Mosby's Medical Encyclopedia

The format is admirably clear. A column on the left of the screen indicates the various available sources on the disc. Click on each to access the subsection you want. Most useful is perhaps the encyclopedia itself, which gives plain, lucid, informative definitions of some 20,000 medically related terms. Below the encyclopedia is a very handy drug guide, affording the scientific background and uses of multifarious pills, medicines, and remedies, from ibuprofen to Intaferon, temazepam to Tixylix. Equally interesting is the human atlas, which diagrammatically maps nervous, lymphatic, muscular, and digestive systems, amongst others. The on-disc Internet guide, which links you to pertinent Web sites and apposite net addresses, is pretty cool too.

In fact, there's so much information here it might prove slightly overwhelming for the layman, and in some ways the CD-ROM is aimed as much at professional users as the needy family or inquisitive individual. But for those willing to swallow the odd technical term, it's still pretty hard to think of a better single-disc medical dictionary on the CD-ROM market. --Sean Thomas

Amazon.com Product Description
Packed with essential information for today's health-conscious user, Mosby's Medical Encyclopedia combines nearly 20,000 medical definitions with thousands of charts, illustrations, audio pronunciations, and full-motion videos.

Using clear, easy-to-understand language, Mosby's Medical Encyclopedia provides valuable information on a wide range of health-care topics, including leading health problems and treatments, pregnancy, pediatrics, and prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Explore the latest medical procedures, and check the pronunciation of more than 4,000 medical terms. A full-color atlas of human anatomy provides an overview of all major body systems.