Reference Reviews

Reference for Students

The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 3rd ed. Edited by Jacqueline L. Longe. Detroit, Mich.: Thomson Gale, 2006. 5 vols. 4475 p. $629.00. ISBN 1-4144-0368-2.

A ready reference for information on medical disorders and conditions, tests and procedures and treatments and therapies, this will appeal to health teachers and to students and their parents who need to have access to information written in lay language. The more than 1,750 signed articles include common and generic drugs. Some articles cover holistic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, meditation and aromatherapy. Each volume begins with the complete list of all entries. The organization of articles on disorders and conditions include the definition, description, causes and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, alternative treatment, prognosis, prevention and resources. For those covering tests and treatments, the definition and purpose are given and the description, preparation, aftercare, risks, normal and abnormal results and resources. Sections within articles include alternative treatment for any complementary therapies. Inset boxes highlight the key terms found in the articles. Sidebar biographies are shown for important individuals connected to the topic. Color photographs, illustrations and diagrams are found in some articles. Appendixes include a 21-page listing of national organizations with addresses, telephone numbers and websites when available with a 414-page index to all entries. This may be one of those purchases you could share with the public library or recommend its purchase for the district’s curriculum library. The information will be a very helpful reference for the school community.