具体描述
IT IS UNFORTUNATE that physicians are so busy
caring for the seriously ill that they frequently do not
have time to answer all the questions patients or their
families wish to ask. Furthermore, there is a gener-
al reluctance on the part of most people to make too
many inquiries for fear that they will impose upon
their doctor s valuable time. This situation is often ag-
gravated by the desire of patients to obtain additional
data about their illness long after they have left their
physician s consulting room. As a consequence,
much important medical information fails to be trans-
mitted at times when it would be most helpful.
This book is predicated upon the conviction that
people have the right to medical knowledge should
they seek it, and that the widespread dissemination
of accurate information about health and disease
can lead only to a healthier population.
Included in this work are more than 7,500 ques-
tions and answers pertaining to the various branches
of medicine and surgery. The chapters have been
written by qualified specialists who have compiled
those questions most often asked them by their pa-
tients. Nontechnical language has been used wher-
ever possible, so that there will be no difficulty in u n-
derstanding the text.
The statements of the contributors represent their
own independent medical thinking. Somewhat
different responses may be given in discussion of
similar topics, but it should be remembered that
Medicine has always embraced differences of opin-
ion, and that its ultimate goal, attainment and main-
tenance of health, can be achieved by varied ap-
proaches.
The use of this book will be facilitated by reference
to the Contents to help locate the topic in which the
reader is interested. If a subject cannot be located
readily in the Contents, we suggest that the Index be
consulted.
Every effort has been made by the participating
doctors to provide the soundest and most up-to-date
information and advice. Events in the medical world
are happening with great and sometimes surprising
rapidity. Thus, new discoveries may take place even
while the book is being printed. Each contributor has
reviewed his material in the light of current de-
velopments at the very last moment, making this en-
cyclopedia, in our belief, as complete as it is possi-
ble to make it.
