The Merck Manual, trusted by physicians in three centuries for its unmatched excellence in delivering reliable information about diseases and treatments, is now available in bookstores in a completely updated 18th edition. Regarded as the most widely used general medical textbook in the world, The Merck Manual is published as a public service by the pharmaceutical company Merck & Co., Inc.

In addition to addressing the major diseases and treatments of the day, The Merck Manual 18th Edition covers psychiatry, gynecology, pediatrics, injuries and poisoning, pharmacology and many other subjects not usually included in general medical texts.

“The purpose of The Merck Manual today is much the same as it was when it was first published in 1899 as a compact, easy-to-use medical reference for physicians and pharmacists,” said Editor-in-Chief Mark H. Beers, M.D. “Like the first book, which reminded doctors that ‘memory is treacherous,’ the newest edition of The Merck Manual provides the latest, up-to-date clinical information that a health care professional needs in order to remain a patient’s first line of defense.”

What’s New

With more than 3,000 pages, the new edition of The Merck Manual is the work of more than 300 independent contributors and features all new two-color printing and new disease summaries. Timely topics, such as bird flu, biological warfare, SARS, exercise and sports injuries, and bites and stings are covered in detail.

For example, the new book describes the cause of “Avian Influenza” as “strains of influenza A that normally infect only wild birds (and sometimes pigs).” Most human infections, the book notes, are caused by avian influenza type H5N1.

“Human infection with avian influenza H5N1 strains can cause severe respiratory symptoms,” according to the book. “Mortality was 33% in the 1997 outbreak and almost 80% in the 2004 outbreak.”

The book provides a new section on “Obesity and The Metabolic Syndrome,” noting that the prevalence of obesity in the United States is high and increasing. Obesity and its complications (such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes) “cause as many as 300,000 premature deaths each year, making it second to cigarette smoking as a cause of death.”

The new Merck Manual recommends several steps – such as exercise, healthful eating and behavior changes – that could help prevent obesity. “Weight loss of even 5 to 10% seems to improve health, increase longevity and decrease risk of complications,” according to the book.

Among the 34 new chapters are:

Nutritional Support

Neck and Back Pain

Autonomic Nervous System

Fractures, Dislocations and Sprains

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Dietary Supplements

Approach to the Critically Ill Patient

Sudden Death of Athletes

The reference provides easy searches through a detailed index, thumb tabs and new page-specific cross references. Focused primarily on the health care professional, the 18th edition provides practical, specific recommendations regarding diagnosis and treatment.

Trusted in Three Centuries

First published in 1899, The Merck Manual quickly became a favorite of those in need of a comprehensive, yet compact, medical reference. Dr. Albert Schweitzer carried the book to remote parts of Africa in 1913, and a copy accompanied Admiral Richard E. Byrd on his flight to the South Pole.

Merck also publishes The Merck Manual of Medical Information – Home Edition, which was introduced in 1997. This consumer-friendly book translates the medical terminology contained in The Merck Manual into everyday language. A New York Times best seller, The Merck Manual of Medical Information – Home Edition is now in its second edition. Merck also publishes The Merck Manual of Health & Aging, The Merck Veterinary Manual and The Merck Index. All Merck books are published on a non-profit basis.

The Merck Manual has been translated into 17 languages, and more than 10 million copies have been have been sold worldwide. The 18th edition costs $55 and may be purchased in bookstores, by calling toll-free at 1-877-438-6643, or via the Internet at www.merckbooks.com.

About Merck

Merck & Co., Inc. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to putting patients first. Established in 1891, Merck discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines to address unmet medical needs. The Company devotes extensive efforts to increase access to medicines through far-reaching programs that not only donate Merck medicines but also help deliver them to the people who need them. Merck also publishes unbiased health information as a not-for-profit service. For more information, visit www.merck.com.

© 2006 HealthNewsDigest.com