The Penguin Medical Encyclopedia

There are quite a number of small encyclopaedias, encyclopaedic dictionaries and little handbooks of medicine, designed for popular use. This is, I think, one of the best. It has grown considerably since the last edition, indicating, perhaps, the increasing complexity of modern medicine. The descriptions, varying from one line to a couple of pages, are clear and informative, and should be within the grasp of a reasonably well‐educated layman. There are no suggestions for further reading. The cross‐referencing is occasionally inadequate ‐ an entry under Circle of Willis, with no cross‐reference from Willis, for example. Medical science is developing at...