The art of medicine isn't performed in a vacuum. It's an ever-changing science that reacts to technological innovations, research discoveries, and new disease outbreaks. In recent years, ground-breaking advances in biomedical science and pharmaceutical research have given hope to patients suffering from rare, hard-to-treat disorders; world-wide collaborative projects on genomics, proteomics, and nanotechnologies have provided new insights into many physiological and pathological processes; and new diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) have emerged.

As a result, health care providers constantly face the challenge of acquiring knowledge on newly discovered diseases, updating their understanding of the pathogenesis and mechanisms of illnesses, and choosing the most accurate, efficient treatment among an increased variety of surgical, pharmacological, and molecular therapies. Without the aid of proper reference materials, it's nearly impossible for busy clinicians to accomplish such a difficult task in a timely fashion.

Handbook of Diseases, Third Edition, was specifically designed with all of the above in mind. A quick, easy-to-use reference with excellent clinical applicability and utility, it contains updated and comprehensive information on more than 600 diseases, including new entries on recently identified or redefined diseases such as SARS, complex regional pain syndrome, and West Nile encephalitis. Some diseases that were considered eliminated, such as variola (smallpox) and plague, are now included due to bioterrorism concerns. There's also an entire section of the book devoted to less common diseases.

The book's organization is superb. Each entry starts with an introduction of the disease and a description of its etiology, followed by a list of signs and symptoms as well as useful diagnostic tests and tips. The next section on treatment details current therapeutic and supportive interventions. The special considerations section reviews other important aspects of care, such as patient counseling, outpatient management (including patient-teaching procedures), and postoperative care.

Handbook of Diseases, Third Edition, doesn't stop there. Schematic diagrams offer vivid illustrations of the anatomy, morphology, and pathophysiology of various diseases. Eye-catching icons call your attention to some of the most important information. Age alert and Gender influence highlight age-specific and gender-specific differences in a disease's pathology and treatment; Clinical tip provides quick insights and advice to help streamline care; and Under study details what's new in clinical research, including information on new procedures and treatments that you might find being utilized in your facility sooner rather than later.

In many entries, tables are provided to outline specific disease processes and allow comparison to problems of similar pathology or clinical manifestation. For example, the entry on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is complemented with a table that compares and contrasts its three underlying conditions—emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. It's this degree of comprehensiveness that truly separates this title from its competitors.

Another unique attribute of this book is its incorporation of teaching checklists. Valuable suggestions are offered on how to teach patients to conduct home therapy or physical rehabilitation, and there are also tips on how to teach patients to comply with their drug therapy.

Clearly, Handbook of Diseases, Third Edition, will serve as a useful tool for those working at the forefront of clinical practice. This portable reference contains everything you need to know about diseases. I have no doubt that you'll appreciate its reliability. Keep one in the pocket of your white coat!