The Cornell Illustrated Medical Encyclopedia: THe Definitive Medical Home Reference Guide (Weill Cornell Health Series) (Hardcover)

by Antonio Gotto (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Drawing on contributors who are all physicians, editor Gotto (dean, Weill Medical Coll., Cornell Univ.) presents a comprehensive encyclopedia of diseases, anatomical systems, drugs, procedures, and other health topics. Each of the 3600 entries starts with a one-sentence definition highlighted in blue, followed by a longer explanation. Although more concise and clearer to the nonclinical reader than those in a text such as Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, these definitions often seem unnecessarily obtuse for a title marketed to consumers. The text is written at about a 12th-grade reading level, again a bit high for this type of work. The plentiful illustrations are generally good but far too small to be of much use. An emergency and first-aid section at the back, identified by red page edges, is accurate but far too wordy for use during an actual emergency. In addition, it might have been more useful at the front of the book. Despite its shortcomings, this title definitely fills a niche. The encyclopedia format makes finding specific terms easier than in titles such as The Merck Manual of Medical Information Home Edition, The Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, or The Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide, which are organized by body system; however, the encyclopedia format doesn't explain the greater context in which disease occurs. There are more than twice as many listings in this encyclopedia than in The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, but they are much briefer. Thus, this title complements but does not replace these popular consumer health references. Eric Weaver, Redwood Health Lib., Petaluma, CA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
General health guides abound. They may take different approaches to their subject, but the one thing they all have in common is size. Most are well over 1,000 pages and weigh as much as 10 pounds!

This newest entry in the well-populated field of home health guides checks in at 1,312 pages. It covers 40 areas of medicine and 3,600 health issues and has 1,200 color illustrations. The alphabetical entries run from a paragraph to several pages in length. Entry headings appear in bold blue type followed by a brief (usually a sentence) definition. Below this the expanded explanation appears. Color-coded boxes cover such things as medical alerts, symptoms, and medical precautions. Resource boxes direct readers to relevant books, Web sites, and organizations; unfortunately, the print in these boxes is very small, giving the appearance of one reference when in fact there are usually several. Illustrations too are small and appear in the margins of the pages, precluding any detail. Entries are cross-referenced to articles that give anatomical or background information as well as related articles. Terms in the index are color coded for easy access to main entries.

The encyclopedia covers terms related to physical and mental health. Some rare disorders and specialized areas of medicine (Aviation medicine) are included, as are organizations (AMA) and alternative medical therapies. Emergency medical procedures and first aid are covered in an extensive appendix.

If the article on Parkinson's disease is an example, some entries may raise questions and concerns. The article erroneously states that hand tremor is the first sign of the disease and in discussing possible causes makes an overly generalized statement about use of recreational drugs such as ecstasy and marijuana.

Both the Mayo Clinic Family Health Book (2d ed., Morrow, 1996) and the Johns Hopkins Family Health Book (HarperCollins, 1999) offer more in-depth coverage of medical topics. In addition they contain sections on medication and elder care as well as full-page medical illustrations. Either of these titles would better fill the need for a comprehensive consumer-health resource. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1280 pages
• Publisher: LifeLine Press; 1 edition (January 25, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0895261863
• ISBN-13: 978-0895261861
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.6 x 2.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #41,522 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best info in the WORLD being from CORNELL be Rest Assured!, March 21, 2002

By	Barbara T. (NYC, NY in the PROUD USA!!) - See all my reviews

This Encylopedia is understandable, informative, beautifully written, focused layout making it easy to find your topic of interest, contains rare diseases not easily found for the laymen to purchase in local store i.e. papillademi, and well priced for all the medical research contained. ... An essential book for your family, friends, social, and business associates. The perfect gift for the person you love and want to see stay healthy or become healthier. Instead of unhealthy cookies and cakes to bring your Host and then consumed in minutes, I recommend this "healthy gift of Life", an everlasting colorful book (not costing much more than the baked cookies) and this will really show you CARE about your loved ones more than about your own talents in the kitchen. Think about it.

This Book is written by Cornell-NY Presbyterian Hospital physicians, #1 hospital in the country with the most TOP DOCTORS named by a landslide that any other top hospital. This new report was just published and for the second time this hospital has won this honor and recognized worldwide for it. Forget about larks out there commercializing with their books and TV lectures as they all have many products to "push". What you read in this book is based on world famous Medical PROFESSORS engaged in heavy research and patients. They keep abreast of the newest technology and studies working in the worlds #1 most prestigous hospital/medical university and are medical PROFESSORS in addition to being doctors. They are right there in the hospital in round table meetings with other physicians and in OR and in the classroom...all the time. A big difference from other authors!

Regarding the Library Journal Editorial Review above:

1. First you mention it is a comprehensive encyclopedia and then you state that they covered the subjects more briefly than other books. The fact is that it covers the widest range of topics. Should a reader be interested in that topic, he/she can then read other books devoted just to that particular heading. The whole purpose of this encyclopedia I believe is to introduce the widest range of health topics, to define and describe, illustrate so that the reader is informed and then again can go out and buy a comprehensive book by Cornell doctors regarding Heart Disease specifically if that the case. ..or the reader can call upon the doctors in this book practicing at Cornell Medical Center, part of NY Presbyterian Hospital for medical care and further reading recommendations. How wonderful to have all these topics in one book to educate.

2. Unnecessarily obtuse? I feel the book is very sharp and clean with a one sentence definition in blue. One sentence or the "bottom line" is all that readers have time for when researching unless of course they then decide to buy a book about one subject.

3. You said book written as 12th grade reading level that is high for this type of work. Have not a clue as to what you mean and I feel 12th grade reading level and people with no reading level entitled to books on HEALTH. This book is for everyone whether health care people or nonclinical people and it accomplished that well.

4. First Aid should be in the front? Then it would look like a regular first aid book which it is not. Wait for emergency and then read a book to see what to do? Is that what you would do? I read the first-aid portion already so when I have emergency I will already know what to do because I read it. And because I read it I will also know that first aid listing is in back of book which is just fine. It is a reference and people should read this book so they are prepared when emergency arises and to not wait until you are bitten by a horse to then look for the first aid page to see what to do then. Good that it is "wordy" as you put it to help people understand what to do in emergency procedures as an "overview" BEFORE the emergency occurs and of course during an emergency they can refer to it again just to be sure they treated the injury correctly.

5. I found the photographs to be just right in size and color and for those I wanted to see more vividly, I used a magnify glass so it was perfect and this way more space for everything these doctors/medical professors included. People should always have magnifying glasses in bathroom and kitchen to read expiration dates and first aid clearly. So having magnifying glass around should be no problem for anyone at home or business as business cards often tiny print when reading emails. Just something we all have to live with.

I feel this encyclopedia is EXCELLENT, could not have been better! Besides its shortcomings as you stated, there are NONE.
Respectfully, Barbara T.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars must have, March 10, 2004

By	Reno tiger "Reno tiger" (santa ana, ca United States) - See all my reviews

I beleive we all should have this book on the shelf, I use this book as a reference before I go to see my doctor. BUT JUST BUY THE NEW ONE UNDER USED BOOK SECTION, MUST HAVE.