Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics [Hardcover]

Some of the chapters, such as the one describing the
immune system, are very technical and only aimed at
the well-versed in microbiology, whereas others, like
the acutely ill child, are very descriptive and make
a compelling read.

NToP is a particularly useful reference work for
those who want to read a good description on a
particular pathology or disorder. It is not written
or intended as a diagnostic aid, but rather as
a starter to bring the reader up to speed in a
particular subject after the diagnosis has been made.

It is also not intended as "the last word" on anything.
For instance, although the pediatric cardiology section is
extensive, you will need rather more to discuss a complicated
case with the pediatric cardiologist at the local university
hospital.

Sadly, some topics are barely touched. Look for sliding
hernia or oesophagitis, for example, and you will be
disappointed.

This book is a useful investment both for medical
practicioners and the loving parents to which it is
dedicated.

This product is based on a java applet and for Windows and Macintosh. For each of the chapter, about 30 review questions are available in a multiple-choice format. The answer is not only with alphabetical one, but also with a concise explanation with a link to the textbook. I find this feature very helpful. I haven't checked "Nelson Review of Pediatrics, 2nd ed., Behrman,R.E.CW.B.Saunders , 2000 263p", but the publisher says that this feature is based on this book.

Update service is available. Every time when you launch the program, you are asked whether it checks the updates. Full access to NelsonPediatrics.com for further information is also available, after you sign up on the web site. After all, the support service is awesome.

However, there are some things you should know as windows users, which is why I put 4 stars. First, you are required to use Netscape or Internet Explorer as your default browser. The browser must be new enough, too. Second, you must insert the CD-ROM every time you use this program, since it doesn't install all the files to your hard disk unlike the previous edition. Third, if you are using localized Windows other than English, you may have to replace some files. The procedure is as follows, quoted from the mail I got immediately from the support center:

>The Java Runtime Environment (JRE) that we distribute with the Nelson
>product is not the internationalized version. It could be that one of
>the following may address the issue (FIRST BACKUP THE JRE DIRECTORY IN
>NELSON'S INSTALL DIRECTORY):
>1. Download and install the international version of the JRE 1.2.2 (the
>one we use for Nelson) from
>http://java.sun.com/products/jdk/1.2/jre/download-windows.html. Then
>copy the installed JRE directory and all contents to the Nelson
>directory, naming it JRE.
>
>2. Download and install the international version of the newer JRE 1.3.0
>from http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.3/jre/download-windows.html and do the
>same thing as above.