Showing posts with label disease. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disease. Show all posts

9/10/2012

Scurvy: How a Surgeon, a Mariner, and a Gentlemen Solved the Greatest Medical Mystery of the Age of Sail Review

Scurvy: How a Surgeon, a Mariner, and a Gentlemen Solved the Greatest Medical Mystery of the Age of Sail
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This is a well-written, entertaining book. I read it mostly due to my interest in sea-faring and the "age of sail," as the author terms it. However, I found myself enjoying it just as much for the story it tells about the gradual discovery of a cure for a disease that crippled sea-faring nations for centuries. Particularly enlightening is the story of the bureacracy, the British Admiralty, that stubbornly ignored the potential cure, even as it suffered tremendous losses for its ignorance, and how vital privilege and influence is in challenging and changing such an establishment. The book's only minor flaw is that it focuses primarily on one country, Britain, without elaborating on how or why France or Spain failed to find a cause and a cure. I would recommend it highly.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Scurvy: How a Surgeon, a Mariner, and a Gentlemen Solved the Greatest Medical Mystery of the Age of Sail



Buy Now

Click here for more information about Scurvy: How a Surgeon, a Mariner, and a Gentlemen Solved the Greatest Medical Mystery of the Age of Sail

Read More...

5/03/2012

The Cure: How a Father Raised $100 Million--And Bucked the Medical Establishment--In a Quest to Save His Children Review

The Cure: How a Father Raised $100 Million--And Bucked the Medical Establishment--In a Quest to Save His Children
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This wonderful book has a lot of emotional depth and complexity. John Crowley, the young father, is brash, brilliant, arrogant, and ignorant. He makes personal mistakes and business mistakes, yet you remain drawn to his story by empathy for his desperation as he fears that his small children will suffer a slow painful death. It's an honest and interesting portrait of a real human being, not a one-dimensional hero.
It's not really a business book and you don't need any familiarity with venture capital financing to understand the text, but John Crowley's business provides the book with a fascinating emotional contrast between his frantic urgency as a parent and the dispassionate PowerPoint analyses expected by his investors. They share a common goal, but the mindset is completely different.
It's not really a science book, but the drug development process adds to the story's drama. There's no Eureka! moment when all the problems are solved. Patients are desperate for anything they can get as soon as they can get it, but the science is ambiguous, the bizarre biotechnology manufacturing processes are difficult to operate, and then the clinical trial results are uncertain. An experimental compound might kill a young patient, or bring quick improvements that fade over time, or have different impacts on different patients. And even with these uncertain prospects there's strong competition among parents for the extremely limited number of places in trials.
One of the most appealing aspects of the book is the author's light touch. She never puts herself or her opinions into the story. The book ends with an Afterword relating events subsequent to the basic text, but the author doesn't seize pages to tell us what it all means. At the end I found myself wondering, "Well, what does it all mean?" I looked up Pompe disease information on the internet, wondered what people in the Pompe "community" thought about the book, and wanted to know how the science has progressed. The book makes you think and it makes you care.


Click Here to see more reviews about: The Cure: How a Father Raised $100 Million--And Bucked the Medical Establishment--In a Quest to Save His Children



Buy NowGet 60% OFF

Click here for more information about The Cure: How a Father Raised $100 Million--And Bucked the Medical Establishment--In a Quest to Save His Children

Read More...

4/17/2012

Morning's Work: Medical Photographs from the Burns Archive & Collection 1843-1939 Review

Morning's Work: Medical Photographs from the Burns Archive and Collection 1843-1939
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
This is simply a wonderful book. Filled with old photographs depicting human oddities and early medical procedures, it presents a unique glimpse into a time not too long past. The photo from which the title is taken is a work of art unto itself, as are most of the images in this tome. I never tire of paging through this collection, seeming to find something new every time. While some images may be disturbing, the uniqueness of each and every photo makes this book a must have for devotees of human oddities, as well as aficionados of early photography.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Morning's Work: Medical Photographs from the Burns Archive & Collection 1843-1939



Buy Now

Click here for more information about Morning's Work: Medical Photographs from the Burns Archive & Collection 1843-1939

Read More...

2/08/2012

Survival of the Sickest: A Medical Maverick Discovers Why We Need Disease Review

Survival of the Sickest: A Medical Maverick Discovers Why We Need Disease
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
If you're a fan of books like The Tipping Point and Freakonomics, I highly recommend Survival of the Sickest. It's full of the same kinds of fascinating insights that make for great cocktail party conversation. As a parent, I was particularly fascinated by the chapter on how what you eat during pregnancy can influence the way your children (and even their children) metabolize their food. And as a health conscious person, you'll get practical, actionable ideas on how to think about personalizing your diet based on your background.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Survival of the Sickest: A Medical Maverick Discovers Why We Need Disease



Buy Now

Click here for more information about Survival of the Sickest: A Medical Maverick Discovers Why We Need Disease

Read More...

2/03/2012

The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook: Third Home Edition Review

The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook: Third Home Edition
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
What a great value and so easy to read! I bought the mayo clinic guide and was disappointed with how obtuse the medical explanations were.
I'm no doctor! I just want to know what my kids are sick with!
So I returned it and decided to go with the new Merck Manual.
In addition to a great price, it was actually easy to read. I won't make that mistake twice, that's for sure.
I can't recommend this Health Book enough, especially to parents anxious about their kids health.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook: Third Home Edition



Buy NowGet 41% OFF

Click here for more information about The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook: Third Home Edition

Read More...

1/19/2012

Mosby's Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Health Professions (Mosby's Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Professions) Review

Mosby's Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing and Health Professions (Mosby's Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Professions)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I got Mosby's first as it is larger font and easier reading--it is my first "go to" dictionary as it usually has the words, ESPECIALLY when it's 2 words vs. 1. HOWEVER, it doesn't have everything, then I need to turn to Dorlands (or if I need a more full explanation). What I don't like about Dorlands is you look up a word, and it refers you to another word, and/or it doesn't have 2 word phrases like Mosby's. Between the 2 of them however, I've been able to find everything I need, but don't think there is any one dictionary that would do it. I do like the Tabors, but didn't like the small form factor..too thick and hard to keep pages open. If you travel a lot and need to take something with you that would be great, but for home use, a larger book that stays open is better for me. I like Mosby's the best if/when it has the words but don't think any one dictionary has it all....

Click Here to see more reviews about: Mosby's Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Health Professions (Mosby's Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Professions)

So much more than just a dictionary... the completely revised, bestselling, trusted Mosby's Dictionary is the all-in-one reference you need to help you make sense of the complex world of health care. It features superior-quality definitions plus 2,400 full-color illustrations -- nearly three times more than any other dictionary available! But that's only the beginning. Mosby's Dictionary also includes encyclopedic entries to explain more difficult concepts in depth, 12 appendixes with practical quick-reference information, plus the Mosby's Medical Spellchecker CD. It's the ONE reference you'll turn to from beginning to end!
Over 51,000 comprehensive, authoritative, high-quality definitions -- including definitions for major diseases, disorders, drugs, and procedures -- offer the most accurate, complete information available in all areas of nursing, medicine, and health-related professions.
Approximately 2,400 color photographs and line drawings -- nearly three times more than any other health care dictionary -- illustrate all subject areas to help you understand concepts.
The practical, straightforward alphabetical organization with no subentries and easy-to-use features such as thumb tabs, entry words in color, and large, easy-to-read print make it easy to find and understand information.
Expanded definitions for selected entries, particularly major diseases, disorders, and procedures, offer detailed information in one spot to help you understand more difficult concepts.
Hundreds of lab test and surgical procedure definitions explain the purpose, procedures, patient care, and expected outcomes.
Comprehensive definitions for drugs -- with over 200 new to this edition -- include indications, contraindications, and adverse effects for safe medication practice.
Definitions for more than 50 complementary and alternative medical therapies and over 100 herbs familiarize you with options today's patients may choose.
Pronunciations and word roots for key entries help you use terminology correctly in everyday practice.
Includes British spellings for selected entries to help you recognize alternate spellings.
A Color Atlas of Human Anatomy contains 43 pages of clearly labeled drawings for easy A&P review and reference.
12 appendixes offer useful information you'll turn to again and again -- with a quick-reference list of all appendixes in the front of the book.
A companion EVOLVE website deepens understanding with:
Over 35,000 audio pronunciations
A printable version of the Color Atlas of Human Anatomy
11 pages discussing complementary and alternative medicine
A printable English-Spanish phrase book
12 pages of herb-drug interactions
400 interactive medical terminology review exercises
An extensive directory of health care organizations and resources
And much more!


Approximately 5,000 new definitions, with special emphasis on definitions related to new drugs, anatomy and physiology, surgical procedures, lab tests, and new technological developments, keep you up to date on the latest developments in health care.
Over 30,000 completely revised definitions and 800 updated illustrations ensure you have the most current information in all areas of nursing, medicine, and the health-related professions.
UNIQUE! Mosby's Medical Spellchecker CD -- included with each copy of Mosby's Dictionary -- contains over 450,000 medical terms you can use with your word processing software to save time and ensure accuracy.
A completely revised section on nursing diagnoses with entries for all NANDA-approved nursing diagnoses, Nursing Interventions Classifications, and Nursing Outcomes Classifications helps prepare you for real-world practice.


Buy NowGet 28% OFF

Click here for more information about Mosby's Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Health Professions (Mosby's Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Professions)

Read More...

12/22/2011

The Secret of the Yellow Death: A True Story of Medical Sleuthing Review

The Secret of the Yellow Death: A True Story of Medical Sleuthing
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Just over one hundred years ago, a disease called yellow fever periodically ravaged cities in both the United States and Cuba. But despite the best efforts of doctors and scientists, no one had discovered the source of the devastating illness, or the cure. Determined to put a stop to the outbreaks and save future generations from harm, a team of army doctors set out for Cuba to face the disease head on.
Working with a Cuba physician, this team conducted experiments on human subjects, so devoted to their cause they included themselves in some. Even when the results suggested their best guesses were wrong, they pushed forward. One doctor eventually gave his life to the fever, but not before he'd started the rest of the team down the right path, to finally determine the cause of the illness and eliminate it.
THE SECRET OF THE YELLOW DEATH tells the story of those doctors in a straight-forward narrative style that will appeal even to readers who are not generally fond of non-fiction. The urgent need to understand the disease, and the risks the team and their volunteers take to gain that understanding, make the book at times as suspenseful as any work of fiction. Jurmain also clearly explains the scientific facts, and includes many photographs and illustrations to bring this time in history to life.
Recommended to anyone interested in science and medical mysteries.
Reviewed by: Lynn Crow

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Secret of the Yellow Death: A True Story of Medical Sleuthing



Buy NowGet 22% OFF

Click here for more information about The Secret of the Yellow Death: A True Story of Medical Sleuthing

Read More...

11/01/2011

Mosby's Medical Dictionary Review

Mosby's Medical Dictionary
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
They should really raise the star point system here, because anything by Mosby is worth the buy. I have the Mosby's Medical Dictionary for Nursing and Allied Health Professionals, and when I saw this book in the store, I was trying to figure out the difference, because of the color. This one offers just as many details as my previous book. This is important, because it is an easy read, and it is necessary for each household to have, for children to study off of, to the housewife that just wants to be informed. Mosby has been following me through nursing school, and anything they sell as a study aide will have a place in my home.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Mosby's Medical Dictionary



Buy NowGet 50% OFF

Click here for more information about Mosby's Medical Dictionary

Read More...

10/13/2011

The Woman with a Worm in Her Head: And Other True Stories of Infectious Disease Review

The Woman with a Worm in Her Head: And Other True Stories of Infectious Disease
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
OK, first my prejudice--I am a resident physician working in the hospital where Dr. Nagami spends most of her professional time in recent years. She volunteers her time to teach me and my colleagues about infectious disease as well as her other specialties, internal medicine and geriatrics. She is brilliant in every way a resident would like an attending to be--knowledgable, insightful, out-going, pleasant, extraordinarily respectful of everyone around her, funny and overflowing with stories of her invaluable experiences.
That said I love her book. It helps that I recognize many of the characters. It helps, too, that I can hear her voice as I read it (partly because she has read excerpts to us on rounds). It is, nonetheless, an inspiring, touching, and, yes, educational work. Oh, and even though physicians who read it will find it educational that does not mean that it is in any way outside comprehension of other readers. I was tempted to skim past some of the short, plain language explanations aimed at the lay reader, but found even those sections to be helpful to the flow of the text. Not condescending, not verbose--just part of the story.
This is a wonderful book I would recommend to anyone. Sure it has particular appeal to those with special interest in health-related issues, it is also a pleasant look at humanism and spirituality.
Thanks, Dr. Nagami.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Woman with a Worm in Her Head: And Other True Stories of Infectious Disease



Buy NowGet 33% OFF

Click here for more information about The Woman with a Worm in Her Head: And Other True Stories of Infectious Disease

Read More...