A Dictionary of Symptoms

I occasionally like a fool play doctor to myself and use this book in order to see that it is not as bad as I fear it might be. In other words I use it for self- diagnosis . But too much self- diagnosis is of course a dangerous thing. This work lists the symptoms into categories which are parts of the body, head and neck, chest, skin , urinary system etc.It has a very helpful table of contents that makes it easy to get to what one wants to check.It also in its entry provides first ' Identification' of the symptom and then Treatment. This again may be helpful. But of course for anything that hints at being truly problematic a visit to the doctor is in order.

I found this book on Guam (of all places), many years ago ($.50 cents on a close-out book rack) - and bought it. Although dog-eared and falling apart, it has been an indespensible part of my family's health reference library. I have no idea what we would have done with out it.

I have had this book for years and look forward to the updated version. It is not meant to be used instead of seeking a doctor's opinion, but it has been helpful on many fronts, when medical advice has not been necessary. It is full of common sense remedies for all sorts of minor mishaps, sometimes even suggesting a change in diet to correct an ailment. As my copy is falling apart I hope I get a new one soon.