Rating: Summary: Fantastic Review: As a first responder with years of Search and Rescue experience, I found this book to be of immense value and full of practical knowledge not normally available to the average layman. Even though some of the scenarios MAY never occur in America, I think it is very elitist to assume that they NEVER WILL occur in America. This book is an absolute must for all people who are serious about personal or community health care.
Rating: Summary: An essental for third world travelers Review: As a former PCV, this book literally had infomation that was life saving. We still use it 15 years later and have bought the newest edition.For those who have never left the states, it may not be comprehensible "what do you mean - this disease might be worms or malnutrition? I'm an american and I can't get those diseases." However, if you have traveled outside the states (or into rural areas here in the states, you will have seen something described in this book. WTIND contains descriptions of causal factors, local remedies (that may or may not work) and some regional supersitions about diseases that can affect treatment and survival. It is a real life depiction of the diseases and treatments that a traveler or worker will face in most of the world.
Rating: Summary: Peace Corps Handbook Review: As a Peace Corps Volunteer I found this book to be an incredible resource, as a new parent I am finding it to be valuble once again. Clear concise information without all of the holier than thou medical jargon. Good home remidies, good drawings and good emergency advice.
Rating: Summary: By far the best "Home Doctor" book around Review: As a person living in tropical Asia, health is always a concern and health care is not often very good. Therefore I have continually used this book in diagnosing and treating disease which I may pick up along the way. The advice has always been accurate and the instructions easy to follow. Note that the emphasis of the book is on tropical medicine but is highly relevant to anyone living in a remote area where health care is distant.
Rating: Summary: Not Helpful for the Average Person Review: At the risk of going contrary to everyone else who has reviewed this book...Too frequently it suggests one get the injured person to the nearest hospital. Or suggests they get a physician in to help. Or suggests one acquire different prescription medicines. There is a plethora of suggestions along the lines that one should encourage primative mothers to give their children fruit instead of sodas, if they have any money for snacks. I bought this book based on the glowing reviews, but after looking it over, I returned it. Maybe wonderful for the Peace Corps but not for the average household wishing to avoid the medical profession as much as possible. If you are thinking along these lines, this book was not written for you. Most of it is common sense. If you cannot figure out that a person with severe bleeding should be kept immobile and not fed, then by all means get this book!
Rating: Summary: A must for medical missionaries... Review: Clear, concise, illustrated, and practical are but a few words that describe of this book. I especially appreciated the "attitude" of the book... not only one of healing the sick, but also one of teaching those in the village how to establish a medical community of their own. It's a great book to use and then leave for those with whom you've been working. "Where There Is No Dentist" would be a good companion, as well.
Rating: Summary: DONT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT Review: Everything and anything you need to know about healthcare. We live in the heart of africa where there are no doctors, and myserious illnesses & bacterias keep popping up. Since we have this book there is much less cause for worry. Dont leave home without it!
Rating: Summary: ... Review: Excellent book for people traveling to relatively undeveloped countries to help people there. Not the best book for do it yourself medicine unless you will be very far out in the wilderness and have almost no previous nowledge. This books deals with things like basic hygiene, and how to avoid cavities by not eating sugar and instead eating a balanced diet. It can be used by someone who is semi-literate in English.
Rating: Summary: A "Must Have" for Missionary Pilots Review: For the last 18 years I have used this book, in English, Spanish, and in Portuguese. Those who are critical of the book in a USA context are probably right. However, they have never walked where I walked. Now, even in "civilized" USA, I don't want to be without a copy at home.
Rating: Summary: Not really applicable to most North American situations Review: Get this from the library before you buy! Luckily, I did! It was disappointingly lacking in functional medical knowledge, given the title. Most of the book kept drifting into discussions of handling political/social/superstition issues associated with living in tribal/Third World villages. I found the implied assumption that these people groups do not possess even a modicum of common sense regarding basic hygiene to be elitist at best, and downright insulting at worst. Get a copy of the American Red Cross First Aid and Safety Handbook, and go forth armed with your own personal knowledge and sensitivity to others - you'll be miles ahead of this book. I really had high hopes for this reference before I read it - maybe a later edition will be more focused.
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