Reviewer: Michele T Pritchard, PhD (University of Kansas Medical Center)
Description: This addition to the Oxford Desk Reference series is written by notable experts in the fields of toxicology and pharmacology, several of whom have firsthand experience dealing with poisoning in patients. The first three chapters provide excellent background, while the remaining 13 present specific information on the most common sources of poisoning. It is also available as an ebook (Kindle).
Purpose: The purpose is to provide a streamlined desk reference with entries on the most common sources of poisoning in humans. Although limited in scope, the topics are covered concisely, yet thoroughly, and the book clearly meets its objectives.
Audience: It is intended as a quick reference for physicians and medical students, particularly those working in critical care medicine. It also could benefit nursing and other critical support staff with a background in this area or those who routinely care for poisoned patients.
Features: The first three chapters cover clinical toxicology principles, the general management of poisoned patients, and common complications of poisoning. The subsequent 13 chapters focus on specific sources of poisoning in humans. However, the areas covered are broad and include the most likely sources of poisoning in patients; this is not a comprehensive book on all known mediators of human poisoning. The drugs, chemicals, and toxins the book covers include those used for medicinal purposes, drugs of abuse, common toxic chemicals, metals, and household products. An additional chapter focuses on the toxicology of pesticides, herbicides and rodenticides, while two others cover poisoning due to fungi, plants and animals, and chemical warfare agents. The book ends with chapters on radiation toxicology and occupational and industrial aspect of toxicology assessment. Chapters are well organized and begin with brief background. They then provide information on the substance's therapeutic use, if appropriate, mechanisms and clinical features of toxicity, and clinical management of the poisoned patient. Chapter formats vary based on the specific content. However, they all end with suggestions for further reading for more in-depth analysis. Several chapters include tables or diagrams. None of the figures are in color, which is appropriate for a desk reference. Pages are edged in grey, which makes it easy to flip to a specific chapter.
Assessment: This appears to be the most up-to-date book of its type. Other books, including Toxicology Desk Reference: The Toxic Exposure and Medicine Monitoring Index, 5th edition, Ryan et al. (CRC Press, 1999), and Dreisbach's Handbook of Poisoning: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment, 13th edition, True and Dreisbach (CRC Press, 2002), cover similar material but are far more comprehensive and include a much broader array of drugs/chemicals, making them less useful for quick reference in critical situations. The advantage this book has over those more comprehensive titles it that it presents the most likely sources of human poisoning in a very succinct format. The information is of adequate detail to help clinicians quickly move forward with a diagnosis and treatment plan for affected patients. Overall, this would be an excellent addition to any critical care/emergency department clinician's compendium of resources on how to manage poisoned patients.
