Harpercollins Illustrated Medical Dictionary (Paperback)

~ (Author), Biagio John Melloni (Author), Gilbert M. Eisner (Author)

Editorial Reviews

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Previous editions of this dictionary were published as Melloni's Illustrated Medical Dictionary. This edition retains the format of earlier editions, but definitions have been deleted or modified and new terms added.

Definitions are supplemented by 2,500 sepia-and-black illustrations, which run across the top of each page. Illustrated terms are printed in color in the text to refer the user to the illustration. Color is also used at the bottom of each page to indicate the first and last entry on the page.

A list of abbreviations and symbols; a list of prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms; and a phonetic pronunciation guide, printed on tinted paper, precede the main body of the dictionary.

The audience for this book is identified as the general public, and the cover states that the dictionary is "the complete home medical dictionary." Definitions are described as "brief, accurate and to the point explanations of current medical terms." The detailed, scientifically labeled illustrations are intended to preclude the need for lengthy definitions, most of which run only one or two sentences and use fairly technical vocabulary.

The definition-illustration combination works in some cases, but not all. For example, definitions and the corresponding illustrations for medical devices and instruments provide a clear understanding of the terms. For other terms, dependence on the illustration to clarify the definition is less successful. The definition of amino acid appears as a subentry under acid. It is defined as "any organic acid containing one or more amino groups and a carboxyl group; forms the essential component of proteins." The corresponding illustration is a double-page-spread chart of the chemical composition of the major amino acids. No additional information is given, nor are there see references to main entries for individual amino acids. The lay audience will find the definition in Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary (F. A. Davis, 1992) much more informative as it gives not only a definition but also a full explanation of the function of amino acids. The dictionary has inadequate information on prenatal development. There is, under embryo, a definition accompanied by illustrations of the human embryo at three unidentified stages of development. In contrast, Mosby's provides an illustrated chart showing development of the human embryo from conception to 38 weeks.

These comparisons are not intended to devalue the work under review. It is a fine dictionary with outstanding medical drawings, but it is not a home medical-reference tool. It is appropriate for health-sciences libraries and students, but the general public and public library reference desks will find dictionaries that provide more detailed definitions more appropriate to their needs.

Product Description

America's most prominent medical reference for the nonprofessional contains more than 26,000 incisive and understandable definitions, 2,500 two-color illustrations, and 600 pages of up-to-date and thoroughly detailed information.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: HarperResource; 1st edition (April 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062731424
• ISBN-13: 978-0062731425
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #272,242 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best reference out there, September 24, 2007

By	L. King - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've worked in health care for over 20 years at several facilities. This book was recommended at a conference over 10 years ago. I still have that copy and use it nearly everyday. It is much better than the online Dorlands and even Taber's. The Merck Manual has more information but this is precise with exceptional pictures.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great reference!, October 26, 2009

By	Julie "jness" (Texas) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The HarperCollins Illustrated Medical Dictionary (Paperback)

I love this dictionary! It includes pictures and easy to understand definitions. I highly recommend this dictionary to all types, medical or not!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great resource, April 16, 2009

By	I. Passiglia (NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The HarperCollins Illustrated Medical Dictionary (Paperback)

This is a great resource to keep handy. The illustrations are very nice as well.