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

by Mark H. Beers (Author) "The human body is a complex, highly organized structure made up of unique cells that work together to accomplish the specific functions necessary for sustaining..." (more)
Key Phrases: internal joint derangement, urgent dental problems, postgastrectomy gastritis, United States, Treatment Treatment, Symptoms Symptoms (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Sherwin Noland, M.D. Clinical Professor of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine; author of "How We Die, Doctors, and The Wisdom of the Body"Merck has accomplished what I had thought was impossible -- to produce a clear, readable explanation of the normal and diseased functions of the human body....This is a remarkable contribution....Doctors should encourage their patients to own it. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

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

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Product Details

• Paperback: 1952 pages
• Publisher: Pocket; 2 edition (May 4, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743477332
• ISBN-13: 978-0743477338
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,597 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	christinemm - The Thinking Mother (Connecticut, United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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.

8 of 8 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)

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.

8 of 8 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

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.