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2nd out of 9 books
—
15 voters
Where There Is No Doctor: A Village Health Care Handbook
Translated into over 90 languages, Where There Is No Doctor is considered the most accessible and widely used community health care manual in the world. This revolutionary health care "bible" has saved millions of lives around the world by providing vital information on diagnosing and treating common medical problems and diseases, and giving special emphasis to prevention....more
Paperback, 446 pages
Published
January 1st 1992
by Hesperian Foundation
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If you have joined the Peace Corps, you have read this book...and probably reread it about twenty five times after. It is an immense source of knowledge of medical conditions, treatments and resources available for communities without professional help available. Everything from how to take blood pressure (and what those results actually mean) to a differential diagnosis of stomach pain, it has become essential to me in working with community health workers learning to deal with major medical pr...more
I first started using this book when I worked in a refugee camp in 1984. Since then I've used material from it in training workshops in 12 different countries. It's hard to overemphasize how important this book is, not only as a text, but from a philosophical standpoint: Werner has spent his life trying to decrease our dependence on the medical establishment and this book does it perfectly, carefully noting when and why we need to seek professional care, but listing all the areas of health that...more
If you have an interest in promoting human security and believe in basic healthcare as a fundamental human right, this is your handbook. If you are doing a volunteer mission in a developing country, and I have in parts of Africa, the no nonsense logic of this will absolutely save lives. I think it was Einstein who said, All things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler. Well, this book makes the basics as simple as it can without being a full blown medical course. Basic sanitation...more
Fantastic book. I keep going back to this (especially when I'm sick and want to check my symptoms) and I get more and more out of it every time. The fact is that most people who get sick in rural areas don't have really complicated illnesses, but since they're poor and have little to no access to over-the-counter type medications, things go unchecked and turn into more serious problems. This book not only has great basic medical info, but lots of prevention ideas and talks a lot about social jus...more
This book is amazing! it gives you all the resources to help anyone in need. Very well written, with images and good descriptions. It starts from the most basic help like encouraging good hygiene to assessing one's symptoms and helping to treat their illness. It's written for any regular person to follow easily, with no medical terms and no experience necessary.
This book was great for a Peace Corps volunteer in a small village in the middle of nowhere - it helped avoid having to ask my colleagues at the health center about different symptoms etc. On the other hand, it could also cause a lot of unnecessary worry on the part of volunteers who leaned in a hypochondriac direction.
A great basic book on health to have on hand in developing countries. I consulted this book many times during my health work as PC volunteer, it even gives instructions on how to deliver a baby and do minor surgeries. I luckily didn't have to consult those sections at all!
This book is a manual on ALL types of medical health care just as the title reads. It also gives schematics to sanitary, irrigation, planting crops & drug substitutes. Suggestions on how to maintain a healthy community. A very valuable book of knowledge.
Apr 03, 2010
Trish
added it
I want to buy this again. something happened to mine. but i used this ALL the time in peacecorps and just after. This is a Great home resource! everyone should have one. (i helped on a cookbook we later called "where there is no take away." )
Jan 10, 2010
Bryan Carter
added it
If you're thinking of visiting rural areas in the third world, I highly recommend this book. It can serve as a quick reference on basic first aid, as well as providing information on common ailments.
reviewing this because barrett did. this book is fabulous. what was the quote?
"his mother will say it was because he ate sweets. but no, it is because he has eaten shit!"
"his mother will say it was because he ate sweets. but no, it is because he has eaten shit!"
1 like · like · see review
Good basics (I like the green pages at the end. It's your own mini drugs guide), and the great thing is that it's a free download. http://hesperian.org/books-and-resour...
The Telugu version is in my proflle pic- we (See the Needs) were thrilled to provide them to over 50 village leaders in southeast India where they have no clinics.
A good introduction to austere medicine for those with no experience. More experienced folks would be better served by a good wilderness medicine text.
This was my medical reference book during my time in the Peace Corps. I think I diagnosed myself with African River Blindness about 200 times.
Mar 28, 2009
Aileen
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone that travels to developing nations.
Good basic info. Seems to make appearances in a timely manner. Medicine outside the box....It gets a flip through every year or so...
All the stuff you learned in Health class and all the stuff you should have but didn't. Indispensible. This is basically a handbook for people who are charged with the task of providing health care to people in undeveloped countries. It tells you basic diagnosis and treatment for common ailments, and also teaches you how to teach them how to keep themselves healthy. It's cartoonish and seemingly dumbed down at times, but don't underestimate this book. Even if you're an MD, you'll be surprised at...more
This book entertained us for so many candlelit evenings in Lesotho that I thought I'd never be able to live anywhere without it.
Combination of common sense and basic application of antibiotics and other medicines; a "standard" in the field, I believe.
The most frightening book to read while serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
Hours of entertaining reading when you're a Peace Corps volunteer in the middle of nowhere.
Oct 16, 2010
Rick Boyne
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone living overseas, especially third world countries
Recommended to Rick by:
IMB
A most valuable resource for living overseas, especially 3rd world countries!
Oct 04, 2011
Brad Belschner
marked it as maybe-will-read-someday
Looks good for missionary work. Probably interesting.
This is the most practical book you could ever need
great reference book, I use this all the time in India
Made me curious about the medical field.
Interesting and useful
everone should have one
Jul 12, 2011
Jj Aniban
added it
Home Health Care
This book was SO not what I expected. It was mostly just common sense things, and what meds to treat things with. Meds that here in the states you have to get from a doc.
Was looking for a book on really how to treat things when there are "No Doctors" . . . what Herbs to use, how to take out a bullet, how to mend a broken bone & make a cast, those kinds of things.
Guess my book search continues. Maybe "Culpeper's Complete Herbal" will be my next try
Was looking for a book on really how to treat things when there are "No Doctors" . . . what Herbs to use, how to take out a bullet, how to mend a broken bone & make a cast, those kinds of things.
Guess my book search continues. Maybe "Culpeper's Complete Herbal" will be my next try
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Jun 25, 2012 08:25am