Medical Symptoms, A Visual Guide

April 1, 2018

This detailed anatomy guide, compiled by British general practitioners, ties common symptoms to potential issues such as gallstones and heart attacks. Parts 1 and 2 include color-coded entries signifying medical urgency ("seek medical advice if condition persists," "seek urgent medical attention," etc.) and numerous cross-references. Part 1 addresses general symptoms such as fainting, dizziness, and rashes, while Part 2 discusses symptoms by body part (e.g., head, nose, abdomen, knee). Part 3 consists of discussions of specific disorders (anemia, pleurisy, boil, pneumothorax, gout) organized by body system (e.g., musculoskeletal disorders, nervous system, cardiovascular system) or major issues such as infections and poisoning. Color diagrams appear throughout. Medical jargon is limited, and a glossary offers simple yet thorough definitions of potentially unfamiliar terms (palsy and hysteroscopy). The helpful index identifies main entries but also passing mentions elsewhere in the book. VERDICT A cross between a simplified anatomy atlas and basic medical glossary, this brief, rudimentary, and affordable title will appeal to public library patrons as well as middle and high school students. Not a replacement for more advanced works such as the Merck Manual, Handbook of Signs & Symptoms and Stedman's Medical Dictionary, 5th ed.--Laurie Selwyn, formerly with Grayson Cty. Law Lib., Sherman, TX

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2018
Symptoms may indicate many conditions. Some are serious, others are minor. Medical Symptoms will help those with questions about what symptoms may mean as they seek medical care. The book has three sections, all containing color charts that illustrate the affected body areas. The first section covers general symptoms such as fever, dizziness, and general pain. Each chart shows which body part may be the source of the symptom, what it may indicate, possible causes, and when to seek medical care. Part two covers specific body areas: head, ear, shoulder, etc. Within each area, coverage gets more specific: head, front; head, side, etc., with diagrams showing major organs, nerves, and muscles. These are labeled generically (e.g., collarbone rather than clavicle), but the diseases and conditions are given medical names with explanations. Readers receive references to part three, Directory of Conditions, for basic information about conditions and treatment options. Patrons will need other sources such as MedlinePlus for more complete coverage, but this is a useful introduction for public and consumer-health libraries.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)