This reference book is easy to use and understand. When I first leaned of this home edition version of the Merck manual I was hesitant. Over the years many books have been published that are medical in nature, some published by doctors, but the content is watered down or so vague that a layperson doesn't derive much information from it. Some books are actually condescending in attitude, some patronizing. So many books briefly skim symptoms and then caution to call a physician for more information.My son was diagnosed on the phone by our pediatrician with chicken pox and it was made clear that they did not want to see him for a physical exam. I was given a tiny bit of information by the office staff but was still curious for more information. I spent over an hour surfing the Internet looking for information but found watered down information, repeated many times over on multiple websites, including some written by physicians intended for laypeople to use. I looked at my parenting books written by doctors (one titled "The Portable Pediatrician") and was still lacking any substantial information.
But when I consulted the Merck Manual home edition, (which I had forgotten I bought recently and had not yet used), I was surprised at the level of information given. There are many details that I had not found elsewhere, such as number of days from exposure to outbreak, how long it takes the pox to change from first appearance to crusted over, about how long the infection lasts, and treatment suggestions. Reasons why some children have a mild outbreak vs. a severe outbreak were even provided, something I had not found anywhere else.
The information here is not dumbed down in that it is not so vague that it is not useful. There is a lot of information here but it is written in a style for the layperson to understand. I appreciated the writing style, which presents information to the non-physician without putting on airs.
Anyone who, like me, prefers to gather information and learn about things rather than making a call or office visit to their doctor to get just one opinion will appreciate owning this book. At about 1500 pages it covers many illnesses and ailments. If you are interested in this book I suggest you buy it so that you have it at your fingertips 24 hours a day, for whatever may arise. I am not suggesting this take the place of a doctor, but I know from working with physicians that there are certain calls that are non-emergent in nature that are not appreciated when the office is closed!
Note: I write this review in 6/2002 and don't know why the review never appeared here. I am resubmitting it over three years later. I have been using this book regularly since I wrote this review for many ailments and it has never disappointed me. I am still very happy with it.
In referance to the previous reviewer's statment, please don't every buy Gray's Anatomy. Few medical schools in the last half century have used it. Try Netter's Guide to Anatomy if you'd really like a good Anatomy book -that is the gold standard.This review is for the paperback 2nd Home Edition pusblished May 2004.
If you, family members, or friends have some kind of physicial discomfort or illness, chances are this book has an explantion and a solution for it! Written for people that have no particular medical understanding whatsoever. The explanations are extremely detailed, and some section have illustrations and diagrams for performing emergency procedures. Over 1,767 pages of valuable information for an incredible price of $7.99, wow! If Gray's Anatomy is considered as de facto for people in biology/medical fields, then this book is the bible for how to correctly apply those knowledges to save life.I'm an RN student and ordered this book along with the "real" Merck Manual. While I would highly recommend this for people without much clinical background, I would strongly recommend that an RN student save their money. I've opened this book once since I bought it and I'll be giving it away to a family member. Not that the information contained in it isn't great, but I can get much more information out of my Merck Manual so I don't even waste time picking this book up. If you're a student or professional in a clinical setting looking for a book to quickly reference pathophys in, then skip this book altogether and just get the Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. However, if this book is intended for someone not in the medical profession, then by all means, this is the book to have....and it turned out to be very useful in every day life!
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