The Best Treatment

The author of Symptoms presents a guide to making informed decisions about health that covers a vast array of ailments and diseases, from acne to to headaches to infertility. Reprint.

At first glance these two titles seem similar, as they both are guides to the best treatment options for various illnesses and injuries. However, Oppenheim's book cannot be recommended as it is superficial, condescending, and, in some areas, not particularly up-to-date. (The treatment most recommended for depression is electroshock, with antidepressants mentioned only in passing, and the chapter on allergies fails to mention the highly effective steroid nose sprays). The Best Treatment is definitely superior. Rosenfeld, the author of Symptoms (S. & S., 1989), covers more topics in considerably more detail and writes in a readable, informative way. As is true of almost any medical guide, Rosenfeld's work could be more comprehensive and focused. Various psychiatric disorders, some infections, and conditions such as non-migraine headaches would benefit from more information. Some diseases without significant advances in treatment (such as pancreatic cancer) are included. The Best Treatment should probably be supplemented by a more extensive medical guide such as the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Complete Home Medical Guide (Crown, 1989) and one or more of the consumer medical newletters such as the Harvard Health Letter (Harvard Medical School Health Publications Group). Recommended for popular medical collections.
- Mary Chitty, Massachusetts Coll . of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences, Boston
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.