6
Foreword
(e.g., the role of drug receptors, plasma concentration monitoring), and details of
pharmacologic groups and specific agents; it even discusses the uses of placebos.
The use of complex equipment (e.g., respirators) is also described. Prophylaxis is
emphasized wherever possible. Finally, reference guides are provided for checking
normal values, for calculating dosages, and for converting weights, measures, and
volumes to metric equivalents.
Can so many subjects by adequately covered in a single book? You, the reader,
must be the ultimate judge, but we believe the answer is in the affirmative. This
edition required a concerted effort by many people, beginning with an internal
analysis and critique of the previous edition, even though it enjoyed highly favor-
able reviews and outstanding reader acceptance. Sections of that book were then
sent to outside experts who had had nothing to do with its preparation, to solicit
their most candid criticism. Published reviews and letters from readers were ana-
lyzed. Next, the Editorial Board met to compare reviews and critiques and to plan
this 16th Edition. Distinguished special consultants were enlisted to provide addi-
tional expertise. Then, 290 authors with outstanding qualifications, experience,
and knowledge were engaged. Their manuscripts were painstakingly edited by our
in-house staff to retain every valuable morsel of knowledge while eliminating
sometimes elegant but unneeded words. Each manuscript was then reviewed by a
member of the Editorial Board or a consultant. In many cases, additional special
reviewers were invited to comment. Every mention of a drug and its dosage was
reviewed by still another outside consultant. The objective of all these reviews was
to ensure accuracy, adequate and relevant coverage of each subject, and simple and
clean exposition. The authors then reworked, modified, and polished their manu-
scripts. Almost all of the manuscripts were revised at least 6 times; 15 to 20 revi-
sions were not uncommon. We believe that no other medical text undergoes as
many reviews and revisions as THE MERCK MANUAL does.
