S Schonwald. (Pp 893; $89). Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2001. ISBN 0-7817-2613-1.

This book has everything, which is the main problem.

Its opening statement, that there an estimated 4–5 million cases of poisoning per annum in the USA sounds dramatic, but this is immediately qualified by the admission that 75% are treated at home (North American mums seemingly use ipecac syrup frequently), and that less than half of cases attending hospital require admission. In attempting therefore to cover every possible toxic compound available in American society, the book presents a smorgasbord of information, but at 862 pages of 9 point text with only two diagrams …