Reference Reviews

Reference for Students

Magill's Medical Guide, 4^th rev. ed. Pasadena, Calif.: Salem Press, 2008. 5 vols. 3104 p. $395.00. ISBN 978-1-58765-284-1.

This 4^th edition of Magill's "Medical Guide" is designed to "bridge the gap between medical encyclopedias for professionals and popular self-help guides." Covering diseases, disorders, treatments, procedures, specialties, anatomy, biology and issues; recent developments are discussed. More than 1,000 essays ranging in length from 500 to 3,500 words are illustrated with more than 400 photographs and illustrations such as "The Major Bones of the Human Skeleton." Each of the signed entries (with authors of the past article acknowledged by the author of the new article when the article is revised) include the disease or disorder (e.g., cells), the area of study (e.g., anatomy, biology), the anatomy or system affected, specialties and related fields, a definition and key terms. The structure and function is described, disorders and diseases are discussed, and perspectives and prospects are given. Each has "see also" references, and a bibliography for further information. Inset boxes provide additional information. For each disease one finds the causes, symptoms, duration and treatment. While most entries are for physical disorders, some cover psychic-emotional and learning disorders and basic conditions such as aging and childbirth, often the subject of medical attention, are included. The extensive appendixes include a 61-page glossary, 4-page list of warning signs, a 26-page "Description of Diseases and Other Medical Conditions," a 10-page Pharmaceutical List, 4-pages of "Types of Health Care Providers," 8 pages of names of medical journals, a 24-page general bibliography, 11 pages of Resources which are names of organizations and information including Web sites and a 17-page annotated list of Web sites. The "Medical Guide" has two lists of topics covered: Anatomy or System Affected and Specialties and Related Fields to help the user locate information. If your health teachers don't steal this, they will be pleased you have it on your reference shelf.