Thousands of books have been published on various medical specialties but just a handful of them enter an undergrad's list. Here's a subject-wise compilation of books that are less popular but are spectacular:
1. PHYSIOLOGY:
Vander’s Human Physiology: The Mechanism of Body Function
Intuitive introductions to physiological phenomena;
Brilliant flowcharts (and sometimes, an integration of different flowcharts of the unit. Eg: Regulation of BP)
The eighth edition has the most authentic flavour.
Boron and Boulpaep: Medical Physiology
Comprehensive and detailed descriptions.
ECG and electrophysiology are very well covered.
2. ANATOMY:
CUNNINGHAM’S Dissection Manual: The older editions
Each artery or nerve is treated like the protagonist in a novel, that one forms a mental picturization of the course and relations.
Some ancient terms may confuse, but clarification is just clicks away.
KEITH L MOORE: The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology
Comprehensive and chronological account of the fetus
Clinical Correlations and embryological defects are well covered
3. PATHOLOGY:
WILLIAM BOYD: TEXTBOOK of PATHOLOGY
Pathology meets poetry!
Has a lovely flavour of describing lesions that one cannot ever forget after reading. (Atherosclerotic plaque- “as if a drop of wax had fallen on the aorta”)
Not the new 10th Edition. Eighth and before are the original works of the author
RUBIN’S PATHOLOGY
Well-structured descriptions of pathology.
Some images are better than Robbins.
Has a Board Review book that is very insightful.
ERIC HSI: Hematopathology:
A Volume in the Series: Foundations in Diagnostic Pathology
Peripheral smears are stunningly beautiful
4. PHARMACOLOGY
GOODMAN AND GILMAN'S The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics
The biggest and best book in pharmacology, of which, KD Tripathi is a collection of notes.
Historical and literary references in the book leave an everlasting impression. Eg: Before the pharmacology of alcohol, GG quotes William Shakespeare from Macbeth describing the effects of alcohol.
Has a workbook and casebook that functions as the perfect companion to learning
DR LAURENCE: Clinical Pharmacology
Long and excellent descriptions of the principles of (general) pharmacology.
Vivid examples that make one recall the concept itself. Eg: The old man with recurring gynaecomastia.
Out of print but a good internet search will suffice.
5. MICROBIOLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY:
Dr. SRIDHAR RAO’s Website: https://www.microrao.com/
Fun way to learn microbiology with puzzles, crosswords…
Readymade presentations of various microbes
FAQs for practical classes
ROITT’S ESSENTIAL IMMUNOLOGY
The number 1 book to learn the principles of immunology and there’s no number 2!
Has a cool website with exciting features to aid learning: https://www.roitt.com/default.asp
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