Clinical Dermatology (British Journal of Hospital Medicine)

by Hunter (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  2000

  $3.25

  During the 5 years of their undergraduate course medical students rarely spend longer than a few weeks studying dermatology. What can be achieved? Perhaps the most that can be hoped for is a kindling of interest in the speciality, a realization of its scope and the ability to recognize and manage the commonest of diseases. No doubt this can best be attained by charismatic teachers, but a well written textbook in which the enthusiasm of the authors for their subject is conveyed, also plays an important part. There are already a number of books available to undergraduates and a new one will only be welcome if it presents a new, fresh approach. Authors writing today have the advantage of modern publishing techniques to present their work clearly and attractively. Certainly Clinical Dermatology uses these to the full. It has what every tabloid seeks: colour on every page. The illustrations are lavish with plenty of colour photographs, together with two-tone tables and line diagrams printed in a rather lichenoid hue. This works well for the diagrams but detracts from the tables which would have been clearer in black and white. Most of the photographs are small in order to fit into the half column format but the quality of printing is such that clarity is not lost, and even the reviewer was able to make the diagnosis from some of them. Although dermatology is a very visual subject, presentation is not the only important aspect. There can be a temptation to allow pictures to carry an inadequate text; a bad practise since clarity of description indicates understanding. This book does not fall into such a trap. The writing is admirably succinct, avoiding verbosity and hyperbole and containing descriptions of disease which are models of clarity and brevity, although the relaxed style occasionally lapses into slang. The 24 chapters in the book are classified in standard fashion. Each chapter contains a number of tables and highlighted learning points giving short aphorisms or brief pieces of advice.

• Used

  Paperback
  1994

  $4.33

  This book acknowledges that clinical dermatology is a visual speciality. The route to diagnostic understanding is a combination of access to photographic material combined with a simple scheme for recognising primary skin lesions. Many diagrams and colour plates have been used to clarify educational points (100 line drawings) and clinical descriptions (200 colour plates). The book contains chapters which cover all the common skin diseases in the context of their underlying pathological processes and the way in which disturbances of the function of the sking produce recognisable physical signs. These are punctuated by short, sometimes witty, learning points. It also includes chapters which set skin disease in perspective (including skin and psyche), describe the structure and function of the skin an review immunology of the skin. At the end of the book there is an important chapter on drug interactions and a comprehensive section of dermatological therapy followed by a formulary. The formulary includes preparations used in both the UK and USA. Drugs are referred to by both approved and trade names.