About the Book

Pages: Committed to Providing Medical Information | Preface | Editorial Board | Editors | Editorial and Production Staff | Consultants | Contributors | Reviewers and Acknowledgments | Special Note to Readers | A Guide for Readers | Understanding Medical Terms

Preface

In this, the "information age," an interested reader can easily locate information on everything from movies to medical care. When it comes to health and disease, however, the quality of information is vital. A reader should ask: Is the information I have found correct, reliable, and up-to-date? Is it complete, or has it left out something vital? Does the information reflect proven science or only the opinion of the writer? Is the writer an expert in the area? Does the writer have good credentials? These questions are not trivial. If information about health care is wrong, the reader who relies on it risks grave harm.

The Merck Manual of Medical Information--Second Home Edition aims to meet the growing demand of the general public for highly detailed, complete, authoritative medical information. The book covers many difficult medical concepts, but it does so in everyday language.

The Second Home Edition is more than a revision of The Home Edition published in 1997. It has been completely rewritten. The authors and editors of The Second Home Edition have updated every topic, added many new ones, improved explanations, added more illustrations, and expanded captions to provide more information.

The Home Edition was not the first home medical book. Many fine books have been published during the last two decades to meet the needs of the public for more medical information. However, The Second Home Edition covers more topics in greater detail than all other home medical books. The book explains what a disorder is, who is likely to get it, what its symptoms are, how it is diagnosed, how it might be prevented, and how it can be treated. Information about prognosis, including what can and cannot be done, is given when possible. Background information that helps readers understand disorders is provided. This information includes anatomy, function, diagnostic tests, and medical procedures, to name a few. Medical terms are defined, so that people can better understand their doctors (see Understanding Medical Terms).

The Second Home Edition is based on the world's most widely used textbook of medicine, The Merck Manual. Millions of health care professionals worldwide rely on The Merck Manual. Published for more than 103 years, it is now in its 17th edition. The Second Home Edition covers almost all the topics included in the 17th edition of The Merck Manual. Like all of The Merck Manuals, The Second Home Edition is published on a not-for-profit basis by Merck Research Laboratories, a division of Merck & Co, Inc.

The strength of The Second Home Edition lies in the knowledge, experience, and judgment of its nearly 300 outstanding authors, consultants, and editorial board members. They deserve a degree of thanks that cannot be adequately expressed here.

Readers are urged to spend a few minutes reviewing A Guide for Readers. The index, which is comprehensive, is usually the best way to locate specific information.

No book can replace the expertise and advice of health care professionals who have direct contact with a patient. The Second Home Edition is meant to supplement that relationship, not replace it. This book is not meant for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Rather it is a source of accurate, reliable information that should stimulate better communication between patients and their doctors, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, and other health care professionals. We hope that you use this book in good health and welcome your comments and suggestions.