Though we might not like to think about it, pretty much everyone who has benefited from a doctor’s care has also benefited from that doctor’s ability to dissect and examine a human body at some point during their education – and in a recent interview for BBC History Magazine, Dr. Elizabeth Hurren discusses the means of obtaining those bodies during the 19th century. Recorded to promote her new book, “Dying for Victorian Medicine…” the interview is a fascinating period glimpse into the legal -and illegal- trade in cadavers.

Central to the availability of cadavers, and where those cadavers came from, was the Anatomy Act – a law passed by the upper class members of Parliament to codify the supply bodies in a reaction to the fact that “resurrections” (ie. grave robbers) were targeting the graves of the upper and middle class. After the Act passed, the the supply shifted almost entirely to the lower classes, as the medical profession was given legal access to corpses that were unclaimed after death (such as those who died in prison or the workhouse), or were donated by their next of kin in exchange for burial, which the poor could not afford otherwise.

Dr. Hurren also describes the public reaction to the practice in general and the Anatomy Act in particular, relates the stories of some specific donors and suppliers, and even touches on how the nature of the practice impacted on the architecture of where the anatomists did their work, and still impacts today on the research of modern genealogists.

You can find the short (c. 20 minutes) but absorbing podcast here, and if the interview leaves you sufficiently intrigued, the book can be ordered through our campus location or our Virtual Bookstore.

We’ve got new editions of some of our best-selling titles getting ready to hit the shelves in the next few months, so we thought we’d cover a few of them in a single post. (We’ll usually get the books into stock about a week after the release date, or you can use the links to order any of the titles right now through our Virtual Bookstore, and they’ll be shipped to you as soon as they become available.)

Essentials for the Canadian Medical Licensing Exam: Review and Prep for MCCQE Part I

The second edition of this text (due for release in mid-March) uses the MCCQE Examination Objectives as guidelines to present a new and innovative review of all specialties and sub-specialties tested on the Part I examination. Each chapter focuses on common clinical presentations which include detailed differential diagnoses, relevant physical examination characteristics and diagnostic tests, treatment and patient consultation techniques, and epidemiological information, as well as fundamental scientific principles.

-Outline format allows for quick and efficient review of material.
-Flow diagrams present clinical decision-making, diagnostic testing, and differential diagnoses.
-Boxes contain applied scientific concepts, high-yield points, CLEO material, and clinical pearls.
-Red flags highlight emergent medical situations.

The 22nd edition of Taber’s Cylopedic Dictionary (due for release February 1st) reflects the most current healthcare information, along with a free 1-year subscription to Taber’s Online, and Taber’s Flash – a flash card app that simplifies studying. In addition, Web, mobile, and print platforms ensure access in any setting, while crossword puzzles, flashcards, and listen-and-learn activities meet the needs of visual, kinesthetic, and auditory learners. (Over 30,000 terms are accompanied by audio pronunciations.)

Canada’s source for drug information, the Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties contains more than 2000 product monographs for drugs, vaccines and natural health products. A comprehensive cross-referenced index of generic and brand names ensures you can easily find what you’re looking for.
Additions for the 2013 edition (due for release February 15) include:
-200 new products-11 new CPhA drug monographs
-72 new images in the Product Identification Section
-New updates in all the Clin-Info articles

Thirteen years after the previous edition, and after much (and not entirely resolved) debate, the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is expected to be hitting the shelves in May.

New features and enhancements to the DSM-5 include:
-A chapter organization which reflects a lifespan approach, with disorders typically diagnosed in childhood (such as neurodevelopmental disorders) at the beginning of the manual, and those more typical of older adults (such as neurocognitive disorders) placed at the end.
-The latest findings in neuroimaging and genetics have been integrated into each disorder along with gender and cultural considerations.
-The revised organizational structure recognizes symptoms that span multiple diagnostic categories, providing new clinical insight in diagnosis.
-Both ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM codes are included for each disorder, and the organizational structure is consistent with the new ICD-11 in development.

The information contained in the manual is used by a variety of physicians and health professionals, including psychologists, counselors, nurses, and occupational and rehabilitation therapists, as well as social workers and forensic and legal specialists.

And finally, but perhaps most anticipated, the 2013 edition of the Toronto Notes should be arriving around mid-February. This one isn’t available through the Virtual Bookstore, but we’ll post here and on our Facebook page when they come in, and can ship via Canada Post if you can’t get into the store.