Pocket Picture Guide to Gastroenterology is one installment of a series of pocket picture guides published by Gower Medical Publishing. The publisher says the intent of the series is "to provide essential visual information about commonly encountered disorders in a conveniently practical and economic format." The information is not to be viewed as comprehensive, and the reader is advised to use the books in conjunction with standard textbooks.
Dr.
McNeil has been able to meet the publisher's aims in a satisfactory manner. He has compiled examples of common gastrointestinal diseases likely to be encountered in clinical practice by gastroenterologists and general internists. The conditions are organized according to organ system and are illustrated with photographs of endoscopical and radiographical findings; physical examination abnormalities and histopathological findings are included whenever appropriate. Moreover, comparison tables are produced to highlight differences between benign and malignant esophageal strictures, ulcerative and Crohn's colitis and chronic persistent hepatitis and chronic active hepatitis.
True to Gower Medical Publishing's reputation, the quality of the photographs in general is exceptional though the endoscopical contributions are disappointing. They appear to be out of focus, and fiberoptic damage of the endoscope used is evident.
I do not believe this guidebook would be of any practical value to experienced physicians, but it may be useful to house officers-in-training and medical students.