Review by Kathy Lyon (Click on stars for an explanation)

This book is Out of Print.

This is a review of the 2000 printing, but the book is still an important volume to consider if you do not yet have a copy.

This seventh edition is a great departure from the first edition (published in 1969) in the scope of medicine reflected today. Seventeen highly qualified contributors give this volume an authority that puts it in the "must-have" category.

I would suggest sitting down and doing a run-through of this book and its contents to familiarize yourself with how the information is structured. The progression of information is geared toward the rapid assessment of the patient and the resultant treatment, rather than the textbook arrangement of medical facts. There is an Emergency Index located on the inside front cover, making it easy to find some information and to assist in the rapid assessment of the presenting emergency.

However, some topics may be hard to locate, and I would suggest placing tabs to mark areas of frequent usage to speed up referencing. A complete table of contents (TOC) in the front of the book, instead of just chapter headings, would have been useful. (Each chapter begins with a more detailed TOC.) Markings on the edges of the pages indicate the various chapters, but I have never liked that method of marking sections.

The information is detailed and directions are easy to follow. There are many tables, charts, and illustrations to demonstrate important points and techniques. Side issues to the emergencies also seem to be well covered; those would include such things as hematology, basic/clinical nutrition, animal shipping regulations, breed predilection for diseases, and more.

This is one of those books that will be out on the counter in the treatment area for ready reference.

The publisher's description:

"The updated and expanded edition of this popular handbook offers a wealth of proven-successful methods for recognizing and treating emergency problems, as well as core information for everyday practice. Written by experts to reflect the latest research, this 7^th Edition includes extensive updates on emergency care and critical care. Coverage includes clinical problems, managing emergencies, interpreting clinical pathologic data, arriving at a diagnosis, and much more!"

Table of Contents

• Emergency Care
• Patient Evaluation and Organ System Examination
• Clinical Signs
• Clinical Procedures
• Interpretation of Laboratory Tests
• Charts and Tables
• Index

Saunders, a division of Elsevier (2000). Softcover, 1022 pages. Small format (5.25 x 8.5"). ISBN: 0-7216-7166-7.