Abstract

Doody Rating : 3 stars : This book published in two volumes. Both volume divided in twenty three sections, all sections and chapters are most important. The Textbook of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine also offers a unique exposure to the problems in many parts of the world. Tuberculosis, the “number one” treatable condition has been extensively covered; and special topics such as multi-drug resistance, directly observed therapy, TB prevention, nonpharmacologic approaches and extapulmonary tuberculosis are particularly relevant. Many countries are facing a growing burden of noncommunicable respiratory diseases. They have become the second leading cause of death after injuries, and their impact on indirect costs such as loss of work and home productivity is enormous. These problems are addressed and measures of prevention such as smoking cessation are included. Other special challenges including topics such as indoor and outdoor air pollution, climate change, poisoning with pesticides, snakebite toxicity, pulmonary manifestations of tropical infections and industrial accidents such as the tragedy seen in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, with methyl isocyanate, have been well covered. However, as globalization flattens the playing field, and countries leap to industrialization, cultural beliefs, natural resources, climate and geography have slowed the pace of development in many parts of the world. Poverty leads to malnutrition, homelessness, lack of education, and poor access to health care. Overcrowded cities and rural underdevelopment are other challenges that impact health in the various parts of the world. Moreover, epidemics of HIV, drug abuse and smoking addiction take a greater toll on the population. Yes, the world is flat, but the terrain is filled with mountains and valleys and local problems demand local solutions. And these local problems need to be explored and presented with a scholarly perspective. The Textbook of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine has successfully incorporated these sociodemographic factors into the subject matter. The text is well-written and the chapters are carefully referenced with subjects found in all traditional pulmonary and critical care textbooks, e.g. airway diseases, interstitial lung disease, pleural disease, pulmonary neoplasia, pulmonary infection, sleep and critical care. There are several nontraditional sections as well that are practical and especially helpful to the practicing physician. These include a section on the symptom approach to lung disease, an overview of the pharmacologic agents used to treat lung disease, and a comprehensive review of methods in lung diagnosis from the simple history and physical examination to the latest complex tools of interventional pulmonology. The textbook is especially unique because of the abundance of illustrations, flow charts and tables. There are many radiographic and pathologic reproductions that are especially helpful.