Book Description

Introduction to Audiology, Eighth Edition is the leading book for the introduction to hearing and hearing disorders studies required of all those wishing to complete the study of audiology. This book provides in-depth coverage of the physics of sound, anatomy and physiology of the auditory system; causes and treatment of hearing disorders; and the relevant diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. It emphasizes the proper evaluation of hearing disorders and the treatment avenues available for these disorders. For those training in audiology studies. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Worthless
I'm in this field and I think this is one of the worst textbooks I've ever come across.

A great start.......
I have a BS in Audiology and am going back for my Au.D -- and this book is excellent in bringing me back up to speed on the materials I haven't touched in nearly 10 years. It is concise (definitely not wordy) and hits all the basics, starting from the history of hearing checks to today's detailed technological miracles of testing. Could have a bit more of the anatomy, but other than that, it really is a great start for those wanting to enter the field of Audiology.

This book delivers its title
As an intro book, I found it extremely useful and packed with necessary information. Whoever said there was too much information to be found in this book is completely off the mark, although, this book is probably best suited to those who are pursuing a career in this field. The CD-ROM could have been more fully developed...

Too much inofrmation
I am a budding audiologist, and I can tell you that using this book was a nightmare. It is not designed for the future clinician, and even though my entire class and I tried again and again to pick out the information we needed (that was relevant to what we were learning), we were still confused. This book is better suited for a person going into research...a lot of that information is unnecessary for someone working in a clinic. It is also poorly organized and overpriced.

Best introduction to Audiology you'll find.
This book is one I refer to again and again and again. Not too dry, very informative, accurate, and helpful tables and diagrams.

A must (or at least a should) for anyone interested in Audiology. ... Read more

Book Description

This authoritative guide to sleep medicine is also available as an e-dition, book (ISBN: 1416003207) plus updated online reference!

The new edition of this definitive resource has been completely revised and updated to provide all of the latest scientific and clinical advances. Drs. Kryger, Roth, and Dement—and over 170 international experts—discuss the most recent data, management guidelines, and treatments for a full range of sleep problems. Representing a wide variety of specialties, including pulmonary, neurology, psychiatry, cardiology, internal medicine, otolaryngology, and primary care, this "who’s who" of experts delivers the most compelling, readable, and scientifically accurate source of sleep medicine available today. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Very good book!
This should be required reading for anyone medical professional working in the field of sleep medicine. Every clinical topic is covered in great detail and clarity. The drawback of this book (if any) is the "Methodology" section, which, for the most part, covers acquisition topics on a very shallow level. Also, don't expect to learn much from the last chapter, "Computers in Sleep Medicine". It covers six pages of nothing (those poor trees). Otherwise this book is 1301 pages of pure gold!

Very good book!
This should be required reading for anyone medical professional working in the field of sleep medicine. Every clinical topic is covered in great detail and clarity. The drawback of this book (if any) is the "Methodology" section, which, for the most part, covers acquisition topics on a very shallow level. Also, don't expect to learn much from the last chapter, "Computers in Sleep Medicine". It covers six pages of nothing (those poor trees). Otherwise this book is 1301 pages of pure gold!

Very good book!
This should be required reading for anyone medical professional working in the field of sleep medicine. Every clinical topic is covered in great detail and clarity. The drawback of this book (if any) is the "Methodology" section, which, for the most part, covers acquisition topics on a very shallow level. Also, don't expect to learn much from the last chapter, "Computers in Sleep Medicine". It covers six pages of nothing (those poor trees). Otherwise this book is 1301 pages of pure gold!

Excellent guide book for sleep specialists
The book was edited by Kryger and Dement et al. They are frontiers of this new field of medical science. It is very regretful thing that most people do not have sufficient information about sleep disorders. Despite ofdeficiency of knowledge about sleep disorders, those are killing numerousvictims all over the world. So I recommend this book to reduce avoidabledeaths of precious lives.

State of the Art Manual for Sleep Medicine
Up to date, fully comprehensive text book on the science and practice ofsleep medicine.Thorough discussions of physiology, behavioral aspects ofnormal sleep and disordered sleep.This is the gold standard for learning,reviewing or referencing in this field. ... Read more

Book Description

Authored by one of the acknowledged leaders and preeminent teachers in musculoskeletal radiology, this innovative text is certain to become the new standard among orthopaedic diagnostic imaging references. The first volume in the new Diagnostic Imaging Series from Amirsys and Saunders, it features a templated, full-color format that makes finding information much easier. Each chapter presents all of the information readers need to pinpoint a diagnosis. Coverage of each entity addresses Clinical Presentation, Pathologic Features, Imaging Findings for the appropriate modalities, and Differential Diagnosis lists. In addition, each chapter has detailed anatomic drawings in full color, an extensive image case gallery, and a visual "thumbnail" differential diagnosis. Numerous surgical, gross and histologic pathology photographs are included. No other musculoskeletal imaging text is as comprehensive and user-friendly. ... Read more

Book Description

Expertly edited by two pioneers in this burgeoning field, this book covers both basic principles and specific applications across a range of problems in brain research. It truly integrates neuroscience with informatics, providing a means for understanding the new analytical tools and models of neuronal functions now being developed. Each chapter offers practical guidance for applying this knowledge to current research, enhancing electronic collaborations, and formulating hypotheses. ... Read more

Book Description

The fifth edition of The Development of Language is written and contributed by leading researchers and covers language acquisition and development from infancy through adulthood. With its organization based on developmental stages of language, this book is especially well suited for courses that take a developmental approach. It covers every aspect of language acquisition and development from a lifespan perspective, beginning with the earliest attempts to communicate and ending with the language and communication concerns of the aged.The book thoroughly explores syntax, morphology, semantics, phonology, and pragmatics. It examines atypical development, presents strong coverage of individual differences, how and why they occur, and provides contemporary references and the most recent research findings. The panel of expert authors provides readers with cutting-edge research knowledge in an interesting and highly readable format. For anyone interested in language development across the age span. ... Read more

Book Description

graig nakken presents the most recent information on how an individual becomes an addict-including cultural influences and genetic factors-as he examines addiction's causes, stages of development, and consequences. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Now I Understand
If you are encountering a person with an addictive personality for the first time in your life and find them perplexing and confusing to you, this book will shed insight as to why they act they way they do, what motivates them, and what causes them to become addictive. I was prompted to find out more about the addictive personality because of my future mother-in-law's behavior and attitude toward me. She has been an addictive personality for decades, using a multitude of different substances and events all at once. Though she is across the country and not in our daily lives, the effects of her addiction are felt and impact upon me and her son. I could not comprehend her behavior until now---the book was that helpful at explaining the 'mystery' of her addictive personality.

This Book Was the Key that Opened Up My Life
No exaggeration. I'm considered to be a good person and a success, but have been deeply alone for years. I was trying to resolve an eating disorder when I came across this book. It explained exactly what was wrong, why, and how to heal and recover from not just the symptomatic eating disorder - but from the larger disease of addiction, which I now see has been at play in damaging so many aspects of my life. I wish I'd had this book 25 years ago. Everything finally makes sense. I'm so grateful for finding it.

HIT THE NAIL RIGHT ON THE HEAD
Currently I am experiencing a new way of recovering because I now know pretty much of what I need to deal with my addiction. My addictive personality ( AP) has shown me out right how she can do whatever she pleases without my permission, today, I have an understanding with (AP) and through reading and re-reading this book by Craig I have been able to establish ways of taking back my life without such a dramtic struggle with AP. I appreciate the person that gave me the book to read because it truly has enhance my way of thinking with my recovery, I can say from my heart that if it wasn't for the grace of my Lord Jesus I probably would not ever have received the opportunity to meet the person who gave me the book to read nor would I have had the opportunity to send these few words to the author or whom ever. Thanks Craig, it does work if you choose to work with it.

An important book for understanding society and addiction
Craig Nakken is a family therapist and addictions counsellor at the Family Therapy Institute in St. Paul, Minnesota. He describes the addictive personality as "the most important idea expressed in this book". Nakken believes that some people are more prone to addiction than others. He examines various causes of this including influences in childhood. He does not rule out agenetic element saying that, "In all likelihood, it will be found to be a combination of the two" (environmental and genetic influences). An addictive personality may express itself in any addiction. This has important consequences for treatment. As Nakken observes:- Recovery is not just about breaking off one's relationship with an object or event, though this is of great importance. Recovery is primarily about coming to know one's addictive personality and taking the necessary steps to rid oneself of addictive attitudes, beliefs, values and behaviours. An example of the effect of this is given:- "People in a recovery program for alcohol addiction need to clearly understand thatthey are prone to form a possible addictive relationship with another object or event - food for example. For these people, sobriety acquires a new dimension; instead of only monitoring their relationship with alcohol, they also need to learn how to monitor the addictive part of themselves." Craig Nakken believes that Society "can push a person with addictive tendencies toward addiction". In his book he outlines some values in modern society which are similar to addictive values. For those who are politically conscious this section provides an interesting slant on one effect of a consumer society. The section of the book devoted to the topic of recovery is perhaps the weakest section. This section would have benefited considerably from case studies and more detailed advice. -Reviewed by Patrick Harrington  

Essential reading for anyone born after 1945
This book, written in clear easily understood terms, is a MUST for anyone who thinks or feels they are family, friends or co-workers with someone prone to compulsive behaviour. Those of us who have not been through de-tox and/or a 12 step programme are so deficient in awareness of the illness of addiction as to be unable to understand the effect close proximity to this illness can have upon their own lives. Nakken explains the causes of addictive behaviour and the common theme between all forms of addiction. Whether you work with or for a 'Control Freak' live with an alchoholic or a gambler/shoplifter/over-eater, or have a child who is on drugs/shoplifting, this book is for you. An excellent first step to understanding the 'illness of the 20th Century'.Although revised for the 2nd edition (1996), it lacks a section on 'Further recommended reading', but anyone getting this far should contact the publisher for advice on books on more specific topics arising. ... Read more

Book Description

In his most extraordinary book, "one of the great clinical writers of the 20th century" (The New York Times) recounts the case histories of patients lost in the bizarre, apparently inescapable world of neurological disorders. Oliver Sacks's The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat tells the stories of individuals afflicted with fantastic perceptual and intellectual aberrations: patients who have lost their memories and with them the greater part of their pasts; who are no longer able to recognize people and common objects; who are stricken with violent tics and grimaces or who shout involuntary obscenities; whose limbs have become alien; who have been dismissed as retarded yet are gifted with uncanny artistic or mathematical talents.

If inconceivably strange, these brilliant tales remain, in Dr. Sacks's splendid and sympathetic telling, deeply human. They are studies of life struggling against incredible adversity, and they enable us to enter the world of the neurologically impaired, to imagine with our hearts what it must be to live and feel as they do. A great healer, Sacks never loses sight of medicine's ultimate responsibility: "the suffering, afflicted, fighting human subject." ... Read more

Reviews (62)

It will change the way you think of the concept of "self".
I first picked up this book about five years ago when browsing in the Science section of a local bookstore. I was taken by the strangeness of the title. Later, I got ahold of the Audio version of the book, which my wife and I played during a long vacation drive.

The book consists of a collection of reasonably short clinicial stories of some of the patients that Dr. Sacks has come across in his work as a Neurologist. Sound dry? I assure you, it is not.

With facination, and great humanity, Sacks recounts the stories of people, who, because of one deficit (injury or progressive malady) or another have had their personalites, perceptions, or senses profoundly altered. Taken one at a time, the stories are quirky, yet compassionate, illustrations of the symptoms of various neurological maladies and the people who struggle with them. There's the story of the patient who suffers from an inability to conceive of his own legs as part of his own body. There's the sad and lonely tale of a man who us unable to form long term memories and lives in a constantly shifting world that is perpetually only a few minutes old. There's a recounting of the visions of the ancient Saint Hildegard, whose migrane headaches appeared to her to be visions of heaven.

Taken together, one gets a awe inspring sense of how who and what we are is controlled by the processes of the brain and also a sense that there are certain universal human prepensities- such as the struggle for "wholeness" or a desire for the sublime.

This is one of my favorite books. I frequently loan one of my two copies to friends. I highly recommend the somewhat abridged Audio version as well, as Dr. Sacks voice adds a layer of facination to the tales.

It will change the way you think of the concept of "self".
I first picked up this book about five years ago when browsing in the Science section of a local bookstore. I was taken by the strangeness of the title. Later, I got ahold of the Audio version of the book, which my wife and I played during a long vacation drive.

The book consists of a collection of reasonably short clinicial stories of some of the patients that Dr. Sacks has come across in his work as a Neurologist. Sound dry? I assure you, it is not.

With facination, and great humanity, Sacks recounts the stories of people, who, because of one deficit (injury or progressive malady) or another have had their personalites, perceptions, or senses profoundly altered. Taken one at a time, the stories are quirky, yet compassionate, illustrations of the symptoms of various nurological maladies and the people who struggle with them. There's the story of the patient who suffers from an inability to conceive of his own legs as part of his own body. There's the sad and lonely tale of a man who us unable to form long term memories and lives in a constantly shifting world that is perpetually only a few minutes old. There's a recounting of the visions of the ancient Saint Hildegard, whose migrane headaches appeared to her to be visions of heaven.

Taken together, one gets a awe inspring sense of how who and what we are is controlled by the processes of the brain and also a sense that there are certain universal human prepensities- such as the struggle for "wholeness" or a desire for the sublime.

This is one of my favorite books. I frequently loan one of my two copies to friends. I highly recommend the somewhat abridged Audio version as well, as Dr. Sacks voice adds a layer of facination to the tales.

Excellent book of case studies on the diseases of the mind
This is a layman's journey into the case studies of nureological problems. The book is written in a clear style that makes each case a story rather than a statistic. If you've ever wondered about diseases of the mind, this is the book for you.

It's not really a good book to read before bed as some of these people have problems that could make one want to stay up and talk about it with someone else.

A must for anyone who is human
For those who don't know, Oliver Sacks is a world-famous neurologist, treating patients where the problem is (at least believed) to be caused by a physical aspect of brain function. He has also written a host of popular books based on his case studies. This is probably the most famous one.

This book deals with patients who are suffering from various forms of diseases which impact their living and thinking selves so dramatically that the core of the book seems to be coming to terms with what these states of mind could mean. There's the man who's lost all the intuition related to vision - he can recognise abstract shapes but not faces or commonplace objects. There's the man suffering from Tourette's who's become so used to the disease's influence on his personality that the downer drugs have given him a loss of identity. There's the man who has absolutely no short term memory and is thus forced into a farcical and tragical string of endless flights of fance to make things fit into his worldview.

The book is divided into 4 sections - the first dealing with a loss of some part of cognition, the second with some excesses of cognition (and yes this may seem odd but read the essays!), the third with visions in patients and the fourth with the "simple" - people with a low IQ.

Sacks is very interested in imagining what it must be like to live like a certain patient - although at times it's quite impossible. It is here that his humanity and empathy comes through. The book is critical of the impersonal and clinical nature of traditional neurology - Sacks is much more human-oriented.

The uncertainty of the various selves paraded in the book leads him to explore many philosophical aspects of what a "self" is and what parts are essential. The surprising (to people new to this area) thing is that in so many of the patients with severe problems (complete amnesia, an IQ of 60, autism) - the external characteristics of the mind are shattered but there remains somewhat of an introspective, emotional, conscious self. It is in highlighting this that the book is at it's most human.

This is a must read as it will enhance your knowledge of some of the more "self"-debilitating illnesses, challenge your own sense of self and humanity and in many occasions will move you to an extent that few scientific books do. And through it all will be clear the magical, still-mystical-despite-scientific-advances and elusive essence of humanity that gives life wonder.

Fascinating Food for Thought
This is a book where every twenty minutes or so you will find yourself pausing and looking up just to think about what you just read. It's a book that I think just about anybody would enjoy. It's never boring because Sacks has a great talent for taking complex medical issues and bringing them down to earth in a way that a layperson can understand without struggling.

Also, the book is laid out in vignettes so that just at the point one might find themselves getting bored, he moves on to a new neurological dysfunction. It sounds terrible to say, but in a way, this book is really just a very sophisticated freak-show. But Sacks is no P.T. Barnum. Sacks portrays these anecdotes with great humanity. His thoughts on the subjects of these stories, the disorders and their sufferers, border on the spiritual in magnitude. He explores these issues with such a great awe and respect for the mysteries of physical life, that it feels as if one is walking along with him as tour guide on a journey through the stars.

Just a terrific read and a book that feels great to have on your shelf. ... Read more

Book Description

using vivid examples and case studies, the author exposes the irrational and contradictory patterns of addictive thinking, and shows how to overcome them and the barriers they create; low self-esteem and relapse. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

rated the best by my colleagues
I purchased this book in hopes of understanding why the addict does what he or she does. I work with many HIV/AIDS patients, and many of them are addicts. This book was amazing not only to me but to most of the colleagues who have been around this behavior many years. We were actually fighting over this book after everyone was taking about. It was very easy, quick reading, and very clearly stated. I just can't say enough about it. If you read it I can assure you that you will want to share the information and stories you read. Currently my copy is MIA so I am buying another few copies.

Excellent For The Professional or The Layman
Being a psychyology major in college specializing in addiction, as well as overcoming my own personal addictions, I found Twerski's book was excellent. I bought it simply as a text book supplement for a college course, and ended up reading it a few times. He gives a great insight into the mind of the addict, and nice overview of life AFTER addiction and the logical, spiritual, and emotional hurdles forever in front of the affected individual and those around him. I read this just after my third year of abstinence and pulled so much from it in my personal life. Whether you are an addict or just know or have been affected by one, have been through the twelve-step meetings or struggled alone, give it a try. It still sits in my library and is a book I often recommend to those I meet and are dealing with an aspect of addiciton, treatment, and sobriety.

A good book - but Rabbi Twerski has a better one
A very good book with the basics on addiction. I especially enjoyed the chapter on spirituality and the addict, although I would have liked to have seen a little more on this subject.

Twerski's book "The Spiritual Self" has what I was looking for and much more. I think it is a must read for ANYONE on the road to recovery. He explains how the role of the human spirit is essential in the addict's new life and how one does not even need to be religious (although it certainly helps!).

A guide to understanding how the addict thinks
Finally, in plain English, this book explains how the addict thinks and why he treats himself and others the way he does. It doesn't solve the problem, but it does offer comfort in knowing that you are not to blame. I only wish the book went one step farther in offering some advice as to how to deal sanely with addictive behavior, how to react and perhaps what to expect when you do react. Overall, well worth reading. ... Read more

Book Description

Epidemiologic speculations and research findings increasingly blaze across media headlines and heighten anxiety among the public. Understanding the foundations of such news can be daunting. Now in its third edition, Epidemiology for Public Health Practice has become a favorite textbook for undergraduate and graduate students new to epidemiology by providing a comprehensive look at all major topics, from study designs and descriptive epidemiology, to quantitative measures and terminology. Distinguishing itself from other texts with its accessible writing style and immediacy of information presented, the Third Edition has been extensively revised, with updated data and statistics essential to understanding the importance of epidemiology to public health. ... Read more

Book Description

Advice for New Faculty Members: Nihil Nimus is a unique and essential guide to the start of a successful academic career. As its title suggests (nothing in excess), it advocates moderation in ways of working, based on the single-most reliable difference between new faculty who thrive and those who struggle. By following its practical, easy-to-use rules, novice faculty can learn to teach with the highest levels of student approval, involvement, and comprehension, with only modest preparation times and a greater reliance on spontaneity and student participation. Similarly, new faculty can use its rule-based practices to write with ease, increasing productivity, creativity, and publishability through brief, daily sessions of focused and relaxed work. And they can socialize more successfully by learning about often-misunderstood aspects of academic culture, including mentoring.Each rule in Advice for New Faculty Members has been tested on hundreds of new faculty and proven effective over the long run -- even in attaining permanent appointment. It is the first guidebook to move beyond anecdotes and surmises for its directives, based on the author's extensive experience and solid research in the areas of staff and faculty development. For new teachers. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Great advice but quite repetitive
The tips are great, but skim rather than pore over the book because the recommendations are presented over and over. Especially useful are Boice's suggestions for managing "student incivilities". His methods will help you keep students from being rude, late and argumentative. The main thrust of the book is excellent: professors need to focus on process as well as content, and new teachers usually try to cram too much material into their lectures. I'm a clinical psychologist who coaches junior faculty trying to get tenure, and I recommend this book often to new professors.

Mentor in a Box
I am surprised that anyone who criticizes this book as obvious is bothering to read such a book. If it is so obvious, then you are probably one of the "exemplars" that Boice studied to formulate his analysis. Either that, or one of the struggling faculty members he studied, who fail because they are too proud to believe that anyone else has anything to offer. For the rest of us mortals, this book is fantastic.

One thing other reviewers have not emphasized is the extent to which Boice bases his advice on his field studies of faculty. It apparently has been his life's work to study what determines whether university faculty succeed or fail. This gives him unique credibility.

Yes, I acknowledge that it may be a bit off-putting because it is written somewhat in the style of self-help books, i.e., very informal, a bit repetitive, with some of that schtick that runs: "follow my 5 step program to success, because I have uncovered the key heretofore only known by a few, etc." However, the big difference between this and any self-help book is that he can back it up with research. I guess that's how you write self-help books for academics. (And don't misunderstand me, even when it sounds like a self-help book, it's like the better self-help books. This is clearly a labor of love for Boice.)

This book is like one of those rare, great mentors. It doesn't tell you war stories, or give you a laundry list of techniques. Instead, it tells you how to be effective at your job. It describes the day-to-day processes and habits that so many successful people are terrible at articualting ("well, you just do it"). I suspect most academics really can use this. Yes, it's probably the kind of stuff that would be obvious to an outgoing, outwardly directed person like a salesman or politician, but the inwardly-focused types who tend to be drawn to academia really need this kind of help.

Best advice on writing practices I have read.
Some reviewers have criticized this book for being obvious. I found it anything but. The culture of my field says that the way to write a paper is to set aside large, uninterrupted blocks of time. It was an eye-opening experience to see hard data that show it is more effective to write in brief daily sessions. These writers are roughly twice as productive by several measures (pages written, manuscripts published) and also report themselves to be happier. This idea changed my professional life.

One more word---the advice in Boice's book can be *very* difficult to follow. I found the book only somewhat helpful with, for example, the difficulties of stopping when one feels ``on a roll.'' I have nevertheless found this an invaluable book.

Repetitive and painfully obvious
A very disappointing book. It is a prefect example of using too many words to state, and restate, and restate yet again, what seems very obvious. To anyone who actually has managed to get a Ph.D. in any discipline, little of what is said here will be news. Not that it's bad advice, but I bet 98% of the readers already know most of it. Be sensible. Be well organized. Reserve some time for teaching, and some for research. Do what is expected of you. Work hard. Don't go overboard. Dont run into extremes. Stay in the middle. All things in moderation. Don't wait until one year before your promotion review to start thinking about publishing -- you get the idea. While most of the "wisdom" imparted here is admittedly sensible, I suspect that in some teaching environments several ideas presented here (although well intentioned) may seriously backfire, and undermine prospects for success, rather than help. Take student evaluations of teaching performance: the author suggests using a fairly long evaluation form several times during the term -- I would risk a hypothesis that doing so more than once, twice at the most, will seriously undermine any teacher's authority, waist students' time, and (justifiably) send a clear and loud message that the need for too frequent reassurance is a reflection of too little confidence and deep professional insecurity (incompetence?). Indeed, for those who need that much feedback, and so often, going back to school or finding a different job is probably a better solution. Some of the advice, like the idea to have your students help you "summarize" the results of teaching evaluations seems more than slightly abusive -- there is certainly better use for students' time than to summarize their instructor's evaluations, not to mention the issues of confidentiality, and a request for unpaid administrative labor coming from a person in the position of authority. I am not sure that a student who just paid a lot of money for tuition would appreciate this approach. For those seeking useful advice that goes beyond the obvious, Richard Light's recent and very well researched "Making most of college" (2001, Harvard UP), or "The art and craft of teaching" (1982, 2000 reprint) will probably be much better sources of information (and inspiration), although the latter is slightly dated by now.

Useful advice
I enjoyed Professor Boyce's book and found it to be helpful. His wisdom is backed up both by research and interesting anecdotes. It is highly repetitive, however, to the point of being annoying. Although a significant proportion of the suggestions in the book are common sense, he provides support and ideas for implementation. It is as though someone wrote a book for weight loss. Some of the ideas are going to be obvious (eat less junk food) but providing a thoughtful structure for implementation is an important contribution. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Standard of Care
Unfortunately, the previous reviews have failed to adequately address the role and purpose of this publication. Pocket Medicine, at least as I have used it, is the most concise and accurate reference for the practice of Internal Medicine in the United States as conducted at most teaching institutions today. It essentially covers all the major organ systems and disease processes as the most recent literature and textbooks recommend. Possession of this book will allow students, residents and staff to give patients the best care possible from evidence based medicine. You will shine on the wards and at morning report with this material. In fact, you could easily pass the Internal Medicine board certification exam if you knew everything in this book. For those practicing internal medicine from med students on up, it renders Scut Monkey, Ferre, Wash Manual, tarascon ICU books etc, all obsolete. Just look at the section about Swan Ganz monitoring -it's all there. Look at microscopic polyangiitis- it's all there. These are all real patients I've treated and this book works. More than half of the residents, students and staff in my hospital use it. Even surgeons own it. As medicine becomes more complex and scientifically based, publications such as this will be the only way to keep up. In fact, it's very inexpensive for what you get. One caution is that it may be too advanced for 3rd year med students with a poor knowledge base. A wash manual may be a simpler way to start. Unfortunately, those people who gave it a poor review have simply demonstrated their complete ignorance of the modern scientific practice of medicine. I simply hope they never treat any of my relatives!

The ONLY Book you need on the wards
I agree w/ many of the other reviews. This is a fantastic book for RESIDENTS, not medical students. It tends to gloss over basic information that any resident should already know. For that reason , the book is concise and has all the relevant info in order to manage patients. I also like the small notebook format, so I can add additional pages of info. I agree that this book does need a neuro/psych section to cover CVA/Seizures, delirium/dementia and ETOH withdrawal management. I've already worn my book out in the past two years and look forward to future editions. I have recommended this book to every intern I have supervised on the Wards...It is the only reference book I carry.

Study results!
I see a lot of both good and poor reviews for this book. Personally, I like the book a lot. What it has that Ferri's doesn't is evidence-based medicine. Several major studies (PIOPED, and the like) are summarized. Yes, it is someone's notebook in fancy form. But it's cheap, it's small, and it's good. I found that it was too light on details when I was starting out, but once I felt a little more comfortable with my ability to come up with a basic differential, this was the book for me. It was great help for those long medicine write-ups, providing clinical research correlations. Now it is the only book that I carry in my pocket, full of micrographic notes that I have made from lectures, other books, etc. Ferri's isn't exactly pocket-friendly.

a "balanced" view from a former MGH housestaff...
As a former Mass General resident, I got a kick out of seeing our humble housestaff manual transformed into a glamorous pocket notebook. And apparently a somewhat controversial transformation, given some of the extremely negative reviews that have been posted. Ignoring the commercial aspects of this debate for a moment, I think the manual contains solid and comprehensive information that should serve any housestaff well (it certainly did for me for 3 years!). It probably does not contain enough explanation for most 3rd and 4th year medical students and, as such, should be used to supplement another manual (such as Washington or Ferri).

All that you will need!
This book is the best one to come along in a long while. It is much more succinct and more readily fits in coat pockets than the other manual do. I am a PGY 3 IM resident and use it all the time. It is actually the only book I carry with me. ... Read more

Reviews (33)

EXCELLENT! FINALLY THE TRUTH IS TOLD!
Dr. Blaylock, in his book reviews countless studies that prove the dangers of excitotoxins. The powerful food industry and others are implicated in trying to cover up this truth.

I have read this book and am very grateful that an M.D. went against the grain and helped a nation understand the truth. The truth that excitotoxins are dangerous, they kill neurons and are in practically everything.

In science today there exists ubiquitous politics. Those who fund studies wish a certain outcome, and usually get it with the help of exclusionary interpretation. If science is the study of truth through empirical studies, and political power covers this truth, then today's science is largely a matter of power and politics, and not truth. This is how the large part of society is deceived. This is the case with the FDA's widespread approval of aspartame (and aspartate/aspartic acid for that matter).

Because of their widespread use and acceptance in America; it begs the question, what's the agenda here? If you wanted to dumb down (make docile) a large population of people how would you do it?

"The truth is obvious, everything else is questionable"

Clear evidence of the dangers of MSG & Aspartame to children
Blaylock writes a story of brain damage and betrayal worthy of wide attention, especially among women of child-bearing age and parents. He presents clear evidence of severe damage to the hypothalamus, the regulator of most hormone systems, when glutamates and aspartates are ingested by pregnant and nursing women or by children. The relationship between low blood sugar levels and enhanced damage should be a wakeup call for diabetics and hypoglycemics, as well. This book is a bit of a slow read at first, but you have to understand some of the basic enzyme/neuron processes to grasp the tremendous potential for damage. Every parent should read this and take it to heart. The future of our children is truly endangered!

good to know
I'm thinking of that song by Joe Jackson with the line "Everything causes cancer, everything..."

While I do not subscribe to the usual alarmist perspectives on what causes us harm (for there are truly so many things in modern society practically unavoidable, that it would make one insane to dwell on it), it is refreshing to experience a work that intelligently places blame on the not so usual suspects.

Governments that have profited for years on tobacco and foods that are engineered with questionable tactics are still pushing forward this notion that it is only illegal drugs and foods (and not the FDA variety) that are harmful.

Just as preaching about the so-called evils of marijuana only made more kids go out and do a variety of drugs - because they knew they were being lied to - it is "high time" to start learning the facts about the products commonly accepted as "safe." This way, you can once again circumvent the propaganda and make decisions for yourself.

You are what you eat.

scary
This book is excellent and should be read by anyone who cares about their health, but especially (future)parents who care about their children's brain health. Before I read this book I was one of the many people within this and other societies that had no clue that a lot of our food contains msg. Not only that, but this book also showed me how serious msg is and that although it is dangerous and trials have shown this dangers, nothing has been done about banning the substance from the food market. This book is very shocking, at least it was to me. The most shocking thing I learned is that msg is even used in babyfood, even though they are especially suceptable, because their brain has still a lot of growing to do. This book also tied in with one of my college research papers and so I got the chance to research the topic further and the most important information I came across, was that all trials that were done independately found somekind of a healthconcern, whereas trials done by the FDA and corporations didn't find any health concerns. So even if you don't buy this book, look out for aspartame and glutamates (for example: monosodium glutamate)or it might cost you your memory later on.

Useful although narrow
This book is mostly about links between MSG and Alzheimers/Parkinson's. It goes into a lot of scientific detail about prior studies, brain function, etc.

Unfortunately, I was already sold onto the idea that MSG etc are bad substances, so most of the book was irrelevant to me. I was looking for ways to find foods that are MSG free. In that pursuit, only the last 2 pages of the book help: list of common names of MSG or MSG-containing substances on food labels. The book was not practically useless, therefore.

While reading this book, please realize that MSG and NutraSweet are not the only problematic food additives. There are preservatives like BHT etc added to foods esp meats, and those are also suspected to have negative health effects. Yet this book does not discuss them (maybe they are not exactly neuro-exciters).

Overall, could be good reading for some, but I found minimal use of this book. ... Read more

Book Description

A concise, portable reference that focuses on the evaluation and treatment of over 60 of the most common internal medicine on-call problems(now updated with three new problems: dizziness, overdoses, and pruritis). Each on call chapter includes a presenting problem, immediate questions, differential diagnosis, laboratory and other diagnostic data, and treatment plan. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Internal Medicine on Call
this book is very good for some one who needs fast practical note to handle the newly admitted patient. I read many books in Internal Medicine area ( washington manuel, Current medical diagnosis and treatment, manual of adult ambulatory medicine, mini cecil ) but non of those books gave me what I wanted to know about how to handle the patient that just arrived and I should admitte. this book gives you general but very important informations STEPWISE and you wont be confused as reading big textbooks. the chapter on lab parameter is excellent and very useful. The surgery edition of this series is 85% same as the Internal Medicine one and if you read one it will cover the other too.

THE best on-call handbook!
This is by far the best on-call handbook written. It covers not only common crosscover problems, but has an excellent laboratory and medication reference as well. As a resident supervising procedures, the procedure section has some of the best illustrations and descriptions I've seen. In our Internal Medicine program, we often admit patients "solo" on overnight call, and this book has been a lifesaver (literally!) I forced my ICU intern to purchase this book, as I felt it was vital to getting through those late night nursing calls.

Overall very good, how about a new edition?
I am an intern in IM at the University of Florida, Shands Hospital. I have been using this book since day 1. It has saved me many times and my patients as well. The book is excellent for making a differential diagnoses and I like the fact that it lists common problems encountered while on call. It's great to follow all the recommended steps and really learn as you go along. The best example is hyperkalemia. I have used this 3 times in the last week. It's a great step by step guide to your differentials, what labs to order and what meds to push. I am using the 1st edition from 1991 and I still find it very useful as we still use most of the same drugs. I found it to be very helpful and a life saver. I would like to see a new edition with updated meds. I find myself using this book more than Wash manual or any other book I have. If I get called on abd pain, or fever, or anything, I look it up while in the elevator on the way to the floor and by the time I get there, I have a good idea on how to manage my patient effectively and safely. I would recommend this book for all residents and med students.

great book...
This text is great for its wealth of information for problems - but only for emergency on-call scenarios. (Well, that was stated in the title.) Use it only for selected encounters as it is limited in scope. Each chapter should probably be memorized at some point in your residency. Oh, and it proves a great counter weight for your stethoscope in your white coat. ... Read more

Book Description

This text is intended for introductory courses in health-related programs at both the advanced undergraduate and graduate levels. It takes the introductory student of epidemiology up to and through descriptive statistics and stops at the threshold of inferential statistics. It will also serve as a valuable reference for epidemiologists working in the field, industrial hygienists, infectious disease nurses, and staff epidemiologists. A clear, organized presentation makes this thorough treatment of epidemiology more accessible to readers through the use of study questions, objectives, exercises, and case studies. ... Read more

Book Description

Written by students for students, this high-yield guide helps them make the transition from the classroom to the hospital wards. Thoroughly revised and updated, this comprehensive book explains what to expect in each required rotation and provides sample notes & reports, medical facts, formulas, and protocols. Features the latest student ratings of available review resources. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

One clerkship director's thoughts
Bhushan and Le have created a guide that is most useful as an introduction to the ward experience for medical students. They discuss particulars about each rotation and this information is certainly important for students to read before each rotation. Although I do recommend this book to my students, I also encourage them to use another book entitled the 101 Biggest Mistakes 3rd Year Medical Students Make and How to Avoid Them. This latter book is the only book I know of that helps students recognize the major mistakes that are made during clinical clerkships. By using First Aid for the Wards and 101 Biggest Mistakes 3rd Year Medical Students Make and How to Avoid Them together, students will place themselves in a position to do their best work during their clinical clerkships.

EXCELLENT BOOK ALSO FOR THE CSA.
I bought this book to use as a review for the Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA)(the pratical texy that all the FMG have to do in Philadelphia). It was great because it helped me to practice writting clear medical hystories, in the same manner I had to write in the real (CSA) test in english. It was also very good because it list the major symptoms, signs and differential diagnosis of the more common clinnical problems. By the way, again useful for the CSA, because they request us to give the dif diagnosis in these test.

I highly recomment this book as an adjunt for the preparation for the CSA. Of couse, should be useful also for the wards.

Don't forget also to use: Mastering the OSCE/CSA: Objective Structured Clinical Examination/Clinical Skills Assessment...

It helped me...
I found this book to be quite helpful in alleviating those third year jitters. So much of the third year is spent trying to figure out your role on the team, and how to look like a star. This book gives some useful pointers.

If you have liked other books from the First Aid series, this book will also be well liked and used. Well written and to the point.

Each chapter gives pointers for a particular clinical rotation - explaining the role of a student as well as who the typical other team members will be. Also, gives a general breakdown of what to expect for a typical day.

Each chapter then has some vital clinical information that you need to know for each rotation. The chapters end with a review of which text books are most helpful for you to read.

Good book!

Firs aid for the wards
Poor presentation & known facts only.Nothing new ... Read more

Reviews (1)

excellent for Medical Students.
Currently, I am a Neurology resident. I found those 27 cases, very well written and informative. The authors succeeded in guiding the reader to think about where is the lesion first, with helpful pictures and diagrams, then briefly touch on the disease and basic management. I believe every one going to a neurology rotation, or even a resident will find those 27 cases a great way to refresh his/her basic neurosciences, and best of all it is a very easy to memorize book. ... Read more

Book Description

This incomparable Third Edition of a landmark reference provides timely, comprehensive discussions of every important clinical situation that may be encountered in pediatric endocrinology -- from growth disorders, thyroid diseases, and the adrenal glands and sexual development to calcium and phosphorus metabolism, diabetes mellitus, and hypoglycemia. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Pass The Black Cherry Juice
I shouldn't be commenting on this, since I have not read the book. I don't know if I'm repeating information from the book, but as a Gout sufferer, I feel compelled to mention that black cherry juice or concentrate helped relieve the pain in my toe and ankle. Your mileage may vary, but Google it and there seems to be plenty of anecdotal evidence that it works.

One of those great small books. NOT snake oil.
This is an excellent concise but comprehensive book on the gout for the lay reader. It would be better not to have gout, but if you do need to manage it, this is the best book I've seen. The size, title and the photo on the cover gave me the impression that the book was likely to be simplistic and wrong. In fact, it strikes a good balance between readability and detail. It also turns out that Dr Emmerson has published quite a few papers on gout in serious peer reviewed journals.

GREAT BOOK - NEW GOUT SUFFERS MUST READ!
If you have gout then READ THIS BOOK ASAP - This is the only comprehensive guide to GOUT I could locate. Excellent reference if you want to understand all aspects and possible causes. I ask lots of questions and this book answered 99 percent of my concerns. Buy your doctor one also - I am new to this condition but now have a definitive plan of action to determine the cause and cure it - not just treat the symptoms. DR. Emmerson if you read these THANK YOU! My TOE wishes I would have found this book 9 months ago.

Sound words
This complaint has vexed me sorely for a full threemonth. Mr Shoesmith the chirurgeon has procured some foul liquor from a mountebank toothpuller at Bartley fair, which he vouchsafes will rid me of this abhorrent contagion if assiduously applied by means of a poultice. His advice put me in mind of the wise counsel of the Mahomedans "Never take succour from an envious man". I therefore threw myself upon the mercy and good grace of Messrs Emmerson and Emmer. In matters apothecary they are gentlemen of wit and learning, and though their counsel to abstain from port wine was burdensome indeed, follower of Bacchus that I am, I must report an abatement of my pains which will enable me to travel to Europe on the Lisbon packet later this year.

Thinking of buying a copy for my doctor ! ! !
This well written 148 pg. book has all the information that I wish my doctor had shared with me when he diagnosed me. There are a lot of books offering "homeopathic" based remedies. I got this because I wanted to get a clear medical perspective on the disease.

A few of the reviewers have complained that the book does not have enough dietary information, however, as the book points out, there really isn't a generic formula of what foods you can and can't eat. Matching notes with several other gout sufferers, I concur. As the book words it each individual will have his or her own "peculiarities" - - and there are factors besides diet as well. Of course, everyone I talk to has a different "time tested" answer, and they're willing to state it authoritively. All I can tell you is that I've suffered miserably enough from this disease not to want to play any more games. I got this book to hear about my medical options... how the disease is caused, treated, managed and cured - it does this in plain English then you can decide on your own about your course of treatment. I really wish I had this book several years ago. Initially my doctor told me, "Oh, just don't eat..." and gave me a list. I followed it and a few months later it came back with a vegence. I suffered miserably. The third time I saw an internist. He gave me an anti-inflammatory drug which within 20 minutes relieved the pain and enabled me not only to put on my socks and shoes, but walk. Was all the suffering from the time before necessary? Then came the issue of going onpermanant medication, its long term side effects (I'm barely 30 !) and adjusting it (I had another attack after I started on it.) The point is, I now have a better understanding of the disease and can make better informed decisions.

On a lighter note, the book also offers a fascinating history of the disease which actually goes back to the times of Hippocrates and while the book is light on "kiche" there are a few hillarious cartoons with the gout sufferer and the propt up foot that you will associate with if you are a sufferer or live with someone who is.

(P.S. Best of luck in your treatment, I hope this book will help you out ! ! ! ) ... Read more

Book Description

Trigger point therapy is one of the most intriguing and fastest-growing bodywork styles in the world. Medical doctors, chiropractors, and alternative health practitioners are all beginning to use this technique to relieve the pain of individuals suffering from undiagnosable soft tissue pain-a condition that studies have shown to be the cause of nearly 25 percent of all doctor visits.

The technique involves applying short, repeated massagestrokes to trigger point, places in the muscle tissue wherelack of oxygen causes referred pain. These points are easily located by general readers and create pain throughout the body in predictable patterns characteristic to each muscle, producing discomfort ranging from mild to severe. The stimulation of the point causes an increase in the oxygen level in the area and produces often instant relief. The first edition of The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook has made a huge impact in the use of this dynamic technique. This is the first major revision of the overnight classic-a complete update that includes new information specifically for massage professionals as well as a detailed discussion of systematic muscle relaxation techniques that can reinforce the therapeutic power of trigger point work. ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Arthritis and other pains
I was in so much pain that I couldn't sleep at night. I was diagnosed with arthritis (hip, back, etc), but I was not satisfied that this explained my pain. Then I found Davies' book and started to work on trigger points with the rubber ball he recommends. It didn't solve all my problems, but it reduced my pain to the point where I could sleep without pills (and demonstrated that my pain was at least partly muscular)--and all for the cost of a ... little ball! And now (several other therapies later), I still keep the book and the rubber ball by my bed, and still follow its directions to massage key areas on a daily basis.

This book is terrific--the best "self-help" book I've seen. It is clearly written, well organized, mostly well illustrated, and contains a wealth of really useful detail. It is definitely not one of those "glossy" books--all photos and no useful information. The author really does take the approach of someone who was himself helped by this therapy and who wants to make it as clear and accessible to his readers as possible. Very highly recommended.

Effective Self-Help for Pain
This book provides lots of good information on healing pain. It's written in an accessible, easy-to-read style for people who don't know anything about muscles, yet the information is not simplistic, and is useful even for professionals who want to learn about trigger points. This book is great for people who have chronic pain and are motivated to help themselves. Trigger point massage really does a lot more good than anything doctors have to offer -- most doctors are not trained to effectively help people with muscular pain. And it's cheaper and more effective to do it yourself than pay to see a massage therapist, because you'd need to go every day for most seriously chronic problems. I do have a few complaints: There are lots of illustrations, but they don't always show all the areas of referred pain. There are handy lists arranged by body part, but it would be even more helpful to have a more detailed reference guide where you could look up specific symptoms. I also think Davies is a little too enthusiastic, claiming trigger points are the cause of most pain. He is also unfairly disparaging of massage therapists. Any properly trained massage therapist knows it's not always the spot where it hurts that's causing the problem, and if you know how all the muscles work together to act on a joint, and a little about nerve pathways, you're going to address most of the areas that are likely to have trigger points. Still, he has a valid point in that consumers need to ask whether a massage therapist specializes in relaxation massage or knows how to treat specific pain and injuries.

Oh my gosh - a MUST HAVE!
I stumbled onto this book in desperation about a year ago. I was 6 months postop from a cervical spine fusion (C 5-6-7) but I continued to have pain in the scapula region and my neck was still so tight I thought I would lose my mind if I couldn't find a way to decrease my pain and improve my mobility. It actually went all the way down my left side and hip. I'd been thru all the proper medical channels and had some benefit from physical therapy but I could NOT get those people (medical) to understand how deep the pain was and how determined I was to get better. I guess they thought since I was functioning (working and going to grad school) at a pretty high level I must be OK. ARGH. We need to teach them to LISTEN better.

THis book-ALONE-helped tremendously and I immediately bought a Theracane. I started getting professional massages a couple months later and was fortunate to find a person who is well-versed in trigger point. Between the 2 of us I am 110% better but still not "perfect" (and probably won't ever be!). I start every morning with a lot of trigger point massage while I'm still laying in bed planning out my day! I'm sure people think I'm nuts when they see me driving down the road with a tennis ball in my hand!

Just yesterday during my massage, the therapist told me to go home and look up QUADRATUS LUMBORUM in my Trigger Point book. Lo and behold... I thought I was reading about myself! It's amazing how working on these trigger points also releases the tension UP my spine and in the scapula area.

I use the trigger point massage in combination with chiropractic adjustments and professional massage (every 2-3 wks) and I do still take Vioxx. Each individual has to find what works best for him/her.

BUY THIS BOOK TODAY - YOU WON'T BE SORRY! This book CAN be read by the average "Joe or Susie" and help will follow! I've bought at least 6 copies for friends/relatives and recommend