Allergy Book Review

Allergy in Practice
Author: Johannes Ring
Editor: Marion Philipp
ISBN #: 978-3-540-00219-2

List price: $129.00 USD
Available from: Springer Berlin Heidelberg

Reviewer:
Ron Purcell, MD University of South Florida College of Medicine and James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA

Description:
Allergy in Practice is a concise yet remarkably thorough overview of allergic disease and provides the reader with a basic understanding of the physiology, diagnosis, and treatment of commonly encountered allergic conditions. This is an updated version of the 2nd edition printed in 1988 and reflects the many changes in the field over the past 20 years.

Purpose:
This book is written to provide the reader with a better understanding of the recognition and treatment of allergic diseases commonly encountered in the clinical setting. It does not cover immunodeficiency, rheumatology or other immunologic conditions except as they relate specifically to allergy.

Audience:
Medical students, physicians in training, and other health care professionals looking for an introduction to the clinical practice of allergy will find this to be an excellent resource. It also serves well as a reference for health care professionals who want rapid access to clinically useful information regarding the field of allergy.

Features:
Without a doubt, the book's strong point is the author's exceptional ability to present information in a concise, straightforward manner. Despite being only 276 pages and measuring 25 X 17 cm, the book covers nearly every aspect of allergy in such a way that the reader can quickly grasp even difficult concepts. Each section is clearly delineated and rarely exceeds two pages; many are only one or two paragraphs. Despite this brevity, explanations are thorough and complete. The clinical sections are organized logically and make generous use of tables, so differential diagnosis, common physical findings, and other practical information can be quickly accessed. Extensive cross referencing of sections allows the reader to easily locate related concepts or conditions. Additional chapters covering allergen immunotherapy and diagnostic techniques, such as skin testing, provide insight into how these are accomplished by specialists trained in these procedures.

Assessment:
Anyone wishing to increase their understanding of the diagnosis and management of allergic disease in a concise, readable format will find this to be an excellent resource.