Harrisons Manual of Medicine, 19th Edition

Book Preface

Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine (HPIM), the premier medical textbook for students and clinicians, provides a detailed body of information important to an understanding of the biological and clinical aspects of quality patient care. Harrison’s Manual of Medicine aims to fulfill a different need: As a concise, fact-rich resource for bedside care, the Manual presents clinical information drawn from the 19th edition of HPIM, covering the key features of the diagnosis, clinical manifestations, and treatment of the major diseases that are likely to be encountered on a medical service.

First published in 1988, the Manual has become ever more useful with the rapid expansion of medical knowledge and the increasing time constraints associated with heavy patient-care responsibilities in modern health care settings. The Manual’s popularity and value reflect its abbreviated format, which has proven extremely useful for initial diagnosis and management in time-restricted clinical settings. In particular, the book’s full-color format allows readers to locate and use information quickly. In addition, numerous tables and graphics facilitate decisions at the point of care.

The Manual has been written for easy and seamless reference to the full text of the 19th edition of HPIM, and the Editors recommend that the full textbook be consulted as soon as time allows. Although not a substitute for in-depth analysis of clinical problems, the Manual serves as a ready source of informative summaries that will be useful “on the spot” and that will prepare the reader for more in-depth analysis through more extensive reading at a later time. Like previous editions, this latest edition of the Manual is intended to keep up with the continual evolution of internal medicine practices. To this end, every chapter from the prior edition has been closely reviewed and updated, with substantial revisions and new chapters provided where appropriate. The 19th edition of the Manual is available in print and in portable format for the smartphone and tablet.