003. 1424 p.
(ISBN 0-06-000250-6), $49.95.
Basic information in
non-technical language on diseases and medical conditions as well as nutrition,
fitness, safety, and baby and child care.
**44)
Merck manual of medical information :
second home edition. Mark H. Beers, editor in chief. Merck
Research Laboratories, 2003. 1900 p. (ISBN 0-911910-35-2 hardcover), $37.50, (ISBN 0-7434-7733-2 paperback) $19.95.
Complete text available online at: http://www.merck.com/pubs
This is the consumer edition of the popular and authoritative
Merck Manual. It is a comprehensive guide to human diseases and disorders
and their diagnosis and treatment. It also includes detailed discussions
of common prescription and over the counter medications, special sections
on pregnancy and women's health, psychiatry, legal issues, geriatrics,
and care of the dying.
**45)
Griffith's instructions for patients. 7th ed. H. Winter Griffith. W.B.
Saunders, 2004. 656 p. (ISBN 1-4160-0036-4 ) $69.00. Describes over 500 diseases and
medical conditions in one page summaries. Each entry includes a brief description of the
disease or condition, expected outcomes, possible complications, treatment(s),
and special instructions about when to notify the physician. Appendices
include food lists and menus for 16 different special diets, exercise regimens
for certain conditions, first aid instructions, and simple drawings of
the major organ systems of the body.
*46) Current medical diagnosis and treatment.
Annual.
Ed. by Lawrence Tierney, et. al. McGraw-Hill. $69.95.
Use concurrently with Professional guide to diseases
and Merck manual of medical information for information about
diseases and medical conditions and their treatments. This title lists
relevant journal articles after each discussion of a particular disease.
You should own the latest edition.
*47) Merck manual of diagnosis and therapy.
Ed. By Robert Berkow. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. 3000 p. (ISBN 0-911910-18-2), $65.00.
Complete text available
online at: http://www.merck.com/pubs
This authoritative and comprehensive reference has information
on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and medical conditions.
Other topics include rehabilitation, medical genetics, smoking cessation,
hyperbaric oxygen treatment, and care of the dying patient Uses technical
language.
*48) Harrison's principles of internal
medicine. 16th ed. Edited by Eugene Braunwald and others. McGraw, 2005.
(ISBN 0-0714-0235-7), 2 volume ed. $135.00 (published every 3 years, 17th edition to be
published May 2008)
The most authoritative reference on the diagnosis and
treatment of diseases and medical conditions. Very technical (you'll probably
need a medical dictionary to understand the terminology), but comprehensive
and thorough.
49) Cecil textbook of medicine. 23rd. ed. Elsivier, 2007. (ISBN
1-4160-2805-6), 1 vol. ed. $149.00.
Another excellent resource for information on the diagnosis
and management of diseases and medical conditions. Use concurrently with
Merck manual, Professional guide to diseases, Current medical diagnosis
and treatment, and Harrison's principles of internal medicine. Sometimes
one will have the information you're looking for when the others do not.
*50) Conn's current therapy. Annual. Edited
by Robert E. Rakel. Elsevier. (ISBN 1-4160-23276-3/2006 edition) $69.95.
Information on the latest approved methods of treating
specific diseases. Use concurrently with above mentioned texts on diseases
and diagnosis. Includes a brief description of the disease, how each form
of the disease is treated, when surgery is indicated, and what drugs are
used for treatment. It's important to have the most current or the previous
year's edition.
**51) NORD guide to rare diseases. National
Organization for Rare Disorders. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2003.
900 p. (ISBN 0-7817-3063-5), $99.00.
This guide replaces Physicians' guide to rare diseases.
Rare diseases are defined as those affecting fewer than 200,000 individuals.
This guide offers information on 800 of the estimated 6,000 rare diseases.
To decide which diseases to include, NORD used topics from its database
and then selected diseases that had not been covered in existing texts
or still tended to be frequently misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. Entries are
arranged by broad disease category (neurologic and psychiatric disorders,
dermatologic disorders, etc.). Each entry contains a brief description
of the disease or disorder, its signs and symptoms, causes, related disorders,
and standard and investigational treatments. Resources to contact for further
information are listed and references are given for further reading. A
brief description of each disease with a listing of organizations and links
to their web sites may be accessed at the National
Organization for Rare Disorders web site. Full-text descriptions
may be ordered for a fee online - there is no fee for the first request.
Written for nurses and allied health personnel, this book
describes the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of common diseases medical
conditions, and injuries. The text is organized by major disease categories
and body systems. Descriptions are thorough and not too technical.
*53)Professional guide to signs and symptoms.
5th. ed. Springhouse, 2006. 928 p. (ISBN 1-58255-510-9), $49.95.
Covers more than 500 signs and symptoms for common indicators
such as fever to less common indicators such as nystagmus. Arranged
alphabetically by sign or symptom. Describes medical causes, patient
counseling, and, when necessary, emergency procedures.
Drugs
- Prescription and Non-prescription
*54)
Handbook
of non-prescription drugs. 15th rev. ed. American Pharmacists Association,
The National Professional Society of Pharmacists, 2006. 1400p. (ISBN 1-58212-074-9)
$149.95. (published every 2-3 years)
The most complete source of information on over-the-counter
medications, preparations, and health care products. The beginning of each
section gives background information on the medical conditions for which
the products are used. Includes information on laxatives, eye care products
including contact lenses, infant formulas, sunscreen products, nutritional
supplements, products for hair and skin, and dental products. You should
own the most current edition.
55) Martindale:
the complete drug reference. 34th. ed. edited by Sean C. Sweetman. Council of
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. The Pharmaceutical
Press, 2005. (ISBN 0-85369-5504) $425.00.
BIBLIOGRAPHIES
17) Consumer health information
source book. 7th ed. Alan Rees, ed. Greenwood Press,
2003. (ISBN 1-57356-509-1), $76.95.
SPECIFIC TOPICS
Aging
(The book is available online at http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual_ha/contents.html)
.
**30) Everyone's guide to cancer therapy : how
cancer is diagnosed, treated, and managed day-to-day. Rev. 5th ed.
By Malin Dollinger, et. al. Andrews McMeel, 2008. 988p. (ISBN 0-7407-6857-3),
$29.95.
*52) Professional guide to diseases. 9th ed. Springhouse,
2008. 1456 p. (ISBN 0-7817-7899-9), $49.95..
Reports on actions and uses of most of the world's drugs and medicines. Main portion of book contains monographs of over 4,000 substances arranged according to use or actions. Another section describes new drugs, drugs under investigation, drugs not easily classified and obsolete drugs still of interest. Descriptions give formulation of substances, synonyms, adverse effects and precautions, uses and administration, doses, proprietary preparations, proprietary name and manufacturers. Citations to journal articles containing information about the substance are included. Includes not only standard drugs but information on such substances as enzymes - what their action is, what pharmaceutical preparations contain the specific enzyme.
*56) Mosby's
drug consult : a comprehensive reference for generic and brand drugs. 17th
ed. Mosby, 2007.
3432 p. (0-3230-4058-6), $85.00.
Contains drug information arranged alphabetically by generic name. Each drug monograph includes a listing of brand names, the categories of the drug, a description with active and inactive ingredients, a description of how the drug works, indications for use, contraindications, warnings, precautions, drug interactions, adverse reactions, drug abuse and dependence, and over dosage. Also includes information on how the drug is supplied and the price of the drug for each manufacturer. Other general features include an immunization schedule for infants and children, summary of recommendations for adult immunizations, a directory of poison control centers in the United States and Canada, a list of oral dosage forms that should not be crushed, and a list of drug names that look alike and sound alike. Comparative tables are given for certain classes of drugs (i.e., antidepressants, lipid lowering agents) and a directory of manufacturers is included.
*57) Handbook of poisonous and injurious plants 2nd edition. Lewis S. Nelson, M.D., Richard D. Shih, M.D. and Michael J. Balick, Ph.D. Springer, 2006. 358 p. (ISBN 0-387-31268-4), pap. $39.95.
This text was created to assist the clinician in responding to the needs of a child or adult
exposed to a poisonous or injurious plant. Hundreds of plants are included and each description is accompanied by one or more color
plates. Descriptions include the common and bontanical name of the plant, the poisonous parts of the plant, symptoms caused by the
offending toxin, and how the poisoning is managed. Includes an introduction to botanical nomenclature and a glossary of botanical terms.
*58)
Proctor and Hughes' chemical hazards of the workplace. 5th ed. Edited
by Gloria J. Hathaway. Nick H. Proctor, James P. Hughes, and Michael L.
Fischman. John Wiley & Sons, 2004. 800 p. (ISBN 0-471-26883-6), $175.00.
Covers 542 chemicals likely to be encountered in various
work settings. Each chemical monograph includes synonyms for the chemical,
physical properties, uses, routes of exposure, toxicological details, carcinogenicity,
mutagenicity, and fetotoxicity, clinical effects of over-exposure and treatment,
and significant odor characteristics. Introductory chapters cover basic
toxicological concepts and eighteen lists of chemicals grouped by major
adverse health effects.
59) Poisoning
and drug overdose. 5th ed. By the faculty, staff and associates
of the California Poison Control System. Kent R. Olsen, ed. McGraw-Hill, 2006.
(ISBN 0-07-144333-9), $55.95.
Provides practical advice for the diagnosis and management
of poisoning and drug overdose and concise information about common industrial
chemicals. Four main sections cover: initial emergency management including
treatment of coma, hypotension, and other common complications and methods
of decontamination and elimination of poisons; detailed information
on 150 drugs and poisons; the use and side effects of 60 antidotes and
therapeutic drugs; and medical management of chemical spills which
includes a table of over 500 chemicals. Includes toxicity of
spiders, snakes, household products, herbs and herbal products, industrial
chemicals, and common over the counter drugs.
60) Current diagnosis & treatment in cardiology.
Michael
Crawford, ed. Mc-Graw-Hill/Appleton-Lange, 2007. (ISBN 0-07-144211-1),
$59.95.
A concise, yet comprehensive text on all major cardiac
diseases. Discusses diagnostic techniques, prevention, treatments, and
surgery. Uses the same format as the other titles in the "Current" series
by Appleton & Lange.
*61) A manual
of laboratory and diagnostic tests. 7th ed. Frances Fischbach. Lippincott,
2003. 1312 p. (ISBN 0-7817-4180-7), $46.95.
Written for health care professionals. Information on
tests and diagnostic procedures is given in chapters arranged according
to the type of test (x-ray studies, blood studies, etc.). Each chapter begins
with a brief introduction followed by information on the specific tests.
Each discussion of a specific test includes the normal values for the test,
an explanation of the test, the test procedure, the clinical implications
of the results, and factors which may interfere with the test results.
**62) Patient's guide to medical tests: everything
you need to know about the tests your doctor orders. 2nd ed.
Joseph Segen & Josie Wade. Facts on File, Inc. 2002. 432 p.
(ISBN 0-8160-4651-4), pap. $44.00.
Explains over 1000 of the most common medical tests in
alphabetical order, giving a description of the test, patient preparation,
reference ranges, abnormal values, and cost. Includes special precautions
and instructions and information on home medical tests.
**63) Caring for the mind : the comprehensive guide
to mental health. Dianne Hales and Robert E. Hales. Bantam, 1996. 896
p. (ISBN 0-553-37511-3), $28.00 pap.
This is a comprehensive textbook written for consumers
on all aspects of mental health and mental illness. The chapters cover
the major mental disorders and their treatments, including medications
used to treat mental illness, as well as other therapies, such as hypnosis.
Sections cover suicide, sleep disorders, sexual dysfunction, alcohol and
drug use, aging, and stress.
*64) Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders
(DSM-IV-TR). Text Revision. 4th ed. American Psychiatric Association, 2000.
(ISBN 0-89042-025-4) $77.00 pap.; (ISBN 0-89042-024-6)$94.00 hardcover.
Provides a classification system for mental disorders
and for each disorder gives the diagnostic criteria, a brief description of the
disorder, associated features, age of onset and course, complications,
prevalence, and familial pattern. This edition includes revisions
of the descriptions of the disorders. No changes have been made in
the criteria sets or the numerical codes.
Musculoskeletal
Diseases and Injuries
*65) Current diagnosis & treatment in orthopedics.
4th
ed. Edited by Harry B. Skinner. McGraw Hill Professional/Appleton-Lange, 2006. 1032
p. (ISBN 0-07-143833-5) $62.95.
Covers disorders and diseases treated by orthopedic surgeons
and related physicians. These include musculoskeletal trauma, sports injuries,
diseases and injuries of the spine, orthopedic infections, and hand, foot,
and ankle conditions. Emphasizes the natural history of the disease, its
major diagnostic features, tests and workup required to make a diagnosis,
and treatments. Uses the same format as the other titles in the "Current"
series by Appleton & Lange.
66) A manual of orthopedic terminology. 7th ed.
Carolyn
Taliaferro Blauvelt and Fred R.T. Nelson. Mosby, 2007. 496
p. (ISBN 0-323-04503-0), $59.00.
This guide offers descriptions of terms associated with
the practice of orthopedics, including disease processes, radiographic
techniques, and surgical procedures. Terms are arranged into broad
subject categories, such as musculoskeletal diseases and related terms,
laboratory evaluations, prosthetics and orthotics, foot and ankle, etc.
67) Foods and nutrition encyclopedia. 2nd ed. 2
vols. By Audrey Ensminger, et. al. CRC Press, 1997. (ISBN 0-8493-8980-1),
$400.00.
OR
**68) Concise encyclopedia of foods & nutrition.
2nd
ed. By M.E. Ensminger. CRC Press, 1995. (ISBN 0-8493-4455-7), $279.95. (a
one volume condensed edition of Foods and Nutrition encyclopedia )
Everything you need to know on topics related to nutrition
can be found here, including descriptions of foods and food products, nutrients,
nutritional diseases, food processing, food composition tables, and special
diets. Thorough and fairly easy to understand. Public libraries need only
purchase the condensed edition.
*69) Food values of portions commonly used (Bowes and
Church's). 18th ed. Jean A.T. Pennington Lippincott, 2004. 496 p. (ISBN
0-7817-4429-6), $65.95.
Contains nothing but food composition charts for all the
different kinds of foods, including prepared foods and fast foods. Analysis
of nutrients are given for each item.
*70) Mayo Clinic diet manual: a handbook of nutrition
practices. 8th edition. (New edition expected April 2008). Edited by Jennifer K. Nelson, et. al. Mosby,
2003. (ISBN 0-323-00851-8), $69.95.
Written for health professionals and somewhat technical,
this book describes what to include and not include for different types
of special diets such as a soft food diet, low residue diet, or gluten
free diet. Does not include sample menus or recipes. References for further
reading are provided at the end of each section.
71) Modern nutrition in health and disease. 10th
ed. Maurice Shils, et. al. 2005. 2146 p.
(ISBN 0-7817-4133-5), $138.00.
A classic reference on the science and practice of nutrition.
Covers such topics as proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals,
adequacy and safety of the food supply, fortification of foods, food additives,
nutrition and immunology, diet, nutrition and drug reactions, food fads
and fadism, malnutrition, nutrition quackery, and the role of nutrition
in the prevention and treatment of disease. Appendices include food composition
tables, special diets with sample menus, food exchange lists including
ethnic food lists, national dietary guidelines and recommendations, and
height/weight charts.
*72) Current surgical diagnosis and treatment. 12th
ed. By Gerald Doherty. McGraw-Hill, 2005. (ISBN 0-07-142315-X),
$64.95 pap.
Descriptions of diseases and medical conditions that are
treated with surgery. Written for the health professional. Follows
the same format as the other titles in the Current series.
**73) Second opinion: the Columbia Presbyterian
guide to surgery. Eric A. Rose. St. Martin’s Press, 2000.
336 p. (ISBN 0-312-20584-8), $27.95.
Includes information on 45 of the most common surgeries
including appendectomy, arthroscopic surgeries, gastric bypass, knee replacement,
varicose vein removal, and more. Introductory chapters discuss getting
a second opinion, evaluating alternatives, planning your hospitalization,
what to expect in recovery, and what you need to know about anesthesia.
Some overlap with the following title, but more current. No
need to buy both titles.
**74)) The surgery book: an illustrated guide
to 75 of the most common operations. St. Martin's Press, 1997. Robert A. Youngson 448
p. (ISBN 0-312-15218-3), $18.95 pap.
Brief descriptions with detailed illustrations of common
surgical procedures including cosmetic surgery, abdominal and lower back
surgery, heart surgery, dental surgery, and organ transplantation.
Each description includes why the surgery is performed, physical cause
of the problem necessitating surgery, the goal of surgery, the surgical
procedure, recovery, and long term effects. Introductory chapters
include hospital procedures, pre and post surgical tests, and a description
of the operating room, its equipment and the operating room staff.
*75) Current obstetric and gynecologic diagnosis
and treatment. 10th ed. Edited by Alan H. DeCherney and Martin L. Pernoll.
Appleton Lange, 2006. (ISBN 0-07-143900-5), $64.95.
The ob/gyn version of Current medical diagnosis and
treatment. Basic information written in technical terms on medical
conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, and diseases and disorders
of the female reproductive system.
76)
Current care of women: diagnosis and
treatment. Dawn Lemscke, Julie Pattison, Lorna A. Marshall, Deborah
S. Cowley. Lange Medicine Books, 2003. 632 p. (ISBN 0-07-138770-6),
$64.95.
Features include answers to an entire range of women’s
medical issues seen in primary care and up-to-date approaches to treatment
of women’s diseases and disorders. Major topics include gynecology,
internal medicine, psychiatry, cardiology, breast disorders, and
reproductive health issues. Written for the primary care physician
and somewhat technical, but a valuable, authoritative resource on women’s
health issues.
**77) The new Harvard guide to women's health. Karen J. Carlson, M.D., Stephanie A. Eisenstat, M.D., Terra
Ziporyn, Ph.D. Harvard University Press, 2004. 688 p. (ISBN 0-674-01343-3). $24.95.
This A to Z guide on women's health covers a wide range of topics including
nutrition, childbirth, labor and delivery, gynecological conditions and their treatments, breast health, depression,
eating disorders, weight management, patients' rights, hormones, domestic abuse, etc. Although the coverage is brief, averaging
anywhere from two to four paragraphs to several pages, the information is clear and concise. Illustrations
accompany many of the entries. A listing of organizations and support groups to contact for further
information is included.
Lyman Maynard Stowe Library
University of Connecticut Health Center
Farmington, Connecticut
The URL for this page is: http://library.uchc.edu/departm/hnet/corelist.html
Last Updated: March 19, 2008
Copyright 1998-2006. All Rights Reserved.