This dictionary tries to provide users with the basic vocabulary used in British and American medical practice. It contains the definitions of 12,000 major terms, with most entries providing an example of how the word is used in practice. The subject matter includes terms used in surgery, general practice, hospitals, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, and other specializations. Language level ranges from the informal to somewhat technical.The arrangement of the entries for this dictionary are displayed with main headings arranged alphabetically. Headings may have subheadings, and these are delineated with diamonds to indicate their relationship with the main heading. Prefixes are used as a hyphenated main heading, with each variant formed from different roots and suffixes located directly underneath and distinguished using a diamond mark. For example, under alcohol there are six terms ranging from Alcohol-fast, alcoholic, Alcoholics Anonymous and alcoholuria. There are cross-referencing of terms.Entries contain examples of usage and also grammatical differences that may be associated with a specific term. The examples given for usage are taken from medical literature, usually journal entries, so that users can see how the term is used in practice. Comments may be given for a particular term, usually a short encyclopedic entry. A comment may attempt to differentiate the term from another. For example, under psittacosis, the comment states that the "disease is similar to typhoid fever but that atypical pneumonia is present." There are several supplements at the back of this reference work: Anatomical terms, vitamins, calorie requirements, calorie content of foods, incubation period and duration of isolation for a hospital stay, and a list of eponymous terms.The preface states that this dictionary gives both the American and the British usage and form, however, words, like the prefix haem- appear, but not the American equivalent hem-, except as a byline underneath the term haem-. The supplements that appear at the back of the text are too limited in scope to be useful for many questions, except for the anatomical section.On the other hand, this volume also contains many references to eponymous syndromes and diseases so it is a good source for such queries. It is also very easy to use and comprehend. It seems most suited for questions from patients, nurses, and students because the level of language is not highly technical. The comments give additional, highly useful information. It is recommended for small hospital and patient care libraries or personal collections.Reviewer: Shelley Gunter, Medical Librarian, Audio-Digest Foundation,
sgunter@audio-digest.orgCopyright 2000 YBP Library Services
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