The Merck Manual of Medical Information: 2nd Home Edition (Merck Manual of Medical Information Home Edition) [Paperback]

Mark H. Beers (Author)

Book Description

Series: Merck Manual of Medical Information Home Edition | Publication Date: May 4, 2004

For more than 100 years doctors have been coming to us for advice. Now you can, too.

The Merck Manual has traditionally provided exclusive, up-to-the-minute information to doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Now, with this special Home Edition, the general public can access virtually the same critical data contained in the physician's version -- but in everyday language and a reader-friendly format.

With contributions from nearly 200 internationally respected medical experts, this fully revised edition offers vital, easy-to-understand information about almost every known medical issue, including:

• AIDS • cancer • eating, digestive, and nutrition disorders • heart disease • mental illness • pediatric care -- including a new chapter on early-childhood development • sexual dysfunction • terminal illness • viruses and infections

...and much more. Featuring original illustrations and diagrams, an A-Z listing of brand-name and generic drugs, and an appendix of medical resources, The Merck Manual -- Home Edition is published as a not-for-profit service by Merck, a world leader in breakthrough medical discoveries with a long commitment to making the world a healthier place.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Jane E. Brody The New York Times The most useful [medical guide] of all...consumer friendly...clever cross-referencing...includes topics missing from many competitors.

About the Author

Mark H. Beers, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of The Merck Manuals, is Executive Director of Geriatrics and Medical Literature at Merck & Co., Inc., and Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, MCP -- Drexel University. Dr. Beers assembled a group of nearly 200 eminent experts as Editorial Board members, consultants, and authors for this book.

This outstanding group has dedicated years to the development of The Merck Manual Of Medical Information -- Second Home Edition, ensuring that the information contained within it is complete and easy to use and understand, while meeting the same standards of excellence that healthcare professionals have trusted in The Merck Manual for more than a century.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1952 pages
• Publisher: Gallery Books; Original edition (May 4, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743477332
• ISBN-13: 978-0743477338
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #90,614 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Reference

More About the Author

Mark H. Beers, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of The Merck Manuals, is Executive Director of Geriatrics and Medical Literature at Merck & Co., Inc., and Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, MCP -- Drexel University. Dr. Beers assembled a group of nearly 200 eminent experts as Editorial Board members, consultants, and authors for this book.This outstanding group has dedicated years to the development of The Merck Manual Of Medical Information -- Second Home Edition, ensuring that the information contained within it is complete and easy to use and understand, while meeting the same standards of excellence that health care professionals have trusted in The Merck Manual for more than a century.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT home reference!, September 12, 2005

By 

christinemm - The Thinking Mother (Houston Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Merck Manual of Medical Information: 2nd Home Edition (Merck Manual of Medical Information Home Edition) (Paperback)

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.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great resource...in normal English, no less., June 29, 2005

By 

Alexander J. Lee "El Doctor" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Merck Manual of Medical Information: 2nd Home Edition (Merck Manual of Medical Information Home Edition) (Paperback)

I am a physician working in the Northwest, and I own this book. I purchased it when I was in medical school and used it as a primer to get a plain English explaination of most common diseases. It is up to date, and far more accurate and unbiased compared to information you might find through google. I have no idea why it costs only $14, as medical textbooks of it's size usually cost five times as much.

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.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! The most complete and easy to understand collection, June 16, 2005

By 

Aramaki (GA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Merck Manual of Medical Information: Second Home Edition (Merck Manual of Medical Information, Home Ed.) (Mass Market Paperback)

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.